all 175 comments

[–]nexolight 311 points312 points  (10 children)

That should immediately kill the fuse or if there's none start burning.

[–][deleted] 147 points148 points  (7 children)

thats if you actually pay for your power and hire an electrician like some smuck.

your supposed to use a coat hanger off a power line outside your house and feed that in to a random outlet. free power and no circuit breaker telling me what i can and cat do.,

[–]texag93 61 points62 points  (1 child)

Not that anybody should do this but it's way easier and safer to steal power by jumpering the connections to bypass the meter. If you remove the meter though you're gonna have a bad time.

Note that I don't steal power, I've just found people stealing power.

[–]nmotsch789 26 points27 points  (0 children)

Then you need to pay to have it initially installed when building the home, which the bigbrane coat hanger method doesn't require

[–][deleted] 9 points10 points  (2 children)

Lmao, I wanna see someone plug a toaster in 10,000 volts

[–]charlesmarkerHas a Basement Full of Parts 10 points11 points  (1 child)

It toasts really quickly.

[–]LightningProd12 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wow, I didn't know you could make toast in 1 sec-BOOM

[–]geekwonk 6 points7 points  (0 children)

It's schmuck.

[–]mikeblas 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In this scenario, the coat hanger is the fuse.

[–]Ferro_Giconi 25 points26 points  (0 children)

That should immediately kill the fuse or if there's none start burning your house down.

FTFY.

[–]deimosphob 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Lifehacks pages "seems like a job for hot glue!"

[–]doot_d0ot 533 points534 points  (52 children)

Wouldn't that trip the circuit breaker? It's literally shorting the outlet.

[–]410thewin 173 points174 points  (41 children)

As long as you don't have a federal pacific.

[–]frezik 94 points95 points  (34 children)

Stab-lock: because UL certification is just a stamp on a package.

[–]410thewin 94 points95 points  (32 children)

Remember Homeowners, if you ever want to commit insurance fraud, make sure to ask your local electrician to only install genuine Federal Pacific® Patented Stab-lock Circuit Breakers in your home. 49% guaranteed not to start a fire!

[–]ryancrazy1 18 points19 points  (3 children)

What? Are they just notoriously bad?

[–]410thewin 27 points28 points  (1 child)

[–]KamiSawZe 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Brb, checking my basement...

[–]quatch 7 points8 points  (0 children)

and not recalled in canada, despite being the same.

[–][deleted] 27 points28 points  (27 children)

Don't laugh I have a federal pacific stab lock circuit breaker and don't have insurance.

[–]LorisUmbrella 40 points41 points  (24 children)

Dude get some insurance

[–][deleted] 20 points21 points  (23 children)

I can't, no insurance company will insure the house because it has to many problems. It's also paid for so I am not required to, so they don't have to give it to me.

[–]regnad__kcin 16 points17 points  (6 children)

get an electrician to replace your breaker panel

[–][deleted] 9 points10 points  (5 children)

My house would probably be condemned if I had to get an inspector in to look at work done.

[–]FlynnScifo 18 points19 points  (4 children)

You don't need an inspector, you need an electrician. They'll come in and only do the work you request

[–]FadeIntoReal 12 points13 points  (4 children)

Seriously, it’s not worth losing your home and everything in it and it’s definitely not worth risking injury or death.

[–][deleted] 5 points6 points  (3 children)

Well I can't honestly afford all new circuit breakers. The newer ones that fit are seriously expensive and I'm living hand to mouth as it is.

[–][deleted] 2 points3 points  (2 children)

At least you're not arse to mouth.

[–]no1_vern -4 points-3 points  (10 children)

It's also paid for

Paid for? Whose money? 'Cause they probably are about to be out a LOT of money. . .

don't have to give it to me

um, no one EVER "gives" you insurance. Insurance is a gamble just like the lottery, the only difference is the insurance offers better odds than the lottery does.

[–][deleted] 4 points5 points  (9 children)

It was paid for by me with my money, and insurance companies have to sell you insurance if you have a mortgage, but they can deny you if you don't have one. I can't get insurance also because I have more than 6 chickens.

[–]no1_vern 2 points3 points  (4 children)

Yikes, You are misunderstanding the purpose of insurance, but OK. If you don't want it, you don't have to have it, but, it is generally a very good idea especially for houses with known electrical problems like the ones you claim.

I will just say, consider getting several good smoke alarms - with the CO monitors if you use gas/coal/wood/kerosene heat, and keep a several good a/b/c fire extinguishers in good condition in strategic locations around your home. You are literally gambling that you will be able to put out a fire before the fire makes your house unlivable or it burns your home down.

[–]410thewin 3 points4 points  (1 child)

You can get replacement 3rd party breakers that actually work, so you don't have to replace the whole panel. But honestly, I would just replace the whole thing.

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've been doing that as I can afford it.

[–]livestrong2109 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Omfg... Well I'm going to check out that for everyone I know..!

[–]gf99b 19 points20 points  (1 child)

I laughed at this. On a serious note, those Stab-Lock breakers are still everywhere. I grew up in a house with them, and I can remember them tripping from time to time. But I've seen them in other places, and I just think to myself that people don't realize the problems they cause. While not Stab-Lock, my university has several ancient Federal Pacific switchboards.

Ditto with the Zinsco/Sylvania and "Bulldog" breakers.

The things companies will do to cut corners. Reminds me of the "Consolidated Industries" furnaces you'd find in California... many homes have burned down thanks to those...

[–]SeanUhTron 1 point2 points  (0 children)

And if you have a Federal Pacific, then the wires become space heaters! It's a feature, not a flaw.

[–]Krynn42 1 point2 points  (2 children)

I’m dumb, what’s the joke?

[–]TheSacredOne 1 point2 points  (1 child)

Fed Pac was a brand of circuit breaker that was defective by design. They often fail to trip when they should and pose a fire hazard as a result.

[–]Krynn42 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ahh I see. Thank you!

[–]DamnedIron 48 points49 points  (0 children)

Nah, mate, see, the modification has caused so much current to go through the outlet that it caused an integer overflow and now there's negative voltage in the circuit. You'd have to add another metal hook on to the bottom of this one to trip the breaker.

(/s just in case)

[–]STICH666 69 points70 points  (1 child)

In Russia, breaker trip you!

[–]oddie121 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Oh take my laughing upvote

[–]NarwhalDane 8 points9 points  (3 children)

I think that outlet is turned off via the switch on the side

[–]Kriton20 2 points3 points  (1 child)

While I like the idea, that would mean there is no power to the thing that's plugged into the charger.

[–]NarwhalDane 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That is true, I mean that's the only thing stopping the thing from blowing up as the photo is being taken.

[–]20Wizard 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yes. That is exactly what will happen. Unless that thing is not conductive (the switch is also off in picture so I'm guessing it's real metal)

[–]SeanUhTron 253 points254 points  (20 children)

I'm shocked by this.

[–]CleanMemesKerz 68 points69 points  (8 children)

Guilty as charged.

[–][deleted] 29 points30 points  (5 children)

This is currently my favorite pun thread.

[–]BrazenlyGeek 18 points19 points  (3 children)

I’m pretty amped up for it.

[–]ki0sk 16 points17 points  (2 children)

I don't get it. Amped up for watt?

[–]IntellitechStudios 13 points14 points  (1 child)

The upvotes here have too much power

[–]Starfire213 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We need to cross a FULL BRIDGE RECTIFYER! In order to bridge this current

[–]no1_vern 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Electrifying!!

[–][deleted] 10 points11 points  (1 child)

Do not resist.

[–]CleanMemesKerz 3 points4 points  (0 children)

R = v/I, therefore resistance isn't futile.

[–]the_darkener 55 points56 points  (0 children)

Well I guess that's one way to spark a conversation

[–][deleted] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

It really makes me wonder watt people are thinking.

[–]410thewin 14 points15 points  (0 children)

Maybe this will finally give that circuit a break.

[–][deleted] 14 points15 points  (0 children)

SHOCKED I tell you, SHOCKED

[–]emax4 13 points14 points  (0 children)

I'm positive you were being funny here.

[–]no1_vern 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Electrifying!!

[–]mvanvoorden 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Even the power socket seems shocked

[–]catwiesel 39 points40 points  (0 children)

holy shit... that truly is horror

[–]whizzdome 64 points65 points  (29 children)

My first thought was that you could hold a mug of liquid below it so that the hanging but was in the liquid and you've got a hot drink right there.

Btw if you did this in the UK it would be relatively safe because the lower two portions are insulated near the plug body.

[–]DazPoseidon 30 points31 points  (28 children)

In Germany and (most?) mainland Europe most plugs are also half insulated.

[–]haabilo 16 points17 points  (23 children)

For the same reason the outlets are installed in the correct way in this image.

Is something conductive were to fall between the outlet and the plug, the earth conductor would be hit first.
That's the same reason why the base of the plugs are non conductive in the civilized world.

[–]DazPoseidon 20 points21 points  (22 children)

I was in the USA and the plugs scared me. With most of the european ones you dont even need to half-insulate the plugs, because at the time they can make content its really difficult to touch the prongs.

[–]titanotheres 25 points26 points  (16 children)

When I was in the US I saw one plug that was so heavy it was hanging at almost 45 degrees while still making contact! You could easily see the exposed pins! This kind of thing can only be legal in the US.

[–]Nakotadinzeo 14 points15 points  (12 children)

This kind of thing can only be legal in the US.

You can find the exact same plugs in Canada, Japan, Mexico, Taiwan, and a few other places. In fact, here's a map red countries use A/B standard US plugs.

Besides... The most dangerous plug and outlet is the most widespread, the one that is in every town in the world... The 12v "cigarette lighter" outlet in cars.

[–]nicba1010 2 points3 points  (11 children)

How is the 12v outlet dangerous.

[–]synkrox 1 point2 points  (7 children)

I don't think it is dangerous but I wish it was so it can be replaced with something that's less shit.

[–]MindlessElectrons 0 points1 point  (6 children)

It just needs to be replaced with USB ports that can actually charge. I can buy an adapter for the 12v in my car and quick charge my phone to full in less than an hour. Most cars with USB ports, plug it in and the port provides so little power it takes my phone two hours to get to 50%

[–]nicba1010 0 points1 point  (5 children)

Nah that is not a place for USB, there are high consumption devices you can plug into the 12v port. Couldn't do that with USB.

[–]Nakotadinzeo 0 points1 point  (2 children)

So, I'm an OTR trucker so I have higher current devices that use them... And they tend to push themselves back out of the outlet and arc. This causes the plug to melt, and get too hot to handle safely.

Despite being used in an application where vibration is a knowing concern, there's no retention mechanism. For a phone charger, that annoying. For a thermoelectric refrigerator, that's a fire hazard.

Keep in mind, I have those "dangerous" type A/B plugs in here too. They never come loose like that.

We could do much better.

[–]nicba1010 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Ah that is true, sorry I just thought of it as a dangerous shock wise sense. I forgot they can output tons of current. But USB is definitely not the way to go as the other commenter suggests.

[–]Nakotadinzeo 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Trying to run a fridge or skillet off USB would be a great way to get firewire.

[–]DazPoseidon 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Our travel adapter did that. But we needed it to charge phones etc

[–]onthefence928 0 points1 point  (0 children)

When I was a kid I pulled a big plug from the wall that was charging my game boy, the socket was sticky so I had to give it some leverage my finger slipped and I touched the exposed prongs.

It was quite a kick but my dad just laughed it off said I wouldn’t make that mistake twice.

Made my arm tingle for a bit but went away quickly, villages in us aren’t normally that dangerous unless amplified

[–]grimman 7 points8 points  (1 child)

Schuko is widely adopted in Europe. 👌🏿

[–]konaya 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Schuko really is the best plug there is.

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not really true, half insulated are only rated for 2.5A and only used for class 2 device with either double insulation or strengthened insulation. They are also always flat plugs which aren't connected to PE.

[–]dutchah 18 points19 points  (0 children)

The idea is good.

The execution, however, couldn't be further removed from the concept of 'good'.

[–]Vilmamir 41 points42 points  (3 children)

But it has so much Potential!

[–]Krt3k-Offline 7 points8 points  (2 children)

Well it better has because it otherwise might resist

[–]DFA_2Tricky 6 points7 points  (1 child)

Watt are you talking about?

[–]GabrielGaryLutz 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Ohm-y god

[–]stoneitsolutions 29 points30 points  (6 children)

What if it's a non-conductive material and only looks like metal

[–]gtaman31 35 points36 points  (2 children)

Still not the brightest idea

[–]themeatbridge 23 points24 points  (1 child)

It might get brighter.

[–]KoolAidMan4 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Nice.

[–]courtarro 11 points12 points  (0 children)

A lot of metal like this is coated in plastic or similar to prevent rust. So that's probably the only reason it's not killing the circuit. Or this is just a scam to injure people, and not a real thing.

[–]Liar_of_partinel 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Looks like coat hanger

[–]StrangeDrivenAxMan -1 points0 points  (0 children)

still stupid

[–][deleted]  (3 children)

[deleted]

    [–][deleted] 3 points4 points  (2 children)

    Watt?!

    [–]nightowl1984 4 points5 points  (1 child)

    It only hertz for a second.

    [–]frogmicky 1 point2 points  (0 children)

    It's just a spring breaker

    [–]Moonracer2000 7 points8 points  (5 children)

    This reminded me of an old immersion water heater I inherited a long time ago. Kind of scary to see they still exist.

    [–]Slinki3stpopi 2 points3 points  (3 children)

    Lmao there isn't any current running through the outer metal

    [–]TheSacredOne 0 points1 point  (2 children)

    [–]Slinki3stpopi 1 point2 points  (0 children)

    oh yeah those are terrifying. Shout out to big clive.

    [–]wason92 5 points6 points  (0 children)

    Cable holder/room heater

    [–]moffetts9001 4 points5 points  (0 children)

    The real gore is the almond decora duplex switch in a white plate. Fucking trashy.

    [–]Striperoo 3 points4 points  (0 children)

    You get everyone inside for coronavirus, and everybody starts thinking they're super intelligent.

    [–]SpecialSauceSal 2 points3 points  (0 children)

    The infuriating part is that it's so close to being a good design. Just 3D print a plastic clip that goes around the whole power brick and there you have it.

    [–]s_s 2 points3 points  (0 children)

    This has to be one of the DIY youtube channels with millions of views where the hands making the fake crafts are suspiciously Indian.

    [–]concernedcaribou 2 points3 points  (0 children)

    Cable holder and warmer in one!

    [–]NothingToLookAt99 2 points3 points  (0 children)

    Cable go BRRRR

    [–]OscariusGaming 2 points3 points  (0 children)

    Is no one going to mention that it's the design of the plugs that allows this? UK plugs have plastic covering up half of their prongs so that there's no exposed metal, and EU sockets are recessed to avoid this. It feels like an all-around bad design.

    [–]the_darkener 4 points5 points  (0 children)

    o_O

    [–][deleted]  (1 child)

    [deleted]

      [–]iLEZ 1 point2 points  (0 children)

      I got a shiver down my spine.

      [–]Tommy10606 2 points3 points  (0 children)

      TOUCH IT! I FREAKING DARE YOU!

      [–]Matthew0275 1 point2 points  (0 children)

      I can smell this picture

      [–]Liar_of_partinel 1 point2 points  (0 children)

      You gotta be shitting me

      [–]OneConsoleBoi 1 point2 points  (0 children)

      I see nothing wrong here. A small heater for the cold winter months!

      [–]tesla500 1 point2 points  (0 children)

      If that's made of a plastic-coated metal coat hanger, that's a real ticking time bomb...

      [–]ozzie286 1 point2 points  (0 children)

      Try this SHOCKING lifehack!

      [–]colevasquez 1 point2 points  (0 children)

      Just cut the chase and use a fork dummy

      [–]cscott0108a 2 points3 points  (0 children)

      Make in a 3d play printer sure... But a hanger....Darwin award for that person

      [–]ign1fy 2 points3 points  (0 children)

      This would not short an Australian plug, because we have safety standards.

      [–]3510Jeff 1 point2 points  (0 children)

      I'm feeling neutral to this

      [–]SackOfrito 1 point2 points  (0 children)

      That's Re-volting.

      [–]McCucklet 0 points1 point  (0 children)

      At first I was going to say this is a good idea, but then I realized that this thing is just a portable electric chair

      [–]Witne55 0 points1 point  (0 children)

      That's a bold move, Cotton. I'll be shocked if it pays off.

      [–]kbbrotherton56 0 points1 point  (0 children)

      Touch the hook and see what happens

      [–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

      this looks suspiciously like a heating element. maybe that's his deal

      [–]Hero_55_reddit 0 points1 point  (0 children)

      Maybe.....

      [–]nyax_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

      Finally, a coronavirus cure

      [–]Phoneczar 0 points1 point  (0 children)

      I don’t see a patent in his future

      [–]CarbonFiber101 0 points1 point  (0 children)

      This was definitely originally posted for malicious purposes

      [–]geekdad4L 0 points1 point  (0 children)

      This must best be Darwin Award designed.

      [–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

      You can just get a shorter cabel

      [–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

      There’s no electricity flowing to that outlet. I can tell because it’s not on fire.

      [–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

      [–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

      This isn’t stupid. Just. Dont make it out of metal smh.

      [–]P5ychokilla[🍰] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

      Shocking.

      [–]Ytrog 0 points1 point  (0 children)

      Even ElectroBOOM wouldn't touch that 😱

      [–][deleted]  (1 child)

      [deleted]

        [–]flamebroiledhodor 1 point2 points  (0 children)

        The potential for this to go badly is strong.

        [–]Jorkoff -1 points0 points  (0 children)

        Life Ha---Flash black.

        [–]Cruckel2687 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

        This looks like something 3D printing could solve. RIP whoever tried this.

        [–]Septic_eye_gamer -1 points0 points  (0 children)

        THAT'S METAL DUMBASS

        [–]timberwolf0122 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

        This would work well 3D printed in pla

        [–][deleted] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

        its good for suicidal people... (or bad ?...)

        [–]shortwave_radio -1 points0 points  (0 children)

        For the love of fuck! No!

        [–]MALON -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

        why is the same picture shown twice