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CPSC warns consumers to stop using male-to-male extension cords sold on Amazon

cpsc.gov

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Re: CPSC warns consumers to stop using male-to-male extension cords sold on Amazon

#111

Post by hedora »

sokoloff wrote: post #76
TheDudeMan wrote: post #49

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Probably because the alternative is to not have power during the (increasingly common) blackouts. I'm assuming that is the alternative due to there not being a proper way to accomplish this goal that does not cost thousands of dollars.

There are reasonably priced (under $100, though not under $3 like a common receptacle) male power inlets. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Reliance-Controls-30-Amp-Power-I... is the first one I found on Google (4-wire for 240V center-tapped), but there are many, including a 120V version: https://www.amazon.com/Leviton-5278-CWP-Straight-Flanged-Rec... Even these, if hardwired to the building's service, represent some risk,…

Unless it is installed properly, that is just as dangerous as the cord in the article, as long as you remember the "plug generator in last" rule.

In particular, both can kill hapless power company employees by unexpectedly backfeeding into downed parts of the grid, and they have similar carbon monoxide/fire hazard issues.

(Not that there is anything wrong with the product; I wish they were mandatory, so they'd reliably be inspected after installation!)

Re: CPSC warns consumers to stop using male-to-male extension cords sold on Amazon

#112

Post by kevinmchugh »

998244353 wrote: post #93
kevinmchugh wrote: post #39

There's a wonderful kind of writing that pops up at hardware stores in response to annual searches for suicide cables. A couple examples here https://twitter.com/kobunheat/status/1336134415336964096 THESE ARE NOT MADE THEY SHOULD NEVER BE MADE has the kind of direct clarity of existential risk that they sought for with "This is not a place of honor. Nothing of value is here."

Having never owned or set up this kind of Christmas lights, I'm curious. What exactly is it that makes people think they need such "adapters"? Do they have female plugs somewhere? Why?

Christmas lights typically are male/female so that can daisy-chain the together to cover a longer distance. Rather than have to buy a 400 foot cable you would have 4x100, or 8x50. This is useful so you can more freely extend your decoration, or replace a smaller failed section. If you start with them the wrong way, you have to reverse all the cables.

Re: CPSC warns consumers to stop using male-to-male extension cords sold on Amazon

#113

Post by bgun »

TIPSIO wrote: post #74
kevinmchugh wrote: post #39

There's a wonderful kind of writing that pops up at hardware stores in response to annual searches for suicide cables. A couple examples here https://twitter.com/kobunheat/status/1336134415336964096 THESE ARE NOT MADE THEY SHOULD NEVER BE MADE has the kind of direct clarity of existential risk that they sought for with "This is not a place of honor. Nothing of value is here."

Really interesting... What are people doing with their lights where this would ever come up though? Edit: From reddit, a use case is found [1]: > They’re actually used my law enforcement whenever they do a raid and seize a computer. If they turn the computer off, they’ll have to try and get past a password. And if the hard drive is encrypted, they’re basically SOL. > This can be a real issue for things like drug deal…

Holiday lights are the main scenario (which is why these signs are often seasonal). Someone will spend hours stringing up lights only to find that they strung backwards with the female end dangling near their desired outlet.

USB cables / “plug & play” have made this more confusing for those with no understanding of electricity; nor do we as a society routinely educate children (or adults) on basic electrical responsibility.

Re: CPSC warns consumers to stop using male-to-male extension cords sold on Amazon

#114

Post by ThrowawayIP »

Loughla wrote: post #43
elzbardico wrote: post #27

How can folks not see that using such contraption is obviously a shitty idea? That’s why we need to completely overhaul the teaching of physics in middle and high school. Every citizen should have at least a basic understanding of basic physical concepts that allow then to understand why this kind of thing is a bad idea

So, I have a very good understanding of basic physics. I have a very good ability to critically think. I am, what I would consider, educated and intelligent. And there was a time in my life when I googled "double male cord" because my snow-blower has a female plug for the electric start that is supposed to go to a converter box specifically sold by the company, and I lost it and didn't want to pay $100 for a new one.…

Whoever green lit the decision to use a female NEMA plug plus a specific converter box should be banned from product design. It would have probably been fractional cents more expensive to use a male plug on the snow blower.

Re: CPSC warns consumers to stop using male-to-male extension cords sold on Amazon

#115

Post by mrweasel »

Lichtso wrote: post #86

All these cable stories always make me wonder: Is it possible to design a safe gender-less power plug? By that I mean one that has no male and female end but two symmetrical ones. That would not only be safer but also more convenient as there would only be one type of such cable, instead of three: (female-male, female-female, male-male).

I suppose yes. I can certainly imaging a few designs, but they would all be more expensive. Most of our electrical infrastructure is old, like really old. Modern LED light bulbs screw into a socket that over 100 years old. We run 240V to electronics that immediately transform it down to 48/24/12 or even 5V, so why even run 240V to anything beyond maybe a handful of places in an average home?

It's not like you can get hurt or killed with lower voltages, but overall it would be safer.

Re: CPSC warns consumers to stop using male-to-male extension cords sold on Amazon

#116

Post by dark-star »

elzbardico wrote: post #27

How can folks not see that using such contraption is obviously a shitty idea? That’s why we need to completely overhaul the teaching of physics in middle and high school. Every citizen should have at least a basic understanding of basic physical concepts that allow then to understand why this kind of thing is a bad idea

Just try and find those male-male cords for other outlets than US ones (try Schuko for the European variant). You will find that they're much more rare or even impossible to find.

Realizing that these cables basically exist only in one variant, which is for US style outlets, should tell you a lot ;-)

Re: CPSC warns consumers to stop using male-to-male extension cords sold on Amazon

#118

Post by birdman3131 »

TIPSIO wrote: post #74
kevinmchugh wrote: post #39

There's a wonderful kind of writing that pops up at hardware stores in response to annual searches for suicide cables. A couple examples here https://twitter.com/kobunheat/status/1336134415336964096 THESE ARE NOT MADE THEY SHOULD NEVER BE MADE has the kind of direct clarity of existential risk that they sought for with "This is not a place of honor. Nothing of value is here."

Really interesting... What are people doing with their lights where this would ever come up though? Edit: From reddit, a use case is found [1]: > They’re actually used my law enforcement whenever they do a raid and seize a computer. If they turn the computer off, they’ll have to try and get past a password. And if the hard drive is encrypted, they’re basically SOL. > This can be a real issue for things like drug deal…

Suicide cords are not that dangerous when used by a professional. But when used by somebody not respectful and knowledgeable they become quite dangerous. The catch is that 95% of professionals would find another way to do it.

As far as the police example that can be safer than you think. The power supply can be set to not apply power to the plug end until it senses power or you manually hit a switch. But you still have the safety issue of the power strip's end. This should be alleviated by turning off the strip but I would still cover it personally

Re: CPSC warns consumers to stop using male-to-male extension cords sold on Amazon

#119

Post by mrweasel »

dlandis wrote: post #66

I'm curious why is this warning only being issued now? Until now they haven't issued any warnings about this type of product?

And why a warning? Why not tell Amazon to remove the items. I feel like most countries have a regulatory authority that has rules banning dangerous product like this.

Re: CPSC warns consumers to stop using male-to-male extension cords sold on Amazon

#120

Post by hedora »

jaywalk wrote: post #85
TheDudeMan wrote: post #49

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Probably because the alternative is to not have power during the (increasingly common) blackouts. I'm assuming that is the alternative due to there not being a proper way to accomplish this goal that does not cost thousands of dollars.

I highly doubt that having an electrician come out to install an outdoor inlet would cost thousands of dollars.

It definitely would be thousands to get one of these installed in California. The electricians cost way over $100 per hour.

Also, a backflow cutoff is required by law, as are permits, inspections, etc.

San Jose has setback requirements, requires a concrete pad (for hardwired installations), and charges various fees:

https://www.sanjoseca.gov/home/showpublisheddocument?id=4499...

It wouldn't surprise me if you could get a deal on "new generator; free installation" though.

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