Discharging CRT anode and capacitors on a VT52 DECscope

From: Paul Koning <pkoning_at_equallogic.com>
Date: Fri May 28 14:22:32 2004

>>>>> "Tom" == Tom Jennings <tomj_at_wps.com> writes:

 Tom> On Thu, 2004-05-27 at 17:04, der Mouse wrote:
>> >> In this process, be sure you keep your fingertips WELL away
>> from the >> metal shaft of the screwdriver. > Considering the
>> shaft is connected to ground through a very low > resistance in
>> your set-up, what's the harm in touching it ?
>>
>> (a) You might knock the alligator clip loose.
>>
>> (b) You or something else might knock the other alligator clip
>> loose.
>>
>> (c) The path, even if intact, is low resistance but not
>> necessarily low impedance; if the current spike can throw enough
>> EMI to kill semiconductors, it can generate enough back EMF to do
>> unpleasant things to people touching the HV end of it.

 Tom> I'm sorry, but this is all very silly. A meteor could smash you
 Tom> dead too, it's just not a real worry. You have actual control
 Tom> over the puny alligator clip. Live large!

Skydivers and aviators are taught not to assume that all pieces of
hardware are necessarily in the state that their designers intended.
This warning applies that principle....

     paul
Received on Fri May 28 2004 - 14:22:32 BST