Electricution Threat!

[Osensei]

It has been brought to my attention that amateur bands playing at certain venues (ie night clubs and such) can be put at unnessessary risk of electricution if the club is not properly wired. This is often the case when club owners cut corners and allow uncertified electricians (relatives and such) to do wiring.

As an IT professional I know that there are numerous UPS systems that are utilized to protect expensive servers and workstations. I was wondering if there is something out there that could regulate and protect the players and equipment one might use at a gig that can handle the hundreds if not thousands of watts that musicians often require out of their equipment?

 

[JacksonMIA]

Re: Electricution Threat!

One of the best things that can be done is to keep the circuits for the musical equipment completely seperate. There are a billion products out there that claim to take care of it, but most are pretty worthless. Even with perfect wiring and a million dollars worth of equipment you're still at the mercy of the power company. But most of the time, if you're in a bigger city, you don't have to worry about that. If the building is wired properly, there shouldn't be any problems.

Bring a circuit tester (not just two leads and a little light, but a three prong tester that will tell you all circuit conditions) that you can pick up for about $15 at Home Depot. Plug it in anywhere your equipment will be. If it doesn't check out refuse to plug in.

 

[kmcguitars]

Re: Electricution Threat!

The key is... You Need to be Grounded. Although state and county laws may vary? Any new construction Should be up to code and Inspected by a local officials? But there are kickbacks,payoffs and blind eyes.:eek13: So to protect yourself I believe radio shack or home depot sell outlet testers. I'm more weary of old construction that's long out dated and not to code.

 

[Scott_F]

Re: Electricution Threat!

Get rid of those two prong power cables on any old gear. That will do wonders, but only if the wall receptacle is grounded properly. +1 on getting a little tester. They are less than 10 bucks.

 

[SlyFoxx]

Re: Electricution Threat!

+3. Get a tester and refuse to plug in if the plug is wired incorrectly.

If you insist on being dumber than a sack of hair and playing without a ground at least do your best not to make yourself a bigger target for potential DEATH. NEVER play barefoot. NEVER touch your rig or PA and a good source of ground like a radiator or iron water pipe at the same time. ALWAYS put one of those foam pop stoppers on your microphone so you don't touch the ball end with your lip. (OUCH!) Use a wirless if you can so your guitar or microphone is isolated from the wall juice.

 

[innerdreamrecords.co]

Re: Electricution Threat!

you don't touch the ball end with your lip. (OUCH!)

I know this feeling, not good.

 

[flank]

Re: Electricution Threat!

using a wireless for guitar and/or mic will eliminate most of the potential for any problems

 

[Bludave]

Re: Electricution Threat!

I know this feeling, not good.

I Knda like that feeling!:fingersx:

 

[WhoFan]

Re: Electricution Threat!

I went to see a friends band play and in the dark lit stage the bassist was trying to find the plug on the wall and was running his hand up and down the wall... he found it... bare wires sticking out of the wall and the plug had been removed, but someone turned the breaker back on and the bassist took a bolt of juice! He had 3-4 more stiff drinks after that! He was already but his hand that had touched the wires was numb and shaking a little.. At one point they didn't think he could play!

 

[JacksonMIA]

Re: Electricution Threat!

I went to see a friends band play and in the dark lit stage the bassist was trying to find the plug on the wall and was running his hand up and down the wall... he found it... bare wires sticking out of the wall and the plug had been removed, but someone turned the breaker back on and the bassist took a bolt of juice! He had 3-4 more stiff drinks after that! He was already but his hand that had touched the wires was numb and shaking a little.. At one point they didn't think he could play!

Yeouch! I think I'd have gone off looking for the moron that did that.

 

[WhoFan]

Re: Electricution Threat!

Yeouch! I think I'd have gone off looking for the moron that did that.

well we found out later that those wires had been hanging out of the wall for at least 10 or more years.... to turn the stage lights on you have to use the circuit breakers and one of them turns the power back onto the old empty plug box with bare wires hanging out of it!

 

[WhoFan]

Re: Electricution Threat!

Get rid of those two prong power cables on any old gear. That will do wonders, but only if the wall receptacle is grounded properly. +1 on getting a little tester. They are less than 10 bucks.

When i got my 65 Deluxe it was in rough shape and had a cheap white plastic 2 prong lamp cord on it.... I grabbed a heavy duty power tool 3 rong replaecment cord and replaced the amps cord with it... the Ground conection had a screw eye on the end of the wire so i loosened a bold off the transformer and slipped the ground wire on it and tightened it back up... hope that was the right way to ground an old amp... I was told just to make sure the ground wire is mounted to the chassy

 

[OlinMusic]

Re: Electricution Threat!

Great post
Never thought of this

BTW "ELECTROCUTION THREAT" sounds like the name of a cool Metal band.

 

[D-EJ915]

Re: Electricution Threat!

A bigger problem of improper wiring is fire, wires which are not able to satisfy high-current extraction can become extraordinarily hot and actually catch things on fire. This is why on extension cords, etc. they have ratings so you can be careful.