Brian Kraut wrote:
>
> Shame on you missing an OT.
>
> Reminds me of the time I was having fun charging various caps I had laying
> around with a 15,000 Volt neon sign transformer untill I held a ceramic disk cap
> between my thumb and forefinger.  Unfortunately the ceramic case of the cap blew
> before the dielectric.  Put a nice hole in each side of the cap and gave me a
> lesson I won't forget.  Kids, don't try this at home.

Reminds me of the time a friend an I were cutting rings of fluorescent
tubing using the arc from a 15KV neon sign transformer.
We'd strike an arc in air, then bring it down onto the dud tube.
As the glass got hot, it melted, and molten glass conducts electricity!
We'd work our way around the circumference, and then disconnect the
arc, and the glass ring would pop off from the thermal shock.

Unfortunately one of those times the HV lead slipped into the
palm of my hand as I was laying it down, and for about 4/10ths of a
second I discovered what it's like to be 'defibrillated' by 15KV AC.

Ever been stepped on by an elephant? It felt like I was stomped on
by several. Every single muscle fibre in my chest discharged, sending me
flying across the room. Fortunately I lived and learned a VERY healthy
respect for HV.

Of course that didn't stop me from taking out the electrolytics from
old radios and plugging them into the power line. Who needs a dynamite
license when you have access to aluminum electrolytics and AC power?

--
Robert.Rolf-AT-UAlberta.ca