[PLUG-TALK] Electrical hacking: Touch-lamps

Galen Seitz galens at seitzassoc.com
Wed May 19 04:49:47 UTC 2004


Jeme A Brelin <jeme at brelin.net> wrote:

> 
> On Tue, 18 May 2004, Galen Seitz wrote:
> > Jeme A Brelin <jeme at brelin.net> wrote:
> > > The outlet adapter, however, goes between the power cord and the wall
> > > and has NO conductor to attach to a metal part of the lamp.  But it
> > > still freakin' works.  How the hell's that?!?
> > >
> > Not sure.  I would guess that it is detecting the tiny leakage current
> > when you touch the lamp.
> 
> How's that work?  The metal parts of the lamp don't touch the conductive
> wires.  In fact, I tested it on a lamp that has a metal frame holding the
> shade and no other obviously metal parts (one of those ikea-esque hanging
> paper cylinder lanterns).
> 
> It totally weirded me out.
> 

After looking at some old usenet posts, I think my guess was wrong.  If you
want to learn more, try a google usenet search for 'touch switch' in
sci.electronics*

galen





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