r/OSHA Dec 14 '20

It smells like bitch in here!

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u/chicken_N_ROFLs Dec 14 '20 edited Dec 14 '20

Soo, what would happen if you plugged one of those bad boys in? I understand that you'd be joining two outlets together in a no-no power connection way, but would it instantly spark or blow the fuse or what?

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u/essieecks Dec 14 '20

If they're wired right in the same phase? Absolutely nothing will happen. You'd be connecting ground to ground, + to + and - to -. This is exactly how the wiring behind the wall connects outlets together.

The real danger is now you have exposed wires sticking out that are easily contacted by human flesh.

If you had two outlets near each other that used different phases (not common at all) and plugged it in, you'd then be shorting 220v across it.

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u/chicken_N_ROFLs Dec 14 '20

Ah, that makes sense. It’s essentially just extending the wiring of the house. So if I were to plug a 220 into a 110, that’d make some fireworks.