Hi, All, I'm new to the DIY audio world and want to live to be able to listen to my recently-asssembled-but-yet-to-be-smoke-tested FPIII. I've been poking around the forum for a general electrical safety thread but couldn't find a bunch of info aggregated together - just bits and pieces here and there. I got some advice from my man, Grainger, as a tangent in a different thread, (here, if you're interested):
http://www.bottlehead.com/smf/index.php/topic,351.0.htmlbut wanted to move out of there under a more appropriate heading and also take some of the pressure off of G-man and hopefully get some others to chime in as well.
So, I've read the entire FPIII manual and there's no need to repeat any of that safety info. I guess I'll just start with some general questions and some questions slightly more specifc to my situation -- Thanks, in advance for any guidance and advice. I was telling Grainger that I've been using electricity for as long as I can remember but without any idea of what it is or how it works (I don't even know how to tell if my shoes have actual rubber soles!)... so go easy on me, please.
Vacuum Tubes:
This may be silly but is it ok to touch them (when they're off and not hot, I mean)? I don't have any experience handling them -- the closest thing I can think of is old (and many new) projector lamps where you should not handle directly because the oils on your sking can damage them. Are tubes the same/similar?
Electrical Grounding and Related Safety:
I live in an old apartment building. I'm not sure if the handful of 3 prong outlets are actually grounded. I'm going to buy one of these testers where you plug it in and the lights tell you what is right/wrong. My question is: Is it possible for one of these testers to be wrong?
I've read conflicting information on if the ground and the neutral conductors actually meet each other at some point at the entrace to the building. If they do meet each other at some point, I don't understand how the ground could provide safety. Can anyone explain?
Let's say I use my outlet tester and it shows no ground connected at my apartment. What options do I have to ensure a safe experience? Is a Ground Fault Interupter a good option in this scenario? From what I've read about them, it sounds like it might be a good option even if I DO have a properly grounded outlet. Any advice on a model that is a good performer and a good value?
I'd like to use a Surge Protector as well. I've done some reading about them and many models use the ground as the means to shunt off the surge in power. I guess this wouldnt' work if I'm dealing with an outlet with an unterminated ground pin. There is another type that doesn't use the ground path but clamps down, stores the surge and slowly releases it over time - or something like that - a parallel circuit design vs a series circuit design. Would a series style surge protector work in a building with no ground termination?
Assuming a series surge protector is good to use and a GFI is also a good idea, in what order would I hook them up? I would think: stereo components plug into Surge Protector device; Surge protector plugs into GFI; GFI plugs into wall outlet.
In the FPIII Instructions it is noted: "Make sure you stay away from mains wiring! ... if [a piece of gear] must be plugged in [while testing] consider use of an isolation transformer...which will create a current limit on what the AV mains can supply" OK, so I've done a little iso transformer research and I don't exactly understand how it can "create a current limit." Can anyone elaborate on this topic, offer an example and/or recommend an iso transformer model?
How can I be sure my MM is rated to test with the FPIII power supply? The model I have is a Triplett 1101-A. Also, I lost the alligator clips so I went to Radio Shack to get some more. There is a pair rated for 5amps. What kind of rating should I be looking for on the alligator clips? Does the rating apply to the metal? the insulation? Both?
I think that's it for now. If all or any of this is covered somewhere else in the Bottlehead forum please feel free to save us all time and redirect me. All knowledge and experience is welcome.
Thanks again ...
Mike