Getting shocked by the pa

Chaddycakes · #1 01-02-2013, 07:40 PM

So the house pa that I frequent shocks the band. The house guys won't let us touch it, so I'm wondering what fixes you guys have for keeping it level at our face.

One thought is a mic cover (sic) but is that going to do the job?

Floyd Eye · #2 01-02-2013, 08:33 PM

There is a ground issue. Get it fixed or don't play. Electricity is not always your friend.

Sgt. Rock · #3 01-02-2013, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Floyd Eye

There is a ground issue. Get it fixed or don't play. Electricity is not always your friend.

Yep. There are only two things anyone needs to know about electricity, if there are any doubts about safety.

1. It is invisible.
2. It can kill you.

Got2SadowskyNYC · #4 01-02-2013, 08:36 PM

Yep that's a ground issue. The house guys don't realize that they are liable if you are hurt or killed. Both have happened. This can be very dangerous situation.

derrico1 · #5 01-02-2013, 08:40 PM

Fire up the stage amps and the PA, then invite the house sound guys to strap on a guitar and finger a few chords while telling you through the mics why they won't fix the ground problems.

Seriously: this needs fixing.

blaze17 · #6 01-02-2013, 08:45 PM

You can test with a volt meter. With everything plugged in and turned on ready to go, touch one probe to the mic screen and the other to your bridge. Anything over 50 volts is considered hazardous voltage.

My singer/guitard got zapped pretty bad at an outdoor gig. Put my meter on it and had 70 volts. Bad extension cord was the culprit.

nutdog · #7 01-02-2013, 08:48 PM

Are you using pedals? Our guitar player was getting shocked by the mic the other night. He reversed the plug (2 prong) on his pedal and it stopped.

Big_Daws · #8 01-02-2013, 09:47 PM

this is a real safety issue...must be immediately fixed!

Chaddycakes · #9 01-02-2013, 11:19 PM

Would replacing the small format mixer do the job? I have the same model as their crummy one and I can maybe just sell it to em instead of pitching a fit at the next gig.

Hactar · #10 01-02-2013, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blaze17

Anything over 50 volts is considered hazardous voltage.

Voltage is not an accurate indicator of the danger of a given electric current.
80mA across the heart is enough to cause cardiac arrest, and that 80mA can come with any voltage, be it 9V, 50V, 120V, or 50000V.

Whatever the voltage, if it's a noticeable shock, it is a serious safety hazard and needs to be fixed immediately.

dannylectro · #11 01-03-2013, 12:16 AM

I'm an electrician by day. This is dangerous. Don't use the PA until it is fixed. Someone could be killed, or a fire could be started.

I'm not gonna speculate about the cause - this needs an electrician on site immediately.

**Stumbo** · #12 01-03-2013, 12:32 AM

I suggest picking up a wall plug tester and use it on all the ones you plug into to find out if any specific plug is the problem.

pflash4001 · #13 01-03-2013, 12:52 AM

Replacing the console wont solve anything. There is a problem in the electrical system. It's something neither you nor the bar management is qualified to correct, unless, of course, you are also a licensed electrician. They know about the issue. They are responsible for fixing it. It's serious. Someone could get seriously hurt.

tranquillum · #14 01-03-2013, 01:00 AM

All good advice above...Talk to the club owner and discuss potential liability issues for him and lack of performance of the inhouse team....this is FUp...

MNAirHead · #15 01-03-2013, 07:47 AM

Always windsock your mics ---

john m · #16 01-03-2013, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MNAirHead

Always windsock your mics ---

Wind socks are for wind----- they will not protect against the potential hazards (120v) available on faulty equipment.

FIX THE PROBLEM!

bassmeknik · #17 01-03-2013, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Got2SadowskyNYC

Yep that's a ground issue. The house guys don't realize that they are liable if you are hurt or killed. Both have happened. This can be very dangerous situation.

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Tell all your musician friends and don't perform there again until it's fixed unless you have a death wish...

bassmeknik · #18 01-03-2013, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tranquillum

All good advice above...Talk to the club owner and discuss potential liability issues for him and lack of performance of the inhouse team....this is FUp...

This condition is extremely dangerous for you and the other band members, and the bar owner is liable for your injury. Did I say you were in danger...

1958Bassman · #19 01-03-2013, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Got2SadowskyNYC

Yep that's a ground issue. The house guys don't realize that they are liable if you are hurt or killed. Both have happened. This can be very dangerous situation.

Unless the problem lies with the band's equipment.

1958Bassman · #20 01-03-2013, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MNAirHead

Always windsock your mics ---

What does that do for the cables when the plugs are grounded metal or the guitar strings are grounded through the bridge?