As long as the isolation transformer has current limiting fuse/breaker, which has a lower limit than the main breaker, this should help and be safer for the experimenters.

-steve

On Tue, Jan 27, 2015 at 11:49 AM, David Keenan <dkeenan44@gmail.com> wrote:
Adam was there and I feel can explain far better than I why the breaker flipped, but we do know why it occurred. 

In the most basic language folks are shorting the circuit by working on electronics & machines that are connected up to power. So it's not that the circuit is being 'overloaded' by say drawing too many Amps, its from a miswire -

Since you asked it was the gentleman named Sam with the electric motorbike, who was working on a project (looked like a motor, or?) that flipped the breaker. Not sure if I have said person's email but presumably they are on this list - 

It's important for me to say that Sudo is around precisely for such experimentation and hackery and Sam should not feel badly for flipping the breaker. Rather, I feel we need to create safer workspaces and workflows (as much as we can at any rate) for such experimentation to take place so that upstream consequences for the rest of the building are minimized. 

Best,
David

On Tue, Jan 27, 2015 at 11:41 AM, Steve Berl <steveberl@gmail.com> wrote:
If people are overloading the circuit breakers, or the breakers are tripping at lower than designed currents, this will not help.

Before buying anything you should figure out why the breakers are tripping.

-steve

On Tue, Jan 27, 2015 at 11:38 AM, David Keenan <dkeenan44@gmail.com> wrote:
Killer. Adam - since I obviously lack the technical literacy to scope eBay for the properly right stuff, might this be something you'd be willing to look for on our behalf - i.e., pass on links to some Adam-approved eBay isolation transformers)?

If Sudo does not have the funds to hand to acquire these, depending on the cost I will make a request of Omni Commons to purchase. As I see this as something that will help us pass our Fire Life & Safety inspection for the building..

David



On Tue, Jan 27, 2015 at 11:21 AM, Adam Munich <adam@aperture.systems> wrote:

It would be better to get something like this on eBay, because large, ie several kilowatt transformers typically can be had for pennies on the dollar there. Low voltage transformers really don't go bad so the age doesn't matter.

On Jan 27, 2015 11:19 AM, "David Keenan" <dkeenan44@gmail.com> wrote:
Yes to this Adam, thank you. I searched around and found a product like this - Adam would you say this is the right sort of product for sudo or can you reccomend a better / more affordable one?

David

On Tue, Jan 27, 2015 at 11:09 AM, Adam Munich <adam@aperture.systems> wrote:

I think the ideal solution here would be to get some form of isolation transformer with an in-line breaker for when people want to fuck with the line. In this way it is very difficult to a) electrocute yourself and b) cause damage to the circuits.

Further if we ever get a safety inspection this would appease people swiftly.




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