It is spelt out in the forum rules, but we regularly see requests or circuits and applications that get the thread closed as soon as a moderator sees it.
Most of them fall under Section 2 for the Rules posted on the top of the page.
1. Transformerless power supplies: You may save money not using a transformer, but it could cost you your life (or worse, someone else). They can not be made safe, no ifs, ands or buts. You post it, they'll close it. Period.
2. LEDs connected to house voltage and outlets. They exist commercially, but the manufacturer is responsible to make them safe. If you are doing this you don't have the resources to do it safely. Plus, if you have to ask you aren't ready for a project like this. Since this kind of project has the very real risk of hurting a 3rd party it too is taboo.
3. Shocking people with high voltage. Often meant as a joke, people keep wanting to modify circuits, notably camera flashes, for a yuk. These circuits can kill, it is not funny. Another type of circuit that will get the ax is bug zappers, mainly because if you can zap a bug then you can zap a person.
High voltage circuits are a legitimate topic. It is the application of the high voltage that will get your thread closed.
4. Rail Guns. High energy projectiles. Enough said.
The moderators are the sole judge of what threads to close, though they do get help and input from people who have been on this site for a while and whose reputation is trusted. Which brings up a last point.
5. Two posters want to build a Tesla Coil. One just won the lottery and has a large chunk he wants to spent for his first project. The other is a hobbyist who has been doing it for many years and is aware where the dangers are. One is going to have this thread closed, while the other gets technical advice. In all things your competence counts. Since we don't know you, we have to judge from the questions you ask. Trust me, it is obvious after a few posts.
I think high power lasers and RF circuits would fall under item 5.
Some posters might not think this is fair. This is life. We get a lot of new users who really don't know what is safe or not. We must care about their safety and those around them even if they do not, either through negligence or ignorance. Everyone here does care about other people, and we want everyone to have a good time. Funerals and hospitals don't fit that model.
The internet is vast, if you can't do what you want here there are many other sites. I believe this site is one of the best however.
A big aspect of this site is teaching. It is fun to learn new things, and some folks enjoy teaching. AAC brings them together.
Did I leave anything out?
Most of them fall under Section 2 for the Rules posted on the top of the page.
So how does this transfer into real world posts?Forum members must not knowingly provide any information that may adversely affect another member; this includes, but is not restricted to, information that may potentially result in injury, death, damage or destruction of property and possessions. The administration takes this matter seriously and has the right to remove any contentious content and deal with the offending member as it deems is necessary.
1. Transformerless power supplies: You may save money not using a transformer, but it could cost you your life (or worse, someone else). They can not be made safe, no ifs, ands or buts. You post it, they'll close it. Period.
2. LEDs connected to house voltage and outlets. They exist commercially, but the manufacturer is responsible to make them safe. If you are doing this you don't have the resources to do it safely. Plus, if you have to ask you aren't ready for a project like this. Since this kind of project has the very real risk of hurting a 3rd party it too is taboo.
3. Shocking people with high voltage. Often meant as a joke, people keep wanting to modify circuits, notably camera flashes, for a yuk. These circuits can kill, it is not funny. Another type of circuit that will get the ax is bug zappers, mainly because if you can zap a bug then you can zap a person.
High voltage circuits are a legitimate topic. It is the application of the high voltage that will get your thread closed.
4. Rail Guns. High energy projectiles. Enough said.
The moderators are the sole judge of what threads to close, though they do get help and input from people who have been on this site for a while and whose reputation is trusted. Which brings up a last point.
5. Two posters want to build a Tesla Coil. One just won the lottery and has a large chunk he wants to spent for his first project. The other is a hobbyist who has been doing it for many years and is aware where the dangers are. One is going to have this thread closed, while the other gets technical advice. In all things your competence counts. Since we don't know you, we have to judge from the questions you ask. Trust me, it is obvious after a few posts.
I think high power lasers and RF circuits would fall under item 5.
Some posters might not think this is fair. This is life. We get a lot of new users who really don't know what is safe or not. We must care about their safety and those around them even if they do not, either through negligence or ignorance. Everyone here does care about other people, and we want everyone to have a good time. Funerals and hospitals don't fit that model.
The internet is vast, if you can't do what you want here there are many other sites. I believe this site is one of the best however.
A big aspect of this site is teaching. It is fun to learn new things, and some folks enjoy teaching. AAC brings them together.
Did I leave anything out?
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