Those switches in substations are only for isolation. They are not circuit breakers and not meant to break the load. The actual circuit breakers do move quickly, but they're located inside housings (and bathed in oil or SF6 gas for further arc suppression), so you can't see it happen. Cool video!
The actual circuit breakers have very large springs that slam the contacts together or apart as necessary. The spring is usually wound up by a motor between actuation. Even so, the contacts require two stages - one to pass the power when the switch is closed, and another, harder one to handle the arcing.
Oi - stop watching and get back to making - its been a whole two days since you last uploaded! actually kinda cool to bump into you in the comment section elsewhere.
As a relatively young America, I didn't know of him until recently, but it's really telling how practically every well-known engineering RUclipsr is in his comments.
So good to see you again Tim. I wrote to you in 1988 after the SLOM Vacuum Cleaner episode via Channel 4 who kindly forwarded my letter on to you. You took the time to write a lovely reply to an obsessed 10 year old and I still have that letter. It's something I'll never part with. Such a wonderful, kind man and an inspiration to many :)
My kids, born in 2014 and 2017 both really enjoyed that episode! Its the series that keeps on giving. I remember it from the 80s and I was inspired to be an engineer.
The mercury switched wall switch at the end was probably used in a explosive environment, somewhere like a anesthesia room in a hospital or a place with alot of powder or even flour being processed.
We had a silent phone in a theatre in the 70's. BT went to extraordinary lengths to keep the 240 red light (that replaced the bell) seperate from the 50V phone wiring. The mercury switch was on a pendulum in a big steel box. Must have cost a fortune. The warning stickers to remind the BT men that mains was present were hilarious. Thanks Tim, saw your new components films and now I'm binge watching all the old Secret Life films!
That giant microswitch is one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen. 👍 Oh, the mercury socket outlet switch at the end is an early version of an intrinsically safe switch which can contain its own arc. 👍
I was hoping to see Rex Garrod in these videos, but just now I read that he passed away last year. I hope his wife and daughters are doing well. At least we have a wonderful resurgence of "The Secret Life" here. I work as a research engineer now, creating medical devices including COVID-19 tests. The original series was a source of information and encouragement to me. I hope that the next generation of budding engineers and artists have a similar experience.
I'm in my 60s now, I remember Tim on TV in the 80s, so glad to see you now on RUclips. Also nice to hear that the theme music hasn't strayed too far from the original, The Secret Life Of series, which was a Rocksteady version of Take Five called, The Russians are coming, by Val Bennett, good choice! Many thanks Tim.
I suspect mercury switches being behind the wall plate is to suppress arcing for atmospheres with explosive gas or dust mixtures. Very useful in dangerous environments...
The giant microswitch at 4:42 is also featured in the Secret Life of Machines episode about the lift/elevator. Cool to see that Tim still has it after all these years. Makes me feel better about all the odd things I hang on to because I might need them again some day.
I loved TSLoM when it ran on Discovery in the early 90s and while it was unlike anything I'd ever seen before when I was ~12-13, even in retrospect it was unlike anything on TV at all. It brought a raw physicality to "science and technology demos" that would only rarely be seen again until the youtube era. Watching Tim in the 90s was like watching BigClive or Mustie1 now, where it's more like hanging out in a workshop than a heavily formatted "edutainment" show. Glad to see you're here and a whole new generation will be inspired.
When I was a kid watching TSLM, I did NOT notice just how friggin' subversive Tim Hunkin's art was. His persona is so mild mannered and affable and then he has a machine with a literal reptilian art critic.
I am a fairly competent controls engineer and I just love this guy. I predict 1 million subs and hopefully he recovers a small portion of the money he spent learning over the years. This guy has broken and blown up more things than most can afford to buy and now is sharing what he can with others. I think it is great.
I rarely watch a video longer than a couple minutes on RUclips but I couldn't turn this off. This video and subject has no business being this entertaining. Credit to you sir.
Great to see you again. As a small kid, your series “secret life of machines” was a big inspiration to me. That was back in the days when discovery channel sent quality content and not all that reality crap. I taped all the episodes on VHS and really enjoyed to see them several times. Thanks for being a huge inspiration and learning me a lot of useful things!
The high tension ‘switches’ you showed are actually isolators, used to separate components for maintenance. The actual breakers are extremely fast and use either high pressure air, oil or SF6 to kill the arc. The little arcs you can see on these isolators are just from the current induced from adjacent circuits. If they were used to break the full load of a generator etc. they would be completely wrecked!
SF₆ isn't the sort of thing most people have (or should have) around the workshop. The amount of paperwork needed to keep a small (incredibly heavy) cylinder of SF₆ at the generating facilities I used to manage was immense. But when you're switching 44 kV, you don't want any arcing at all.
@@StewartRussell For industrial quantities in the EU maybe. For small quantities, no. We used SF6 lecture bottles for demos all the time. SF6 is even injected into you in medical procedures. It's not as dangerous as a grill cylinder of propane, which is an asphyxiant, heavier than air, and explosive.
Oh my God! I can't believe it! I love The Secret Life of Machines so much, but I nevere expected to see these all again. It's exciting moment ☺️ Thank You so much, Tim Hunkin! There is no so many people, who showed us what's going on inside. You are brave and intelegent, very respectfull man. I'm going to watch this video from second to second :D
Tim, I have such fond memories of your TV programmes during the 80s. I even sent off my postal order for the accompanying information pack. I seem to remember it being orange and with the incredible illustrations from your animator. So glad I've found this channel.
I worked in radio and we used to use mercury switches for the turntables. They wouldn't make any noise and couldn't be picked up by the microphone when you were trying to talk over the beginning of a record.
@@BoB-Dobbs_leaning-left I would do the "Album Side Dinner." I would tell the audience I was going to play both sides of an album, playing the first side while I would go across the street to get my cheesesteak (this was in Philadelphia) and then playing the second while I ate it. I'd always start by telling the audience that I'd start playing "in five seconds" so they could start their cassette decks.
Mark Banash, years ago, I briefly owned a "unipivot" type tonearm that was designed by Keith Monk (of record-cleaning-machine fame), which used a 4 section Mercury bath to a) float the rear of the arm to eliminate horizontal/ lateral friction and b) make the 4 electrical connections from the arm-wand and phono cartridge to the base of the arm and out to the preamplifier. The mercury sat in an open face, 4- sectioned plastic cup, and the liquid metal could "evaporate" (sublimate), spill out if the turntable was relocated without emptying the reservoirs, or even if bumped into. It would never pass any kind of environmental, public safety or OSHA requirements nowadays.
This may be the first youtube video where the comments actually helped. Thanks everyone for explaining the differences between the different switches/breakers
Fantastic series! In my teens the original secret life of machines was one of the best series on TV. Tims presenting style was and is so great and genuine, now into my 40s to see this series is great news, love the technical depth that's used unlike most of the dumbed down rubbish that passes on documentarys on TV today.
We refurbished the world's largest crane, back in the eighties. The 3 phase main switch was huge silver bars, and submerged in X former oil. Three cabinets of relays and thousands of feet of wires.
The mercury tilt wall switches were probably for use in a high fire-risk environment - maybe one with a possibility of flammable gas leaks. Can’t have any arcs in the open air, so use a mercury tilt switch to contain them. Another possibility that comes to mind might be clean rooms for semiconductor manufacture (or similar) - perhaps arcs can contaminate your air with tiny particulates?
I remember my physics teacher wheeling in the tv and vcr into the classroom and playing your programmes when I was a kid. Nice to see you around again. 👍
I have a Trust mouse I used quite a lot on my older computer. The left mouse button started to act weird, I had to press it real hard. I thouoght the switch was wearing out, I planned to replace it. Opened the mouse and I didn't find any markings on the switch to identify it's time (it's needed for the right values and size if I order it online and can't check it in person). I put the mouse away for later. Then I had an idea and took apart the switch itself, cleaned the contacts with a little bit of sanding and applying some contact-spray and now it works better than ever! I'm so happy I didn't need to hunt for the right type of switch.
Hello Tim, I have been watching re runs of your old TV series “Secret Life of” for some time, I am old enough to have watched them first time around. I am so glad your still up to your old tricks, I found your channel by sheer luck and intend to watch more of your creation. I find them so entertaining as well as informative. I wonder why, with all the re runs on TV now that your series is not shown again, the general rubbish that is on TV now is appalling and for anyone like myself it is mind numbing. As an ex engineer (now retired) who still has technical hobbies (flying radio controlled planes, Ham Radio, computers, and fixing things from radios to tooth brushes) I find your product.ions a breath of fresh air. Keep it up and the best of luck.
Thank you so much for this!! I am pushing 70 and we didn't get this in school and I wouldn't have chosen it but you really make it accessible! Fascinating!!
Tim! I used to watch The Secret Life series as a kid, you're my absolute hero. I'm so happy to see you on RUclips and to be able to watch those episodes again, thank you! I really love these component videos too. Hope you are well. I'm looking forward to taking the mrs to your arcade in London soon.
I was just youtube surfing (as you do) and this video came on , I wasn't looking at my screen when I realised , I know that voice, then I was taken back to my childhood, I've now got some videos to catch up on, thank you for doing these, I feel young again.
Wowzers in my trousers! I just discovered your channel, and in under 5 minutes I grabbed myself a very firm subscription! I can't wait to explore your back catalogue, and see what else you've got in store for the future! I look forward to a year from now when I'll congratulate you on rightly passing 1 million subs, whilst smugly nodding to myself that I discovered your channel when it was still only a fledgling 38k.
When I was little, I always loved those light switches that could be turned on half way. Made lights flash nicely. I think the slow switching of HV applications is to prevent high spikes or oscillation on the line. 25:02 You could use a double pole switch, so that 1 switch can switch both the motor and microcontroller simultaneously while keeping both circuits electrically isolated. I used to have an old Honeywell thermostat that used a mercury switch. That mercury switch was mounted onto a rolled up strip of bimetal. When closing in to the set temperature, the bimetal strip rolled off partially, until it was tilting the mercury switch enough to make contact. That switch turned the heater off.
Tim, It is so wonderful to discover not only the original episodes, but your new content as well! You were instrumental in my developing a love of mechanical things. Your delivery style and presentation is wonderfully iconic!
I was temporarily working at my brother's employer for a few months to help them satisfy HVAC maintenance contracts at a grocery store chain (I was between jobs due to a layoff, and have an engineering degree but zero HVAC training, so I did low-level maintenance work). I was tightening up wire connectors on 3-phase contactors, and accidentally arched my screwdriver across to ground. It shut down all the circuit breakers to the whole store. I found my way into the back room where the panels were. Turned them all off, then reset the large spring-loaded main breakers. I'm a 300 lb guy. It took nearly everything I had in me to pull the level on that main breaker. Felt like I was going to damage it. First time I ever dealt with those monsters.
Perhaps the strangest switch malfunction I have ever seen involved a microswitch of the variety seen in his giant model at 15:43. Around 1973 I was an aircraft mechanic working on a Convair 580 in a scheduled maintenance visit. I replaced a motor-driven actuator that was working correctly but was due for an overhaul. After installing the new unit, I was surprised to find that the vent door it drove would open when it was supposed to close, and vice-versa. It was hard to believe that the new (or overhauled) actuator passed all inspections with such an obvious fault. So I installed a second, serviceable unit. Same problem. The wiring had not been touched. No record of previous problems with the system. I went to the bank of microswitches inside the cockpit control pedestal and located the one that controlled the vent actuator. It looked fine. Checked the terminal voltages, and found that the switch was switching in reverse: voltage from common to NC when actuated, to NO when released. The switch had reversed itself internally, in service, and had apparently done so just as the airplane came in for a maintenance visit. The vent door was visible to anybody walking around the airplane, and a malfunction would have been spotted before any flight. A new switch fixed it, and I gave the removed switch to the foreman for evaluation. I have seen micro switches fail open or shorted or intermittent, but never reversed. A unique encounter.
I shall never tire of your incredible films, I remember you on the original series and was always interested in your great talent in firstly explaining the origins of each item , and your then indepth explanation on how they work, I loved the original series and it's amazing to see and enjoy it again , and it's a pleasure also to see you here in these New episodes still with passion and enthusiasm Thank you so much for making these films you are indeed gifted. Best wishes ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🎬📽🎞
Thank you for all your hard work recording these videos. So mutch value in all your videos. A week ago i have watched all your episods - Secret life of the machinse. I am so pleased. Thanks again
Surely the exceptionally large model microswitch should be called a macroswitch :-) Fabulous to come across your RUclips channel and see both the old and new content Tim ! - the models give it a much more 'hands on' and immediately relatable feel for me than a computer animation could ever do !
Good question. I should have included it in the video. I agree hall effect sensors, and also opto and inductive ones avoid the problem. Also my PLC logic controllers have built in debounce. With mechanical switches connected to an arduino, I add a delay so it registers an input a couple of milliseconds after any change. Also the code I commissioned for the Brightsign media players I use for sound and video has an option to adjust the delay time.
What a great video. The mercury switch at the end of the video was probable someone modifying a wall outlet to handle a load beyond the normal limits of the switch.
You shaped my chilhood. Thanks Tim & Rex!! I've used to record the chapters on VHS from discovery channel. The drawings were so cool and fun. Chapeau and greetings from Argentina.
Love this !!! I remember your show as a kid in the UK, and one of the reasons I got into Engineering and computers. Now at 46, I've been around the world thanks in part to your inspiration - bloody awesome
Oh my goodness Tim! I can't believe you're still doing these shows! I used to watch The Secret Life of Machines here in the US back in the 80s ! Thank you so much for doing those and thank you so much for doing these I am going to subscribe right now! I loved that show
I've just discovered this channel. I remember Tim Hunkin's cartoon series, 'The Rudiments of Wisdom', in the Observer every Sunday, when I was at school!
There's even a way to do it with DPDT switches. If you do not have an ON-OFF-ON switch. Which best as I can figure it is what that one type of switch is called. Sometimes they're called, "Center off"? But then you do need a separate on and off switch. Which does make for a messy installation. There's two machines in my shop I wired up two switch. Because ON-OFF-ON switches can be a bit dear. I hate to have to buy things.
It would never have occurred to me that Tim was on RUclips. I used to watch his TV programs and still have his almost everything there is to know book! Amazing
There can't be many people who could make switches so interesting. I visited the Southwold pier a few years ago and thought it was fantastic. Many thanks
Man, all your videos are brilliant. Even the ones about things I'm not really interested in suck me in and I end up watching them too. Your an inspiring and ingenious character. Thanks for your uploads, all the best 👍
Tim, so very glad to see you again. SLOM was one of my favorite shows in my younger days, it really inspired me to look at things without intimidation. I look forward to see each one of the new ones and introducing these to my children. Hope your assistant from SLOM is doing well! Thank you again!
Thank you for sharing your knowledge and videos - I watched The Secret life of Machines as a kid and it really ignited my passion for engineering and mechanics!
BTW Tim, I have seen those mercury switched power sockets from the front on the outside front of fume cabinets when I worked in the BT Martlesham cleanrooms making nanoscale devices, where incidentally we frequently needed to handle toxic & explosive gasses. I suspect the use of enclosed mercury switches was to avoid all possibility of an exposed arc & thus a potential ignition source.
That was absolutely great, my father ‘who was an HVAC man who worked on analog satellite dishes on the side’ & I really enjoyed your show from before & being into HVAC we obviously were familiar with mercury switches & both HAVAC & analog dishes use limit switches.., great show & looking forward to your one on sensors & what you have to say about reed switches :)
I love Tim Hunkin, this really made my day, to aee he's still making videos. In a world full of cgi which give no confidence to do things yourself. Seeing Tim and Rex do things like send a fax with two lathes, not only explains how things work but also tells you that you can do it too. I'm now 7 years into do hobby electronics, but I got great confidence at the start from Tim and Rex, the giant microswitch is classic Tim, it's just fun to watch
Om mani padme hum! Tôi rất cảm phục ông! với độ tuổi của ông, người Việt Nam đã nghỉ hưu từ rất lâu rồi, vậy mà ông vẫn đem kiến thức và kinh nghiệm để hướng dẫn cho tất cả hiểu hơn về các ngành chế tạo.
Those switches in substations are only for isolation. They are not circuit breakers and not meant to break the load. The actual circuit breakers do move quickly, but they're located inside housings (and bathed in oil or SF6 gas for further arc suppression), so you can't see it happen. Cool video!
The actual circuit breakers have very large springs that slam the contacts together or apart as necessary. The spring is usually wound up by a motor between actuation. Even so, the contacts require two stages - one to pass the power when the switch is closed, and another, harder one to handle the arcing.
Oi - stop watching and get back to making - its been a whole two days since you last uploaded!
actually kinda cool to bump into you in the comment section elsewhere.
Great minds think alike!
👆yup 😁
Thank you for wonderful videos!
The world will only ever have one Tim Hunkin.
*nervously eyes half built mechanical Tim Hunkin in the shed*
Can't give your comment a thumb up...
It makes me too sad.
As a relatively young America, I didn't know of him until recently, but it's really telling how practically every well-known engineering RUclipsr is in his comments.
I watched him on public television as a child. Now I'm a machinist, go figure?
@@iNerdier 🤣😅
So good to see you again Tim. I wrote to you in 1988 after the SLOM Vacuum Cleaner episode via Channel 4 who kindly forwarded my letter on to you. You took the time to write a lovely reply to an obsessed 10 year old and I still have that letter. It's something I'll never part with.
Such a wonderful, kind man and an inspiration to many :)
I liked the plastic bags inside that defeated the vacuum.
Especially at the end when he made rocket vacuums
Do you mean this one ?
ruclips.net/video/LS_WcIAPSzU/видео.html
My kids, born in 2014 and 2017 both really enjoyed that episode! Its the series that keeps on giving. I remember it from the 80s and I was inspired to be an engineer.
The mercury switched wall switch at the end was probably used in a explosive environment, somewhere like a anesthesia room in a hospital or a place with alot of powder or even flour being processed.
yes, mercury switches are still used heavily in industrial applications, especially ones that can't allow sparking like in a paint booth.
We had a silent phone in a theatre in the 70's. BT went to extraordinary lengths to keep the 240 red light (that replaced the bell) seperate from the 50V phone wiring. The mercury switch was on a pendulum in a big steel box. Must have cost a fortune. The warning stickers to remind the BT men that mains was present were hilarious.
Thanks Tim, saw your new components films and now I'm binge watching all the old Secret Life films!
That makes sense now. Contain the arc in a glass bottle. Perfect!
they look like Wandsworth switches, standard fittings in hospitals
@@kevvywevvywoo Thank you! Now we have a name for them.
That giant microswitch is one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen. 👍
Oh, the mercury socket outlet switch at the end is an early version of an intrinsically safe switch which can contain its own arc. 👍
& of course Tim just happens to have one lying around.
I think it was from the Secret Life of Machines: The Lift episode that he made, it's at around the 13 minute mark
wow, that would explain it - thanks :)
That's a MACROSWITCH.
It's got Rex's grubby pawprints all over it! I'm in the mood to make some sort of massive houshold object now!
I was hoping to see Rex Garrod in these videos, but just now I read that he passed away last year. I hope his wife and daughters are doing well. At least we have a wonderful resurgence of "The Secret Life" here. I work as a research engineer now, creating medical devices including COVID-19 tests. The original series was a source of information and encouragement to me. I hope that the next generation of budding engineers and artists have a similar experience.
I'm in my 60s now, I remember Tim on TV in the 80s, so glad to see you now on RUclips.
Also nice to hear that the theme music hasn't strayed too far from the original, The Secret Life Of series, which was a Rocksteady version of Take Five called, The Russians are coming, by Val Bennett, good choice! Many thanks Tim.
I just discovered Tim today, the RUclips algo did good for a change.
You must now go and bingewatch his entire 1980s series The Secret Life of Machines. Your life has now been improved.
@@RCAvhstape okey dokey
Same here.
I shall subscribe not only because 19K subs in 11 years don't seem fair for one so interesting but because Tim is a living legend..
You’re in for a treat. Before RUclips, he and a few others were the only technology programming there was.
Me too.
"If I have trouble with a switch arcing I just use a bigger switch..." That right there is gold!
A very "switched on" fellow.
I grew up with secret life of machines. Has guided my life almost as much as Dick Smith did.
I suspect mercury switches being behind the wall plate is to suppress arcing for atmospheres with explosive gas or dust mixtures. Very useful in dangerous environments...
This video was not made using rust and sticky tape, longtime fan Mr.Hunkin I’m so glad you are still doing what you do!
I'm thrilled to see you officially on RUclips!
I’m so glad he’s doing these videos again. My favorite show as a kid.
The giant microswitch at 4:42 is also featured in the Secret Life of Machines episode about the lift/elevator. Cool to see that Tim still has it after all these years. Makes me feel better about all the odd things I hang on to because I might need them again some day.
You know its a great video when no one complains about the ads. Thanks for all youre excellant work Tim, love you.
I loved TSLoM when it ran on Discovery in the early 90s and while it was unlike anything I'd ever seen before when I was ~12-13, even in retrospect it was unlike anything on TV at all. It brought a raw physicality to "science and technology demos" that would only rarely be seen again until the youtube era. Watching Tim in the 90s was like watching BigClive or Mustie1 now, where it's more like hanging out in a workshop than a heavily formatted "edutainment" show.
Glad to see you're here and a whole new generation will be inspired.
When I was a kid watching TSLM, I did NOT notice just how friggin' subversive Tim Hunkin's art was. His persona is so mild mannered and affable and then he has a machine with a literal reptilian art critic.
He has that wonderful English sense of humor. Very sarcastic, but very polite at the same time.
It's so good to see Tim back. The world is a better place. I had forgotten how good he is.
I am a fairly competent controls engineer and I just love this guy. I predict 1 million subs and hopefully he recovers a small portion of the money he spent learning over the years. This guy has broken and blown up more things than most can afford to buy and now is sharing what he can with others. I think it is great.
He's certainly not short of money for sure!
@@tonycarter3496 I sure hope he is not.
I rarely watch a video longer than a couple minutes on RUclips but I couldn't turn this off. This video and subject has no business being this entertaining. Credit to you sir.
Mr. Hunkin just has the gift. I watched his TV series repeatedly when I was young, and it never got old. He’s never boring.
That moment when you find a childhood hero still doing what you love him for. And donated to your website, sorry it isn't more.
Tim, You are the guy who got me into electronics and ham radio.... SLM... I'm 40 now and still going strong ... glad to see you too...
Great to see you again. As a small kid, your series “secret life of machines” was a big inspiration to me. That was back in the days when discovery channel sent quality content and not all that reality crap. I taped all the episodes on VHS and really enjoyed to see them several times. Thanks for being a huge inspiration and learning me a lot of useful things!
The high tension ‘switches’ you showed are actually isolators, used to separate components for maintenance. The actual breakers are extremely fast and use either high pressure air, oil or SF6 to kill the arc. The little arcs you can see on these isolators are just from the current induced from adjacent circuits. If they were used to break the full load of a generator etc. they would be completely wrecked!
SF₆ isn't the sort of thing most people have (or should have) around the workshop. The amount of paperwork needed to keep a small (incredibly heavy) cylinder of SF₆ at the generating facilities I used to manage was immense. But when you're switching 44 kV, you don't want any arcing at all.
@@StewartRussell why thoooo SF6 is fun to play with, and is relatively safeishhhh
@@HerbaMachina it's one of the most potent greenhouse gases and can build up in access tunnels as an asphyxiant. Not a toy
@@StewartRussell shhhhhh hence my sarcasm.
@@StewartRussell For industrial quantities in the EU maybe. For small quantities, no. We used SF6 lecture bottles for demos all the time. SF6 is even injected into you in medical procedures. It's not as dangerous as a grill cylinder of propane, which is an asphyxiant, heavier than air, and explosive.
Tim Hunkin's work is endlessly fascinating. This episode is no exception. An absolute joy! Thank you! :-)
I recall watching The Secret Life of Machines in the early 80's when we first got cable television. So wonderful to see you're still at it !
I have never heard of the secret life of machines or the host, but I am so glad he uploaded these. Thank you for sharing this great content.
Oh my God! I can't believe it! I love The Secret Life of Machines so much, but I nevere expected to see these all again.
It's exciting moment ☺️
Thank You so much, Tim Hunkin! There is no so many people, who showed us what's going on inside.
You are brave and intelegent, very respectfull man.
I'm going to watch this video from second to second :D
Tim, I have such fond memories of your TV programmes during the 80s. I even sent off my postal order for the accompanying information pack. I seem to remember it being orange and with the incredible illustrations from your animator.
So glad I've found this channel.
I worked in radio and we used to use mercury switches for the turntables. They wouldn't make any noise and couldn't be picked up by the microphone when you were trying to talk over the beginning of a record.
Any cough buttons built that way?
Grrrr. I hated that talking over the beginning of a record, so hard to edit out of a "Pirate" recording...
;-)
@@BoB-Dobbs_leaning-left I would do the "Album Side Dinner." I would tell the audience I was going to play both sides of an album, playing the first side while I would go across the street to get my cheesesteak (this was in Philadelphia) and then playing the second while I ate it. I'd always start by telling the audience that I'd start playing "in five seconds" so they could start their cassette decks.
Mark Banash, years ago, I briefly owned a "unipivot" type tonearm that was designed by Keith Monk (of record-cleaning-machine fame), which used a 4 section Mercury bath to a) float the rear of the arm to eliminate horizontal/ lateral friction and b) make the 4 electrical connections from the arm-wand and phono cartridge to the base of the arm and out to the preamplifier. The mercury sat in an open face, 4- sectioned plastic cup, and the liquid metal could "evaporate" (sublimate), spill out if the turntable was relocated without emptying the reservoirs, or even if bumped into. It would never pass any kind of environmental, public safety or OSHA requirements nowadays.
@@goodun2974 As we say in New England, that is wicked cool.
Don't know what algorithm brought your channel up this morning, but I was delighted. Thanks...I'll be back.
Tim, I'm so tickled to find you here. The Secret Life of Machines had a profound influence on my life.
This may be the first youtube video where the comments actually helped. Thanks everyone for explaining the differences between the different switches/breakers
Fantastic series! In my teens the original secret life of machines was one of the best series on TV. Tims presenting style was and is so great and genuine, now into my 40s to see this series is great news, love the technical depth that's used unlike most of the dumbed down rubbish that passes on documentarys on TV today.
I think you were from before my generation, I'm 31, I'm binge watching everything you've produced. Absolutely fascinating. Appreciate the vids.
What a genius! Logic and simplicity rules everything. I wish you all the best, Tim.
We refurbished the world's largest crane, back in the eighties. The 3 phase main switch was huge silver bars, and submerged in X former oil. Three cabinets of relays and thousands of feet of wires.
I remember a series you made for television in the med 1970's . One of the very best things that ever went out on British TV !
Brilliant, I have just rediscovered you after 30 years! Your book was a major inspiration for me becoming an engineer. Thank you sir!
I am still so overjoyed you are making this. Thank you!
GIANT microswitch - Didn't see that coming.
The mercury tilt wall switches were probably for use in a high fire-risk environment - maybe one with a possibility of flammable gas leaks. Can’t have any arcs in the open air, so use a mercury tilt switch to contain them. Another possibility that comes to mind might be clean rooms for semiconductor manufacture (or similar) - perhaps arcs can contaminate your air with tiny particulates?
I think that the switch for the light in the boot of my S2 Daimler was a mercury switch.
It didn't save it from internal corrosion.
I remember my physics teacher wheeling in the tv and vcr into the classroom and playing your programmes when I was a kid. Nice to see you around again. 👍
I have a Trust mouse I used quite a lot on my older computer. The left mouse button started to act weird, I had to press it real hard. I thouoght the switch was wearing out, I planned to replace it. Opened the mouse and I didn't find any markings on the switch to identify it's time (it's needed for the right values and size if I order it online and can't check it in person). I put the mouse away for later. Then I had an idea and took apart the switch itself, cleaned the contacts with a little bit of sanding and applying some contact-spray and now it works better than ever! I'm so happy I didn't need to hunt for the right type of switch.
Hello Tim, I have been watching re runs of your old TV series “Secret Life of” for some time, I am old enough to have watched them first time around. I am so glad your still up to your old tricks, I found your channel by sheer luck and intend to watch more of your creation. I find them so entertaining as well as informative. I wonder why, with all the re runs on TV now that your series is not shown again, the general rubbish that is on TV now is appalling and for anyone like myself it is mind numbing. As an ex engineer (now retired) who still has technical hobbies (flying radio controlled planes, Ham Radio, computers, and fixing things from radios to tooth brushes) I find your product.ions a breath of fresh air. Keep it up and the best of luck.
Nice to see you teaching us again. I was amazed with your machines as child and admirer of your work as an adult.
Thanks Tim - I recall your "Secret life of machines" series (1988!) - good to see you still tinkering. Thanks for this new content!
Thank you so much for this!! I am pushing 70 and we didn't get this in school and I wouldn't have chosen it but you really make it accessible! Fascinating!!
Tim! I used to watch The Secret Life series as a kid, you're my absolute hero. I'm so happy to see you on RUclips and to be able to watch those episodes again, thank you! I really love these component videos too. Hope you are well. I'm looking forward to taking the mrs to your arcade in London soon.
Fantastic! Those mercury switches remind me of digging through trays of vintage electronics in my Dad's workshop when I was a kid.
Thanks Tim - another interesting episode.. keep 'em coming please.
I was just youtube surfing (as you do) and this video came on , I wasn't looking at my screen when I realised , I know that voice, then I was taken back to my childhood, I've now got some videos to catch up on, thank you for doing these, I feel young again.
Wowzers in my trousers!
I just discovered your channel, and in under 5 minutes I grabbed myself a very firm subscription! I can't wait to explore your back catalogue, and see what else you've got in store for the future!
I look forward to a year from now when I'll congratulate you on rightly passing 1 million subs, whilst smugly nodding to myself that I discovered your channel when it was still only a fledgling 38k.
Wow, this makes feel as old as Tim looks. Glad to see he's still going strong at 71. I loved watching the series on BBC/PBS back in the 90's
I suspect the mercury switches on the 3-pin sockets were for use in an explosive atmosphere.
Thanks Tim for making this video. This is the most detail programme about switches that I have ever watched.
When I was little, I always loved those light switches that could be turned on half way. Made lights flash nicely.
I think the slow switching of HV applications is to prevent high spikes or oscillation on the line.
25:02 You could use a double pole switch, so that 1 switch can switch both the motor and microcontroller simultaneously while keeping both circuits electrically isolated.
I used to have an old Honeywell thermostat that used a mercury switch.
That mercury switch was mounted onto a rolled up strip of bimetal.
When closing in to the set temperature, the bimetal strip rolled off partially, until it was tilting the mercury switch enough to make contact.
That switch turned the heater off.
Tim,
It is so wonderful to discover not only the original episodes, but your new content as well! You were instrumental in my developing a love of mechanical things.
Your delivery style and presentation is wonderfully iconic!
So happy to see that you're still around and doing your thing!
Tim on RUclips. What could be better. I loved Secret Life and so did my my son - and we both ended up working with gadgets for a living. Thanks Tim!
Never seen any of your work before this point but I really enjoyed this. Glad to have discovered this, it's really cool looking at all these things.
I was temporarily working at my brother's employer for a few months to help them satisfy HVAC maintenance contracts at a grocery store chain (I was between jobs due to a layoff, and have an engineering degree but zero HVAC training, so I did low-level maintenance work). I was tightening up wire connectors on 3-phase contactors, and accidentally arched my screwdriver across to ground. It shut down all the circuit breakers to the whole store. I found my way into the back room where the panels were. Turned them all off, then reset the large spring-loaded main breakers. I'm a 300 lb guy. It took nearly everything I had in me to pull the level on that main breaker. Felt like I was going to damage it. First time I ever dealt with those monsters.
Perhaps the strangest switch malfunction I have ever seen involved a microswitch of the variety seen in his giant model at 15:43. Around 1973 I was an aircraft mechanic working on a Convair 580 in a scheduled maintenance visit. I replaced a motor-driven actuator that was working correctly but was due for an overhaul. After installing the new unit, I was surprised to find that the vent door it drove would open when it was supposed to close, and vice-versa. It was hard to believe that the new (or overhauled) actuator passed all inspections with such an obvious fault. So I installed a second, serviceable unit. Same problem. The wiring had not been touched. No record of previous problems with the system. I went to the bank of microswitches inside the cockpit control pedestal and located the one that controlled the vent actuator. It looked fine. Checked the terminal voltages, and found that the switch was switching in reverse: voltage from common to NC when actuated, to NO when released. The switch had reversed itself internally, in service, and had apparently done so just as the airplane came in for a maintenance visit. The vent door was visible to anybody walking around the airplane, and a malfunction would have been spotted before any flight. A new switch fixed it, and I gave the removed switch to the foreman for evaluation. I have seen micro switches fail open or shorted or intermittent, but never reversed. A unique encounter.
I shall never tire of your incredible films, I remember you on the original series and was always interested in your great talent in firstly explaining the origins of each item , and your then indepth explanation on how they work, I loved the original series and it's amazing to see and enjoy it again , and it's a pleasure also to see you here in these New episodes still with passion and enthusiasm Thank you so much for making these films you are indeed gifted. Best wishes ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🎬📽🎞
at 4:40 the attention to detail on the microswitch mock-up is impressive!
This channel is ace, should have 100X the subscribers
Such a satisfying video to watch while getting educated in a VERY useful way with real-life applications. Thank you for your service. Cheers
Fantastic, I can't believe this channel hasn't come up before in my searches. I wish this had been about when I was studying electronics years ago.
Thanks for the inspiring and informative Secret Life programs from my youth and for these new videos. Excellent to have discovered these
Tim, I am a fairly recent fan. I am entranced by your videos and the way you teach. Thank you! You are an amazing man. Keep up the fantastic work!
I absolutely love that giant microswitch and would enjoy seeing more models of huge electronic components and hardware.
This is exactly the kind of workshop space I love to see, just an eclectic mix of parts and pieces for tinkering with!
Thank you for all your hard work recording these videos. So mutch value in all your videos. A week ago i have watched all your episods - Secret life of the machinse. I am so pleased. Thanks again
Surely the exceptionally large model microswitch should be called a macroswitch :-) Fabulous to come across your RUclips channel and see both the old and new content Tim ! - the models give it a much more 'hands on' and immediately relatable feel for me than a computer animation could ever do !
Good question. I should have included it in the video. I agree hall effect sensors, and also opto and inductive ones avoid the problem. Also my PLC logic controllers have built in debounce. With mechanical switches connected to an arduino, I add a delay so it registers an input a couple of milliseconds after any change. Also the code I commissioned for the Brightsign media players I use for sound and video has an option to adjust the delay time.
What a great video. The mercury switch at the end of the video was probable someone modifying a wall outlet to handle a load beyond the normal limits of the switch.
You shaped my chilhood. Thanks Tim & Rex!! I've used to record the chapters on VHS from discovery channel. The drawings were so cool and fun. Chapeau and greetings from Argentina.
Love this !!! I remember your show as a kid in the UK, and one of the reasons I got into Engineering and computers. Now at 46, I've been around the world thanks in part to your inspiration - bloody awesome
Oh my goodness Tim! I can't believe you're still doing these shows! I used to watch The Secret Life of Machines here in the US back in the 80s ! Thank you so much for doing those and thank you so much for doing these I am going to subscribe right now! I loved that show
The test your nerve game has been used 350,000 times. At 0.60p a go that’s £210,000! WOW that’s crazy.
I've just discovered this channel. I remember Tim Hunkin's cartoon series, 'The Rudiments of Wisdom', in the Observer every Sunday, when I was at school!
I have never quite grasped how to set up a reversing switch, but your display made it make sense. Thanks for posting Tim.
There's even a way to do it with DPDT switches. If you do not have an ON-OFF-ON switch. Which best as I can figure it is what that one type of switch is called. Sometimes they're called, "Center off"? But then you do need a separate on and off switch. Which does make for a messy installation. There's two machines in my shop I wired up two switch. Because ON-OFF-ON switches can be a bit dear. I hate to have to buy things.
It would never have occurred to me that Tim was on RUclips. I used to watch his TV programs and still have his almost everything there is to know book! Amazing
There can't be many people who could make switches so interesting. I visited the Southwold pier a few years ago and thought it was fantastic. Many thanks
Man, all your videos are brilliant. Even the ones about things I'm not really interested in suck me in and I end up watching them too. Your an inspiring and ingenious character. Thanks for your uploads, all the best 👍
Who could dislike a video from a very nice man like him.
Real good job! 👌🏻
What a wonderful production! Thanks a lot Tim. You really are a national treasure 😊👍
Can't believe you are still producing stuff, I used to love your secret life programs on C4 back in the 80s or early 90s?, subbed.
Instant subscription! I thought I knew a bit about switches, but then I see the applications here and I realise I do - now! Great stuff, Mr Hunkin!
Tim, so very glad to see you again. SLOM was one of my favorite shows in my younger days, it really inspired me to look at things without intimidation. I look forward to see each one of the new ones and introducing these to my children. Hope your assistant from SLOM is doing well! Thank you again!
Thank you for sharing your knowledge and videos - I watched The Secret life of Machines as a kid and it really ignited my passion for engineering and mechanics!
That's the micro switch I have been waiting for 4:42
BTW Tim, I have seen those mercury switched power sockets from the front on the outside front of fume cabinets when I worked in the BT Martlesham cleanrooms making nanoscale devices, where incidentally we frequently needed to handle toxic & explosive gasses. I suspect the use of enclosed mercury switches was to avoid all possibility of an exposed arc & thus a potential ignition source.
Tim has been my hero for many years
That was absolutely great, my father ‘who was an HVAC man who worked on analog satellite dishes on the side’ & I really enjoyed your show from before & being into HVAC we obviously were familiar with mercury switches & both HAVAC & analog dishes use limit switches.., great show & looking forward to your one on sensors & what you have to say about reed switches :)
I love Tim Hunkin, this really made my day, to aee he's still making videos. In a world full of cgi which give no confidence to do things yourself. Seeing Tim and Rex do things like send a fax with two lathes, not only explains how things work but also tells you that you can do it too. I'm now 7 years into do hobby electronics, but I got great confidence at the start from Tim and Rex, the giant microswitch is classic Tim, it's just fun to watch
Much appreciated you in the 80's, was perfect time, just what i needed. Glad to see you are still forging on the stuff of things!
You sir remind me so much of my grandpa! Thank you so much for your videos, truly inspiring and educational!
Om mani padme hum! Tôi rất cảm phục ông! với độ tuổi của ông, người Việt Nam đã nghỉ hưu từ rất lâu rồi, vậy mà ông vẫn đem kiến thức và kinh nghiệm để hướng dẫn cho tất cả hiểu hơn về các ngành chế tạo.