this post was submitted on 02 Dec 2024
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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?
If you want to successfully toasterbath, you have to plug into a non-gfci protected circuit (the ones with the button that says test monthly that you have never tested).
Right. Does plugging an extension cord into the gfci protected outlet really circumvent that protection though?
No, not really. I think people are suggesting that the extension is used with a different outlet.
No that would be to plug in to another room that isn’t required to have GFCI.
Yup, like bedrooms.
If you want to make sure, get a 220V extension cord if you're in the US and run it to the laundry room or kitchen. Higher voltage is generally more effective.
That said, if you're seriously considering this, please talk to someone. Life is worth living.
If you really want to electrocute yourself, pop the cover off your breaker panel, and grab the main line coming in to the breaker box. Home service is 200A in most cases, and the individual circuits are going to be less than that before the breaker pops. 200A at 240v (I think?) without a breaker or fuse to blow is more than enough to electrocute you.
Honestly, I probably still wouldn't risk it, because if you don't die, you'd have some very severe burns. I'd opt for a number of different options before I get anywhere close to electricity.
Oh, absolutely. Electrocution is very low on my list of ways to kill myself. Nitrogen asphyxiation is definitely number one, hemlock tea is number two (both water hemlock and poison hemlock are fairly common in the US). Electrocution is probably slightly above hanging, but just below standing in front of an express train.
Eh, I'd go with doctor assisted suicide as number one, but apparently we can't have nice things here. Otherwise, I like your list.
To be clear, I'm nowhere near a place where I'd consider any of them though.
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
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.
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.
Well, not specifically for toasters. It was more about hairdryers and curling irons causing accidental electrocutions than for suicide prevention.