Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!amdahl!ames!ig!bionet!csd4.milw.wisc.edu!nic.MR.NET!umn-d-ub!umn-cs!ns!logajan
From: logajan@ns.UUCP (John Logajan)
Newsgroups: sci.electronics
Subject: Re: Electrocution -- Is this possible?
Message-ID: <1197@ns.UUCP>
Date: 10 Mar 89 16:42:51 GMT
References: <7571@polya.Stanford.EDU>
Organization: Network Systems Corp. Mpls MN
Lines: 24

Ramsey W. Haddad writes:
> "Convicted Murdered Electrocutes Himself on Prison Toilet"

> Do television earphones really put out enough amps to do this?

In the good old days, the AC input power was isolated from the internal
workings of the TV by a (expensive) transformer.  Hence it was much harder
to get electrocuted by touching any of the internal stuff even if you
had bare feet on a wet concrete floor.

Now a days, they have removed the xformer for cost reasons, but they hope
that the insulation of the case will keep fingers off "hot" parts.  Some
TV plugs may have polarized prongs, but I don't think that is a requirement.

I had to buy an isolation xformer so I could fix my Sony TV.  The part for
the TV cost about $2, while the xformer cost $60, oh well.

In any event, the earphone question always bothered me -- as my Sony has two
of the little jacks out front for me to use.  And I do happen to sit on
a carpeted concrete floor.  Sure I know the chances are slim, but still.

-- 
- John M. Logajan @ Network Systems; 7600 Boone Ave; Brooklyn Park, MN 55428  -
- ...rutgers!umn-cs!ns!logajan / logajan@ns.network.com / john@logajan.mn.org -