It also backfeeds the grid and can kill someone working on the lines.
Comment on Forbidden Tech
wjrii@lemmy.world 4 days ago
I have heard there are ways to use these to back feed power from a generator into a house’s system, at least on one breaker, but by definition that bypasses the breaker panel, and the only safe way to use your generator for your house is with a proper cutover installed by an electrician. I can think of literally no other use for one of these cords, except maybe fixing your fuck up if you install Christmas lights backwards.
So yeah, dumb, dumb idea.
Lemmyoutofhere@lemmy.ca 4 days ago
A_Union_of_Kobolds@lemmy.world 3 days ago
This is the real issue and why you need a modern transfer switch.
The_Hideous_Orgalorg@sh.itjust.works 4 days ago
My friend’s house does this with their generator. There is a lockout on the breaker, and the main must be off to move it and open the one that feeds the back porch where they tie the generator in. Once the breakers are cycled, they can plug the generator into the outlet on the porch, and it runs there, sheltered from the weather. When the main power is working again, they turn off the generator, remove the cord, disable the breaker, toggle the lockout bar, and turn the main back on. The particular outlet on the porch is useless when using grid power because of this setup.
gazter@aussie.zone 4 days ago
So if it’s only for the generator, why is it wired as an outlet, not an inlet?
bluesheep@lemm.ee 4 days ago
I’ve heard the Christmas lights one before too, but I never got it. How do (American) Christmas lights work that you’d need one of these cords?
ShawiniganHandshake@sh.itjust.works 4 days ago
In North America, Christmas lights usually have a plug end and a socket end so you can connect multiple strings together in series.
If you accidentally put the plug end at the top of the tree, it might be tempting to try to buy or make one of these cords so you don’t have to take the lights down and redo them.
It is as dumb and lazy as it sounds.
bluesheep@lemm.ee 3 days ago
So if I understand it correctly, if you were to use this “solution”, you’d leave live exposed prongs on one end of the lights, right?
Cause that would make it even dumber than I had imagined lmao
wjrii@lemmy.world 3 days ago
Yup. American Christmas lights basically ARE very thin extension cords with the bulbs (hopefully) wired in parallel. Back in the day they were pretty much all incandescent and in series, and a single burned out bulb meant everything went out and Junior got a joyous new holiday chore!
ShawiniganHandshake@sh.itjust.works 3 days ago
Yep. Exactly right.
random_character_a@lemmy.world 4 days ago
There are voltage converters (230V<->120V) that have female connectors in both ends. So if DIY guys are playing with tech from other continents.
hansolo@lemm.ee 4 days ago
Any serious DIY person can just splice an extra male plug onto a cord faster than driving to the store and reading this sign.
gazter@aussie.zone 4 days ago
I don’t understand why it would have female on both ends?
random_character_a@lemmy.world 3 days ago
gazter@aussie.zone 3 days ago
I searched that model number, and came up with a similar looking box that has a corded male end- implying that those two stickers are outputs.
A_Union_of_Kobolds@lemmy.world 3 days ago
Weird use case. Never underestimate the customer.
A_Union_of_Kobolds@lemmy.world 4 days ago
Thief I’d all reasonably accurate. Source: electrician, who worked at a supply store for a while. I’ve had people ask how to make all kinds of stupid cords.
kassiopaea@lemmy.blahaj.zone 3 days ago
The problem is that people read a few things on the internet, think they’re now suddenly domain experts, and do it anyway.
A_Union_of_Kobolds@lemmy.world 3 days ago
Oh I know.
I’ve talked to them.
Don’t do it. If you haven’t actually worked with an electrician for at least a year or two, just leave the repairs and shit jobs for people like me.
zippythezigzag@lemm.ee 2 days ago
Unionized Kobold electricians. Hmm.