I know that a GFCI will protect against shock in damp situations. Say for instance,m I’m out side cutting lumber with my Skillsaw (with a functioning guard) and it starts to llightly rain. I have felt the tingle as the saw gets wet, and if it was on a GFCI, it would trip out and protect me.
What can be done if the work has to be done, rain or shine, winter or summer? I used to do a lot of outdoor theatre set building, and there was many a day when all we could do was use the battery powered tools until they were dead and call it a day, giving us twice the work next day. I don’t do that much any more, but still end up working in the mist, or fog and risking a zap or no power.
What about using a large one to one transformer? Any thoughts?
Replies
Are you asking how to work in the rain safely or how to keep working in the rain without tripping the GFCI?
The cordless handsaws and hammers never run out of battery power.
I am asking how to work in the rain without fatally zapping myself. I acknowledge that GFCI's would protect me, but when they trip, the work would stop due to no power. I have used the cordless hammers and saws. I feel there must be ways of safely using electrical things in damp situations, and was looking for any thoughts about that.
I have a 1500 watt isolation transformer. It actually has a receptacle mounted on its case. It's ground is connected to the line cord ground.
Can a GFCI handle the inductive load of the transformer? Would it still detect the voltage differential occuring when the tool is wet.
Stemreno
How about constructing a tent to work under? Or, cordless tools with extra batteries being charged Via inverter on work truck or a generator?
I'd have a GFCI on an extension cord and a new insulated saw.
(GFI close by so you can reset if necesary)
Have the cordless tools there as backup but I am guessing you will do aok.
All my old tools zapped me.
I cant remember the last time I was lit up from a tool. Rain or shine.
The extension cord with bare wire on it that was plugged in and wrapped up under the sheets on my side of the bed got me a little but that is a story for another day.
If you really have to work while it is raining wear rubber gloves. The GFCI will not kick in unless there is an overload in the motor. It will also kick-in for the rain, but it depends on the quality of the skillsaw. Some of them have plastic covers.Whatever the situation, you always get a very mild shock.
GFCI will not kick in unless there is an overload in the motor
WROnG!!
GFCI trips when it detects that the differential current (typical a ground fault) is over 4-7 mA. Bill can correct my recollection of the tolerance on 5 mA if he sees this.
edit BTW.
Chuck Daziel has the original patent on GFCI. He electrocuted thousands of sheep and hogs in the 40' s and 50's to determine shock threat levels.
GOOGLE or Yahoo or HOtbot for education <G>
Edited 2/22/2008 4:10 am ET by junkhound
Ahhhhh... I rememeber the evening I was hanging 2000 or 5000 watt elipsoidal lights on 20' poles during a lightning storm, watching strikes happen in the forest around me.
Ahhh, the good old days. Made slightly better than minimum wage though!
Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA
Also a CRX fanatic!
If your hair looks funny, it's because God likes to scratch his nuts. You nut, you.
See your occupation is "education"
Get shocked a few times and you can 'educate'
BTW, DW is a retired TEACHER.
Isolation transformer, as you suggested, is the way to go, ya answered your own question.
Suprised to see my occupation as "education"...don't know why it said that, I call myself a renovator. I changed that setting to "construction"
Stemreno
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http://grantlogan.net/
Today we's learnin' about rawks. They's all kinds of rawks. These [picks up rock] is rawks which you throw. These here [throws rock at Rusty] is rawks that you get hit with. E.Cuyler
SNORT!
Hey - you get hit with the ice storm? We're starting to thaw already.http://grantlogan.net/
Today we's learnin' about rawks. They's all kinds of rawks. These [picks up rock] is rawks which you throw. These here [throws rock at Rusty] is rawks that you get hit with. E.Cuyler
FYI-
A funny thing about water...its actually an insullator. The only time it conducts electricity is when it is contaminated. With metals or salt.
Thats why a basement can be flooded by rainwater, above the service panel and never loose power to the house. Even the submerged lights in the basement can stay on.You get out of life what you put into it......minus taxes.
Marv
We got it, but not as bad as you guys. Louisville Metro and the state did a pretty good job of preperation and follow up when it hit, but the ice was spotty. Getting home last night was no biggie, but getting back into civilization was a tad tricky this morning. I have about 3 1/2 miles of Henry Co. roads to negoiate before I get to Oldham and then Jefferson Co. That took me almost as long as the remining 30 miles.
We only had a few power outages in our service area. Some parts of KU's service got spanked from what I hear.
It should all be gone by tonight I think.
Looking forward to spring. I'm beginning to really dislike loading ice melt.