Stupid question re: Radio Power Bus

[FridgeBrilliance]

Is this thing hot when the ignition is off? I can't find my meter and don't want a shock.

 

[RangerBob]

I don't know anything about CUCVs, but I would imagine that a comm radio power bus would be hot with the ignition off. If this is a 12VDC or 24VDC bus, there is nothing to shock you. Just go find your meter or buy a cheapo at your local hardware store and git-r-done.

 

[doghead]

An M1008A1 has an accessory power outlet in the bed of the truck for communications equipment. Is that what your referring to?

 

[FridgeBrilliance]

No, it is the 6 output bus on the passenger side of the back seat under the radio tray. (M1009)

 

[islandguydon]

Unless the dc power is connected to an inverter to convert the DC power to AC you will not get shocked. Keep the connection dry anyway to save on your system.

 

[cpf240]

Yes, it is hot all the time, assuming it is still connected. It is wired directly to the 24v buss bars under the hood. My '09 didn't have the buss bars under the radio tray in the back, the cable just ended in what I assume is a connector for the radios. The end of the cable under the hood on my truck were all taped up with crumbling insulation, so I removed the cable.

 

[nf6x]

24V isn't going to give you a shock, but you don't want to put a wrench across those bus bars.

 

[FridgeBrilliance]

Yep, they are hot. Thanks everybody for the help. Got the creepy lensed secret squirrel desk lamp wired in and working.

 

[mistaken1]

Ohms Law V/R=I

24/1100=0.0218 amps

Ohm Check | DIY Electrical Forums -- The web's best DIY electrical community - Human electrical resistance

The electrical resistance of the human body depends on the condition of your skin at the time of measurement. If your skin is wet, you could have a resistance of only about 1100 Ohms. With dry skin, the amount is much higher at around 495,000 Ohms.

The electrical resistance of your internal body is much smaller at about 85 Ohms up to 575 Ohms.

Now let's talk about how this applies to getting zapped by electricity.

snip

The amount of voltage is not the issue in most cases, it's the amount of current (amperage) introduced into the human body that can kill. It only takes about .015 amps across the heart to kill a person. That's it, .015 amps! So the bottom line is no matter how little the voltage might be, always disconnect power at the breaker, and then check with a meter at the wall outlet, switch, whatever you are working on, to make sure power is really off.

Just sayin .... be safe.

 

[nf6x]

It's the amount of current through the heart that can be fatal. The current flowing through the water on the surface of your skin, not so much.

 

[MarcusOReallyus]

snip

The amount of voltage is not the issue in most cases, it's the amount of current (amperage) introduced into the human body that can kill. It only takes about .015 amps across the heart to kill a person. That's it, .015 amps! So the bottom line is no matter how little the voltage might be, always disconnect power at the breaker, and then check with a meter at the wall outlet, switch, whatever you are working on, to make sure power is really off.

Exactly right!


Ladies, gentlemen, and the rest of you, 12 volts can kill you under the right conditions.

I have gotten a very nasty shock from 12v, while working on a car.

Plenty of people in the telecom world (my world) can tell you how nasty a zap from 48 volts can be.

24v from these big batteries needs some respect.

 

[mistaken1]

It's the amount of current through the heart that can be fatal. The current flowing through the water on the surface of your skin, not so much.

Exactly. Depends on what part of your body is negative and what part is positive. Electricity follows the path of least resistance, once it gets through the skin it will flow internally.