zog
Senior Member
- Location
- Charlotte, NC
Came across this over the weekend. This is from the 1924 edition of the American Electricians Handbook.
115 - Electricians often test circuits for the presence of voltage by touching the conductors with the fingers. This method is safe where the voltage does not exceed 250V and is often very convenient for locating a blown out fuse or ascerting whether or not a circuit is alove. Some men can endure the electrical shock that results without discomfort wheras others cannot.
116 - The presence of low voltages can be determined by "tasting". This method is feasable only when the pressure is but a few volts and hence is only used in bell and signal work. When the voltage is low, the bared ends of the conductor constituting the two sides of the circuit are held a short distance apart on the tounge. If voltage is present, a peculiarly mild burning sensation results, which will never be forgotton after one experienced it. The "taste" is due to the electrolytic decomposition of the liquids on the tounge, which produces a salt having a taste.
Wow!
Why post this? Because this shows how far most of us have evolved. Some of the old timers may have actually done this, sometimes methods like this get passed down. Obviously these practices are very dangerous and would not be followed today with anyone educated in the effects of electricity on the human body, or with a drop of common sense.
There seems to be a lot of people that hate the new OSHA and NFPA 70E rules and are reluctant to follow them. Someday, someone will be posting something similar to this talking about back in the days when we were reckless and uneducated about arc flash hazards.
After all, there was a time when 2 guys in Italy were thought to be crazy becasue they thought the earth was round.
115 - Electricians often test circuits for the presence of voltage by touching the conductors with the fingers. This method is safe where the voltage does not exceed 250V and is often very convenient for locating a blown out fuse or ascerting whether or not a circuit is alove. Some men can endure the electrical shock that results without discomfort wheras others cannot.
116 - The presence of low voltages can be determined by "tasting". This method is feasable only when the pressure is but a few volts and hence is only used in bell and signal work. When the voltage is low, the bared ends of the conductor constituting the two sides of the circuit are held a short distance apart on the tounge. If voltage is present, a peculiarly mild burning sensation results, which will never be forgotton after one experienced it. The "taste" is due to the electrolytic decomposition of the liquids on the tounge, which produces a salt having a taste.
Wow!
Why post this? Because this shows how far most of us have evolved. Some of the old timers may have actually done this, sometimes methods like this get passed down. Obviously these practices are very dangerous and would not be followed today with anyone educated in the effects of electricity on the human body, or with a drop of common sense.
There seems to be a lot of people that hate the new OSHA and NFPA 70E rules and are reluctant to follow them. Someday, someone will be posting something similar to this talking about back in the days when we were reckless and uneducated about arc flash hazards.
After all, there was a time when 2 guys in Italy were thought to be crazy becasue they thought the earth was round.
