I'll trade this one in return:
?
I was working on a minor problem with an "NF-105" receiver by
Singer-Metrics.? I had taken the line?fuse out for safety: cartridge style,
bayonet rear panel type, 3-Amp.? Common.
?
I finished the tweak and put the fuse back in.? The instant I did, all the
lights in the (RF shielded enclosure/room) went out!? As an instant
nerve reaction, I pulled the fuse back out.
?
The lights instantly came back on.? This geatly puzzled me, so after a beat,
and a dumb-ass frown, I stuck it back in.? BANG!? The lights went out!
?
Instinctively, I jerked it right out again -- and the lights and all the other
things in the room -- mostly other instruments or test gear -- all popped
back to life.
?
So, being a stubborn and determined if puzzled worker, and realizing
This Was All Quite Impossible, I stuck it back in.
?
And BANG! The lights and everything else?went out instantly!!
This time, though, as I retracted, the lights stayed out.
?
I went out to the production floor and found the Plant Manager,
a very powerful title in Real American Industry.? All the big
machines were spinning down, the emergency lights had come on,
and there was lots of excited hollering and running feet.
?
General Big-Ass Huge Power Failure.? Metal band saws had stalled
and seized up in the workpiece, lathes were spinng down or jammed,
total chaos.? My guilt was very strong.
?
I found the plant manager, and as I was apologizing to his VERY distracted
self, he said, "Whattya want Kidd?? Can't you see the power's off?
There's a big thunderstorm outside, and a branch fell over the power
lines!!? Get OUTTA my face !!!!? WhatEVER you want, we'll fix it
later!!!!"? and he re-joined all the running and hollering people.
?
Turns out...?? Some utility pole transformers have a "Try-Three-Times
And-Quit" sorta restore switch.? And it had tried three times and blown
open till the fault wold be removed by the linemen, and re-set.
?
By purest of coincidence, my fuse stickings had all quite accidentally
and coincidentally PERFECTLY synched up with the 3X & Die
protector out in the street.
?
I thought I had somehow (impossibly) blown the whole plant with
my little 3-Amp fuse.
?
??? 73
KW1B
