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

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

#141

Post by whatshisface »

plonk wrote: post #127
BitwiseFool wrote: post #103

Earlier quoted context omitted.

As a layperson, electricity is one of those things that seems really complex and dangerous to mess with. But we've managed to abstract it down to "plug this cable into a socket" or "flip a switch". I remember doing the V = IR calculations in highschool, the difference between alternating and direct currents, as well as the relationship between volts and amperes. While fascinating, none of that translated to real worl…

We spent hours calculating the impedance and current and resistance and whatever in dozens of complicated circuits in undergrad, and I can't tell you how a basic home electrical installation works. File that under "things that everybody should know but school doesn't want to teach".

It's not just knowing how to do it, it's actually doing it right that counts. That's something nobody can guarantee, but experience (and professional insurance) can help with.

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

#142

Post by xani_ »

hedora wrote: post #133
josephcsible wrote: post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There's not a big risk of overcurrent here, since the 15A breaker will trip on overcurrent even when it's being backfed. The main hazard with these suicide cables is of electrocution, both inside your house due to the exposed blades being energized, and of linemen working to restore the power.

I wonder what happens when the grid comes back up at a mismatched phase. If only mythbusters were still around. :-)

The fuse would blow, because you have mains ->main fuse -> circuit fuse -> generator

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

#143

Post by NotYourLawyer »

angrygoat wrote: post #78

I've been shocked by one of these – I was setting up some computers, asked for an extension cord, got handed a male-to-male cord. Didn't notice until I plugged one end in, and grabbed the other while fishing around for it while looking. It never occurred to me that it might be male on both ends. The shock was very painful but the RCD tripped and saved my life. I'm quite grateful to the regulators here in Australia th…

Interesting. I’ve never tried it out, but I assumed that an RCD / GFCI would trip more or less instantaneously. I’m kind of surprised you felt much of anything.

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

#144

Post by HeyLaughingBoy »

NotYourLawyer wrote: post #81

I bought one of these on Amazon last year for a specific use case, and I’m knowledgeable enough to use it safely. IIRC Amazon pulled the listing a few months later and gave me a refund because it’s obviously a dangerous product.

This is not an argument I like to use, but I'd say that if you were knowledgeable enough, then you wouldn't be using it.

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

#146

Post by alistairSH »

Wow. I didn't think these were a thing. Because it's such a terrible idea. Wow.

Hanging Christmas lights isn't that hard. Lay'em out, attach them to each other, plug into wall to test, then and only then hang them. Kind of like the old measure twice, cut once for woodworking.

And the generator usage. WTF? Who buys a $1000+ generator and then half-assess the installation? (rhetorical question) Power inlets aren't particularly expensive (relative to the cost of the generator, or burning down the house, or death).

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

#147

Post by dave78 »

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.

The parts alone to do it properly are several hundred dollars - the inlet box is around $60, 25 feet of 10/3 cable is $100 (obviously more for longer - wiring has gotten really expensive the past few years), circuit breaker $20, interlock kit is $150 (https://interlockkit.com/product/square-d-kit-k-5010-125-200...). Plus permit and inspection ($150 is the cheapest permit in my town). That's already $480 and you haven't even talked to the electrician yet.

If you get lucky and find an inexpensive electrician AND the inlet you want to install is located very close to the panel (minimal drilling, short wire, etc.), you can probably get it done for less than $1000, but probably not a whole lot less.

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

#148

Post by NotYourLawyer »

hajile wrote: post #89

It's not mentioned, but this is DEADLY for innocent linemen too. They check the line before working and it's dead. They start work and some idiot without a proper transfer switch backfeeds through the transformer hitting them with 14k volts.

How often does this actually happen? I would hope that almost anyone using one of these have the sense to turn off their main breaker.

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

#149

Post by hedora »

xani_ wrote: post #142
hedora wrote: post #133

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I wonder what happens when the grid comes back up at a mismatched phase. If only mythbusters were still around. :-)

The fuse would blow, because you have mains ->main fuse -> circuit fuse -> generator

Maybe? What if it's a slow-blow fuse / breaker, and the phase is just a little bit off?

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

#150

Post by TD-Linux »

NotYourLawyer wrote: post #143
angrygoat wrote: post #78

I've been shocked by one of these – I was setting up some computers, asked for an extension cord, got handed a male-to-male cord. Didn't notice until I plugged one end in, and grabbed the other while fishing around for it while looking. It never occurred to me that it might be male on both ends. The shock was very painful but the RCD tripped and saved my life. I'm quite grateful to the regulators here in Australia th…

Interesting. I’ve never tried it out, but I assumed that an RCD / GFCI would trip more or less instantaneously. I’m kind of surprised you felt much of anything.

They still mechanically open the circuit breaker, which takes time.
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