The Washington herald., 1908-06-28

The fact that one received shock from
a 50)-volt circuit that did not prove pain
ful is not a sign that the next one will be
equally harmless. The following expert
ments have been made. involuntarly. by
a great number of people, says Casters
Magazine.
Touch one side Of the circuit lightly
with the finger. while making contact
with the other side, either through
ground or by actually touching it; the
sensation is similar TO receiving violent
blow in the chest a small burn that is
deep. but not painful. will be found on
the finger where contact was made.
Make a better contact. as by touching
the circuit with a piece of metal held
firmly in the hand. and the blow will be
strong enough TO knock the experimenter
down. II is probable that no burn will
result. as the current has large surface
through which to enter the hand in rare
cases the person may become unconscious
for short time
Grasp Wire Firmly.
Grasp the wire firmly in the hand, and
for time at least IL will be impossible
to release IT, Serious burns are made
where the wire touches the hand. and
unless the victim succeeds in wrenching
himself free or help Is quickly rendered.
the result is likely 10 prove fatal.
The last case is of a very rare occur
renee: il is pretty sure 10 obtain consid-
erable space in the daily papers when it
actually does occur. while i'm many of the
reports seen the victim may eXclaim with
Mark Twain, Accounts OF my death
greatly exaggerated" On the other hand,
people are knocked down by the current
every day. IL is rather peculiar that the
500-volt shock WILL in the majority of
cases, kill a horse.
The trolley current Is a 500-v0lt circuit.
with the exception of perhaps half
dozen lines recently Installed which go
TO 1000 or over. It is well TO remember
in case of "a falling trolley wire that
standing upon dry board will give full
protection that while sitting in a car
there is no danger Of shock from a broken
wire or other cause If one does not touch
metal or wet wood; raising the feet from
the floor that may be wet or dirty will
do as an additional precaution
should stand on Bonrd.
II one wishes 20 remove wire 10 avoid
with safety while standing upon a dry.
clean board, with a piece of dry board
not large enough 10 stand on. or with
several thicknesses Of dry paper Ga news
paper, or, in case Of emergency, a bundle
Of dry clothing. AS 1t is difficult 10 get
the latter perfectly dry, a shock may be
received when this Is attempted, but the
resistance viii be so high that the shock
will not be very severe.
The deadly third rail also operates at
800 volts. and is no more deadly than has
been already shown. except for the prob
ability OF a person who is thrown down
by the shock of falling across the rail
and becoming unconscious. This, OF
course, is as serious case even as that
OF the man who is unable 90 let so OF the
wire.
Wires used for street lighting may al
ways be regarded with suspicion: they
are exceedingly likely 10 carry a current
Of 1000 volts or more. This will, IN most
cases, give "a fatal current. and the pres
sure is so great that the precautions pre-
viously described are not 20 be depended
upon. one would be reasonably safe !
however. il standing upon a chair or stool /
with perfectly dry wooden less.
Needs Experienced Handling.
As wires Of 2Q1 volts or more are quite 1
common in the streets. there are many
chances for other wires TO come in con- |
tact with them, and so receive a danger |
Gus current. II is. therefore. unwise for /
an inexperienced person 10 touch any out /
door wire. however harmless il may ap-
pear.
Lines for transmitting power across |
country operate on voltages all the way
up 20 60o00 Precautions are taken with |
such wires. and special warnings are /
printed on the poles Lines of 10000 volts /
OF over may be recognized by the fact I
that large clay or porcelain insulators are /
used in place Of the glass ones generally |
seen
Persons rendered unconscious by a shock /
may frequently be revived by inducing /
artificial respiration in the manner used \
for rcviving persons apparently drowned. /
but OF course. without the attempt 10 ex- 4
pei water from the lungs