Bob,

> I am sure you use higher voltages than 415 for neighborhood
> distribution,
> don't you?!? Otherwise you'd use an awful lot of Cu or Al.

I have a delightful 11000 volts in the corner of my front yard. I'll
wait until the garden overgrows for a little camouflage before I put it
on the market. On a quiet night, I can hear a distant buzz! :-)

So yes, we have 33kV and 11kV transformers scattered around the place.
I can not remember what it originates at the stations - it's been far
too long. I was simply referring to the common supply lines.

> I believe GFIs in the US are supposed to trip at 7 or more ma.

I have often wondered about this. I have done some paramedics training,
and from memory - doesn't the heart start to fibrillate at about 25mA.
I've often thought it cruel that - if my memory is correct and it is
indeed 25mA -  our RCCBs are set at 30mA :-)

Even at 30mA though, I know that electricians (in Aus) will run
separate unprotected circuits for refrigerators and airconditioners. My
brother recently refurbished his kitchen and his refrigerator is on a
protected circuit. He said it has tripped twice in say, 6 months. 7mA
is incredibly low. I reckon everybody on this list has had more than
that! Nothing like a little heart starter! :-)

Regards,

Sean

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