If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#11
|
|||
|
|||
WARNING: JTL Monolights are DANGEROUS!
Those testers are available at Lowes, Home Depot and Radio Shack.
"Jack" wrote in message ... On Mon, 20 Oct 2003 18:31:38 -0500, "Ken Hart" wrote: "John Steven" wrote in message . com... FYI: I recently discovered the hard way that the three JTL monolights (Versalight series, 300 and 800) I owned are ELECTRICAL HAZARDS. CAUTION: you may get shocked quite severely if you use these lights. I found this out by getting a good shock when doing a portrait session in a studio with a concrete floor. I was wearing shorts and knelt down to get a better angle on the subject and as soon as my knee touched the floor, I felt a strong electrical current run through my arms via the camera. I measured 85 volts AC between the sync cable outer connector and earth ground. THIS IS NOT NORMAL!! I tried contacting the JTL company twice but did not receive a response. The same problem was exhibited by all three lights, so I don't think it's an individual defect. Instead, it seems to be a design flaw. Yes, you might say I was an idiot for wearing shorts and shooting portraits in a room with a concrete floor, etc. I agree, and I'll not do that again. However, I recently took delivery of some new monolights (from Calumet) and they do not exhibit this voltage problem. -John Do the strobes have a plug with one prong slightly wider than the other? Does the outlet also have one slot larger than the other? The larger slot should be at earth ground potential (get the voltmeter back out!). If not, your outlets are wired backwards, and could cause similar problems with other devices plugged in these outlets, particularly those with a wide prong. ("polarized plug") Ken Hart Even so, polarized power outlets, *especially the 2-pin variety* are dangerous because there is no way of knowing whether the outlet was wired properly. Should the wires be internally reversed, you have an electrical shock / fire hazard just waiting to happen. I've seen all too many improperly wired outlets in my years as an electrician. Many were even wired by licensed electricians, not simply home-handymen! Outlet Testers (The round yellow plug-in ones with 3 little neon lamps - at least those in the USA) are cheap and will tell you if theres a problem. I consider them part of the kit of anybody who deals with electrical equipment, including studio and stage lighting. And I consider an inexpensive multimeter essential, too. Also good for checking cables for continuity, etc. -Jack- |
#13
|
|||
|
|||
WARNING: JTL Monolights are DANGEROUS!
This is an old, and very, dead horse, well flogged on this group months
ago... Check the dates on the posting and look at the archives... denny "KBob" wrote in message ... On 20 Oct 2003 11:54:07 -0700, (John Steven) wrote: FYI: I recently discovered the hard way that the three JTL monolights (Versalight series, 300 and 800) I owned are ELECTRICAL HAZARDS. |
|
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
A Lithium battery warning question | laocmo | 35mm Photo Equipment | 9 | June 21st 04 07:16 PM |
WARNING: JTL Monolights are DANGEROUS! | KBob | Medium Format Photography Equipment | 1 | February 9th 04 12:46 PM |