[TCML] top load and photography (tripod grounding)

[bartb]

Actually Peter, the tingle was probably due to "you" at a high potential 
and not the camera. I understand keeping the body at the same potential 
as the camera. This is perfectly acceptable and understood. But, the 
grounding of either you or the camera is simply something I personally 
would not do. I also won't run a coil bare foot for similar reasons. As 
you say, if a camera strike occurred to the camera or tripod itself, 
yes, most likely you would be protected. However, if you are touching 
the camera "you" become grounded. The strike might hit you instead of 
the camera. Well, the strike will travel through you to get to tripod. 
Think about it.

The main thing is to stay out of harms way and that you are doing.

Take care,
Bart

Peter Terren wrote:
> That was me. I do it because I was sometimes getting a little tingle 
> when I touched the camera when I am standing behind it suggesting the 
> camera is above earth potential. I don't want that voltage sparking 
> onto the screen or eyepiece or plastic on button which could damage 
> the camera.
> If you are trying to avoid "unseen leaders" then you are expecting the 
> camera to be floating at many thousands of volts. Not safe at all.
> Secondly, if there was a camera strike while I was holding the camera 
> (I don't get that close), then I would be protected and not the path 
> to ground.
> I stand by my decision to earth the tripod.
>
> Peter
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "bartb" <bartb at classictesla.com>
> To: "Tesla Coil Mailing List" <tesla at pupman.com>
> Sent: Tuesday, March 04, 2008 11:04 AM
> Subject: Re: [TCML] top load and photography
>
>
>> Hi Matt,
> .. Regarding this thread, I
>> think I read someone grounding the tripod? That's probably the last 
>> thing I would do for the same reasons for not grounding my body. I'm 
>> not sure I understood that post correctly as I wasn't paying close 
>> attention, but I certainly would not ground the camera or what it's 
>> sitting on (or anything near it). We don't want to issue unseen 
>> leaders shortening the physical distance between coil and camera. IMHO.
>>
>> Take care,
>> Bart
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