Emergency repairs needed

I love dogs and most living things. Hank the dog didn’t deserve this (“Dog electrocuted downtown,” Feb. 8, 2019). Neither would any other being who came into contact with this electrical “fault” with bare feet, conductive shoe soles, or falling down. A toddler would likely suffer the same fate as Ol’ Hank.

These sidewalk heaters were likely installed long before GFCI-type devices came about. For the laypersons, the electrical resistance between physical contact points and the circuit’s applied voltage determines the amps (the killer) across any given circuit (Ohm’s Law). A full-grown human can be electrocuted (killed) by as little 10 or so thousandths of an amp (10 milliamps). GFCI devices are designed to “trip” at around 5 milliamps. A standard circuit breaker won’t sense you’re in the circuit. The lights and fridge would keep plugging along, and Mabel and/or Bob would be frying in the bathtub.

The “powers that be” should initiate an emergency repair order for all publicly-accessible energized systems that orders that those systems be retro-fitted with GFCI protection. It should be fairly inexpensive (much cheaper than a bike trail). Concrete is a pretty good conductor. That “leak” also shows up in the utility bill.

RIP Lil’ Hank! Let’s git ‘er dun!

Larry Wheat, master electrician, IAEI inspector

Cheney