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Computer crashed on a stack overflow error, posted on Win 98 board, found out what I was doing wrong and went into running some checks. Sorta lost track of time.
Can anyone think of anything else as far as personal or computer safety goes that should be added?
Throughout out Weekly Subject topics safety will come up in a practical sense.
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To add to the list on replacing RAM or anything else inside the case snarfll's tip on letting it set for a bit is a very good idea.
Have plenty of good lighting so you're not trying to work in shadows.
Have the machine setting on a stable platform (I place a rubber mat under mine so it doesn't slide).
You may be replacing RAM to make your PC run faster, but here you want to slow down and think about what you're doing. Replacing RAM is a fairly simple task, but if you rush the job you can screw things up fast. Pushing too hard to seat the chips can damage the mainboard.
Rummaging around blindly can unplug cables or dislodge jumpers.
Both opening and closing the case can result in cuts or pinched fingers.
I've seen people with there hands inside a machine, pushing on something hard enough to rock the work table while they're looking and talking to me and I'm thinking, "I'm glad that thing doesn't belong to me".
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Si Hoc Legere Scis Nimium Eruditionis Habes.
(translation: If you can read this you're
overeducated)
GFI Breakers
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How about one more example having to replace something. Maybe one of the cards. Same rules apply?
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Well, I found a picture - and a description in Danish (also a language.. https://discussions.virtualdr.com/) - for those not fluent in this language: http://sikkerhed.biologi.sdu.dk/el_sikkerhed/hfi.htm .Quote:
Originally posted by Train:
GFI/GFCI I do believe this is what you folks are refering to. If not link in a photo if possible.
Translation: "An HFI breaker/relay is normally placed before the fuses. It's purpose is to cut the power if more than 30mA of the current being sent finds other ways to the ground (fx. to the ground through a person)...." - sounds like the GFI/GFCI.
Somewhere else I read that "(HFI)..can be very sensitive to lightning.." - maybe that's why UPSs aren't very much used here...? I've been thinking for some time to get one, though.
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Karl, Denmark
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"..and may The Force be with you too..."
[This message has been edited by kallikru (edited 06-03-2001).]
kallikru
I agree it is the same, just put in a different location in the circuit. As for using it for a lightning arrestor [protection from lightning] all test I have knowledge/read about, they failed.
Remember 1000V at 30ma going through a ps will have a yield of 240V at 125ma or 120V at 250ma. But of course lightning is much higher in voltage than 1000V.
Also when you reach for someone and the spark that jolts the both of you, it is a minimum of 50,000 volts. That is what it takes for the spark to jump from one person to another. Now if that static electrical charge were to hit the components in a computer. You can probably kiss something in there goodby.
Nice translation.
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The picture of GCI breakers that train posted are what we call MCB's (Miniature Circuit Breakers), they are purely an overcurrent device, and have no protection against electric shock. There is a device available as a direct replacement for them called RCBO's over here (Residual Current Breaker / Overcurrent device), which combine both devices into one unit.
The HFI device described by kallikru sounds exactly like our RCD's. They always have a test button on them, and are usually rated at 30mA, though they are available in other ratings. In the UK, if fitted, the test button must be operated every 3 months, and the RCD must be tested using an RCD tester whenever the periodic inspection is performed.
Out of professional curiousity I'd like to know what the three-letter-acronyms stand for (GCI, HFI, etc.)
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Nick.
[This message has been edited by SuperSparks (edited 06-03-2001).]
From my link above.
A Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter, commonly called a GFI or GFCI, is installed on exterior outlets, or in areas where there is a water source (bathroom or kitchen sink) near the outlet. GFI units are designed to protect the users of electrical appliances from electrocution because of hazardous ground faults or short circuits, by automatically turning off electricity when a fault is detected
Now this business is getting interesting to me.
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You've got it Train - that's a perfect description of an RCD. I wish someone would standardise these names, at least for the English speaking world. That picture you provided the link for looks like our standard circuit breakers, though. Our RCD's are normally twice the width, and always have a button marked "Test" on them, plus a clearly marked mA rating on the front.
And now that I know what GFI stands for, it makes sense. A few years ago we used to call ours ELCB's (Earth Leakage Circuit Breakers), which is much the same description. Then, of course, it was decided to change the name to the cryptic Residual Current Device, which only makes sense to anyone who has a detailed knowledge of how they work (which, I might add is very interesting).
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Nick.
[This message has been edited by SuperSparks (edited 06-03-2001).]
There a large number of various type components that fall into this catagory.
Some are outlets with the test switch, breakers, mounted into extention cord, but all have the same purpose it seems. But, have to admit I like the 10ma to the 30ma idea best. Theytend to promote safety.
But, good saftey habits beat equipment any day.
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I have to agree about good safety habits, of course, in my profession bad safety habits can get you, or someone else, dead pretty quickly. Nonetheless, mistakes happen, God knows I've had a shock or two. Like the time when we were ripping out an old installation, we thought we'd killed everything, we spent hours testing that every circuit was dead - except for the one circuit running through the middle of a bunch of a few hundred others that was fed from a different distribution board - I'll give you 3 guesses who cut through that cable and got 240 volts!
The thing with RCD's / GFI's is that they allow you to make mistakes and get away with it. The danger then is that people can get careless and start assuming that they'll never get a shock - so, as you say, SAFE PRACTICES!!!
The second thing that was drummed into us at college was the 6 rules of safe isolation: Switch off, Lock off, Display notice, Test meter, Test circuit, Test meter again (you test the meter twice to ensure that it hasn't failed when testing the circuit). The realities of life in my profession mean that we work on live circuits more often than not. To the rest of you, I ask that you commit those rules to memory if you're going to work on electrical circuits (Obviously displaying notices doesn't apply in the home, really). Locking off: circuit breakers over here will allow a small padlock to be put in them to prevent them being turned on. If you have fuses rather than circuit breakers, then remove the fuse and keep it in your pocket - that way no one can plug it back in while you're on the other end of the cable.
Oh, and NEVER use one of those idiotic neon "mains testers" - the only thing keeping you from mains voltage is a tiny electronic resistor - I've heard of someone being killed after using one which had got wet. Fluke make an excellent inductive tester called a "VoltAlert" - that's safe, I have one in my tool box.
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Nick.
Well...that'll do it for me. I ain't going back into my PC case or touch the house wiring for nuttin'....uh-uh...no way.... https://discussions.virtualdr.com/
I have been hit a couple time with 277V , 308V and don't like it at all.
Yes, cheap [read marginal equipment] can get one into trouble.
bistro https://discussions.virtualdr.com/ https://discussions.virtualdr.com/ you are probably in there right now https://discussions.virtualdr.com/
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https://discussions.virtualdr.com/ OK...you got me. Was just in there changing out a RAM stick....with my radiation suit and it's 50 ft. grounding wire attached to a cold water pipe in the basement....and heavy rubber gloves....with the weather channel on full blast....forgot to evacuate the neighborhood first though. https://discussions.virtualdr.com/
[This message has been edited by bistro (edited 06-03-2001).]
Tut tut tut new you forgot something. like normal https://discussions.virtualdr.com/
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