OT - ...but I almost died or hurt myself!

captain_john · Post by **captain_john** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 4:17 pm

Well that pretty much sums it up, but I wasn't in a plane. I was on the earth. Well, almost on the earth anyways. Here is the story...

I was working on a step ladder swapping out a 3 Phase 480 volt magnetic contactor. The parts that I were given were used and of questionable quality. So after swapping out the THIRD BROKEN CONTACTOR, I was becoming complacent with the disconnecting means. Combine this with the lingering affects of the flu and you have a dangerous situation.

Needless to say (you guessed it) I left the power ON! When I pulled the phase conductors from their terminals (all 3 at once) with my left hand (my right shoulder was grounded against the ductwork) and I lit up like a Christmas tree!

I didn't fall off the ladder, but I actually smelled burned flesh after the blast! Not sure, but I THINK it was out of my mouth!

My hand didn't smell like it was burned, but the odor persisted for 10 seconds or so!

I feel fine now, but was a bit unsure of myself right after it happened!

Now, we are all tempting fate each day we fly. We are all drawn to the dangerous. We do things that others can't or don't want to do. Let's try to do them as safely as possible!

I am not sure if I learned anything from that. I hope I did. The power was off and on so many times, the last time the cabinet must not have been fully closed and didn't engage the internal lever disconnecting the load, leaving the terminals and conductors live!

I filled out an accident report and called it a day.

BTW, the air handler STILL isn't working because we had no good contactors!

What a WASTE of a DAY!

I am going to tinker in the shop now.

BE SAFE!

CJ

cjensen · Post by **cjensen** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 4:30 pm

Man CJ! Glad you're ok!! That's a lesson for all of us!

svanarts · Post by **svanarts** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 4:40 pm

Even insulators can become conductors with enough amperage. Glad to hear the human fuse is okay! Don't shake hands with St. Elmo again anytime soon. He's got quite a grip.

rv8or · Post by **rv8or** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 5:31 pm

Dude!

I am really glad you're okay!

I wonder if that counts as part of the "heavy machinery" warning on cold medicine?

Let us know if you can bend spoons by looking at them, if metalic objects are drawn to you like a magnet...or if your trim motor starts running for no reason when you go out to the shop

Joe

cjensen · Post by **cjensen** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 5:55 pm

RV8or wrote:
<snip> Let us know if you can bend spoons by looking at them, if metalic objects are drawn to you like a magnet...or if your trim motor starts running for no reason when you go out to the shop

Joe

I thought this was happening BEFORE this little incident!

captain_john · Post by **captain_john** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 6:29 pm

I knew I could count on you guys!

After giving it some more thought, I really should count my blessings.

The conductors NEVER touched each other. They only touched me. If they HAD contacted each other, there would have been molten metal and carbon blasted into my palm!

The strange thing is, my cell phone seems to have recharged all by itself!

(j/k)

CJ

JohnR · Post by **JohnR** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 6:50 pm

CJ, that is to close dude!

Glad to hear it was just a wake up call. 120 volts is bad enough, 480 volts, YOWWZZAA!

papakeith · Post by **papakeith** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 7:03 pm

Dammit CJ! you can't be doing stuff like this. I don't want to have to search around for a new aviation mentor.

Lets be careful out there.

bmurrish · Post by **bmurrish** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 7:17 pm

Hey CJ, glad you're okay. Does this mean we need to come up with a nickname for you like Captain Sparky or something?

Post by **Spike** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 8:10 pm

Glad you are alright CJ. Lets be safe guys

svanarts · Post by **svanarts** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 8:58 pm

Spike is already on the job. Sparky is born.

JohnR · Post by **JohnR** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 9:01 pm

Sparky! I like it. I think it will stick. It'll look good on the side of his plane too.

Post by **Spike** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 9:06 pm

svanarts wrote:Spike is already on the job. Sparky is born.

Actually, that was Cyphergirl's doing

captain_john · Post by **captain_john** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 9:10 pm

HA! I am A-Okay with that!

Lemme tells ya, I have been called FAR WORSE!

I think I will put it on the side of the plane too!

CJ

1:1_Scale · Post by **1:1_Scale** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 9:36 pm

So does you hair resemble this now?

captain_john · Post by **captain_john** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 9:53 pm

YES!

Except it is only 1/8" long!

CJ

Dan A · Post by **Dan A** » Sat Dec 30, 2006 12:08 am

CJ, keep an eye on that burn. you know that electrical burns start on the inside. If you notice tingling or pain, get help immediately. I've been around that stuff a long time and know the problems that can develop from being electricuted.

From a fellow electrocutioner!!

\
Dan

svanarts · Post by **svanarts** » Sat Dec 30, 2006 12:14 am

Maybe closer to this:

Ah but CJ knows we kid because we love!

I better quit now before the chief makes me delete my own postings.

captain_john · Post by **captain_john** » Sat Dec 30, 2006 9:44 am

Good news!

I went for my EKG and blood work last night and all came out well!

I know I cooked something, because you shouldn't have that kind of juice flowing through your body unless you are Frankenstein! But, I feel fine this morning and all seems well!

I really recounted my blessings last night and realize how "lucky" I was! I could have been knocked from the ladder, severely burned or ended up with a heart condition!

As I sat in that hospital bed I thought about all the dangerous things I have done and how I escaped ALL of it without EVER breaking a bone or spending a day in the hospital!

I hope my luck continues for a long, LONG time! Hospitals SUCK!

All, thank you for your prayers! They must have worked!

CJ

dons · Post by **dons** » Sat Dec 30, 2006 12:53 pm

Glad you went and got checked out and they didn't find anything, that kind of stuff can do strange stuff the inner workings. Have a safe and Happy New Year CJ.