Calculating Touch Voltage for Water Heater Element

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Anonymous Poster	Calculating Touch Voltage for Water Heater Element 06/06/2008 6:04 AM
	Please explain how I could determine the touch voltage on the element of a water heater if it is only accessible by means of an elevator (lift) and if the routing of the supply cable is not available. Kindly use values to enhance explanation.
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Electroman Guru Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Dunstable, England Posts: 2821 Good Answers: 45	#1 Re: Calculating Touch Voltage for Water Heater Element 06/06/2008 9:48 AM
	What is 'touch voltage'???? __________________ A little knowledge is a dangerous thing - Googling is far worse!
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bubbapebi Power-User Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 414 Good Answers: 19	#3 In reply to #1 Re: Calculating Touch Voltage for Water Heater Element 06/07/2008 2:33 AM
	It's what you get when you poke your finger in the socket barefoot... Here's the official US Government-approved explanation: http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_id=9871&p_table=STANDARDS
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Electroman Guru Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Dunstable, England Posts: 2821 Good Answers: 45	#6 In reply to #3 Re: Calculating Touch Voltage for Water Heater Element 06/08/2008 9:28 AM
	Oh thanks Bubba, you learn something everyday on here don't you?!! John. __________________ A little knowledge is a dangerous thing - Googling is far worse!
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miketheboilerguy Power-User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: South East of Las Vegas just far enough to see the lights but far enough to not hear the coins falling Posts: 282 Good Answers: 8	#2 Re: Calculating Touch Voltage for Water Heater Element 06/06/2008 10:58 PM
	Let me guess what touch voltage is........amp draw or wattage consumption? If you know the voltage and you should be able to check the ampere draw at the fuse box or circuit breaker. Try multiplying the known voltage by the observed amp draw that will give you the watts consumed. __________________ Rule number one; Never ask a question unless you are prepared for an answer that you may not like.
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marcot Guru Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Montreal, Canada. Posts: 1372 Good Answers: 80	#4 Re: Calculating Touch Voltage for Water Heater Element 06/07/2008 2:12 PM
	Once that you have turned and locked its power source in the off position. Use your voltmeter to confirm. Reference it to the metal of the lift and measure to the heater's exposed metal and conductors with the other probe. Then reference the first probe to the metal case of the heater (without paint) and probe the rest of the metal and conductors. If you measure less than a few volts AC it should be safe to poke around in it. BUT always assume that the power could come back and act accordingly. DO NOT HOLD THE WIRES BETWEEN YOUR TEETH if you need a third hand... Working at height is especially dangerous as a small shock that would have been a funny story if caught on the ground can make you fall off your perch and kill yourself. Don't work alone and use a safety harness. __________________ Experienced is earned, common sense is taught, both are rare essentials of life.
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nesubra Guru Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 729 Good Answers: 2	#5 Re: Calculating Touch Voltage for Water Heater Element 06/08/2008 3:22 AM
	Touch pottential is the voltage on a equipment frame which one can touch and which exists between between the hand and feet of a person.Touch and step pottential are calculated for a system while designing the earthing .The values should be within specified limits E touch=(165+0.25Ps)/sqrt t where Ps is resistivity of the soil or ground where one stands,t duration of fault,etouch tolerable touch pottential __________________ To avoid crticism do nothing,say nothing,be nothing
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