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Is it safe if the neutral lead is exposed and disconnected?
Is it possible to detect from the power outlet if there would be current that needs grounding?How can I determine why my lights are flickering?How can I connect a 120V compressor to a 3 phase WYE 208 electrical system?Why would a GFCI trip on refrigerator circuit?Help me understand electricity - is the neutral always dangerous?Wiring power cord Adapter to connect a Round 3-prong female generator plug to a round 4-prong Gen Trans SwitchShould I be switching just the hot, or both hot and neutral?Is exposed wire dangerous if neutral is capped?Touching a bare neutralHot disconnected/ Neutral still connected OK?
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I think I’ve found a potential design flaw in an extension cord. It allows you to plug in the hot blade, while leaving the neutral blade out and exposed. Obviously you shouldn’t try and use the cord like this, but is this actually safe, as in you won’t get a shock from touching the exposed pins?
It seems like I could complete a circuit to ground by touching the exposed neutral blade, which obviously I don't think would be great for my health.
I'm in Canada, the outlet it's plugged into is wired correctly, and there's no GFCI on the circuit.
electrical
edited Jul 30 at 11:47
Notts90
2371 silver badge12 bronze badges
asked Jul 29 at 14:57
mrbmrb
2013 silver badges8 bronze badges
|
show 4 more comments
I think I’ve found a potential design flaw in an extension cord. It allows you to plug in the hot blade, while leaving the neutral blade out and exposed. Obviously you shouldn’t try and use the cord like this, but is this actually safe, as in you won’t get a shock from touching the exposed pins?
It seems like I could complete a circuit to ground by touching the exposed neutral blade, which obviously I don't think would be great for my health.
I'm in Canada, the outlet it's plugged into is wired correctly, and there's no GFCI on the circuit.
electrical
edited Jul 30 at 11:47
Notts90
2371 silver badge12 bronze badges
asked Jul 29 at 14:57
mrbmrb
2013 silver badges8 bronze badges
5
Why would you want to connect a cord this way?
– Jim Stewart
Jul 29 at 16:28
12
I don't want to. It's not useful, but it's also really easy to do, which led me to wonder if it was considered safe (or perhaps a design flaw).
– mrb
Jul 29 at 16:32
11
You should edit the question to clarify at the beginning that the cables are connected in this way to demonstrate a potential safety problem for the purposes of investigation, and are not connected to power. (They are not connected to power, right? :-)) Some commenters and posters seem to think you want to do this for some reason, which you clearly don't.
– Curt J. Sampson
Jul 30 at 1:16
3
Site note that may be interesting to some people: these kinds of connectors are illegal in New Zealand. Sockets must be designed so that you can't fit a plug in this way (as the disconnected pins will bump into the plastic around the socket).
– user253751
Jul 30 at 5:14
2
(I meant "side note" of course, not "site note")
– user253751
Jul 30 at 10:12
|
show 4 more comments
I think I’ve found a potential design flaw in an extension cord. It allows you to plug in the hot blade, while leaving the neutral blade out and exposed. Obviously you shouldn’t try and use the cord like this, but is this actually safe, as in you won’t get a shock from touching the exposed pins?
It seems like I could complete a circuit to ground by touching the exposed neutral blade, which obviously I don't think would be great for my health.
I'm in Canada, the outlet it's plugged into is wired correctly, and there's no GFCI on the circuit.
electrical
edited Jul 30 at 11:47
Notts90
2371 silver badge12 bronze badges
asked Jul 29 at 14:57
mrbmrb
2013 silver badges8 bronze badges
I think I’ve found a potential design flaw in an extension cord. It allows you to plug in the hot blade, while leaving the neutral blade out and exposed. Obviously you shouldn’t try and use the cord like this, but is this actually safe, as in you won’t get a shock from touching the exposed pins?
It seems like I could complete a circuit to ground by touching the exposed neutral blade, which obviously I don't think would be great for my health.
I'm in Canada, the outlet it's plugged into is wired correctly, and there's no GFCI on the circuit.
electrical
electrical
edited Jul 30 at 11:47
Notts90
2371 silver badge12 bronze badges
asked Jul 29 at 14:57
mrbmrb
2013 silver badges8 bronze badges
edited Jul 30 at 11:47
Notts90
2371 silver badge12 bronze badges
asked Jul 29 at 14:57
mrbmrb
2013 silver badges8 bronze badges
edited Jul 30 at 11:47
Notts90
2371 silver badge12 bronze badges
edited Jul 30 at 11:47
Notts90
2371 silver badge12 bronze badges
edited Jul 30 at 11:47
Notts90
2371 silver badge12 bronze badges
2371 silver badge12 bronze badges
asked Jul 29 at 14:57
mrbmrb
2013 silver badges8 bronze badges
asked Jul 29 at 14:57
mrbmrb
2013 silver badges8 bronze badges
asked Jul 29 at 14:57
mrbmrb
2013 silver badges8 bronze badges
2013 silver badges8 bronze badges
5
Why would you want to connect a cord this way?
– Jim Stewart
Jul 29 at 16:28
12
I don't want to. It's not useful, but it's also really easy to do, which led me to wonder if it was considered safe (or perhaps a design flaw).
– mrb
Jul 29 at 16:32
11
You should edit the question to clarify at the beginning that the cables are connected in this way to demonstrate a potential safety problem for the purposes of investigation, and are not connected to power. (They are not connected to power, right? :-)) Some commenters and posters seem to think you want to do this for some reason, which you clearly don't.
– Curt J. Sampson
Jul 30 at 1:16
3
Site note that may be interesting to some people: these kinds of connectors are illegal in New Zealand. Sockets must be designed so that you can't fit a plug in this way (as the disconnected pins will bump into the plastic around the socket).
– user253751
Jul 30 at 5:14
2
(I meant "side note" of course, not "site note")
– user253751
Jul 30 at 10:12
|
show 4 more comments
5
Why would you want to connect a cord this way?
– Jim Stewart
Jul 29 at 16:28
12
I don't want to. It's not useful, but it's also really easy to do, which led me to wonder if it was considered safe (or perhaps a design flaw).
– mrb
Jul 29 at 16:32
11
You should edit the question to clarify at the beginning that the cables are connected in this way to demonstrate a potential safety problem for the purposes of investigation, and are not connected to power. (They are not connected to power, right? :-)) Some commenters and posters seem to think you want to do this for some reason, which you clearly don't.
– Curt J. Sampson
Jul 30 at 1:16
3
Site note that may be interesting to some people: these kinds of connectors are illegal in New Zealand. Sockets must be designed so that you can't fit a plug in this way (as the disconnected pins will bump into the plastic around the socket).
– user253751
Jul 30 at 5:14
2
(I meant "side note" of course, not "site note")
– user253751
Jul 30 at 10:12
5
5
Why would you want to connect a cord this way?
– Jim Stewart
Jul 29 at 16:28
Why would you want to connect a cord this way?
– Jim Stewart
Jul 29 at 16:28
12
12
I don't want to. It's not useful, but it's also really easy to do, which led me to wonder if it was considered safe (or perhaps a design flaw).
– mrb
Jul 29 at 16:32
I don't want to. It's not useful, but it's also really easy to do, which led me to wonder if it was considered safe (or perhaps a design flaw).
– mrb
Jul 29 at 16:32
11
11
You should edit the question to clarify at the beginning that the cables are connected in this way to demonstrate a potential safety problem for the purposes of investigation, and are not connected to power. (They are not connected to power, right? :-)) Some commenters and posters seem to think you want to do this for some reason, which you clearly don't.
– Curt J. Sampson
Jul 30 at 1:16
You should edit the question to clarify at the beginning that the cables are connected in this way to demonstrate a potential safety problem for the purposes of investigation, and are not connected to power. (They are not connected to power, right? :-)) Some commenters and posters seem to think you want to do this for some reason, which you clearly don't.
– Curt J. Sampson
Jul 30 at 1:16
3
3
Site note that may be interesting to some people: these kinds of connectors are illegal in New Zealand. Sockets must be designed so that you can't fit a plug in this way (as the disconnected pins will bump into the plastic around the socket).
– user253751
Jul 30 at 5:14
Site note that may be interesting to some people: these kinds of connectors are illegal in New Zealand. Sockets must be designed so that you can't fit a plug in this way (as the disconnected pins will bump into the plastic around the socket).
– user253751
Jul 30 at 5:14
2
2
(I meant "side note" of course, not "site note")
– user253751
Jul 30 at 10:12
(I meant "side note" of course, not "site note")
– user253751
Jul 30 at 10:12
|
show 4 more comments
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
No. In this condition, the exposed plug blade will be deadly.
Every load connects hot to neutral. It does so through some level of impedance, but that impedance is not enough to protect you from shock.
If you have a GFCI/RCD device somewhere protecting this load, that will intervene to prevent injury in this case.
One detail: Current wants to return to source, not ground. For man-made mains current, source is the supply transformer, and hot power is seeking neutral. It will be happy with ground, because back in the main service panel there is a neutral-ground equipotential bond connecting them, so it will go via ground to get back to neutral.
answered Jul 29 at 15:09
HarperHarper
105k7 gold badges81 silver badges232 bronze badges
I am not convinced that a GFIC would protect you in this case. The current will return through you and the so-called neutral. A GFCI measures that the amount of current 'entering' from Hot is in fact 'exiting' via neutral, the assumption being that if it not then it is going to ground, possibly through you. In this case the current would not go to ground, and the GFCI would not trip. If someone believes I am incorrect, please explain why. Or plug this into a GFCI and try it. I'll wait here.
– mickeyf_supports_Monica
Jul 30 at 19:50
4
@mickeyf because you don't have access to neutral. You have access to ground. Neutral is a conductor and is as guarded as hot. Also, diy.se is a nicer place... we're not salty like SO, leave it there...
– Harper
Jul 30 at 20:03
2
Of course - you are correct. Current goes through hot, through the load, through me, and to ground. Neutral is way back upstream in this case. I just saw that blade in mid air and didn't think it through.
– mickeyf_supports_Monica
Jul 30 at 20:13
3
GFCIs/RCDs should be regarded as supplementary protection to hopefully save your ass if a bunch of other stuff has gone wrong. Live conductors should still be regarded as dangerous even if they are behind a GFCI.
– Peter Green
Jul 30 at 23:15
I'm afraid your depiction of the current's "desires" is far from accurate. Difference in charge will generate electric current through a conductor, whether the second point is somehow connected to the source or not.
– IMil
Jul 31 at 13:33
add a comment
|
This is absolutely NOT safe. There is actually a part of the NEC to help with this type of problem - tamper resistant receptacles. That doesn't address exactly the same situation - extension cords are functionally the same as receptacles but practically speaking a bit different and don't normally (ever?) have tamper resistant sockets. But a tamper resistant receptacle prevents you from inserting only hot or neutral - you have to insert them both at the same time.
answered Jul 29 at 15:31
manassehkatzmanassehkatz
19.5k2 gold badges25 silver badges60 bronze badges
1
Actually, a tamper resistant receptacle prevents you from inserting any part of the plug at all - that's why they are so safe :)
– Michael J.
Jul 30 at 21:42
add a comment
|
You might also notice that you have plugged the hot blade into the return socket! Whatever were you thinking? The reason that "blob" of material is part of the black receptacle is to ensure that you plug in "right side up" , with the ground pin in the ground receptacle.
Don't be a Darwin Award candidate.
answered Jul 29 at 19:51
Carl WitthoftCarl Witthoft
2,2497 silver badges12 bronze badges
4
In the photo in the question, the hot blade is plugged into the hot socket.
– prl
Jul 30 at 1:00
30
"Don't be a Darwin Award candidate." The poster clearly did this only as a demonstration of a flaw in the connector design. Investigating potential safety flaws is the opposite of being a Darwin Award candidate.
– Curt J. Sampson
Jul 30 at 1:12
+1 for the last sentence
– dalearn
Jul 30 at 2:15
1
What is the danger in connecting hot to the return socket?
– clemisch
Jul 30 at 14:35
@CurtJ.Sampson I can't see the edit history -- quite possibly I missed those 2 words. So far as "super absolutely safe" connector design goes, I appeal to the authority, aka YCFS We've all seen cords where someone cut off the ground pin to be able to connect, and similar bad-news hacks.
– Carl Witthoft
Jul 30 at 14:40
add a comment
|
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3 Answers
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active
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3 Answers
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active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
No. In this condition, the exposed plug blade will be deadly.
Every load connects hot to neutral. It does so through some level of impedance, but that impedance is not enough to protect you from shock.
If you have a GFCI/RCD device somewhere protecting this load, that will intervene to prevent injury in this case.
One detail: Current wants to return to source, not ground. For man-made mains current, source is the supply transformer, and hot power is seeking neutral. It will be happy with ground, because back in the main service panel there is a neutral-ground equipotential bond connecting them, so it will go via ground to get back to neutral.
answered Jul 29 at 15:09
HarperHarper
105k7 gold badges81 silver badges232 bronze badges
I am not convinced that a GFIC would protect you in this case. The current will return through you and the so-called neutral. A GFCI measures that the amount of current 'entering' from Hot is in fact 'exiting' via neutral, the assumption being that if it not then it is going to ground, possibly through you. In this case the current would not go to ground, and the GFCI would not trip. If someone believes I am incorrect, please explain why. Or plug this into a GFCI and try it. I'll wait here.
– mickeyf_supports_Monica
Jul 30 at 19:50
4
@mickeyf because you don't have access to neutral. You have access to ground. Neutral is a conductor and is as guarded as hot. Also, diy.se is a nicer place... we're not salty like SO, leave it there...
– Harper
Jul 30 at 20:03
2
Of course - you are correct. Current goes through hot, through the load, through me, and to ground. Neutral is way back upstream in this case. I just saw that blade in mid air and didn't think it through.
– mickeyf_supports_Monica
Jul 30 at 20:13
3
GFCIs/RCDs should be regarded as supplementary protection to hopefully save your ass if a bunch of other stuff has gone wrong. Live conductors should still be regarded as dangerous even if they are behind a GFCI.
– Peter Green
Jul 30 at 23:15
I'm afraid your depiction of the current's "desires" is far from accurate. Difference in charge will generate electric current through a conductor, whether the second point is somehow connected to the source or not.
– IMil
Jul 31 at 13:33
add a comment
|
No. In this condition, the exposed plug blade will be deadly.
Every load connects hot to neutral. It does so through some level of impedance, but that impedance is not enough to protect you from shock.
If you have a GFCI/RCD device somewhere protecting this load, that will intervene to prevent injury in this case.
One detail: Current wants to return to source, not ground. For man-made mains current, source is the supply transformer, and hot power is seeking neutral. It will be happy with ground, because back in the main service panel there is a neutral-ground equipotential bond connecting them, so it will go via ground to get back to neutral.
answered Jul 29 at 15:09
HarperHarper
105k7 gold badges81 silver badges232 bronze badges
I am not convinced that a GFIC would protect you in this case. The current will return through you and the so-called neutral. A GFCI measures that the amount of current 'entering' from Hot is in fact 'exiting' via neutral, the assumption being that if it not then it is going to ground, possibly through you. In this case the current would not go to ground, and the GFCI would not trip. If someone believes I am incorrect, please explain why. Or plug this into a GFCI and try it. I'll wait here.
– mickeyf_supports_Monica
Jul 30 at 19:50
4
@mickeyf because you don't have access to neutral. You have access to ground. Neutral is a conductor and is as guarded as hot. Also, diy.se is a nicer place... we're not salty like SO, leave it there...
– Harper
Jul 30 at 20:03
2
Of course - you are correct. Current goes through hot, through the load, through me, and to ground. Neutral is way back upstream in this case. I just saw that blade in mid air and didn't think it through.
– mickeyf_supports_Monica
Jul 30 at 20:13
3
GFCIs/RCDs should be regarded as supplementary protection to hopefully save your ass if a bunch of other stuff has gone wrong. Live conductors should still be regarded as dangerous even if they are behind a GFCI.
– Peter Green
Jul 30 at 23:15
I'm afraid your depiction of the current's "desires" is far from accurate. Difference in charge will generate electric current through a conductor, whether the second point is somehow connected to the source or not.
– IMil
Jul 31 at 13:33
add a comment
|
No. In this condition, the exposed plug blade will be deadly.
Every load connects hot to neutral. It does so through some level of impedance, but that impedance is not enough to protect you from shock.
If you have a GFCI/RCD device somewhere protecting this load, that will intervene to prevent injury in this case.
One detail: Current wants to return to source, not ground. For man-made mains current, source is the supply transformer, and hot power is seeking neutral. It will be happy with ground, because back in the main service panel there is a neutral-ground equipotential bond connecting them, so it will go via ground to get back to neutral.
answered Jul 29 at 15:09
HarperHarper
105k7 gold badges81 silver badges232 bronze badges
No. In this condition, the exposed plug blade will be deadly.
Every load connects hot to neutral. It does so through some level of impedance, but that impedance is not enough to protect you from shock.
If you have a GFCI/RCD device somewhere protecting this load, that will intervene to prevent injury in this case.
One detail: Current wants to return to source, not ground. For man-made mains current, source is the supply transformer, and hot power is seeking neutral. It will be happy with ground, because back in the main service panel there is a neutral-ground equipotential bond connecting them, so it will go via ground to get back to neutral.
answered Jul 29 at 15:09
HarperHarper
105k7 gold badges81 silver badges232 bronze badges
answered Jul 29 at 15:09
HarperHarper
105k7 gold badges81 silver badges232 bronze badges
answered Jul 29 at 15:09
HarperHarper
105k7 gold badges81 silver badges232 bronze badges
answered Jul 29 at 15:09
HarperHarper
105k7 gold badges81 silver badges232 bronze badges
105k7 gold badges81 silver badges232 bronze badges
I am not convinced that a GFIC would protect you in this case. The current will return through you and the so-called neutral. A GFCI measures that the amount of current 'entering' from Hot is in fact 'exiting' via neutral, the assumption being that if it not then it is going to ground, possibly through you. In this case the current would not go to ground, and the GFCI would not trip. If someone believes I am incorrect, please explain why. Or plug this into a GFCI and try it. I'll wait here.
– mickeyf_supports_Monica
Jul 30 at 19:50
4
@mickeyf because you don't have access to neutral. You have access to ground. Neutral is a conductor and is as guarded as hot. Also, diy.se is a nicer place... we're not salty like SO, leave it there...
– Harper
Jul 30 at 20:03
2
Of course - you are correct. Current goes through hot, through the load, through me, and to ground. Neutral is way back upstream in this case. I just saw that blade in mid air and didn't think it through.
– mickeyf_supports_Monica
Jul 30 at 20:13
3
GFCIs/RCDs should be regarded as supplementary protection to hopefully save your ass if a bunch of other stuff has gone wrong. Live conductors should still be regarded as dangerous even if they are behind a GFCI.
– Peter Green
Jul 30 at 23:15
I'm afraid your depiction of the current's "desires" is far from accurate. Difference in charge will generate electric current through a conductor, whether the second point is somehow connected to the source or not.
– IMil
Jul 31 at 13:33
add a comment
|
I am not convinced that a GFIC would protect you in this case. The current will return through you and the so-called neutral. A GFCI measures that the amount of current 'entering' from Hot is in fact 'exiting' via neutral, the assumption being that if it not then it is going to ground, possibly through you. In this case the current would not go to ground, and the GFCI would not trip. If someone believes I am incorrect, please explain why. Or plug this into a GFCI and try it. I'll wait here.
– mickeyf_supports_Monica
Jul 30 at 19:50
4
@mickeyf because you don't have access to neutral. You have access to ground. Neutral is a conductor and is as guarded as hot. Also, diy.se is a nicer place... we're not salty like SO, leave it there...
– Harper
Jul 30 at 20:03
2
Of course - you are correct. Current goes through hot, through the load, through me, and to ground. Neutral is way back upstream in this case. I just saw that blade in mid air and didn't think it through.
– mickeyf_supports_Monica
Jul 30 at 20:13
3
GFCIs/RCDs should be regarded as supplementary protection to hopefully save your ass if a bunch of other stuff has gone wrong. Live conductors should still be regarded as dangerous even if they are behind a GFCI.
– Peter Green
Jul 30 at 23:15
I'm afraid your depiction of the current's "desires" is far from accurate. Difference in charge will generate electric current through a conductor, whether the second point is somehow connected to the source or not.
– IMil
Jul 31 at 13:33
I am not convinced that a GFIC would protect you in this case. The current will return through you and the so-called neutral. A GFCI measures that the amount of current 'entering' from Hot is in fact 'exiting' via neutral, the assumption being that if it not then it is going to ground, possibly through you. In this case the current would not go to ground, and the GFCI would not trip. If someone believes I am incorrect, please explain why. Or plug this into a GFCI and try it. I'll wait here.
– mickeyf_supports_Monica
Jul 30 at 19:50
I am not convinced that a GFIC would protect you in this case. The current will return through you and the so-called neutral. A GFCI measures that the amount of current 'entering' from Hot is in fact 'exiting' via neutral, the assumption being that if it not then it is going to ground, possibly through you. In this case the current would not go to ground, and the GFCI would not trip. If someone believes I am incorrect, please explain why. Or plug this into a GFCI and try it. I'll wait here.
– mickeyf_supports_Monica
Jul 30 at 19:50
4
4
@mickeyf because you don't have access to neutral. You have access to ground. Neutral is a conductor and is as guarded as hot. Also, diy.se is a nicer place... we're not salty like SO, leave it there...
– Harper
Jul 30 at 20:03
@mickeyf because you don't have access to neutral. You have access to ground. Neutral is a conductor and is as guarded as hot. Also, diy.se is a nicer place... we're not salty like SO, leave it there...
– Harper
Jul 30 at 20:03
2
2
Of course - you are correct. Current goes through hot, through the load, through me, and to ground. Neutral is way back upstream in this case. I just saw that blade in mid air and didn't think it through.
– mickeyf_supports_Monica
Jul 30 at 20:13
Of course - you are correct. Current goes through hot, through the load, through me, and to ground. Neutral is way back upstream in this case. I just saw that blade in mid air and didn't think it through.
– mickeyf_supports_Monica
Jul 30 at 20:13
3
3
GFCIs/RCDs should be regarded as supplementary protection to hopefully save your ass if a bunch of other stuff has gone wrong. Live conductors should still be regarded as dangerous even if they are behind a GFCI.
– Peter Green
Jul 30 at 23:15
GFCIs/RCDs should be regarded as supplementary protection to hopefully save your ass if a bunch of other stuff has gone wrong. Live conductors should still be regarded as dangerous even if they are behind a GFCI.
– Peter Green
Jul 30 at 23:15
I'm afraid your depiction of the current's "desires" is far from accurate. Difference in charge will generate electric current through a conductor, whether the second point is somehow connected to the source or not.
– IMil
Jul 31 at 13:33
I'm afraid your depiction of the current's "desires" is far from accurate. Difference in charge will generate electric current through a conductor, whether the second point is somehow connected to the source or not.
– IMil
Jul 31 at 13:33
add a comment
|
This is absolutely NOT safe. There is actually a part of the NEC to help with this type of problem - tamper resistant receptacles. That doesn't address exactly the same situation - extension cords are functionally the same as receptacles but practically speaking a bit different and don't normally (ever?) have tamper resistant sockets. But a tamper resistant receptacle prevents you from inserting only hot or neutral - you have to insert them both at the same time.
answered Jul 29 at 15:31
manassehkatzmanassehkatz
19.5k2 gold badges25 silver badges60 bronze badges
1
Actually, a tamper resistant receptacle prevents you from inserting any part of the plug at all - that's why they are so safe :)
– Michael J.
Jul 30 at 21:42
add a comment
|
This is absolutely NOT safe. There is actually a part of the NEC to help with this type of problem - tamper resistant receptacles. That doesn't address exactly the same situation - extension cords are functionally the same as receptacles but practically speaking a bit different and don't normally (ever?) have tamper resistant sockets. But a tamper resistant receptacle prevents you from inserting only hot or neutral - you have to insert them both at the same time.
answered Jul 29 at 15:31
manassehkatzmanassehkatz
19.5k2 gold badges25 silver badges60 bronze badges
1
Actually, a tamper resistant receptacle prevents you from inserting any part of the plug at all - that's why they are so safe :)
– Michael J.
Jul 30 at 21:42
add a comment
|
This is absolutely NOT safe. There is actually a part of the NEC to help with this type of problem - tamper resistant receptacles. That doesn't address exactly the same situation - extension cords are functionally the same as receptacles but practically speaking a bit different and don't normally (ever?) have tamper resistant sockets. But a tamper resistant receptacle prevents you from inserting only hot or neutral - you have to insert them both at the same time.
answered Jul 29 at 15:31
manassehkatzmanassehkatz
19.5k2 gold badges25 silver badges60 bronze badges
This is absolutely NOT safe. There is actually a part of the NEC to help with this type of problem - tamper resistant receptacles. That doesn't address exactly the same situation - extension cords are functionally the same as receptacles but practically speaking a bit different and don't normally (ever?) have tamper resistant sockets. But a tamper resistant receptacle prevents you from inserting only hot or neutral - you have to insert them both at the same time.
answered Jul 29 at 15:31
manassehkatzmanassehkatz
19.5k2 gold badges25 silver badges60 bronze badges
answered Jul 29 at 15:31
manassehkatzmanassehkatz
19.5k2 gold badges25 silver badges60 bronze badges
answered Jul 29 at 15:31
manassehkatzmanassehkatz
19.5k2 gold badges25 silver badges60 bronze badges
answered Jul 29 at 15:31
manassehkatzmanassehkatz
19.5k2 gold badges25 silver badges60 bronze badges
19.5k2 gold badges25 silver badges60 bronze badges
1
Actually, a tamper resistant receptacle prevents you from inserting any part of the plug at all - that's why they are so safe :)
– Michael J.
Jul 30 at 21:42
add a comment
|
1
Actually, a tamper resistant receptacle prevents you from inserting any part of the plug at all - that's why they are so safe :)
– Michael J.
Jul 30 at 21:42
1
1
Actually, a tamper resistant receptacle prevents you from inserting any part of the plug at all - that's why they are so safe :)
– Michael J.
Jul 30 at 21:42
Actually, a tamper resistant receptacle prevents you from inserting any part of the plug at all - that's why they are so safe :)
– Michael J.
Jul 30 at 21:42
add a comment
|
You might also notice that you have plugged the hot blade into the return socket! Whatever were you thinking? The reason that "blob" of material is part of the black receptacle is to ensure that you plug in "right side up" , with the ground pin in the ground receptacle.
Don't be a Darwin Award candidate.
answered Jul 29 at 19:51
Carl WitthoftCarl Witthoft
2,2497 silver badges12 bronze badges
4
In the photo in the question, the hot blade is plugged into the hot socket.
– prl
Jul 30 at 1:00
30
"Don't be a Darwin Award candidate." The poster clearly did this only as a demonstration of a flaw in the connector design. Investigating potential safety flaws is the opposite of being a Darwin Award candidate.
– Curt J. Sampson
Jul 30 at 1:12
+1 for the last sentence
– dalearn
Jul 30 at 2:15
1
What is the danger in connecting hot to the return socket?
– clemisch
Jul 30 at 14:35
@CurtJ.Sampson I can't see the edit history -- quite possibly I missed those 2 words. So far as "super absolutely safe" connector design goes, I appeal to the authority, aka YCFS We've all seen cords where someone cut off the ground pin to be able to connect, and similar bad-news hacks.
– Carl Witthoft
Jul 30 at 14:40
add a comment
|
You might also notice that you have plugged the hot blade into the return socket! Whatever were you thinking? The reason that "blob" of material is part of the black receptacle is to ensure that you plug in "right side up" , with the ground pin in the ground receptacle.
Don't be a Darwin Award candidate.
answered Jul 29 at 19:51
Carl WitthoftCarl Witthoft
2,2497 silver badges12 bronze badges
4
In the photo in the question, the hot blade is plugged into the hot socket.
– prl
Jul 30 at 1:00
30
"Don't be a Darwin Award candidate." The poster clearly did this only as a demonstration of a flaw in the connector design. Investigating potential safety flaws is the opposite of being a Darwin Award candidate.
– Curt J. Sampson
Jul 30 at 1:12
+1 for the last sentence
– dalearn
Jul 30 at 2:15
1
What is the danger in connecting hot to the return socket?
– clemisch
Jul 30 at 14:35
@CurtJ.Sampson I can't see the edit history -- quite possibly I missed those 2 words. So far as "super absolutely safe" connector design goes, I appeal to the authority, aka YCFS We've all seen cords where someone cut off the ground pin to be able to connect, and similar bad-news hacks.
– Carl Witthoft
Jul 30 at 14:40
add a comment
|
You might also notice that you have plugged the hot blade into the return socket! Whatever were you thinking? The reason that "blob" of material is part of the black receptacle is to ensure that you plug in "right side up" , with the ground pin in the ground receptacle.
Don't be a Darwin Award candidate.
answered Jul 29 at 19:51
Carl WitthoftCarl Witthoft
2,2497 silver badges12 bronze badges
You might also notice that you have plugged the hot blade into the return socket! Whatever were you thinking? The reason that "blob" of material is part of the black receptacle is to ensure that you plug in "right side up" , with the ground pin in the ground receptacle.
Don't be a Darwin Award candidate.
answered Jul 29 at 19:51
Carl WitthoftCarl Witthoft
2,2497 silver badges12 bronze badges
answered Jul 29 at 19:51
Carl WitthoftCarl Witthoft
2,2497 silver badges12 bronze badges
answered Jul 29 at 19:51
Carl WitthoftCarl Witthoft
2,2497 silver badges12 bronze badges
answered Jul 29 at 19:51
Carl WitthoftCarl Witthoft
2,2497 silver badges12 bronze badges
2,2497 silver badges12 bronze badges
4
In the photo in the question, the hot blade is plugged into the hot socket.
– prl
Jul 30 at 1:00
30
"Don't be a Darwin Award candidate." The poster clearly did this only as a demonstration of a flaw in the connector design. Investigating potential safety flaws is the opposite of being a Darwin Award candidate.
– Curt J. Sampson
Jul 30 at 1:12
+1 for the last sentence
– dalearn
Jul 30 at 2:15
1
What is the danger in connecting hot to the return socket?
– clemisch
Jul 30 at 14:35
@CurtJ.Sampson I can't see the edit history -- quite possibly I missed those 2 words. So far as "super absolutely safe" connector design goes, I appeal to the authority, aka YCFS We've all seen cords where someone cut off the ground pin to be able to connect, and similar bad-news hacks.
– Carl Witthoft
Jul 30 at 14:40
add a comment
|
4
In the photo in the question, the hot blade is plugged into the hot socket.
– prl
Jul 30 at 1:00
30
"Don't be a Darwin Award candidate." The poster clearly did this only as a demonstration of a flaw in the connector design. Investigating potential safety flaws is the opposite of being a Darwin Award candidate.
– Curt J. Sampson
Jul 30 at 1:12
+1 for the last sentence
– dalearn
Jul 30 at 2:15
1
What is the danger in connecting hot to the return socket?
– clemisch
Jul 30 at 14:35
@CurtJ.Sampson I can't see the edit history -- quite possibly I missed those 2 words. So far as "super absolutely safe" connector design goes, I appeal to the authority, aka YCFS We've all seen cords where someone cut off the ground pin to be able to connect, and similar bad-news hacks.
– Carl Witthoft
Jul 30 at 14:40
4
4
In the photo in the question, the hot blade is plugged into the hot socket.
– prl
Jul 30 at 1:00
In the photo in the question, the hot blade is plugged into the hot socket.
– prl
Jul 30 at 1:00
30
30
"Don't be a Darwin Award candidate." The poster clearly did this only as a demonstration of a flaw in the connector design. Investigating potential safety flaws is the opposite of being a Darwin Award candidate.
– Curt J. Sampson
Jul 30 at 1:12
"Don't be a Darwin Award candidate." The poster clearly did this only as a demonstration of a flaw in the connector design. Investigating potential safety flaws is the opposite of being a Darwin Award candidate.
– Curt J. Sampson
Jul 30 at 1:12
+1 for the last sentence
– dalearn
Jul 30 at 2:15
+1 for the last sentence
– dalearn
Jul 30 at 2:15
1
1
What is the danger in connecting hot to the return socket?
– clemisch
Jul 30 at 14:35
What is the danger in connecting hot to the return socket?
– clemisch
Jul 30 at 14:35
@CurtJ.Sampson I can't see the edit history -- quite possibly I missed those 2 words. So far as "super absolutely safe" connector design goes, I appeal to the authority, aka YCFS We've all seen cords where someone cut off the ground pin to be able to connect, and similar bad-news hacks.
– Carl Witthoft
Jul 30 at 14:40
@CurtJ.Sampson I can't see the edit history -- quite possibly I missed those 2 words. So far as "super absolutely safe" connector design goes, I appeal to the authority, aka YCFS We've all seen cords where someone cut off the ground pin to be able to connect, and similar bad-news hacks.
– Carl Witthoft
Jul 30 at 14:40
add a comment
|
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5
Why would you want to connect a cord this way?
– Jim Stewart
Jul 29 at 16:28
12
I don't want to. It's not useful, but it's also really easy to do, which led me to wonder if it was considered safe (or perhaps a design flaw).
– mrb
Jul 29 at 16:32
11
You should edit the question to clarify at the beginning that the cables are connected in this way to demonstrate a potential safety problem for the purposes of investigation, and are not connected to power. (They are not connected to power, right? :-)) Some commenters and posters seem to think you want to do this for some reason, which you clearly don't.
– Curt J. Sampson
Jul 30 at 1:16
3
Site note that may be interesting to some people: these kinds of connectors are illegal in New Zealand. Sockets must be designed so that you can't fit a plug in this way (as the disconnected pins will bump into the plastic around the socket).
– user253751
Jul 30 at 5:14
2
(I meant "side note" of course, not "site note")
– user253751
Jul 30 at 10:12