"RF Voltage"

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bensonelectric

bensonelectric

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Today, a maintenence worker repairing the roof on my school, accidentally touched a bare wire running across the roof from the radio station to the transmitter tower on the other side of the building, and recieved a gigantic shock that burned a big area of his hand. He wanted to know why this wire wasnt insulated, and my instructor explained to him that that wire was a RF wire, and that insulation woulnt stop people from getting a shock. What exactly is "RF Voltage", and woulnt insulation prevent shocking? What does the NEC say about something like this?
 
Re: "RF Voltage"

HF Rf energy is what a microwave uses to heat food. While a tube type transmitter can have a very high voltage on the antenna, the RF energy even at at low frequency's can burn small local areas when the body come into contact with this wire or antenna. And this can happen even if the output voltage is low as in a solid state transmitter. Insulation on the wire will not protect from RF burns as the energy will still radiate from the wire. There should be wanning signs to alert anyone that works in the vicinity of this antenna system. A high power transmitter can be very dangerous if a person can get close to the antenna.
 
Re: "RF Voltage"

Like can it kill a person or what? Do you think there will know be signs on the roof, alerting people of the danger? Danger Will Robinson...DANGER... :D So did this person get *shokced*? Or just burned? Or both?

[ January 05, 2005, 12:54 AM: Message edited by: midget ]
 
Re: "RF Voltage"

He most likely just got a good RF burn. It would depend upon the type of transmitter as to the voltage on the wire. what is the frequency of the station? and is it broadcast AM or FM? What is the actual output of it (Not ERP) sounds like a 5kw transmitter as most school radio stations are very limited.

Years ago I had a CB setup with a 4500 watt Maco amp that would get your attention if you leaned against my whips on my car. I was laying down one nite in the front seat at Ft. Lauderdale beach when a couple of guys thought it would be funny to put a bend in my antenna. well they didn't see me and I just grabbed the Mic and they let out a real big scream :D

[ January 05, 2005, 01:53 AM: Message edited by: hurk27 ]
 
Re: "RF Voltage"

Wayne, I just got the results back from my Cray and it says your Maco was slurping up a phenonenal 375 amps. Where'd you get that from? :p
 
Re: "RF Voltage"

From Maco engineering. I do have two 5kw golden mules with CX ceramic tubes. But I won't get into that.

Oh I forgot I had a trunk full of deep cycle battery's to feed it and dual alt's to replenish the battery's.
 
Re: "RF Voltage"

I once had a stereo that could attract cops for more than three blocks. That needed trunk power too. Designed and manufactured the whole thing myself. from the 6 or 8 cubic foot bass speaker to the isolating charging circuit fed through 2/0. Crossovers. The only things off the shelf were batteries, deck and amp. Even used a self reseting overload protection for the charging system and 2/0 that passed through the "cockpit".

Toys are cool. :cool: :cool: :cool:

Editted because I blew a word.

[ January 05, 2005, 08:06 PM: Message edited by: physis ]
 
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