Hoffman Amplifiers Tube Amplifier Forum

Amp Stuff => Tube Amp Building - Tweaks - Repairs => Topic started by: tubesornothing on October 02, 2021, 09:26:53 pm

Title: Shocking!
Post by: tubesornothing on October 02, 2021, 09:26:53 pm
A friend has a tube Amp that has an old 2 prong plug and is causing shocks when touch the chassis, and the person touches ground.  I will replace with a 3 prong plugs, but I think the problem is more serious. 


When I measure from chassis to ground, 1 get zero volts when powered off.  Regardless of the polarity of the ac plug.


When I do the same measurement with it powered on, I get approx 70 volts.  One time it showed 350v.


What is my next step in diagnosis of the leaky component?
Title: Re: Shocking!
Post by: sluckey on October 02, 2021, 09:31:30 pm
Which amp?
Title: Re: Shocking!
Post by: PRR on October 02, 2021, 11:49:53 pm
It may not be wrong for an UN-grounded amp to show half the wall voltage. That's what it would drift to if everything were equal.

You could be curious and try a 50k resistor to wall ground. Does the floating voltage change?

However a SOLID ground is best, because if a major leak happens it will blow the cellar fuse.
Title: Re: Shocking!
Post by: tubesornothing on October 03, 2021, 12:02:31 am
Thanks guys,  I will try the experiment.  This is a jukebox Amp.  I will see if I can dig up a schematic.
Title: Re: Shocking!
Post by: PRR on October 03, 2021, 12:13:39 am
...This is a jukebox Amp....
Which amp?