Three-wire dryer outlet -- how can it be safe?

[Twayne]

Technicall it's called split phase.

[Twayne]

No, it's not. It's perfectly and absolutely true. Electricity will NEVER seek any other path but that of the lowest resistanct/impedance/whatever.

In fact the

Uhh, yeah, to the lower resistance path.

Yes some of the motor current may flow

Depends.

240Vac (or 220 if that's what you like to call it) in a Class II constructed appliance is exactly as safe as 120V in a Class II constructed appliance. They will not be inherently dangerous. Even under the scenario being attempted to be described here, without a fault occurring, there can be no danger. The world changes and the NEC, being the first level of protection, changes with it. Also note that depending on the NEC can still very easily result in a non-compliant installation in almost every North American jurisdiction. Loca code enforcement always has the last say.

The

Without knowing what you actually have there, it's hard to say. You may feel safer, but you aren't to code whenever you daisy chain an earth connection like that. Plus, you didn't necessarily get ALL exposed metal with such a wire - many metal parts could still be ungrounded, besides not being arranged in the spedified start connection required of earthing methods. Earth has to be the middle of the star, and all components star connected into it. A dryer cannot be a star component; all stars must be internal.

Other than missing information having neglected any local codes, you're very likely out of complaince. Additionally, how do you know that ALL exposed metal has been earthed by the addition of that one wire? I suspect you don't; so you may well still have the possibility of further points of access to the theorized voltage.

More. But not completely.

It may well violate local codes. Disconnection, or damage to, the wire can, witout notice, return you to the previous same situation you had (like, someone besides you moves one of them, maybe a service man, next owner, whatever). Codes don't allow relying on such a thing. UL, CSA and the EC safety codes are all the same at that point too, in addition to local codes. Since UL/CSA/EC/NOMs are required to sell such a product in NA, you have disturbed the design of both systems and they are no longer certified. UL1459 is the only spec that comes to mind right now, and it's going to have a superceded by ... note. It's been quite awhile. Remember, the NEC is MINIMUM requirements, NOT the BEST! NEC is always specced as the first requirement, then code offices add their own additional requirements to them where it's deemed necessary.

Sort of. I think the thread has become disengaged from reality at some point and too many factors are missing to try to go back and recapture them.

[RBM]

Damn, where you been Bud, I'm exhausted already. What's really interesting is that the Consumer products safety commission has the data on electrocutions from household appliances, and there is no difference between deaths from clothes dryers and any other appliances, in fact airconditioners cause more deaths than dryers. go figure

[makolber]

So you think if you put a 20 Ohm resistor in parallel with a 1 Ohm resistor then 0 current will flow through the 20 Ohm resistor and ALL the current will flow in the 1 Ohm resistor?

If that's what you think, you are ABSOLUTLY WRONG. I'm not going to debate this with you, its a fact.

Mark

[Tman]

This whole thread and that exchagne above are exhibiting the difference between and electrician and an EE. EE's are right. Electricians are practical.

[george J]

100-ohm and 200-ohm resistor in parallel across 120V.

Current through the path of least resistance = 1.2A

Current through the 200-ohm resistor = 600mA

Since this (200-ohm resistor) is not the path of least resistance, practical people WILL NOT be electrocuted :-)

BTW, I did not calculate 1 / ((1 / R1) + (1 / R2))

[Harry L]

We are the AC Borg Your "path of least resistance" is irrelevant You are irrelevant You will be electrocuted

[Tman]

I'll die right!

[bud--]

I can see why. By the time I get to this newsgroup you've answered all the questions. (NOT a complaint.) I don't know how you get anything else done.

Why do you want to go and ruin a good argument with facts???