Whitewater Woman's Equipment Maintenance and Repair

[Nitro]

Being grounded is terribly important when doing such things. Whether to protect yourself, or whatever you are working on. Another concern for those of us who routinely tinker with the guts of our computers. Just one tiny spark of static electricity can sometimes be catastrophic to a computer's components.

The last thing you want to be is grounded when working on high voltages.
That will only serve to complete the circuit.

 

[Judge]

The last thing you want to be is grounded when working on high voltages.
That will only serve to complete the circuit.

How high do you consider high in such circumstances?

Though one can still be electrocuted even with consumer appliances. Hell, even disassembling a power supply from a PC can be potentially fatal if the capacitors are still storing juice. Though grounding is still recommended with such work.

I recall my cousin's ex husband citing something along such lines, but then I'm guessing none of us served as a lineman for the phone company. Indeed, high voltages in that context.

 

[Nitro]

You do want to be grounded when working on delicate electronic circuitry because of static electricity.

 

[Nitro]

How high do you consider high in such circumstances?

I recall my cousin's ex husband citing something along such lines, but then I'm guessing none of us served as a lineman for the phone company.

Anything above 50 volts

 

[Nitro]

Also, direct current is much more dangerous than alternating current.

 

[Judge]

Also, direct current is much more dangerous than alternating current.

Yep, that's a basic tenet.

 

[Outdated]

Also, direct current is much more dangerous than alternating current.

There's dangerous current in modern computers these days too, 1.2 volts doesn't sound like a lot but 75 amps will kill you.

 

[Nitro]

It's not likely that the receptacle is worn out because it is not like it was being pulled and replugged multiple times. but you still need to consider that the wiring to it could be loose.

Residential wiring is protected with either fuses or circuit breakers, so if the old appliance had a short in it, it would disconnect itself.
You can't rule out surges from powerline damages or lightning strikes taking a unit out, but I don't feel that enters into this equation since it is a new unit.

I highly recommend getting someone experienced with electricity to check the outlet, and if all is good, blame the appliance.

 

[Judge]

You do want to be grounded when working on delicate electronic circuitry because of static electricity.

Memory sticks in particular remain terribly vulnerable to static electricity. And yet they are often manhandled by people attempting to force them into their banks on motherboards.

Yep, that's "delicate" alright. Pop! and they're gone if it happens.

There's dangerous current in modern computers these days too, 1.2 volts doesn't sound like a lot but 75 amps will kill you.

Good point. Another distinction I learned in high school electronics. Think amps as opposed to only voltage.

Also a very important consideration in applying computer cooling fans that may have different amperages. Best to be cognizant of such limits...to preserve your motherboard.

 

[Nitro]

There's dangerous current in modern computers these days too, 1.2 volts doesn't sound like a lot but 75 amps will kill you.

Well understood, but we are actually trying to solve a residential current issue, not a modern computer one.

 

[Nitro]

Yep, that's a basic tenet.

Nothing is basic if you don't already know it.

 

[Judge]

Well understood, but we are actually trying to solve a residential current issue, not a modern computer one.

Large appliances. That's the threshold where I have to concur. Leave it to a qualified electrician. But then I won't even consider opening up a PC's power supply. No way. Test it if you have the right equipment, but not open it up.

Then again next to every CPU there are a number of capacitors on any motherboard. Which might not be any safer...

 

[Judge]

Nothing is basic if you don't already know it.

True dat.

 

[Mary Terry]

Everyone should have the Home Improvement guys living next door.
That would be handy.


View attachment 139695

They used duct tape to fix everything, like the old "Red Green" show guy.

 

[Judge]

They used duct tape to fix everything, like the old "Red Green" show guy.

Reminds me of seeing my neighbor's seven-year old. And I thought it was just a colored oversized bandage!

 

[Mary Terry]

Reminds me of seeing my neighbor's seven-year old. And I thought it was just a colored oversized bandage!

I once saw duct tape on the wing of an airplane I was flying in. It looked like they taped on the ailerons.

 

[Nitro]

How high do you consider high in such circumstances?

Though one can still be electrocuted even with consumer appliances. Hell, even disassembling a power supply from a PC can be potentially fatal if the capacitors are still storing juice. Though grounding is still recommended with such work.

I recall my cousin's ex husband citing something along such lines, but then I'm guessing none of us served as a lineman for the phone company. Indeed, high voltages in that context.

Once again, your point is taken, but let's try to steer this conversation back towards the reason we are involve in it.

 

[Judge]

Once again, your point is taken, but let's try to steer this conversation back towards the reason we are involve in it.

True. I don't think we can minimize the importance of knowing when to back off on home repairs. Just because it might be accomplished doesn't mean you should try.

In rare instances of problems with washers, dryers, stoves and refrigerators I always opted not to tamper with them. Too much exposure...and too many unknowns.

 

[Mary Terry]

Is there any way for @WhitewaterWoman to test the new dryer's mother board or whatever it's called?

 

[Nitro]

Is there any way for @WhitewaterWoman to test the new dryer's mother board or whatever it's called?

No