Differential measurements using isolated oscilloscope

[tggzzz]

I agree about the dangers of high voltage, but I want to stress that a random quote from a post forum has absolutely no value as a proof.... that smells so much of urban legend...

If you read the reference, that anecdote was written by the engineer that investigated the incident as part of his professional duties. It is much more credible than urban legend.

OK... I had missed that... you're right... in that case that's a reliable source

... and it is always worth being aware of the possibility of FOAF urban legends

[not1xor1]

I agree about the dangers of high voltage, but I want to stress that a random quote from a post forum has absolutely no value as a proof.... that smells so much of urban legend...

If you read the reference, that anecdote was written by the engineer that investigated the incident as part of his professional duties. It is much more credible than urban legend.

OK... I had missed that... you're right... in that case that's a reliable source

... and it is always worth being aware of the possibility of FOAF urban legends

The main problem is that old scopes had a metal case and it was much easier to touch a ground connected part.
Modern scopes (at least the cheap ones I know  ) have very few, easily touchable, ground exposed parts, in most cases just the BNC connectors.
Although not as safe as a good multimeter, they are much safer than the old scopes.
In any case, even with the right equipment, multimeter or isolated probes, you must be careful when dealing with dangerous voltages. No specialized equipment can protect you from some stupid mistakes.

[magic]

People that advocate floating a scope don't understand, can't recognise and hence can't avoid the risk.

As always, you are welcome to speak for yourself

Thousands of people survive this horrible experience. I'm not even sure if the accident ratio per hour flown isn't lower than in amateur aviation

[tggzzz]

In any case, even with the right equipment, multimeter or isolated probes, you must be careful when dealing with dangerous voltages. No specialized equipment can protect you from some stupid mistakes.

Yes, absolutely true.

It isn't even necessary to invoke stupid mistakes. We all make mistakes.

[tggzzz]

People that advocate floating a scope don't understand, can't recognise and hence can't avoid the risk.

As always, you are welcome to speak for yourself

Thousands of people survive this horrible experience. I'm not even sure if the accident ratio per hour flown isn't lower than in amateur aviation

I'm speaking of people that exhibit the Dunning-Kruger syndrome. We know who they are but, by definition, they don't.

Thousands of people survive walking out into road traffic without looking; more so nowadays. By your "reasoning" we shouldn't point out that it is dangerous.

[GeorgeOfTheJungle]

Just let the natural selection do its thing... 

[magic]

Thousands of people survive walking out into road traffic without looking; more so nowadays. By your "reasoning" we shouldn't point out that it is dangerous.

Nobody says you should do it without looking. I say it's safe enough if you look, or at least no worse than any other poking in live HV electronics because that's what it boils down to.

[tggzzz]

Thousands of people survive walking out into road traffic without looking; more so nowadays. By your "reasoning" we shouldn't point out that it is dangerous.

Nobody says you should do it without looking. I say it's safe enough if you look, or at least no worse than any other poking in live HV electronics because that's what it boils down to.

Your statement, which you chose to omit, is equivalent to that in the way I noted.

Beginners don't understand the dangers; that makes it dangerous to advocate risky practices.

Plus many experienced professionals don't understand the dangers - or rather they incorrectly think they understand the dangers.