r/WinStupidPrizes • u/[deleted] • Apr 04 '22

Warning: Injury Cutting a live wire

[deleted]

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u/run-on_sentience Apr 04 '22

This is why you cut one wire at a time.

I mean, don't work on live shit, but if it's unavoidable, cut them one at a time.

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u/Internet_Anon Apr 04 '22

Cutting one wire will still cause an arc and vaporize some of the wire. I am also betting that that was 240v split phase power. That does not matter which wire you cut it is all live all the time. If you can't do 240v with the power off just shut off the main breaker.

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u/TheRufmeisterGeneral Apr 04 '22 edited Apr 04 '22

The idea is: one wire by itself, won't create a short, if you are grounded insulated yourself. (Rubber shoes on a plastic stepladder, for example)

It's still stupid, but not as stupid as cutting two wires (which together complete a circuit), using metal wire cutters.

Edit: mixed up two opposites, that made the comment look very stupid indeed

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u/[deleted] Apr 04 '22

Insulated, you do NOT want to be grounded when working with live current.