I thought I'd start this thread, rather like the Computer Stupidities thread, where we can all post bad experiences we've had with electronics or electrical equipment.
I've had a few shocks from the mains in my time - one time I was fiddling around inside an old dot matrix printer to try and fix it while the power was on. I reached behind to flick the power switch, and touched the fuse instead - making my arm jump away!
More recently, I was fixing the power switch on my server - it has an old AT PSU. One of the rubber sleeves on the terminals came off, and as I tried to push the switch back into place I touched the live terminal. The shock threw me back about 1 meter!
Bear in mind we have 240V AC mains here, not 120V like the US - so shocks are much more serious
Also when doing a modification on an old games console (installing a 50/60hz switch), I pulled the soldering iron to the end of its cord without realising it. The iron jumped back a bit, and instead of touching the plastic handle I touched the hot metal tip and burnt myself! Still got a little scar now, and thinking about it brings back painful memories...
BTW that's the only time I've ever burnt myself on the soldering iron itself; though I have burnt myself numerous times by touching hot components after soldering.
If you think this topic is irrelevant or in the wrong forum, feel free to lock or move it.
I've had a few shocks from the mains in my time - one time I was fiddling around inside an old dot matrix printer to try and fix it while the power was on. I reached behind to flick the power switch, and touched the fuse instead - making my arm jump away!
More recently, I was fixing the power switch on my server - it has an old AT PSU. One of the rubber sleeves on the terminals came off, and as I tried to push the switch back into place I touched the live terminal. The shock threw me back about 1 meter!
Bear in mind we have 240V AC mains here, not 120V like the US - so shocks are much more serious

Also when doing a modification on an old games console (installing a 50/60hz switch), I pulled the soldering iron to the end of its cord without realising it. The iron jumped back a bit, and instead of touching the plastic handle I touched the hot metal tip and burnt myself! Still got a little scar now, and thinking about it brings back painful memories...
BTW that's the only time I've ever burnt myself on the soldering iron itself; though I have burnt myself numerous times by touching hot components after soldering.
If you think this topic is irrelevant or in the wrong forum, feel free to lock or move it.
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