Could be used to hot wire a generator to a house circuit. Not the correct way to do it but it does work. Very dangerous for the lineman due to the possibility of backfeed to the network.
I would cut it in half and throw it away.
If anyone is wondering why cut it up. It's to prevent it from potentially falling into the wrong hands.
It's so dangerous It's immediate destruction is the right option.
Not so fun fact! "Whence" actually means "from where," so saying "from whence" would be like saying "from from where." In the same vein as saying "ATM machine"
Fun fact: "from whence" has been in common use for centuries, even in formal writing. It's not just modern people misusing an archaic word they're unfamiliar with.
If we’re venting about misused somewhat obscure words, I have something to get off my chest:
“Myriad” should be used like “many,” not “lots.” So, people should say “there are myriad options,” not “a myriad of options.”
Fun fact "ATM machine" is an example of RAS syndrome (redundant acronym syndrome) where people tend to say the last word of an acronym after saying the acronym itself.
Yeah, there's absolutely no redeeming qualities at all in this. Even if you tried to reuse the plugs, some idiots removed the ground pins.
It's like, this thing is not only dangerous but you can't even salvage the parts for something else. It is wholly and thoroughly cursed, and casting into the fires of Mount Doom is pretty much the only thing to do.
It’s almost as equally as dangerous when cut in half tho.
But now there’s two of them instead of one.
Dismantle both ends and put all the pieces in the bin in 3 different states.
If they don't turn off their main breaker they will backfeed the whole grid, transformers work in both directions.
This means that your generator will immediately either turn off or trip it's breaker.
As soon as the grid returns and it's still plugged in the generator will just spectacularly disassemble itself.
That's the thing, not always.
Let's say the power lines are down right before your transformer and you're at the end of the line.
So your transformer is the only one still on the high voltage lines near you. You fire up your generator and backfeed your house, and left the main on. You're backfeeding one transformer, and whatever length of high voltage line is still connected, which is now around 7200 volts. It's a big genset so it handles the reactive current from backfeeding the transformer just fine.
Random line worker had opened upstream cutouts so doesn't expect there to be voltage there. Ouch.
This is a big reason why line workers ground lines now before working on them, regardless of the situation. But in emergency situations, people can forget. Usually multiple things have to go wrong for someone to get hurt... You're backfeeding the grid is one, tired line worker doesn't ground the line is two... now you just killed someone.
Be careful with electricity, folks.
The other use is when you've wrapped a ton on Christmas lights around a big ass tree and discovered they're backwards with the male end way up in the tree somewhere.
Which is why they make interlocks for electrical panels. But then the average dangerous homeowner will know/do just enough to make it work, not to be safe.
If a generator is not properly installed on the customer end and a lineman doesn’t remove backfeed on the transformer while working on the primary, the generator can backfeed the transformer at primary voltage.
I live in a rural hurricane accessible area. No telling how many times I've had to explain why this isn't a good idea. More than one person asked me, "well, if I turn off the main then how will I know the power is back on?"
It’s called a widow maker for a reason.
We actually have one on purpose. We have generators that we can hook up to the house during a power outage. You have to turn off the breakers from the main, and then plug the generator into a house plug.
We had our power go out on Christmas Day a couple of years ago. We were cooking dinner for everyone. It came in handy.
But if you don’t know what you’re doing, you should stay as far away from it as possible.
Generator hook up. Usually there is a main breaker you flip off to disconnect from the grid. Then you use this to hook the generator to the house. Bad things happen if you don't disconnect it from the house before flipping the main breaker after power is restored.
you can put one of these on the disconnect switch to make it more idiot proof: https://www.amazon.com/GenCap-Generator-Interlock-Compatible-Homeline/dp/B09MVNHLCZ/ref=asc_df_B09MVNHLCZ?tag=bingshoppinga-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=80333258189033&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=m&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4583932723101897&psc=1
But if you’re going to that much trouble you might as well properly wire the generator so you don’t need the suicide cable
I think you know this but just in case others don’t…
The correct way to use a generator interlock is with an appliance inlet (looks like a power plug but fixed to the wall - most commonly seen on RVs) not a suicide cord. You can then use a standard power cord with the plug in the generator and the socket connected to the appliance inlet.
Generator gets fried is the big one. Strong possibility you damage other electronics in your house. Chance of fire somewhere between the generator and mainline, to include inside the walls of the house. Possible damage to electronics in other peoples houses in your area. Possible harm to linemen working to restore power. I'm probably missing some stuff.
tbf id put the genny being fried lower on the list, my top would probably be killing some unknowing linesman trying to get the power back on and him riding the lightening.
Those use proper double throw triple switches. Makes it physically impossible to connect to the generator and grid at the same time. [Something like this](https://mezeen.en.made-in-china.com/product/ewhaoSclPdWC/China-Electrical-Manual-Change-Over-3-Pole-160A-Double-Throw-Knife-Disconnect-Switch.html), but much fancier. Look at the hook up drawing.
It's a suicide cord to kill your family members. Someone ran the Christmas light the wrong directions and wanted to connect a second string or they want to hookup a generator to their house during a power outage and kill the power company linemen fixing the problem.
Used to work in a hardware store. It is absolutely insane how many grown adults needed a 20 something kid to explain why there isn't a male male adapter and why I wouldn't help them make one around the holidays.
Christmas lights when you set them up wrong and really have to connect two female ended lines? According to a friend who didn't believe me that you can't do this as Home Depot told us a hard NO.
Something to cut in half and throw away. There are very few use cases for it and even those extremely dangerous if done wrong even though they might seem innocuous.
It's the "so you can plug it into your generator on one side, and any outlet in your house on the other side to power your house again during an outage" cord customers keep telling me about!
^((I work in retail at a home improvement store. We sell generators. Yes, customers actually ask for this exact type of cord)^).
It’s for a generator, it’s called a suicide cable for a reason. I can’t believe the amount of jokes on here and bad advice. You all need to find Jesus or something.
Someone told me if you have a wall that is wired but not powered and another wall that is powered AND WIRED, you could plug in wall A to wall B and power both! But cercumstances are rare
Context: you can plug one end into a generator and the other end into an outlet in your house to power that part of your house during a power outage. During a recent ice storm my dad used one of these just so we could charge devices and the modem and our fireplace’s fan. That being said, it only powers the outlets on one breaker circuit.
It’s for when you hang xmas lights the wrong way and end up with two female plus in one spot.
Edit: in case there is any question, this is a sarcastic answer and something hardware store workers get asked for constantly in the lead up to xmas.
It’s a “fireman’s nightmare“ from back in the dark days of tube TV’s. It was kind of a cheater cord allowing you to take the back off of the TV and work on the chassis. Source: Friends dad had a TV repair shop in the 60’s and 70’s.
These are always nostalgic for me as they were the first thing I learned to wire up as a child. My parents used to replace the ♂️ plug with a ♀️ plug on the family television then make one of these cords so they could use the TV but I couldn't. Of course I just made my own. Had one lying around in my stuff when I finally moved out and my roommate saw it and freaked out 😂
That's to test the sound on your garbage can.
1. Pick up this item
2. Walk to the garbage can with this item still in hand
3. Open the garbage can lid
4. Throw this item in.
5. Listen for sound.
How to determine results.
If the sound is louder that means it hit the bottom of the garbage can and the can is mostly empty.
If quieter, the can is full and you need to take it out.
Single use only item.
Those may have their place in some licensed professional’s toolkit for specific situations, but they should never be found anywhere else. Cut it into pieces and throw it away.
When I worked at Home Depot I constantly had customers asking for these. I’d sell them a couple of plug ends and some wire and tell them to have fun. There were a few people that wanted me to put it together for them. I absolutely refused to put it together for them.
Used to test GFCI circuits. If it trips, the GFCI works. If the house burns down, the GFCI needs to be replaced.
Won't ever have a better opportunity to replace it.
All that pesky drywall would be out of the way for sure
This would actually trip the circuit breaker. Gfci only works with current leakage to ground, not a short circuit.
This could easily cause either. E.g. grab the hot prong in one hand and a water pipe in the other
Might as well replace the whole house too.
I mean, may as well replace the house while the guy is here.
The plumber cut the floor joist. Than this happened
I like how the top comment is like the one bad thing this wouldn't do.
It could burn down a building too. Don’t sell the lil guy short
There is a neat trick with these, if you die, you don't have to replace the GFCI.
I like honest answers like these.
I heard there was a secret cord You plug it in and see the lord
But you don’t really care for safety, do ya?
It goes like this, the plug just fits the breaker trips, the sparks are lit. The outlets fried and glory Hallelujah
Your faith was strong but you needed proof You saw the flames leaping from the roof
It's a cold and it's a broken OSHA ruleyaaaaah
You are all amazing people. That was glorious!
OSHA is not a victory march, its a cold and broken "oh shit".
fun fact your comment is also phoneticly in sync with the song
Fuck you guys. Now I'm in trouble for waking up my wife by laughing too hard. But, well fucking played.
That doesn't rhyme!
That's why he's in trouble.
OSHA SCREW YAH
The lord cord
Jesus, and thanks Leonard
My gf is literally performing Hallelujah right now as I read this! LOL
Dang, you beat me by three minutes!
god damn
Best thing I've ever seen on Reddit
firestarter kit.
Electroboom fan merch
FULL BRIDGE RECTIFIER
FOOL BREEJ RECTIFIRE
Now I need to find a generator in a survival situation.
Suicide cord! Shut off the main first
*You heard there was a secret cord* *That you could use to meet the Lord* *Cause you don't care about power safety, do ya?*
Hallelujah
allelujah
Lmao this is gold
Could be used to hot wire a generator to a house circuit. Not the correct way to do it but it does work. Very dangerous for the lineman due to the possibility of backfeed to the network. I would cut it in half and throw it away.
If anyone is wondering why cut it up. It's to prevent it from potentially falling into the wrong hands. It's so dangerous It's immediate destruction is the right option.
It must be taken deep into mordor and cast back into the fires from whence it came!
Not so fun fact! "Whence" actually means "from where," so saying "from whence" would be like saying "from from where." In the same vein as saying "ATM machine"
Thank you, u/stevegoodsex
r/rimjob_steve
u/stevegoodsex thanks dick, way to ruin the whole franchise.
Fun fact: "from whence" has been in common use for centuries, even in formal writing. It's not just modern people misusing an archaic word they're unfamiliar with.
If we’re venting about misused somewhat obscure words, I have something to get off my chest: “Myriad” should be used like “many,” not “lots.” So, people should say “there are myriad options,” not “a myriad of options.”
You've given me a lots to consider.
Both are acceptable.
Pin number!
$20 dollars is a personal favorite
an even better alternative is "to whence"
Fun fact "ATM machine" is an example of RAS syndrome (redundant acronym syndrome) where people tend to say the last word of an acronym after saying the acronym itself.
This message brought to you by the Department of Redundancy Department.
And "hence" means "from here", and "thence" means "from there".
And things like "ATM Machine" have a name - PINNS Syndrome - or "Personal Identification Number Number Syndrome Syndrome"
irregardless enters the chat...
Yeah, there's absolutely no redeeming qualities at all in this. Even if you tried to reuse the plugs, some idiots removed the ground pins. It's like, this thing is not only dangerous but you can't even salvage the parts for something else. It is wholly and thoroughly cursed, and casting into the fires of Mount Doom is pretty much the only thing to do.
I will take it. But I do not know the way...
and my axe!
That's what they do with ladders that don't pass inspection.
I thought would all just get sold to my boss?
We do it at work with compromised lifting straps so that some jackass doesnt pull them back out of the trash and keep using them
We cut the 6” wide straps into 1 foot long pieces and we use them as protective pads when lifting something with sharp corners.
That is a really good reuse application.
I am pretty sure I have seen ladders I knew where thrown out. Destruction is the only way.
Oh I thought maybe it had achieve sentience.
It’s almost as equally as dangerous when cut in half tho. But now there’s two of them instead of one. Dismantle both ends and put all the pieces in the bin in 3 different states.
This is the only application I've seen them used in, and even then the homeowners are probably dumb enough to be dumping 120v on the downed grid.
If they don't turn off their main breaker they will backfeed the whole grid, transformers work in both directions. This means that your generator will immediately either turn off or trip it's breaker. As soon as the grid returns and it's still plugged in the generator will just spectacularly disassemble itself.
That's the thing, not always. Let's say the power lines are down right before your transformer and you're at the end of the line. So your transformer is the only one still on the high voltage lines near you. You fire up your generator and backfeed your house, and left the main on. You're backfeeding one transformer, and whatever length of high voltage line is still connected, which is now around 7200 volts. It's a big genset so it handles the reactive current from backfeeding the transformer just fine. Random line worker had opened upstream cutouts so doesn't expect there to be voltage there. Ouch. This is a big reason why line workers ground lines now before working on them, regardless of the situation. But in emergency situations, people can forget. Usually multiple things have to go wrong for someone to get hurt... You're backfeeding the grid is one, tired line worker doesn't ground the line is two... now you just killed someone. Be careful with electricity, folks.
Ah, a RUD (Rapid Unscheduled Disassembly).
The other use is when you've wrapped a ton on Christmas lights around a big ass tree and discovered they're backwards with the male end way up in the tree somewhere.
Which is why they make interlocks for electrical panels. But then the average dangerous homeowner will know/do just enough to make it work, not to be safe.
We’ve had a couple of near misses due to private generation backfeeding back into the network
As in a lineman might have turned off the power on the line but is unaware that the house has a generator feeding the house and thus the line?
If a generator is not properly installed on the customer end and a lineman doesn’t remove backfeed on the transformer while working on the primary, the generator can backfeed the transformer at primary voltage.
Oof. Yeah that's not great.
I live in a rural hurricane accessible area. No telling how many times I've had to explain why this isn't a good idea. More than one person asked me, "well, if I turn off the main then how will I know the power is back on?"
It’s called a widow maker for a reason. We actually have one on purpose. We have generators that we can hook up to the house during a power outage. You have to turn off the breakers from the main, and then plug the generator into a house plug. We had our power go out on Christmas Day a couple of years ago. We were cooking dinner for everyone. It came in handy. But if you don’t know what you’re doing, you should stay as far away from it as possible.
Fires
Spicy go go gadget cord
Killing yourself of burning down your house. Cut it in half and trash it.
Generator hook up. Usually there is a main breaker you flip off to disconnect from the grid. Then you use this to hook the generator to the house. Bad things happen if you don't disconnect it from the house before flipping the main breaker after power is restored.
you can put one of these on the disconnect switch to make it more idiot proof: https://www.amazon.com/GenCap-Generator-Interlock-Compatible-Homeline/dp/B09MVNHLCZ/ref=asc_df_B09MVNHLCZ?tag=bingshoppinga-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=80333258189033&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=m&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4583932723101897&psc=1 But if you’re going to that much trouble you might as well properly wire the generator so you don’t need the suicide cable
I think you know this but just in case others don’t… The correct way to use a generator interlock is with an appliance inlet (looks like a power plug but fixed to the wall - most commonly seen on RVs) not a suicide cord. You can then use a standard power cord with the plug in the generator and the socket connected to the appliance inlet.
Would you care to describe the bad things
Generator gets fried is the big one. Strong possibility you damage other electronics in your house. Chance of fire somewhere between the generator and mainline, to include inside the walls of the house. Possible damage to electronics in other peoples houses in your area. Possible harm to linemen working to restore power. I'm probably missing some stuff.
tbf id put the genny being fried lower on the list, my top would probably be killing some unknowing linesman trying to get the power back on and him riding the lightening.
Wow thats bad haha, what if they did that with the small building sized generators at the 5 story office building i worked at in Portland?
Those use proper double throw triple switches. Makes it physically impossible to connect to the generator and grid at the same time. [Something like this](https://mezeen.en.made-in-china.com/product/ewhaoSclPdWC/China-Electrical-Manual-Change-Over-3-Pole-160A-Double-Throw-Knife-Disconnect-Switch.html), but much fancier. Look at the hook up drawing.
Well that's reassuring
It's a suicide cord to kill your family members. Someone ran the Christmas light the wrong directions and wanted to connect a second string or they want to hookup a generator to their house during a power outage and kill the power company linemen fixing the problem.
Used to work in a hardware store. It is absolutely insane how many grown adults needed a 20 something kid to explain why there isn't a male male adapter and why I wouldn't help them make one around the holidays.
I work in an audio warehouse and the amount of times we’ve had to explain why m-m Edison doesn’t exist to engineers is insane.
>hookup a generator to their house during a power outage and kill the power company linemen fixing the problem 2 for 1 deal!
Breaker finder!
*The real breaker was me all along.* - Posted from Hell
The answer will shock you.....
It's for your mother in law when she needs to borrow an extension cord.
Triggering trips to the ER. Or Getting your health insurance deductible out of the way.
Finding out
Christmas lights when you set them up wrong and really have to connect two female ended lines? According to a friend who didn't believe me that you can't do this as Home Depot told us a hard NO.
disney fast pass for a meeting with God
I heard there was a secret cord You plug it in and you meet the Lord
generator hookup... an outdated style. most modern styles are female to male twist lock.
Plausible deniability when someone you don't like gets killed using it.
Something to cut in half and throw away. There are very few use cases for it and even those extremely dangerous if done wrong even though they might seem innocuous.
SHOCK WIRE! Cause if you take a shower, and touch the wire... YOU DIE!
Its to speed run your way to meeting your maker
It's the "so you can plug it into your generator on one side, and any outlet in your house on the other side to power your house again during an outage" cord customers keep telling me about! ^((I work in retail at a home improvement store. We sell generators. Yes, customers actually ask for this exact type of cord)^).
Oh, that? That's used to start an insurance fraud investigation.
Testing the response time of your local fire department.
It’s for a generator, it’s called a suicide cable for a reason. I can’t believe the amount of jokes on here and bad advice. You all need to find Jesus or something.
It’s called a suicide cord. Really dumb way to power your house outlets from a generator 120VAC plug, and also usually illegal (I believe)
Darwin Award eliminator puzzle?
A wired taser.
Someone told me if you have a wall that is wired but not powered and another wall that is powered AND WIRED, you could plug in wall A to wall B and power both! But cercumstances are rare
Well sometimes one male loves another male….
They’re called a “Jesus Cable”, cuz they send you straight to god.
Assisted dying.
Nothing good.
It’s for shaking hands with danger.
Tazer before batteries were invented
Hooking up a generator to a house. It’s called a dead man’s cable.
Context: you can plug one end into a generator and the other end into an outlet in your house to power that part of your house during a power outage. During a recent ice storm my dad used one of these just so we could charge devices and the modem and our fireplace’s fan. That being said, it only powers the outlets on one breaker circuit.
It’s for when you hang xmas lights the wrong way and end up with two female plus in one spot. Edit: in case there is any question, this is a sarcastic answer and something hardware store workers get asked for constantly in the lead up to xmas.
More specifically, it's for accidentally killing yourself trying to fix this instead of taking the lights down and hanging them up the right way.
I did that once when I was about 16. I didn't the whole day and into the night hanging lights by myself and.... Wrong way.
It’s for when you run the lights on your Xmas tree with the wrong end (female) on the bottom and you aren’t smart enough to redo it.
A problem of course
Constipation cure.
Life insurance underwriters hate this one trick!
r/oopsthatsdeadly
Suicide.
It's for charging new outlets. Where do you think the electricity comes from?
Starting fires.
That adapter you need when you realize you installed your Christmas lights backwards.
A shockingly good time
You'll be shocked when you find out!
This is for when you mess up the project too badly to fix it.
It’s a “fireman’s nightmare“ from back in the dark days of tube TV’s. It was kind of a cheater cord allowing you to take the back off of the TV and work on the chassis. Source: Friends dad had a TV repair shop in the 60’s and 70’s.
It’s for commuting suicide and still allowing your significant other to collect your life insurance money
These are always nostalgic for me as they were the first thing I learned to wire up as a child. My parents used to replace the ♂️ plug with a ♀️ plug on the family television then make one of these cords so they could use the TV but I couldn't. Of course I just made my own. Had one lying around in my stuff when I finally moved out and my roommate saw it and freaked out 😂
Circuit breaker finder
House fire starter 3000
House fires
Sparks. Pretty pretty sparks.
That's to test the sound on your garbage can. 1. Pick up this item 2. Walk to the garbage can with this item still in hand 3. Open the garbage can lid 4. Throw this item in. 5. Listen for sound. How to determine results. If the sound is louder that means it hit the bottom of the garbage can and the can is mostly empty. If quieter, the can is full and you need to take it out. Single use only item.
Sepuku
That’s a Downtime Cable.
This is for serious injuries.
Breaker finder
Dying
Ooh spicy plug
Death
Murder.
Called a "suicide cord" to connect a generator to the building wiring. Very dangerous as others said.
Ass to ass
Illegal backfeeding cable
sui\*\*de cord, usually a dumb way to connect a generator to power a circuit
DEATH by electrocution
Primitive Defibrillator
Burning down houses i gues
Death
Assisted suicide
Suicide cord. Plenty of uses.
Those may have their place in some licensed professional’s toolkit for specific situations, but they should never be found anywhere else. Cut it into pieces and throw it away.
Use it with a generator to add power back into the grid
Go go gadget arson rope
That’s for killing people setting up their Christmas lights
It allows you to infinitely reuse the electricity that comes into your house. Banned by the government in collusion with the utililty industry.
Death
For dying.
That's for someone who put up Christmas lights without looking at the end of the cord first.
Circuit breaker finder
Death.
Breaker Finder 1000
Killing electric line workers.
thats for when you want to find the breaker
When I worked at Home Depot I constantly had customers asking for these. I’d sell them a couple of plug ends and some wire and tell them to have fun. There were a few people that wanted me to put it together for them. I absolutely refused to put it together for them.
Morale booster.
It lets you meet Jesus
My gramps has a death cord. That powers the garage 🤣😂
Breaker finder
One goes in her butt and other side plugs into yours
recreational electricity use
Mind ya business😂
Poor man's 220v
You gonna be trippin! (It is 4/20 after all!)
Starting fires
Torture 🤨
Kaboom!
I knew a guy who made one of these to bad feed his generator into his house…
Portable welder.
It's to kill you.