Author Topic: Once bitten twice shy  (Read 5035 times)

Jason

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Once bitten twice shy
« on: June 24, 2013, 08:33:21 AM »
I remember when I was first learning about electronics and limitations of my multimeter; I wanted to test the  output voltage of an electrical fence (the type that briefly shocks livestock when they touch the wire). So I brought my cheap multimeter into the field and stuck the common probe into the earth and touched the wire very quickly with my positive probe and stopped. I didn't get a shock so I figured it seems to be ok but I didn't hold the probe long enough to get a reading. So then I held the probe on the electric  fence longer except this time I got a nasty shock from the fence and I dropped the multimeter. I still didn't get a reading but I didn't try again. Instead I just read the output on the box which said I got 3.5 Joules, 8700 volts through my body  :(
If it ain't broken, let's open it up and see how it works.

MJLorton

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Re: Once bitten twice shy
« Reply #1 on: June 24, 2013, 02:35:27 PM »
Classic post Jason!

In many (read most...) cases it pays to read the instructions ...name plate...first. But many of us still get caught by not doing that.  :o

Glad you are still here and able to contribute! ;)

Cheers,
Martin.
Play, discover, learn and enjoy! (and don't be scared to make mistakes along the way!)