I don’t know if they changed toasters but they definitely changed building code at least in the US to require GFCI outlets in the bathroom that will shut off when a short is detected because of this.
even without a gfci outlet this would be a difficult way to kill yourself today’s world. in theory there should be at least 3 things that would fail to prevent this. one is that most modern electronic devices have something to shut off in the event of a short. two is the gfci outlet that every bathroom is required by code to have in the majority of countries these days. three is the fuse/circuit breaker of the building itself.
now, the last one isn’t going to reliably save you, but it will make it a very unreliable way to kill yourself. with all three combined it’s nearly impossible.
GFCI has a switch that is tripped if there’s a leak of power. It’s the outlets that have a test button between the two plugs. It essentially is just an outlet with a breaker that is tripped if it’s shorted so it can’t cause any harm. Basically, if the incoming current isn’t the same as the outgoing current, it trips and shuts off power.
You can just rip off the grounding prong to bypass the protection. I keep having to fix cord ends because too many dipshits at work can’t be bothered to look at the at what they’re doing when they plug something in.
Not if the extension cord is into the GFCI outlet. It doesn’t care what’s plugged in. It’s similar to a circuit breaker. It doesn’t care what’s drawing power, only how it’s being drawn.
I agree with you on the second point. They’re always lying about their little schemes to squeeze more pennies out of a quarter, and think that people believe them. I’d honestly respect a company more if they just came out and said “we shortened cords to make more money. Get fucked, peasants.”
For real. Look at Snapple and their “improved” plastic bottles.
I’ve bought two small kitchen appliances recently…a cheap-ass griddle, and a real nice air fryer/double oven. Both gave the same excuse for their short cords.
Didn’t they change toasters so that you can’t do this anymore?
I don’t know if they changed toasters but they definitely changed building code at least in the US to require GFCI outlets in the bathroom that will shut off when a short is detected because of this.
That’s why there should also be an extension cord in the cart
How does this work? Does it need to be one without ground?
even without a gfci outlet this would be a difficult way to kill yourself today’s world. in theory there should be at least 3 things that would fail to prevent this. one is that most modern electronic devices have something to shut off in the event of a short. two is the gfci outlet that every bathroom is required by code to have in the majority of countries these days. three is the fuse/circuit breaker of the building itself.
now, the last one isn’t going to reliably save you, but it will make it a very unreliable way to kill yourself. with all three combined it’s nearly impossible.
At least in the US, reaching inside your glovebox during a traffic stop has a much higher chance of success.
GFCI has a switch that is tripped if there’s a leak of power. It’s the outlets that have a test button between the two plugs. It essentially is just an outlet with a breaker that is tripped if it’s shorted so it can’t cause any harm. Basically, if the incoming current isn’t the same as the outgoing current, it trips and shuts off power.
But does using an extension cord disable this protection?
It does if you plug it into an outlet without the protection.
No and no one said it would
You can just rip off the grounding prong to bypass the protection. I keep having to fix cord ends because too many dipshits at work can’t be bothered to look at the at what they’re doing when they plug something in.
Not if the extension cord is into the GFCI outlet. It doesn’t care what’s plugged in. It’s similar to a circuit breaker. It doesn’t care what’s drawing power, only how it’s being drawn.
Well, not specifically for toasters. It was more about hairdryers and curling irons causing accidental electrocutions than for suicide prevention.
No, they changed bathroom plugs. Now they have GCFIs. They have a built in test button, but there is one other way to tell…
Also they claim that the shorter cords on kitchen appliances are to prevent this but I say that’s bullshit and they’re just cheap.
I agree with you on the second point. They’re always lying about their little schemes to squeeze more pennies out of a quarter, and think that people believe them. I’d honestly respect a company more if they just came out and said “we shortened cords to make more money. Get fucked, peasants.”
For real. Look at Snapple and their “improved” plastic bottles.
I’ve bought two small kitchen appliances recently…a cheap-ass griddle, and a real nice air fryer/double oven. Both gave the same excuse for their short cords.
Maximum power cord lengths are in the NEC. Regardless of the original motivation, now it’s in the electrical code (US)
I hope not, as I always considered it a viable option for when I’ve had enough.
It just takes a little more ingenuity.
That’s only going to make me buy anoth… son of a bitch we been swindled.
It also only works with cast iron tubs. Modern ones tend to be fiberglass.
Only one way to find out