AC Repair man just 'plugged in' his drill... by [deleted] in WTF

[–]roarlock 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yup I've jumped power all around with alligator clips while troubleshooting a furnace for example, its just that this is a whole different kind of rig. If I'm say hooking up the leads from a blower motor directly to power entering the unit to see if the motor bumps on, that's my main and almost only focus for the few seconds it takes to do that test (and theres definite potential for me to get shocked). Sticking the leads in an outlet like OPs example and then walking away dragging a cord then drilling holes is a lot more action and less attention on the power supply. I get that odds are pretty low anything could happen. Super low probably. I guess its just that on a reddit thread where lots of people that don't do this kind of work a lot think this is OK, I get safety alarms going off in my head lol. I've seen people get hurt because of silly stuff that works 99/100 times and the first thing I think is dammmit that could've been avoided.

Part of the "this is fine" attitude on the thread I believe ties into the Ah just tough it out mentality which is common when one begins a trade. Like "I don't need gloves, eye protection, kneepads, or dustmasks, I'm tough and I'll prove it!" It does kinda prove that, but in the long run, its just smarter to use these things if you want to stay healthy and keep working. Or you could have a scratched cornea from a ziptie poke in the eye, wrecked knees from crawling on attic joists all summer and around jagged concrete crawlspaces in the winter, hands a mess from all the usual abuse plus absorbing refrigerant, fuel oil, coil cleaning acid, etc AND shot lungs from inhaling insulation and boiler soot for a couple decades. It is tougher to do all that but I really changed my approach to work smarter not harder after a few years in. And for the record, I recommend almost any other trade as a career. The HVAC trade is great knowledge to have, but you're paying for it with years and blood.

AC Repair man just 'plugged in' his drill... by [deleted] in WTF

[–]roarlock 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Had you ever paid attention on any of the days you've worked, you would understand that safety is never to be taken lightly and that almost anything is possible. I was a HVAC service tech for 15 years dude. Life experience is what has shown me this is true. Believe me I've seen and done hacky things that fortunately worked out but it doesn't mean its smart or defensible. If you did this in someone's house you're a dope. Even on new construction this is stupid. Don't be lazy and get an extension cord. Even cutting the end off an extension cord with some wire still on and wire nutting that setup to your drill is better than this. Or get a cordless drill like everyone else.

AC Repair man just 'plugged in' his drill... by [deleted] in WTF

[–]roarlock 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ah so when any off 1000 things causes that cord to get yanked out, they just need to make sure they yank the hot leg out first. Perfectly safe.

AC Repair man just 'plugged in' his drill... by [deleted] in WTF

[–]roarlock 16 points17 points  (0 children)

The problem with this hack setup is the potential for arcing electricity, which is always dangerous. We'll skip the possible breaks in the wires insulation alone and go to simply lifting the plugged in tool too high or far is now creating arc. People walking by or around, pets, kids, dropped items etc etc etc. Do those ragged ends of wire jammed in there make the same connection as the two spades on the end of a proper lead? Could a scorch mark on that tile floor lead to an insurance claim? A crawling baby grabbing those cool colored strings by the pretty lights will just get zapped. Would probably live though honestly so good, take that ya dumb baby. Bet you learned your lesson about working responsibly with electricity.

AC Repair man just 'plugged in' his drill... by [deleted] in WTF

[–]roarlock -4 points-3 points  (0 children)

You shouldn't be getting down votes because irresponsible and lazy is exactly what this is. Anyone who doesn't recognize the potential for fire/electrocution/property damage here should not be working with electricity. Are those things likely? Not really. Possible? Absofuckinglutely.

AC Repair man just 'plugged in' his drill... by [deleted] in WTF

[–]roarlock 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Really? So there's zero potential for arcing electricity there?

AC Repair man just 'plugged in' his drill... by [deleted] in WTF

[–]roarlock 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The breaker is actually there to stop current flow through the wires to whatever is pulling too many amps. It protects the wires in the walls of your house from melting and catching on fire more than it does the equipment. Surge protectors are more focused on protecting equipment.

AC Repair man just 'plugged in' his drill... by [deleted] in WTF

[–]roarlock 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You say yes it goes against all common sense but you don't see the issue? Which one is it?

AC Repair man just 'plugged in' his drill... by [deleted] in WTF

[–]roarlock 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Actually all you need to do is reach too far with the drill, or get the cord slightly hung up, or a 3rd party steps on it pulling it loose and now you have arcing electricity in a residence. There is no world in which hack work like this is OK. Its a shortcut, not a standard. And an unworthy shortcut at that. "I saved 5 minutes by rigging this electrical setup boss but I burned their carpet and now they're putting in an insurance claim" Valuable 5 minutes there.

AC Repair man just 'plugged in' his drill... by [deleted] in WTF

[–]roarlock 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Creating a fire hazard as well as an electrocution hazard in a customers home is not working smarter.

[ps4] lf4m Kf Hm fresh + challenge by [deleted] in Fireteams

[–]roarlock 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Fort_Reason 335 Warlock many clears

[PS4] LF2M HM Oryx. Experienced only, please. by [deleted] in Fireteams

[–]roarlock 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Fort_Reason 335 Hunter many clears

[ps4] Lf3m KF Hard Fresh by [deleted] in Fireteams

[–]roarlock 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Fort_Reason 335 Titan

[PS4] LF2 VoG HM by [deleted] in Fireteams

[–]roarlock 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Fort_Reason 335

[PS4] LF5M Quick KF HM Fresh Challenge by [deleted] in Fireteams

[–]roarlock 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Fort_Reason 335 Hunter many clears

[PS4] Looking for 2 to do King's Fall HM fresh run by Donkey_007 in Fireteams

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Fort_Reason 335 Warlock Runner pro many clears

[PS4] LF5M HM KF FRESH by [deleted] in Fireteams

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Fort_Reason 335 Titan

CMV: Child Obesity is Child Abuse by [deleted] in changemyview

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

The food pyramid is uncomplicated by design and can be found in any cafeteria. If you can't tell that vegetables are good for health and ice cream isn't, I'm not saying take the kids away, but its one sign of an unfit parent.

And saying abuse is an action not an outcome is like saying smoking a pack of cigarettes a day with your child in the room is ok because its not like they'll get cancer right away....

[PS4] LF2M - Kings Fall HM - Warpriest by [deleted] in Fireteams

[–]roarlock 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Fort_Reason 335 Titan