Excellent post, Spaceman.
I think spaceman's post is an outstanding illustration of two very important things to think about.
1. Electrical Safety. (That part is obvious and he describes the issue very well.
2. Simplicity and Economy.
This part may not seem so obvious the first time you read Spaceman's post. However... when you read what he wrote, it becomes clear that nobody needs to get hysterical and overly fearful about using an electric mixer. It's easy and inexpensive to have a very safe setup.
I suspect Spaceman would agree that a great deal of what is in his post is common sense. We all know that we shouldn't be standing in puddles of water while working with electrical equipment. At least we all should know. (not that it hurts to get a reminder once in a while... thanks spaceman). We all know that worn or frayed electrical cords are hazaradous even under the most mild conditions. We all know that it would be easy for water to get into the plug for example, where a drill might plug into an extension cord if we drag it through a puddle. (and it is really easy to have puddles when we are mixing and working with papercrete.) Even though these issues should be second nature to all of us, it's nice to review them periodically on this list. Like a refresher safety briefing.
Heck... safety on any constuction site is important. It's no less important in a garage, basement, back yard, or an artist's studio. There are all kinds of tools, chemicals, trip hazards, falling objects, and who knows what else? We all know that any of them might be hazardous if we don't pay attention and use proper care. Electrical safety is another important category, but not one to fear if you take heed of the simple safety precautions.
I hope nobody is reading the several cautions about electrical safety that have been posted and is over-reacting. Yes, it's important to be safe, but when several simple proper precautions are taken... electric mixers can be extremely safe to operate.
Keep in mind that mixers powered by gasoline engines aren't exactly children's toys that can be taken lightly. Gasoline needs many precautions we all are very familiar with.
Driving your vehicle around pulling a tow mixer can be hazardous too.
You also might get injured in an accident while driving to the local Home Center to purchase a bag of cement. We do all kinds of things that MIGHT be hazardous every day. We still do them, but hopefully we take the proper precautions.
None of these potential hazards should prevent someone from trying papercrete. Just take the proper precautions, and you should be fine.
Precautions are good, but let's not scare anyone away from mixing papercrete either. All things in life need balance. I don't think anyone needs to wear a rubber Biohazard Isolation suit and full football padding to protect themselves while working with any papercrete mixer.
(but if someone tries mixing papercrete in a rubber biohazard suit YOU BETTER POST PHOTOS!!!! I want to see it!! hehehe)
GET OUT THERE TODAY AND MIX UP A BATCH OF PAPERCRETE.
Please be careful while you do it, but don't be scared of it.
Remember!
The most important item of safety equipment you already have. It's your own brain. USE IT.
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Spaceman wrote:
As a master electrician licensed in two states I don't think I could be called a "nervous Nellie" about electricity. I am well aware of the dangers and how to prevent problems.
Standing in water and being part of an electrical circuit is not a good idea. If you are going to be using electricity around water or anywhere outside, you should be protected by ground fault circuit interrupters. This is a safety device designed to stop current flow before your heart stops. It only takes approximately five milliamperes (5/1,000 of an ampere) to kill you, and that is a very small amount of current. A normal 20 amp circuit breaker will pass many times that amount (about 4,000 times) without tripping. A GFCI device will stop the current flow below that level. GFCI is not just a code requirement, it is an excellent idea!
GFCI devices come in several forms, including ones that can be plugged into a receptacle and have an outlet for your extension cord. Other forms are special circuit breakers to protect a whole circuit, and special receptacles. Any outside receptacles should be either GFCI type or connected to a GFCI circuit. None of these are very expensive. Here is one example, only $17 to save your life. The ones at Home Base are a little more expensive, but you can have one today without waiting for shipping.
The way they work is by measuring the current going out the hot wire and comparing it to the current coming back through the neutral wire. If there is a difference then there is a fault and current is going "elsewhere", maybe through your body. The GFCI will turn the power off instantly.
As far as cables and cords lying around in water puddles, if you are using the right cable or cord without splices or damage, you should have no problems. The danger points are where the conductors (wires) are not insulated, like splices and connections. Cord caps and receptacles are usually not waterproof and should be kept out of the water, as has been mentioned several times by others. Type UF cable is rated for exposure to sunlight and has a fairly durable sheath. It comes in several gauges, including #12 which is rated for a 20 ampere circuit. It is a common building material and relatively cheap. Several other types of cable and cords are OK for this application, but many are not suitable and some are hazardous around water.
Several list members are qualified in electrical work, so if you have questions just ask and you shall receive. We certainly don't want to lose any of our list members due to lack of knowledge about a technical field. It has been said that each article in the NEC was written after a death due to electricity, and it is a thick book. Err on the side of safety - electrocution is not fun.
spaceman
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