ATX to Amiga 2000 PSU shell experiment

[AmmoJammo]

The 240v we have in the Netherlands aren't either, but the accompanying 16 amps certainly can be.

So sick of people making uninformed comments like that. At 240volts you won't conduct 16amps so the potential output current has nothing to do with it.

[Thorham]

So sick of people making uninformed comments like that.

A mistake that errs on the side of caution makes you sick? Why?

At 240volts you won't conduct 16amps so the potential output current has nothing to do with it.

Really? So, if the body is properly grounded it's not going to pull 16 amps? Why (serious question)?

[AmmoJammo]

Because the resistance of your body is no where near low enough. "its not the voltage, its the current that kills you" is correct, but without a high enough voltage you won't conduct enough current to do anything. You could have a 1000amp 20volt supply and feel nothing.

[Thorham]

Thanks, shows what I know

[psxphill]

Because the resistance of your body is no where near low enough. "its not the voltage, its the current that kills you" is correct, but without a high enough voltage you won't conduct enough current to do anything. You could have a 1000amp 20volt supply and feel nothing.

There is some more data here.
 
http://www.highvoltageconnection.com/articles/ElectricShockQuestions.htm
 
Making sure your environment is safe is probably the best thing you can do, so that if you do get a shock that you don't fall back and crack your head open.

[QuikSanz]

Here in the States with 120VAC you have a white wire that is common ground and a black or red wire that is "Hot". The only difference between the white wire and the green ground wire is the white is grounded at the power station and the green is grounded at the Breaker box.

Chris

[psxphill]

The only difference between the white wire and the green ground wire is the white is grounded at the power station and the green is grounded at the Breaker box.

The neutral will only go as far back to the sub station, not the powerstation.
 
In the UK we'd call one neutral (substation) and the other earth (house).
 
The powerstation isn't necessarily just connected to earth at the sub station and either way there is likely to be a potential difference between the two.
 
I don't know about the US, and in the UK it's not everywhere but the neutral is connected to ground at various points to try to stop this.
 
http://www.emfs.info/Sources+of+EMFs/distribution/UK/
 
edit: they have a link for the US too http://www.emfs.info/Sources+of+EMFs/distribution/USA/
 
If there is a fault then the neutral can become live, which can cause a lot of problems. If you have an RCD then it tries to save you from some of these.

[QuikSanz]

Fair enough, point being its grounded on power company property. I tell all my customers it you have more than a .2 volt difference between common and ground there is likely a problem.

I've found many problem sites where the common was bad and the machine tries to return thru the ground, and they wonder why they get a shock and the machine doesn't work.lol

Chris

[gertsy]

RCDs are compulsory in Australia for new houses and any electrical work to a certain value. Melting pwr supplies are one way to make them trip.

[QuikSanz]

@Gertsy,

RCDs? Is that like a ground fault interrupt?

Chris

[AmmoJammo]

@Gertsy,

RCDs? Is that like a ground fault interrupt?

Chris

Indeed, residual current device, so if there's current flowing to earth, above a certain level, it trips the switch and shuts off power to the power points/outlets in the house...

My A520 switchmode power supply would cause an RCD I have in a power board/strip to trip.... occasionally... :roflmao:

[AmigaPixel]

Hi Amigans!
I was away for a few days without internet access. Great responses though!

[AmigaPixel]

Bah, Amiga.org is full of Doubting Thomases. Just don't electrocute yourself or jam a screwdriver into a capacitor.
 
One thing to keep in mind is if you get a PSU that doesn't line up with the openings on the back of the case, you'll have to Dremel a hole in the back for them. No big deal, I did this in mine when I added a 3-speed fan inside the stock PSU and needed a way to mount the fan speed switch, but just to keep in mind. That metal case is a B****, they didn't use thin stuff back in the day, LOL.

Yea I thought about cutting a hole for the power switch, I might still do that but like you said it is a thick back. It's just one more reminder that the A2000 is very robust! Case and all.

[AmigaPixel]

PS - let us know next of kin, so if you do die while doing this we have an address to send flowers, LOL.  :smack:

Nah! Just put up a memorial here on Amiga.org! Ha

[AmigaPixel]

Here in the States with 120VAC you have a white wire that is common ground and a black or red wire that is "Hot". The only difference between the white wire and the green ground wire is the white is grounded at the power station and the green is grounded at the Breaker box.

Chris

Thanks for pointing that out, I was never clear on the white wire.