3 ms·

This makes a lot of sense. The post definitely lacked context about whether the cable was in use or if it was just something found in the server room. It's a

by decker 6y ago

This makes a lot of sense. The post definitely lacked context about whether the cable was in use or if it was just something found in the server room. It's a shame the author simply assumed other people are stupid rather than bothering to investigate and understand what's going on.

closeparen 6y ago
Do you think everyone who finds this cable will investigate and understand what's going on before they deploy it in a way that starts a fire? It's not usually this easy to do something this wrong.
- deleted 6y ago
  [deleted]
- hyperman1 6y ago
  Not even that. After a fire has started for a completely different reason, the fire insurance company inspector comes in and finds it. You know, the person that loves to find any half reason to not pay you. Why are you even paying fire insurance when this thing even lies unconnected on a shelf.
  - Reelin 6y ago
    Can they typically deny coverage even if the violation wasn't related to the fire?
    - HenryBemis 6y ago
      They are trying to determine the root cause. Hacing it stowed away somewhere, unrelated to the fire is not an issue. But that will give them the nudge to start investigating 'everything electric that was plugged in'. And do you remember that cheap iphone charger and cable you got from ebay for $1? If the report from Fire Department's investigators point to that very corner of the house where the charger was plugged in..... (fill in the gaps.. the insurance investigator will do the same). Edit: don't get me started on that 3m cable you bought from AliExpress ;)
- pdkl95 6y ago
  Indeed; of course there are times it might be necessary to work around safety features. The problem happens when they are not labeled properly! When the end of the cable looks like normal with a standard connector, this type of workaround cable becomes an "attractive nuisance" that people will accidentally use. If you need to make a non-standard cable - especially if it bypasses safety features - you have a responsibility to mark the cable so anyone that finds it (possibly by accident) will understand the cable is non-standard and dangerous! (alternatively: destroy the workaround cable after using it) When I used to make an ethernet crossover cable, I would find some way to label it "crossover" and I would put 3 high-contrast stripes at each end with zip-ties so it was obvious looking at either end that the cable was unusual. A non-standard and dangerous power cable should at a minimum have big, obvious labels and warning indicators at both ends!
- paul_f 6y ago
  If the equipment is designed for 20A and plugged into a 15A circuit, wouldn't the 15A breaker trip long before it could start a fire? Seems the main problem would be constantly resetting the breaker.
  - user5994461 6y ago
    It's a maximum rating, it's very unlikely that the equipment behind the cable is using anywhere near that. By the way 20A is the typical plug and cable in a home, it's really not hinting at special equipment. If the equipment really used 20A continuously (100% sure it doesn't or it would be rated higher), it will take a long long time for the circuit breaker to heat up and trigger, like a whole hour. See charts https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circuit_breaker#Standard_current_ratings https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circuit_breaker#Standard_curre...

by decker 6y ago

closeparen 6y ago

Do you think everyone who finds this cable will investigate and understand what's going on before they deploy it in a way that starts a fire? It's not usually this easy to do something this wrong.

deleted 6y ago
[deleted]
hyperman1 6y ago
Not even that. After a fire has started for a completely different reason, the fire insurance company inspector comes in and finds it. You know, the person that loves to find any half reason to not pay you. Why are you even paying fire insurance when this thing even lies unconnected on a shelf.
- Reelin 6y ago
  Can they typically deny coverage even if the violation wasn't related to the fire?
  - HenryBemis 6y ago
    They are trying to determine the root cause. Hacing it stowed away somewhere, unrelated to the fire is not an issue. But that will give them the nudge to start investigating 'everything electric that was plugged in'. And do you remember that cheap iphone charger and cable you got from ebay for $1? If the report from Fire Department's investigators point to that very corner of the house where the charger was plugged in..... (fill in the gaps.. the insurance investigator will do the same). Edit: don't get me started on that 3m cable you bought from AliExpress ;)
pdkl95 6y ago
Indeed; of course there are times it might be necessary to work around safety features. The problem happens when they are not labeled properly! When the end of the cable looks like normal with a standard connector, this type of workaround cable becomes an "attractive nuisance" that people will accidentally use. If you need to make a non-standard cable - especially if it bypasses safety features - you have a responsibility to mark the cable so anyone that finds it (possibly by accident) will understand the cable is non-standard and dangerous! (alternatively: destroy the workaround cable after using it) When I used to make an ethernet crossover cable, I would find some way to label it "crossover" and I would put 3 high-contrast stripes at each end with zip-ties so it was obvious looking at either end that the cable was unusual. A non-standard and dangerous power cable should at a minimum have big, obvious labels and warning indicators at both ends!
paul_f 6y ago
If the equipment is designed for 20A and plugged into a 15A circuit, wouldn't the 15A breaker trip long before it could start a fire? Seems the main problem would be constantly resetting the breaker.
- user5994461 6y ago
  It's a maximum rating, it's very unlikely that the equipment behind the cable is using anywhere near that. By the way 20A is the typical plug and cable in a home, it's really not hinting at special equipment. If the equipment really used 20A continuously (100% sure it doesn't or it would be rated higher), it will take a long long time for the circuit breaker to heat up and trigger, like a whole hour. See charts https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circuit_breaker#Standard_current_ratings https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circuit_breaker#Standard_curre...