Re: Question about circuit breakers and 220v vs 110v???
Didn't say whether from line to ground or line to line. Reguardless it doesn't matter. I don't doubt that statement but in an "IDEAL" condition that same voltage will jump a foot if not more. So what is an "Ideal" condition?<br /><br />Pure air as we know it is the best insulator known. Air however is not pure taking environmental factors into account. For one, small particles floating around can cause air to be less of an insulator and more sustaintable to electrical conductivity. In rain storms, air becomes saturated with water molecules thus creating an "Ideal" condition for electricity to travel. Lightnings, with million of volts are known to travel 5 to 10 miles from clouds to Earth. If my math is correct, 38 to 1.6 volts per inch. Clearly its far less than the one inch per 1000v i stated. <br /><br />In the IBEW, safety is of the highest priority. We have our own standards rules if you will that we follow. We look into the most extreme case and make it a safety issue. As I mentioned previously testing was done by people in the trade within our organization in various controlled environments. Why the 1000v cut off? The same question can be asked; Why 18 is the legal age? Why 65 the retirement age? Why 25 years the maximun sentence given a murderer? Ok i'm a little off. Toss that last statement. Maybe its because as Inside Wiremen, we don't deal with anything above 480v. Not we we couldn't. Im sure you understand. <br /><br />Jlshields, I had similar experience (arcing) but mine was in a controlled environment (lab) with a DC Compound Motor. And get this....at 120v.
