1
Omega General Help / Re: Oh no, what have I done .... ?
« on: 19 October 2012, 22:43:51 »
Make sure you are following Mark's suggestion correctly. The screwdriver shaft (or screw if that's what you're using) needs to have a gap for the spark to jump - the other side of the gap must be a metallic object that is earthed.
Doesn't sound like you've got that side earthed. Quick basics of electricity for you - electricity will always find the quickest route to earth, which is usually through the circuit designed for it which will be earthed. If however the energy is sufficient the electricity will instead arc to a nearby object if that is it's closest & quickest route to earth. This arcing is what will cause a visible spark. This is why you should never enter a high voltage substation, as at 400,000V there is enough energy for it to arc over 3m through the air to use your body as it's quickest route to earth resulting in one charred body for someone to clear up!
What you are trying to achieve by earthing is to tempt the electricity to arc showing you a spark. If you are using an insulated screwdriver, there is no route to earth for the electricity hence no spark. Further to this, Al's suggestion to try different distances will give you an idea of the energy in that spark. If it sparks at 10mm but not any further this may suggest there is not enough energy to arc the distance, and if the others do arc further this may point out a coil that is weaker.
Sounds like when you used the circuit testing screwdriver, you became it's route to earth hence the shock you got. Suggest you set it up so you can view the spark in the gap without physically touching anything to avoid any further shocks.
Hope that helps (and I'm not teaching you to suck eggs).
Doesn't sound like you've got that side earthed. Quick basics of electricity for you - electricity will always find the quickest route to earth, which is usually through the circuit designed for it which will be earthed. If however the energy is sufficient the electricity will instead arc to a nearby object if that is it's closest & quickest route to earth. This arcing is what will cause a visible spark. This is why you should never enter a high voltage substation, as at 400,000V there is enough energy for it to arc over 3m through the air to use your body as it's quickest route to earth resulting in one charred body for someone to clear up!
What you are trying to achieve by earthing is to tempt the electricity to arc showing you a spark. If you are using an insulated screwdriver, there is no route to earth for the electricity hence no spark. Further to this, Al's suggestion to try different distances will give you an idea of the energy in that spark. If it sparks at 10mm but not any further this may suggest there is not enough energy to arc the distance, and if the others do arc further this may point out a coil that is weaker.
Sounds like when you used the circuit testing screwdriver, you became it's route to earth hence the shock you got. Suggest you set it up so you can view the spark in the gap without physically touching anything to avoid any further shocks.
Hope that helps (and I'm not teaching you to suck eggs).
