----- Original Message -----
From: <Philip.Belben_at_pgen.com>
To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers
<classiccmp_at_u.washington.edu>
Sent: Wednesday, 21 April 1999 2:47
Subject: Re: Power connectors
>
>
> >> >First, to get common names:
> >> >Hot = one Phase
> >> >Neutral = Protective Ground
> >> >Ground = Ground (the starpoint on 3 phases connected to earth at the
> >> 'generator')
> >
Similar in Oz.
Active = 1 Phase (240vac 50hz wrt Neutral)
Neutral = "cold" side of all 3 phases
Earth = Ground. (tied to a stake driven into the ground at the customers
site)
I don't know what happens at the generator end.
Normally domestic stuff is either 2 pin polarised plug (all our Mains plugs
have angled flat pins, they can't be inserted the wrong way)
ie active/neutral only, Double insulated, or 3 pin polarised, with chassis
grounded. Fuse is invariably on the active side.
Some tv's I have worked on are "hot" chassis which effectively gives around
1/2 mains voltage between chassis and ground.
Not unsafe for the customer as the controls and antenna connectors etc are
capacitor isolated, but can be a trap for techs if you don't have an
isolating transformer handy.
Cheers
Geoff
Received on Tue Apr 20 1999 - 20:47:21 BST