This web site deals with audio amplifier design using vacuum tubes and high voltage solid state devices. The voltage and current levels associated with the designs presented in this web site are potentially lethal. If you have no experience working with high voltages, please enlist the help of a qualified technician who has experience with vacuum tubes. We are presenting information for use by qualified individuals for educational purposes. We are not responsible for accidents, acts of random stupidity, burning your house down, exploding parts, and other undesired actions (all of which are possible) resulting from the use of ANY information on this web site. Should you decide to attempt to build any equipment based upon information provided by this web site, you are doing so at your own risk. If this sounds serious, it is! All vacuum tube circuits operate at dangerous voltage levels. The 845SE and other powerful tube amplifiers operate at over 1000 volts. Accidental contact with an energized circuit of this nature would likely be instantly lethal.
It has become obvious to me that there are warning messages like the one above on most vacuum tube web sites, but very little information related to electrical safety. In fact I found essentially no information specific to vacuum tube experimentation. At the same time "fear of frying" has become the topic of many emails that I have received lately. Setting up a new amp and testing it seems to evoke the most fear. This is justified, since that is where the most risk is. A few have expressed the need for a good source of information, and I actually got a request for a tube amplifier design that couldn't shock you because it ran on batteries. With this in mind I have started a new section of the site devoted to electrical safety, and safe practices. I have included information outlining how to set up your bench and work on tube equipment while minimizing the risk of electrical shock. There is a section on how to use multiple meters to set up a new amp that virtually eliminates the shock risk. PLEASE READ THEM! Do not proceed unless you (or your mentor) understands the information presented here. IT MAY SAVE YOUR LIFE.