>> When I was probably younger then 10 years old I used my brand new >> digital multimeter to measure the amount of current a wall socket can >> produce. Fortunately the range I used was fused and no fireworks >> occurred, but it took me a while to understand why that idea didn't >> work! :) Steadying a solid quality screwdriver on a metal chassis and then sliding the driver tip forwards until it touches the 230VAC main terminal also results in fusing - but also fireworks. I cannot remember what I was trying to do or why I managed to do what I did. The tip welded to the tag and the arc between chassis and blade eroded the chassis until the arc ceased. The handle insulation turned out to be adequate for the task. That was many decades ago and I've never managed to do anything too too similar since. (If you don't count punching holes through metal cigarette cases with N KiloWatt plastic welders when you use the case as an impromptu electrode to 'see how/if this thing works' [TM]. Very exiting. Or could be. Russell -- http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist