Be Careful out there!!!

[kbranstetter]

You have to be careful with electricity!!!!!!!



Especially so with that high voltage stuff that feeds metal halide bulbs.



I was having trouble with one of my lights going on and off so I was tinkering with it last night. I started out being very careful, turning off the ballast every time I messed with the bulb. But I forgot once…that was enough…I got a finger on the edge of the metal and it grabbed me like lightning. I couldn’t let go and tried to call for help but couldn’t. I managed to make myself fall backwards; dragging the whole light fixture with me and luckily the cord came unplugged.

Today my whole upper body feels like I got a good beating with a baseball bat.



Learn from my carelessness!

You have to be careful with electricity!!!!!!!

 

[HDAlien]

Good reminder for everyone, glad that you're alive, as I'm sure you are!

HDAlien

 

[snslarison]

I got zapped pretty good by a 175W a while ago as well. Same thing, I was touching the metal socket while screwing a lamp in (I thought the ballast was off). Its pretty crazy how you can feel the electricity go right up your arm. Not fun.

 

[menard]

Good point.............thanks for reminding everyone that.
Sometime U want things get done in a jiffy, thats moment alone U put yourself at risk.
I had a habbit of turning everything off before I do some work at it, I guess I picked that up from work. I work w/ heavy machinery for 15 yrs. U gotta disconect all electrical power supply plus put a pad lock to it, so nobody can accidently turn the power while your in it working. you could loose body parts or death............

 

[stereomandan]

Thanks for the reminder! Glad you are o.k. Sounds like it could have been BAD, and then you wouldn't have been around to type this thread. Maybe this will save someone from a similar experience. :thumbsup:

Dan

 

[IndyMatt]

Also, whenever you work with the tank, wear shoes. Rubber soled shoes can save you as well. Not sure if it would have helped here or not. Do you have a GFI on that circuit? I know they don't save you from being shocked but can trip cutting the electicity off.

 

[kbranstetter]

I don't have a GFI but now that you mention it I will sure put one in.

 

[Snakebyt]

OUCH....

 

[HolyScoly]

glad your ok i had a similar expirience i droped my canopy in my tank enough to wet the 250w metal halide bulbs put it back in place and went to wipe off the reflector and BOOM i got a major shock felt like if i got hit with a baseball bat in the chest thankl god i was able to let go.

 

[Nano Chris]

Err remember to be safe around electricity and water, especially salt water because there is more conductivity with it. ALWAYS pays to double check

 

[meschaefer]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8327065#post8327065 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kbranstetter
I don't have a GFI but now that you mention it I will sure put one in.

GFI's cost less than $15 at HD and can be a life savior. You would have gotten shocked, but it would have cut off almost immediately. The only thing with GFI's is that you should use more than one. Eventually (and at the worst time) they will trip and at that time it pays to have your pumps spread out over more than one./

 

[AZDesertRat]

Two things:
GFCI
and
Ground Probe

They will save your life!