Most electrical accidents happen with everyday items; hair dryers, shavers, toasters, kettles etc. So how about constucting them with intelligence...So whevever theres potential danger (over heating, crossed wires, moisture etc), the device detects it and sends a signal to the 3-pin plug in the wall socket where a spring ejects the plug out of the socket. voila! it's now as electrically hazzardous as a banana.-- shinobi, May 13 2004 It's the amps, not the volts. http://www.webtender.com/db/drink/4502 [2 fries shy of a happy meal, Oct 05 2004, last modified Oct 17 2004] Funny how I've tried dropping a banana on my foot and it didn't really hurt, but a microwave oven on the other hand ...-- Letsbuildafort, May 13 2004 They're called GFCI outlets. Ground Fault Circuit Interupts. The theory behind them is that the circuit can detect stray current extremely rapidly, and isolate the outlet in a split second.-- smurfzilla, May 13 2004 can I not have one of these on my life support system please.. at least get it to SMS me witha Y/N shut down decision.-- neilp, May 13 2004 Isn't this what the fuse in the plug is for? Or are plug fuses another strange foible of the UK wiring regulations that noone else has?-- hazel, May 14 2004 We have earth leakage circuits as well. Unfortunately ours trips occasionally for no reason*, usually in the middle of Eastenders.
* well presumably because of an Earth leak. I just can't work out where from-- hazel, May 14 2004 I would think that the GFCI circuits are safer. An ejecting plug could slay the kid who caused the fault by watering the TV. For an added learning effect the GFCI should have a bypass resistor so it leaks 10mA. That doesn't kill, but it hurts.-- kbecker, May 14 2004 [hazel] - well, try to fix it soon, will you? There are enough environmental problems on this planet without you letting it drain away.-- benjamin, May 15 2004 Hazel maybe your TV has taste...
Brits are not afraid of electricity, the rest of the world seems more scared am I right in asserting that anyone can be an electrician (regardless of qualifications) in the UK were as in the states you have to be registered and qualified?-- engineer1, May 17 2004 plus Uk peeps have a full 240 v surging through the place were the rest of you guys have..like .. 9v or something limp wristed like that.-- etherman, May 17 2004 [Engineer1], I think there is some legislation coming out (or already done), that says qualified Sparkies only for British 'leccy. DIY repairs also to be outlawed. Too much mothering... [Tabs], must have been a common phrase at one time, my Physics teacher used to say the same thing!(or the same teacher ????) There is a relationship between current, time and likelyhood of fibrillation, as I have linked already in a discussion about bathroom dimmers or something. I've seen plenty of water leaks, but I've never seen an earth leak.... The Brits call them "residual current circuit breakers RCCB". Changed from ELCB: Don't ask me why.-- Ling, May 17 2004 random, halfbakery