Basic electronics theory (response to Layman's issues)

[leopold]

what is this?
texas?

 

[billvon]

I had a friend when I was studying who, during a fault finding class put a standard red LED in a mains socket and turned it on. There was an explosion accompanied by a blinding flash of red light, and they managed to blow three levels of fuses - Room, floor, and building.

Wow, I'm amazed that:
1) the LED carried enough current for long enough to blow the panel fuse
2) the panel and floor fuses carried enough current for long enough to allow the facility fuse to blow.

Usually power systems are designed to prevent 2) - but of course nothing is proof against a stupid enough user.

 

[Trippy]

Wow, I'm amazed that:
1) the LED carried enough current for long enough to blow the panel fuse
2) the panel and floor fuses carried enough current for long enough to allow the facility fuse to blow.

Usually power systems are designed to prevent 2) - but of course nothing is proof against a stupid enough user.

I think everyone was amazed that it did such a 'good' job.

 

[leopold]

It got quiet here. Hopefully Layman didn't blow up the largest electrolytic capacitor he could find at Radio Shack or wherever.

let's just hope he didn't decide to tear his microwave apart.
6000 volts ain't nothin' to laugh at.