This video of a guy misusing equipment made me cringe. - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Ben321
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 22, 2022, 07:08:43 am
content: This isn't so much dodgy tech, as it is dodgy use of what is otherwise useful equipment. It made cringe so hard when I saw the guy in this videotesting a sold state induction coil (which easily outputs a couple tens of kV) with a multimeter set in the hundreds of volts range. Also there's no way that the insulation on those test leads is rated for such a high voltage. And worse yet is he's using BOTH hands to hold the test leads. Using 2 hands when working with high voltage can give the current an easy entry and exit point that would put the current's path right through your heart. I even took the time to comment on the guy's video, to let him know what he had done wrong, because I think it's important to learn that to avoid potential accidents in the future.He's lucky it didn't shock him, but I bet he's going to need to buy a new multimeter after that. I cannot imagine it working ever again after such a high voltage was applied to it.

author: Helio_Centra
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 27, 2022, 12:01:01 am
content: I'm pretty sure that says "RadioShack," so it is vintage, but I don't know how good it was before he hit it with high voltage.

author: Helio_Centra
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 27, 2022, 12:06:58 am
content: I think I found the same meter on eBay. I wouldn't call it a very good meter, it has a battery tester.https://www.ebay.ca/itm/125559984284

author: NiHaoMike
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 27, 2022, 01:16:16 am
content: I see that you aren't aware of the stuff Joe Smith does to multimeters.https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsK99WXk9VhcghnAauTBsbg/videos

author: Ben321
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 28, 2022, 12:17:57 am
content: Quote from: Helio_Centra on October 27, 2022, 12:01:01 amAlso the fact he was holding test leads that I doubt were insulated for tens of kVs, made his experiment dangerous to himself, not just the meter.

author: Helio_Centra
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 28, 2022, 06:46:16 am
content: Quote from: Ben321 on October 28, 2022, 12:17:57 amIf you look at that eBay listing and other sites about that meter, you can easily spot the meter and probes are CAT II 600V rated. So the insulation needs to be able to resist transient spikes up to 4000V. I can't verify the exact voltage that coil is outputting. He says "tens or hundreds of volts range" in the video put it simply wouldn't arc that far without being into the thousands of volts.None of the sites about these coils say the exact output, just how far the arc can jump.I did find this which appears to be the same unit in the video for sale (no other reason it would have the wooden box), so either he is selling it, or this is an old listing he bought it from.https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/vintage-sargent-welch-scientific-1840996461

author: AVGresponding
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 28, 2022, 02:27:46 pm
content: The output of that thing is going to be in the tens, if not hundreds of kilovolts, given that it takes 1kV to jump 1mm (very approximately, obviously RH has a big impact).

author: Vincent
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 29, 2022, 02:39:12 am
content: RIP little RadioShack DMMHe clearly didn't even have a rough idea of how high of a voltage he was dealing with. Dangerous to say the least!I did overvolt my first multimeter once when testing a fluorescent ballast for 8ft "slimline" tubes. Label mentioned 750V open circuit voltage, so I was curious to measure it. Multimeter didn't like it, but all it needed was a reset and it was back in business.

author: joeqsmith
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 29, 2022, 05:10:45 am
content: Who would ever abuse a perfectly good multi-meter. Seems like such a waste. Why not just donate to someone who actually could use it??https://www.sargentwelch.com/store/