has ever  GFCI/RCCB saved your life ? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: hussamaldean
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 18, 2019, 07:32:55 pm
content: Hi all,did the GFCI/RCCB ever saved your life ?I start. I was working on some project and I was using this type of PSUwhich can provide 32A@12V. one of the wire got inside and it hurt me to the moon and beyond for fraction of a seconds and kaboom RCCD has popped and saved my lifebut I loved the feeling of the 220V on my body though since I experienced worse with 30KV of taser device and it was awesome

author: Halcyon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 18, 2019, 08:36:47 pm
content: I'm still here, so I'm guessing yes?

author: sokoloff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 18, 2019, 08:54:26 pm
content: I’ve had a few GFCI trips over the years, but hard to argue they saved my life. I’ve also taken a few handfuls of 120VAC hits and one memorable 240VAC hit with very sweaty hands. That one stung! Obviously, none were fatal.

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 18, 2019, 09:05:57 pm
content: No, I don't think so. I've the odd, mostly one handed, glancing live-neutral hits but I'm usually far too insulated from ground to get anywhere near 30mA imbalance and trip anything.I've also accidentally cut through the mains lead on my hedge trimmer a few times but, being double insulated, that's never tripped anything - the cut has always been too fast to blow the fuse or trip the breaker either.

author: tszaboo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 18, 2019, 09:08:18 pm
content: It didnt save me, but it did trip once when I spilled coffee all over the bench and that 300W power supply, that was casually powered and lying on the bench.

author: blacksheeplogic
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 18, 2019, 09:49:24 pm
content: Quote from: sokoloff on September 18, 2019, 08:54:26 pmLikewise although most of mine have been 240VAC. However, I do feel GFCI's/RCD's are generally a good thing.

author: Halcyon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 18, 2019, 10:50:08 pm
content: Quote from: hussamaldean on September 18, 2019, 07:32:55 pmAlso, Tasers don't operate at 30KV (unless it's some crappy knock-off device from the internet). Their open circuit voltage may be up there in the tens of kilovolts range but as soon as the probes make contact with a fleshy target, the voltage drops significantly. Having being trained in the use of both the Taser (now Axon) X26 and X26P, the voltage under load is around 1200 volts and the current is limited to 2 mA. This is more than enough to induce neuromuscular incapacitation and knock you off your feet.

author: SparkyFX
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 18, 2019, 11:12:03 pm
content: Survivor bias at work... those that weren't saved can't report on itBut no, had no GFCI trip so far, apart from intentionally activating it at a friends house.

author: SiliconWizard
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 18, 2019, 11:51:29 pm
content: I've gotten quite a few shocks in my life, but never to the point of GFCI/RCCB tripping off actually. I guess I have good reflexes (and never had that happen with wet bare feet or such) so that was never enough.Still, never felt really nice. Like my whole body was vibrating. And usually my heart would be beating pretty fast every time. But I never got "stuck".I won't comment on the " I experienced worse with 30KV of taser device and it was awesome ", as I think this is an EE forum, not a S&M one.

author: dmills
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2019, 02:27:57 am
content: I managed to trip one with a right hand to belly shock (I was up a metal ladder with the end resting on some structural steel at the time), tripped the RCD AND came off the ladder.Bloody hurt it did, nothing to recommend about the experience.That 100ms@100mA seems like FOREVER (Yep, it was a time delay unit).Regards, Dan.

author: rsjsouza
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2019, 02:48:24 am
content: I haven't been zapped after moving to the US. Back in my home town no GFCI/RCCBs existed and, having 220VAC, it was definitely not fun to get one.I like to think that these shocks did not have any lasting mental or physical effecs (although my brother and my friends beg to differ on the mental effects)

author: hussamaldean
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 19, 2019, 07:00:36 am
content: it seems everybody is happy with his shocking experience while workingfor me it is a great experience and I like to not repeat it once more but I tried 100V DC and it was good but not like 60V AC

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2019, 11:53:44 am
content: Quote from: dmills on September 19, 2019, 02:27:57 amYep, that would be about ideal conditions for a tripGlad you survived the fall!

author: GreyWoolfe
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 19, 2019, 12:05:24 pm
content: Quote from: sokoloff on September 18, 2019, 08:54:26 pmSame here, more 120 VAC hits over the years that I can count. Doesn't even bother me any more. I had a 240 VAC hit that just about knocked me on my ass. I was out of sorts a couple of hours before I felt OK.

author: SteveyG
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 20, 2019, 03:19:42 pm
content: Quote from: Halcyon on September 18, 2019, 10:50:08 pmThat doesn't make sense. The impedance of the human body is far less than 600k. If it's limited to 2mA, you'll see voltages less than 50V

author: SparkyFX
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 20, 2019, 07:04:28 pm
content: For a taser you can´t really tell where both electrodes will hit... the distance might vary a lot, also it could hit clothing. The body resistance is also voltage dependent.