Ararat artist receives electric shock from makeshift wood-etching device

An Ararat artist who made a wood-etching device by combining a 2200 volt microwave transformer, jumper cables, and saltwater-soaked nails in a piece of wood has had quite the shock.

A man was flown to hospital after he shocked himself with a homemade wood-etching device. Photo: File

An Ararat man creating an artistic tool out of electrical equipment shocked himself unconscious and had to be resuscitated by paramedics.

The artist was flown to The Alfred hospital after the incident on May 22 this year.

He had attempted to create a wood-etching device by combining a 2200-volt microwave transformer, jumper cables, and saltwater-soaked nails embedded in a piece of wood.

The jumper cables, designed for only 12 to 24 volts, were connected to the nails and the transformer, which itself was plugged into a power outlet with an extension cord.

The whole contraption flowed with 2200 volts once the power was switched on.

Energy Safe Victoria on Wednesday urged people not to re-purpose electrical equipment for “alternative uses”.

“This incident highlights how dangerous it can be if a person tries to make their own electrical equipment, with components in a manner they were not designed for,” chief executive Leanne Hughson said.