From the AVR EMC app note

[PeteS]

Quite amusing

"Don't get confused by the similarities between 4 kV ESD testing, 4
kV fast transient burst testing and 4 kV surge. The voltages are the
same, but the energy behind them is totally different. Dropping a small
rock on your foot may hurt, but you will still be able to walk.
Dropping a large rock from the same height will most likely cause
severe damage to your foot. Doing this 250 times per second will reduce
your shoe size permanently.
When the surge boulder falls, you'd rather be somewhere else."


Cheers

PeteS

 

funny, written by someone who likes his job, and probably very good at
it

 

[Joerg]

Hello Pete,

Really nice. Now imagine the next level: Testing defibrillator safety.
5kV thundering out of a 32uF cap, through an inductor and into your circuit.

When TUEV insisted that I demonstrate that live in front of him I said
"Ok". Got the huge test bed and when he saw that you could see him
slowly moving his chair away from the table. Afterwards some PCs had
frozen up (told'em to backup...) and the PBX needed a master reset.

Regards, Joerg

http://www.analogconsultants.com

 

[John Larkin]

On Fri, 22 Jul 2005 15:19:21 GMT, Joerg
<notthisjoergsch@removethispacbell.net> wrote:

Hello Pete,

Really nice. Now imagine the next level: Testing defibrillator safety.
5kV thundering out of a 32uF cap, through an inductor and into your circuit.

You have just encouraged me to get more exercize and to eat more
fruits and vegetables.

John

 

[PeteS]

<<
Afterwards some PCs had
frozen up (told'em to backup...) and the PBX needed a master reset.
ROFL. One can only hope you personally discharge before going home

As it happens, I was for some time in the avionics industry, where the
various tests can get quite 'interesting' as well.

Cheers

PeteS