In the early 80's Ford was building the Chihuahua, Mexico engine plant.=20 A friend engineer was assigned there during the construction where they=20 lived in a compound that had golf, swimming pool, etc. His young son=20 touched a piece of electric conduit and was electrocuted. :( Good=20 construction codes and their enforcement is a necessary evil. On 8/3/2010 6:31 AM, ivp wrote: >> It seems to me that a few conditions need to be in place for you to >> be electrocuted, hence most of the times you would be OK. The >> problem is that with so many variables you can not be sure that you >> would not be electrocuted, you may be unlucky >> =20 > A mains lead in a pool is Russian Roulette. 5 out of 6 you might not > be shocked. The question is which path the electricity takes. If you > are between it and a ground point chances are you'll take a hit. A > couple of examples. Caravans (mobile homes) with incorrectly- > wired extension leads. The whole vehicle is live, insulated somewhat > from ground by the tyres. You step out, put one foot on the ground, > it's curtains. And lightning strikes. They'll go through the skin of a > vehicle (car, plane etc) without affecting the occupants. In a similar > fashion, if you happen to be wet and get struck by lightning, the > electricity may pass on the outside of the body rather than through it. > That doesn't mean to say though that a lethal portion wouldn't also > go through vital organs. The variables are numerous > > I remember a couple of electricians telling me that it was wise to > keep the left hand in a pocket to avoid hand-to-hand shock or > left hand-to-ground, both passing through the heart > > =20 >> I think mythbusters is not a good proof, as they will replicate the >> conditions where you would definitely be electrocuted >> =20 > Yes, they do that, but ISTR the tests they did weren't too far-fetched. > I think a toaster, a hairdryer and a radio (?) were simply let drop into > the bath from a shelf > > Joe > > * > * > ********** > Quality PIC programmers > http://www.embedinc.com/products/index.htm > =20 --=20 http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist .