Inside power supplies: Where are the shocks?

[buggie@pegasus.unm.edu (stephen e buggie)]

       WHERE ARE THE ELECTRIC SHOCKS INSIDE COMPUTER POWER SUPPLIES?
       ============================================================

As regular readers already know, I modify IBM power supplies to be used as
external units on Apple IIgs and IIe.   Have made about 175 units since
April 1996.

Virtually every unit has a sticker with ominous warnings --- DO NOT OPEN
CASE --- DANGEROUS SHOCKS ARE INSIDE!

I've hacked inside MANY power supplies and have not yet felt a jolt!
Where are these shocks lurking?  Of course, the power is OFF when I do the
hacking.  I stay away from the large heat-sinks.  There are big capacitors
inside, but how long do these hold the power?

I do various tests during assembly of Bugg-Power units, and I am usually
inside within 20-30 seconds after the power has been on with some tests.

I've never been shocked, although I've "seen the sparks."   I learned the
hard way that you do't use steel wool to polish a tarnish power supply
casing!    ;-)

Steve Buggie

Inventor of:  Bugg-Power    Bugg-Drive     Enhanced System Saver IIgs



Stephen Buggie    Univ.  of New Mexico   Gallup NM 87301   buggie@unm.edu

                     __\/__
                 .  / ^  _ \  .
                 |\| (o)(o) |/|
--------------.OOOo----oo----oOOO.------------------------------
  Stephen Buggie   Gallup New Mexico           buggie@unm.edu
_________________________Oooo.__________________________________
                  .oooO  (   )
                  (   )   ) /
                   \ (   (_/
                    \_)