Thread: WOODWORKING QUIZ for 22 June 04

Ralph,

I'm guessing you are referring to an Earth Leakage Breaker/ Earth Leakage Current Detector?

Over to one of the electrical boffins for an explanation!!

P

I didn't have a clue so I looked it up. Electricity is all Dutch to me.

Ground fault interrupters are designed to protect from electrical shock by interrupting a household circuit when there is a difference in the currents in the "hot" and neutral wires. Such a difference indicates that an abnormal diversion of current from the "hot" wire is occuring. Such a current might be flowing in the ground wire, such as a leakage current from a motor or from capacitors. More importantly, that current diversion may be occuring because a person has come into contact with the "hot" wire and is being shocked. When a circuit is functioning normally, all the return current from an appliance flows through the neutral wire, so the presence of a difference between "hot" and neutral currents represents a malfunction which in some circumstances could produce a dangerous or even lethal shock hazard.

"When a circuit is functioning normally, all the return current from an appliance flows through the neutral wire"

Hang on, hang on!!!!
If all the current that goes in comes out again, why are we paying for it. Someone call the cops. The electricity people are ripping us off.

Originally Posted by Ralph Jones

What is a ground fault interrupter and why is it used?

I think this is what we call a safety switch. Installed on the main fuse board to cut of all power in case of the fault described by Robert.

Peter.

RCD = Residual current device
AS/NZS 3000 Clause 2.5.3.3, "Other Electrical Installations", requires RCD protection on socket outlets not exceeding 20 A where there is an increased risk of electric shock.

dont forget if you dont earth it you can still get a zap :eek:

cheers Ian

If all the current that goes in comes out again, why are we paying for it. Someone call the cops. The electricity people are ripping us off.

Not only that, but because it's alternating 50 times a second, you're actually getting the same electrons back and then they charge you for them again! And some of them belonged to you in the first place. It's the biggest scam in history.

Using that theory, someone buying fine woodwork could argue that the cost of the finished article should be less than the timber purchased to make the article

Unfortunately we are charged (no pun intended) for the energy and not the electrons.

- Wood Borer

You fellows have no idea how much you are teaching me in your terms as compared to ours, and when I answer the quiz tomorrow morning my time, you will see how they parallel.

Thank you for my education.

Respectfully,

Originally Posted by silentC

Not only that, but because it's alternating 50 times a second, you're actually getting the same electrons back and then they charge you for them again! And some of them belonged to you in the first place. It's the biggest scam in history.

I feel I should be defending myself here, but can not be bothered, keep sending me that money.. I have an expensive habit to support..

BTW I work here : http//www.loyyangpower.com.au



Kev

My Uncle was at Hazelwood, that's not too far from you if I recall correctly. I'm a Mirboo North boy from way back.

I know the suburn of WAY BACK in Mirboo North, I can hear the BANJO's playing even now........

The acronym for it is ELCB which is Earth Leakage Circuit Breaker of which you can have one installed on the Main Switch Board or there are portable ones that you can plug into a power outlet and then plug your power tools into.

I think you would find that they are compulsory on building sites in NSW.

Good Evening Friends,
Your EICB Earth Leakage Circuit Breaker is exactly the same thing as our GFCI Ground Fault Circuit Breaker as they both do the same job and intercept a possible short in a wire , tool or line and will automatically trip the circuit breaker.

As several of you have already stated that they should be or are mandatory on all construction jobs and also we too have the ones that you can carry in you pocket to check the extension cords for reverse polarity, which is just as dangerous as a short.

Thank you for your support.

Respectfully,

Originally Posted by Brudda

I know the suburn of WAY BACK in Mirboo North, I can hear the BANJO's playing even now........

Mirboo North has suburbs now? Must've grown since I was there last. I could never work out why everyone was everyone else's cousin...