I am sure

As a young child I was fascinated by the world around me and mostly in electronic and mechanical devices. My family and neighbors would gift me with broken devices (clocks, toasters, just about anything) which I would take apart and closely examine each piece.  In a couple of these treasures, I found some motors, lights and batteries that I would experiment with.

As a young child I was fascinated by the world around me and mostly in electronic and mechanical devices. My family and neighbors would gift me with broken devices (clocks, toasters, just about anything) which I would take apart and closely examine each piece.  In a couple of these treasures, I found some motors, lights and batteries that I would experiment with.

Mechanical toys are the best(programmed toys are not fun), Having friends gifting these things is a blessing (I am feeling jealous of your childhood)

I remember (maybe at the age of 10?) having a motor that didn't respond to any of the batteries I had to hand. It didn't even move when connecting it to my Triang 12V electric train set controller. (it was most likely a 48V motor?)

So.. with all the bravado/innocence of youth, I poked the very short leads into the 240V mains outlet and switched it on!
It immediately burst into flames, I couldn't get near the power socket to switch it off or rescue the seagrass foot stool it was resting on ...aaarrgh!
Suffice to say my Dad (an electrical engineer) was not impressed when he got home from work.
But, I have been messing with all manner of electricity for a further 60-odd years and am still alive..lol!
Dave

Haha, this brings back memories

I recall something like this happening to me as a kid, as I had a small toy motor, and I was keen on getting it to rotate faster. So, I just hooked it up directly while holding the motor... yeah, you can probably guess what followed, as I got a real shock through my body 

Definitely one of those “learn the hard way” moments!

davebullockmbe said:

So.. with all the bravado/innocence of youth, I poked the very short leads into the 240V mains outlet and switched it on!
It immediately burst into flames

Wow, must have been so scary.

When I was 5, I decided a hairpin looked like it was made to plug into a wall outlet, so I slid under the big stereo console and plugged it in.

Needless to say, there was an instant and impressive audio visual fireworks display. The good news is I didn't get a shock or a burn from this event, however it surprised me so much I bumped my head on the stereo cabinet. And I was also in royal trouble with my parents. This was not one of those memories you ever forget.

Yes these events teach you to do dangerous things with respect...lol!

When i was in class 4 ,I had a small 5v bulb(glass bulb small one),when I used to connect it to the 1.5v battery it emmited very less light so I instead plugged it into wall and turned on the switch and it blew up instantly,the power in house went out and my big sister went to check everything out,I instantly grabbed a cloth and wiped out the black stains from switch board , but a new problem arises ,that was it was looking more clean than other boards in my house, but they never found out it was mentioned who did it.