Junky old welder

[BumpyDodge]

I'm not an OSHA poster child myself, but I don't think I'd push my luck as far as this guy (http://www.cdc.gov/nasd/docs/d001701-d001800/d001793/d001793.html) did. No Darwin Award jokes - Looks like he was just trying to "make do" with what he had.

[Aces'n'8s]

It seems many bad circumstances aligned themselves together to create a very, very misfortunate scenario. A roll of electrical tape, a large, dry, towel around the "splices" or a sheet of plywood would have made a difference. However, when people do not take care of their equipment or use common sense, I have a hard time understanding their excuses.

For this individual, he sacrificed safety and it cost him his life.

[RedneckGirl]

One would think that this comment "The individual who found the victim told the police that in the past when the victim was welding, he would say “ouch” when he was operating the welder, indicating the victim might have received an electrical shock during the welding process" would make a Smart person change a few things before welding the next time. :rolleyes:

[Kartracer55]

dumbass

Jim

[BumpyDodge]

One would think that this comment "The individual who found the victim told the police that in the past when the victim was welding, he would say “ouch” when he was operating the welder

Sounded edited to me... "Ouch" usually starts with the letter F and even "Bubba" usually isn't that stupid (maybe a Darwin is in order).

I would have thought the main lead hitting the metal on the housing would have killed him when he touched the welder. I guess the case was well grounded with all the metal crap on the floor or it wasn't as bad as it looked. for it to have happened as described I'd think the ground(dirt) would have to more wet than they said.

You think DC w/ same amperage/same conditions would have killed him? Edison thought everything should be DC and used the electric chair (AC) as an example for his argument. Makes prettier welds anyway.

[ironpig70]

i don't fawk with electricity. if any of my cords get a cut i immediately fix it. and when i say immediately i mean i stop using it right now and fix it. electricity is not to mess with.

[JJS]

so instead of insulating all the connections after noticing he was receiving small shocks while welding, he just kept welding with the thing in that state? he had it coming.

[Aces'n'8s]

Many people do not realize the potential lethality of electricity until it has already wrought its havoc. My father is a Master Electrician and own/manages his own electrical outfit and his favorite motto is this, "Wiring is no hobby, call an electrician."

As far the "earth" ground, I'm sure the path of electrical current through the man's body dissipated across it. Direct Current is just as dangerous as Alternating Current; only for DC once the path is "settled" induction stops. Whereas, AC the path is only moving in one direction at any single instant. 240VAC/240VDC and 90amps would kill just about the same.

Edison wanted DC because it was simple, reliable, and easy to generate. However, to use DC power, the "power" lines have to carry a tremendous amount of voltage to overcome the impedance/resistance in the lines. Thus, making it far more dangerous than AC.