Grounding Issues

[MaskDenter]

So I'm hoping someone might be able to help diagnose this problem:

2 brand new epee blades, freshly wired, and I was extremely careful when assembling both. When plugged into a test box, or scoring box the grounding light comes on. However the weapons still functions fine, and neither registers a hit when contacting the opponents guard, nor when the oppenent hits my bell guards. It is definitely NOT the body-chord, reel, or scoring box, it is definitely in the weapons, or at least the test boxes think it is.

The only difference with these weapons to other ones I have built is that I used some new Negrini sockets I just received. I'm not sure exactly how this could be the cause of the problem, but it is really my only guess at the moment. They do seem very nice, and were very easy to work with during assembly.

I suppose as long as they both work fine it is no big deal, but I would like to know why the grounding lights are coming on.

Thank You

[Fechter1]

Disconnect the wires from the socket and use an ohmmeter to see if there's still a short between the wires and the guard (A-C or B-C). Then you'l know if it was the socket, or how the wires connect to it (protruding wires etc.).

Other than that, the most likely places for a short to appear on a fresh weapon are inside the barrel (SOL, rewire needed; Test by plugging the weapon in and slapping the tip around a bit) or as the wires enter the guard (did you by accident pinch the wires between the guard and the socket base, or between the socket base and the handle?).

[Purple Fencer]

You also may have caught either the wires under the nose of the grip, or there might be some stripped wire in the barrel.

For the grip, hook the test box to the weapon and -- while the blade in tip down in a vise -- use one foot to hold the tip depressed (or just tape it down), then undo the pommel nut....if the grounding light goes out...that was the prob.

If it's the barrel, tape the tip doen (for the same reason) and back the barrel off 1/2 turn or so....if it's stripped, it might realign so it's not shorting.

[DHCJr]

Obviously, you were using a St. George machine. If you were on any other, the weapon would not work, so it is best to get it fixed. Another solution, which I have been seeing to much lately from new blades is poor wiring. Sometimes it can be fixed. If the above solutions do not work, remove the tip and spring and using a jeweler's screwdriver turn the contacts a little counter clockwise and see if the ground light goes off (Foil light on a test box or B-C on a meter.

[MaskDenter]

Thanks for the advice, but the reason I asked is because it is not an obvious problem. The wires are not trapped anywhere, and there is no wire exposed. I do not know what a St. George machine is, but I don't believe I was using one, unless the eclipse and triplete boxes fall under that category. The grounding light comes on, but everything else works fine- tip goes off, and there are no issues with bell guards. I have been fencing with them on the box a few days without incident now, but am still perplexed by the grounding light. If the grounding light is going off I am used to there being a problem, but since there isn't one I am a little unsure what if anything to do. Any more opinions? Im interested.....

[Swordmaster]

Sometimes no matter how careful you are you have this problem...I agree with Fechter, if you are really interested in finding out which wire has the problem follow his advice.
The fix will proabably be a rewire. Sometimes it is just a bare spot on the wire that is against the blade or a rubbed wire inside the base right at the tip. Besure and open up the tip of the blade with a dremel or file before you put the next wire in. Inspect the new wire carefully to make sure it is free from nicks.

[yeoldearmourer]

REWIRE I bet that you nick the insulation under the barrel Like Swordmaster say open it up a little

[DJ Apostrophe]

Originally Posted by MaskDenter

Thanks for the advice, but the reason I asked is because it is not an obvious problem. The wires are not trapped anywhere, and there is no wire exposed. I do not know what a St. George machine is, but I don't believe I was using one, unless the eclipse and triplete boxes fall under that category. The grounding light comes on, but everything else works fine- tip goes off, and there are no issues with bell guards. I have been fencing with them on the box a few days without incident now, but am still perplexed by the grounding light. If the grounding light is going off I am used to there being a problem, but since there isn't one I am a little unsure what if anything to do. Any more opinions? Im interested.....

Mask Denter, You were not using a SG machine, but don't worry about that... you do need to rewire your blade. Sometimes when you have a grounding issue like that, if your blade is touching your opponents when you hit, you may not get a light. I had this happen to me at a competition earlier this season. There was a problem with the overhead bungee system, and because it was a SG machine, there was no grounding light to indicate the problem. We only realized that there was an A-C short in the system when they attempted to fence a sabre bout on the same strip after my pool.

When there is an A-C short on your side of the piste (in any spot of the equipment, overheads (as in my case) or a blade (as possible in yours)), if you have someone's blade in opposition and hit them, because your blades are in contact, and your blade is connected to your A line, your touch will 'ground out' as though you hit the bell, because electrically, you've completed the same circuit.

Re-wire the blade.

-w

[Purple Fencer]

Originally Posted by yeoldearmourer

REWIRE I bet that you nick the insulation under the barrel Like Swordmaster say open it up a little

Hey now....I said the same thing!!!!

[yeoldearmourer]

I said it with less words then you did and a little plainer English. Sometime you DHCJR and MERGS are to worded and then it get lost some where. And if you dont have a good armoury background it get confussing.