Re: Worm zapper
The current available from a telephone crank generator isn't lethal unless you have a pacemaker or a very weak heart, in which case I doubt a person like that would be out digging worms. They typically generate about 100V. An automotive ignition coil produces anywheres from 25,000 to 50,000 volts, but is a very high impedance source, and would be swamped by the resistance of the ground rendering it useless. The 350 volt transformer I use is isolated from the line, does the job, and is only dangerous if someone grabs one of the rods while the circuit is energised. Since I prefer to pick worms myself when there is no one else around, it is quite safe because of the pushbutton arrangement on the transformer circuit.
The current available from a telephone crank generator isn't lethal unless you have a pacemaker or a very weak heart, in which case I doubt a person like that would be out digging worms. They typically generate about 100V. An automotive ignition coil produces anywheres from 25,000 to 50,000 volts, but is a very high impedance source, and would be swamped by the resistance of the ground rendering it useless. The 350 volt transformer I use is isolated from the line, does the job, and is only dangerous if someone grabs one of the rods while the circuit is energised. Since I prefer to pick worms myself when there is no one else around, it is quite safe because of the pushbutton arrangement on the transformer circuit.