Re: [IRCA] Off topic-electrical problem
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Re: [IRCA] Off topic-electrical problem



Milly-Paul,

I was pretty surprised at the turn-out in reply to Patrick's problem. Maybe too much reply, bury him under advice.

I got busy last year putting lighting and outlets into attic, and adding lighting and outlets to those already in a sidehouse where our dryer is.

As I was fixin' to get to work, had a looong e-mail exchange w/fellow VOA retiree about the National Electric Code. Most specifically the difference between neutral and GROUNDING wire (green) that connects to round hole on the typical three-wire.

Bought a good copy of a textbook on NEC code and set to read up (what do most folks do with a book?). Surprised at what was said about neutral and GROUNDING wire. Never mix the two. Grounding wire should never conduct current except in event of a fault. Ever. Then it conducts big fault current back to neutral/ground (joined at service entrance) and offending black wire trips breaker big time. No doubts.

For me, I want solid ground for radio stuff. Ground rods won't do generally because ground resistance is so high. A 4-foot ground rod may measure 500 ohms with reference to solid earth ground. Water system is more and more PVC, so no longer good for grounding. Gas pipes few here in town. Mostly bottled LPG. Where gas pipes are available, they are forbidden for use for grounding purposes. Lord, stay away from that gas pipe. One spark can send you and your neighbors to your reward FAST.

Alternative: use neutral for grounding receivers and such? No can do according to NEC. Only alternative is rewire house for four wire (three+green). Expensive and you can guess what else.

Charles


Milspec390@xxxxxxx wrote:
Hi Patrick -

   Others will reply, so briefly: Round hole ground, short straight opening 120 volts. Long straight opening Neutral. Normally 120 between short straight and long straight, and short straight and ground. Wall plate screw grounded, as is outlet box, useful for running ground lead to older sets with two-wire cords.
   Surge protector faulty? Know enough to reveal ineptitude, some surge protectors discourage connecting externally grounded devices i.e. radios with grounded coax, as there may be isolation in protector ground circuit. Uncertain. Best defense, big sparks - pull plugs & antlers. Sets damaged by surges crawling up power leads as well as shooting down pipe.
   Hollow state stuff not as critical, beef-o-la power xfmr serves as palace guard of the Temple of Tubes, which in turn is inclined to forgive the sin excessive voltage.

                                                       Penitently,

                                                             -Z.-

Paul Vincent Zecchino
Emir of all Exiles,
Manasoviet Key, FL
10 1555Z JUN 05
BT

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Charles A & Leonor L Taylor
Greenville, North Carolina
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