As a budding EE and musician in 1957 I built myself an amp. When I started gigging and found myself onstage with several amps & a PA, I realized that death by electrocution would be an ironic exit for someone with my aspirations. In those days, long before grounded outlets were a thing, I decided on a defensive measure, building this:
Attachment 88159
It's just a neon pilot light with two 25' test leads. I had couple of slip-on alligator clips to hold things in place if necessary, and used it faithfully after setup to test for voltage between my stuff and everything else on stage. Found many dangerous situations over the years. Finally retired it after all equipment and venues were three wire, but I still carry an outlet tester and plug-in GFCI that I use for outdoor gigs or indoor gigs where I'm on the end of an extension cord of unknown origin, or where I'm picking up noise that suggests a missing ground. I'm long-retired from an engineering career, but still have no intention of death by electrocution.
Danny W.
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