Switched from DC to fluke meters for refrigerator caps and here's why

Used to always use my basic analog meter for discharging capacitors in fridges. Thought it was fine until last Thursday when a 450v cap in a Samsung fridge gave me a jolt that knocked me off my stool. Immediately drove to the supply house and picked up a Fluke 116, the difference in safety readings is night and day. Now I never touch a high-voltage cap without verifying discharge on the digital display first. Has anyone else had close calls with old gear that made you upgrade fast?

2 comments

2 Comments

the_claire1d ago

Dude, you got knocked off your stool? That's wild, glad you're okay man.

jenny471d ago

@the_claire Man, I feel you on that. Had a similar thing happen at a buddy's bachelor party where I was standing on one of those wobbly barstools (worst idea ever). Ended up landing on my tailbone and couldn't sit right for two weeks. What worked for me was just giving it time and using a soft cushion whenever I had to drive or sit on hard surfaces. Also, ibuprofen helped a ton with the swelling. It's crazy how easy it is to get launched off those things if you lean too far back. Hope you're healing up alright.