On Thu, 03 Aug 2006 15:52:22 -0500, Richard J Kinch
wrote:

Danny G. writes:

It's probably 5k "before it goes throught the transformer" for your
home service.

Where you at? 13 KVAC hereabouts.

All depends on where "here" is. they run local distribution to the
poles behind your house in various areas at 2.4KV (rare anymore)
4.8KV, 9.6KV, 13KV, 15KV, 34.5KV...

And long distance can be all the way up to the 2-wire 1000KV DC
Pacific Intertie - one line at +500KV DC, the other at -500KV DC to
ground. Normally, DC isn't good for long distances, but boosted that
high it works. And better yet, the transmission systems at either end
don't have to be at the exact same frequency, because the converter
stations sync up with the local AC frequency lock.

But back to the original subject - Igor, you can't get hurt with the
24V from the furnace to the contactor - there's a 40VA to 60VA
transformer inside the furnace, and when the current goes up past what
the transformer can supply the voltage drops off. (Till the fuse in
the transformer pops, then you get nothing.)

There's a reason they call it "Class 2 Current Limited" wiring, and
you don't need to worry about silly things like conduit and boxes.

Now the 240 VAC from the breaker, THAT can hurt ya.

-- Bruce --