I tried to electrocute myself

[bpetersxx]

trying to fix the calypso

I found the the heatsinks on the control boards are live

Trying to find out why the start button shorts out intermittently

 

[dj-gabriele]

A heatsink shouldn't be live!!! :-O Maybe that is (one) source of the fault

 

[gizmo]

I don't know anything about the Calypso, but it is perfectly normal for heatsinks to be live on lots and lots of appliances.

Chris.

 

[rolls_rapide]

Live Heatsinks

Are quite common. UK Hoover machines had live heatsinks.

 

[tuthill]

What's a heat sink?

 

[2drumsallergy]

Heat sinks

Hi Jed,
A Heat sink is a metal component used to dissipate heat from electronic components.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heat_sink

 

[tuthill]

Thanks David

That makes perfect sense.

 

[bpetersxx]

I touched the black heatsink and got bit

 

[tuthill]

wouldn't it make sense to unplug the appliance you are working on

 

[bpetersxx]

Yes you should always unplug before working on anything electrical

I`m the electrocution king I`ve been zapped too many times in my 45 years

 

[andrewinorlando]

The heatsinks on the calypso control boards are live. So do the smart thing, please, and disconnect the machine before you work on it. You run the risk of not only killing yourself, but short circuiting the control board.

 

[toggleswitch2]

As much as the lands of 220v complain about 110v, you are still alive to talk about it...............

 

[MrX]

You'd survive a 220V shock too quite well. 110V or 220V will both very efficiently kill you if they happen to pass through your heart.

It's more likely that you were saved by the fact that you were on a non-conductive floor or that you were wearing shoes.

If you have been in contact with a copper pipe or an earthed part of the machine you could have been much more badly shocked.

Also, in general in 220V land (in Europe anyway) RCDs (GFCIs) are usually required on most or all circuits, so it's hard enough to electrocute yourself thesedays.

As a rule though - REMOVE THE PLUG FROM THE OUTLET!

 

[seamusuk]

Hoover Modules....

As far as I remember older Hoover autos (will look at my A3308 later) always used to have a sticker on the module with DANGER LIVE HEATSINK or words to that effect.

As has been said before ya dont touch anything with the machine connected- simple

Seamus

 

[rolls_rapide]

And remember...

It is the Volts that jolt, and the Amps that kill!