Was trying to fix a damaged outlet in my rental unit, as per usual landlord didn’t want to fix it.

I don’t have a breaker /fuse box in my room.

So, tired of the outlet, I decided to change the outlet entirely with the breaker turned ON. I considered putting a friend on speaker in case I died, but in my fever pitch I decided against it.

So here I am wearing 2 pairs of rubber gloves per hand, with random unrubered wire wrapped around my body in a way so that if I got shocked, the electricity would have a path to travel to not blast my heart / chest / head.

I do the outlet swap a roo. Ancient super boomer outlet, it’s wired differently. Wires charred to hell. One of the wires is brittle and snaps. Half way through random arc, a loud pop, my screw driver goes flying the live wire hit something.

My entire unit lost power.

Panic slightly before realizing that it’s not so bad, now I won’t die. I finish the swaparoo.

I call up the landlord, with some bs excuse ready.

He doesn’t ask and just goes and flicks the fuse back on.

My fuse works. My actual face: XD

Ps:

The outlet doesn’t put out enough to kill a person iirc

Get wrecked landlord, guess who just increased the value of your unit!!

I have another damaged outlet to fix, but part 2 will have to wait!

(Also, wtf one 15a circuit for the whole unit?)

I still don’t know where the screw driver flew)

  • Slatlun
    4·
    2 years ago

    All you would be able to do without pulling a new continuous wire from the panel would be to add a tiny new section of wire. Splicing that in would take a solid 5 mins to learn how to do. You’ll want to have the right type/gauge of wire ready though. There are a couple of different connection types - wire nuts, push in connectors, and maybe more that I don’t know about. But obviously it is way safer if you are able to turn off the power. I am sure there are people who would strip live wires, but I am not one of them. Since your whole place is on 1 15 amp circuit you should be able to blow it with a couple of high demand appliances.

    • sascuachOP
      2·
      2 years ago

      I’ll investigate, thanks for the lead!

      Is it unsafe to just blow it by short circuiting the outlet? While wearing those 2 rubber gloves per hand.

      I have some rough plan that I might do the outlet swaparoo when the power goes out due to a thunderstorm. But I’m not sure if that’s more unsafe?

      • Slatlun
        3·
        2 years ago

        I would do it when I have the most control over the system possible. During a thunderstorm your landlord might also get their power cut and go flip switches without you asking. My guess is that triggering your own randomly gives you a little more predictability for when it will turn back on.

        Is it unsafe to just blow it by short circuiting the outlet? While wearing those 2 rubber gloves per hand.

        None of this is safe. Having a friend on speaker was a good thought. If you are going to short it just use one insulated hand and wear rubber soles. That means you won’t be creating a possible path for the current to travel through your body (vital organs) from hand to hand or from hand to foot.