MJLorton Solar Power and Electronic Measurement Equipment Forum

Multimeter safety, certification, injuries, etc.. => Multimeter safety, certification, injuries, etc... => Topic started by: Jason on June 24, 2013, 08:33:21 AM

Title: Once bitten twice shy
Post by: Jason 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  :(
Title: Re: Once bitten twice shy
Post by: MJLorton 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.