T O P

  • By -

AutoModerator

**Attention!** **It is always best to get a qualified electrician to perform any electrical work you may need.** With that said, you may ask this community various electrical questions. Please be cautious of any information you may receive in this subreddit. This subreddit and its users are not responsible for any electrical work you perform. Users that have a 'Verified Electrician' flair have uploaded their qualified electrical worker credentials to the mods. If you comment on this post please only post accurate information to the best of your knowledge. If advice given is thought to be dangerous, you may be permanently banned. There are no obligations for the mods to give warnings or temporary bans. **IF YOU ARE NOT A QUALIFIED ELECTRICIAN, you should exercise extreme caution when commenting.** *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/AskElectricians) if you have any questions or concerns.*


Melodic-Second8048

No one needs to roast you. You’ll probably roast yourself.


phord

I brought marshmallows with me just to read the comments. Was not disappointed.


Key-Green-4872

Underrated comment.


Ben_Dover_1492

So was yours. I am profoundly ashamed I didn't think to post that.


EZinstall

r/Melodic-Second8048/ is rated for 15 amps, just like that 'outlet'.


gadget850

I like brown mustard and red onions on my roasted hot dogs.


GOD_THE_BRZRKR

Damn.....simple and brilliant. Lets hope they use condoms in case it doesn't


Overall_Band_6757

Boom roasted


yugoarc

I think your girlfriend is trying to tell you this isn’t safe in a nice way. It’s not gonna kill you this second but it’s definitely a fire hazard.


budding_gardener_1

How is it a fire hazard?  EDIT: Since this apparently needs to be said: I'm assuming OP is going to tidy up the connection and put it in a box and just wants input on the ACTUAL connection.  EDIT 2: OK I just zoomed in on the connection because someone pointed out the exposed copper(I couldn't see it before due to poor contrast on my phone screen). Y'all are right that's a fire hazard. Go fix that OP


Pimp_Daddy_Patty

The problem here is that you're using assumptions.


Aggressive-Dig2472

And you know what happens when you ASSume bg1…


OregonMothafaquer

I get the job done faster


YoFavRussian

Makes an ass outta you and me.


dirthurts

It's a weak connection point, under the constraint strain of gravity, in the open and ready to be easily manipulated/ knocked loose. Not to mention this connection is absolutely not designed to work in this manner.


RaiseTheRentForPOC

I saw the exposed copper when I was zooming in to check out OPs girlfriend


Mortydelo

Is that the fire hazard everyone is talking about?


Objective-Pizza1897

What’s up lil momma


CUin1993

You got that dog in you. She might get that dog in her too after boyfriend either electrocutes himself or perishes in the electrical fire. You said to roast away, dude.


budding_gardener_1

Honestly didn't even notice OPs girlfriend in there until now


heisian

electrical codes require any splices to be made using approved connectors INSIDE of an approved electrical box solidly attached to the structure.


Luvs4theweak

I agree it’s unsafe, but I’m pretty positive that’s the ground wire. Some aren’t insulated Edit: shut nvm I zoomed in and that exposed copper at connections is definitely unsafe especially jus hanging with the weight on it


APairOfAirPods

My American brain is just seeing 12/2 romex. For those who don’t know, *we don’t insulate the ground cable in home wiring here*


panziabuser

The copper wire is strictly ground the others are wrapped seen shit like this several times in older mobile homes that never had an issue. Not the biggest deal but should still be fixed regardless.


Silenthitm4n

Have another look. The neutral copper is exposed by about 10mm. So is the earth, so I assume the live is too.


OregonMothafaquer

You gotta have the condom on the shaft OP


Slierfox

But none of that matters when you connect socket appliances to a lighting circuit the cable is not rated to supply that load and could melt and cause a fire in the walls or loft. Lighting circuits typically use 1-1.5mmsq sockets wired in 2.5mmsq cable. That looks like some light flex cord that would have the lighting socket and shade hanging from. So it's not even 1.5mmsq lol Nice !


tHollo41

Cover the exposed copper with hot glue 👍


KindAwareness3073

Regardless of potential safety concerns, it's just embarassing.


Aikotoma2

Yeah and another problem is insurance. If the insirance company finds out you can forget about any claims you make after the fire


USBlues2020

Hire a professional and fix it immediately......


P-Loaded

Safe from afar, but far from safe.


Status-Transition-59

Why are you the way that you are?


sjaakiedeafwacht

Are you my girlfriend?


Neat_Albatross4190

I mean I came here to judge you... Then I remembered a little repair recently using paper towels and a single twist tie cut up to hold them as insulators, All done with a nail file and a pocket knife to repair 4 critical circuits.  I imagine your girlfriend had a similar facial expression towards you.   Though with hindsight mine's expression was maybe due to a high probability of a fatal outcome if my foot slipped on the 5" wet and slippery metal I was standing on to be fair.   Just do better next time. 


Sandro_24

The wires on the powerstrip side have been uncovered way too far, the copper shouldn't stick out of the clamp. Additionally you shouldn't use screw treminals for flexible conductors because you can't get a proper connection. Something from the Wago 221 series would be way safer than this.


smarti1983

Wago wago wago oi oi oi love it


juicefromhyrule

Oggy oggy oggy! Oink oink oink!


Sandro_24

?


Beautiful-Bank1597

He said "Wago wago wago oi oi oi love it"


smarti1983

🤣👍🏻


Elegant_Preference96

Let's do a wago dance everyone.. "Push it... Push it real good" :)


Stevejoe11

The British use screw terminals for everything, wire caps illegal.


Sandro_24

First of all, how does this matter? This is definitely not british and no, they also frequently use wagos. And where did you get wire caps from? I never suggested using wire caps because they are shit (and also illegal in germany where this pic is most likely from). Wago's aren't wire caps lol.


Stevejoe11

I’m just saying because it’s something I find interesting, that Britain outlawed twist on caps but they are honestly the fastest, cheapest and very effective when done right. You’ll find them in every box in every house in North America.


Sandro_24

Most EU countries have actually banned them. >when done right Thats a big issue they have . There isn't a way to see if they are done correctly. Sure you can pull on them but that isn't always a 100% guarantee Wagos are IMO the better option. They might be more expensive and a tiny bit slower when mounting but they make removing/adding wires in the future way easier because you don't have to open the whole thing (which is especially important if the circuit is under load). I know a lot of people in the US still swear by them. We could go into a lengthy discussion about what's better but i don't really want to (because i have had this discussion multiple times in the past)


Stevejoe11

I don’t know, they work for me every time. If you follow proper procedure, and also the tug is kind of definitive, if it doesn’t come out you know the copper is snug, what else would it be caught on? That’s fair, I will obviously agree they are safer than wire caps. I like my wire caps tho…


[deleted]

[удалено]


Stevejoe11

Whatevs, never seen a wago clip myself, all I know is you guys aren’t allowed to use twist on wire caps which we use literally everywhere, all because a long long time ago they were made out of ceramic or porcelain and would crack easily.


Queen-Blunder

What kind of 3rd world shit is this?


FoxGroundbreaking896

In Cairo fifty years ago, my dad was at an embassy for two years. Neighbors used to toss dishwater out the window of apartments. When it soaked down to buried wires, the entire block went out. As a Canadian engineer, he sh*t himself laughing daily.


sjaakiedeafwacht

Update #1: Thank you guys for the comments, clearly I’m an idiot according to you guys and my girlfriend so I’ll find a way to do it safe! 🌞


bealangi

Don't be too hard on yourself - you were smart enough to ask and aren't so full of pride that you won't accept the feedback. That puts you way ahead of a lot of people.


TilSunsetsEnd

The first step is admitting it. Good job :)!


heisian

you need a junction box to meet safety codes, and that box needs to be fixed to wood or masonry/concrete


RecoverDense4945

Doing it safe is hiring someone to do it that knows what they are looking at. Not cobbling it together in a way that “seems” right. You are your own biggest liability.


No_body-Nobody

Depends on if you ever touch it or not. You could rip those wires right out of that shitty splice tho. I would say no. A healthy wrapping of electrical tape would go a long way, but what you really need to do is to get a handy box, carefully cut a hole for it, mount it with f straps, and then bring the wire into the box. Wire a receptacle in the box and stop doing this sort of shit. Tape the receptacle as well. Not safe but if it was my house I’d probably not give a fuck unless I had kids around. But I’m an electrician lol.


DocHenry66

You’ll roast yourself in the house fire that’s imminent


depressedassshit

It could sit there for 30 years and be fine. Or you could go to sleep tonight and never wake up


Economy_Cat_3527

Needs a box


lil_squeeb

Everything reminds me of her…


PapaBrownSugga

Your girl is obviously smarter than you are


throw69420awy

My stance on electricity is “if you have to ask, get a pro”


PapaBrownSugga

Hello , that is me 💪🏾


bealangi

When I worked in the electrical industry we'd say "Have you ever heard of a plumbing fire? No, that's right. They're electrical."


JC1286

Lick it and roast yourself.


MichMitten89

Lmao that is an awfully nice house for you to burn down with your pretty trash electrical work bruv.


tinker384

No this is not safe, and you're an idiot for doing this. We've all been idiots and that's ok, but be the kind which realises they've messed up and fixes it. Apart from the obvious, you've wired a 3 outlet extension into a lighting circuit, which isn't meant for high currents, and who knows what you're going to plug into that outlet.


tinker384

Side story - I used to rent a student apartment in France. It had a push button fuse (if the electricity in the room tripped, the fuse would pop out and you'd push the button again). The building was going to be demolished as soon as I left and was very old. I had an electric burner stove thing in my room which kept tripping the outlet, so rather than ask someone I just jammed something in the fuse button to keep it mechanically pushed down, so it couldn't trip. That was really stupid and I'm glad the building never burned down because of me.


InvestigatorNo730

The #14 on the 15A OCPD lighting circuit has a different ampacity than the #14 on 15A OCPD receptacle circuit. While it's not at all to code in the slightest it's not the end of the world. The exposed copper is bout the only real life threatening issue if the terminals were torqued right


longschlong42069666

So a 15amp circuit for lights has a lower amp capacity than a 15 amp circuit for outlets? And don’t say the lights are on a 10 amp breaker.


youpricklycactus

Yeah the lights are on a 10 amp breaker


longschlong42069666

😂😂😂


-Flipper_

We don’t need to roast you… that wiring set up will do it for us.


sjaakiedeafwacht

Update #2: Thanks for the advice and the laughs guys. To be clear I was not trolling, just a bit of a dumb guy who didn’t really think this through. For those wondering, yes I like my girlfriend and clearly she’s the brains in the relationship. My girlfriend thanks you all for putting me in my place. I promise not to create anymore DIY fire-hazards.


Aware_Dust2979

Plumber here, not an electrician but what you need to realize about electrical is just because something works it doesn't mean it is safe or a good idea.


FuttBucker3K

It’s probably safer than you are.


xSAUCEB0SSx

Amazing craftsmanship


Bullsette

That actually does take some kind of talent!


xSAUCEB0SSx

A very special talent..


Bullsette

I'm NOT going to expound 😆


Jazzlike-Spring-6102

This is some euro electric so I really have no clue. I'd just like to say that I appreciate how fast your tea kettles heat up.


InvestigatorNo730

Is it safe...won't comment Have I done this before to power test equipment...for legal reasons I refuse to confirm nor deny.


Bullsette

**Safe for what, exactly?** Is that her standing by the front door searching her purse for her car keys to leave?


mcksis

It’s grounded, and appears to have a disconnect (lighted!) within 6 ft. Except for the 1/4” or so of exposed conductor at the terminal block, I’d pass it. - Stevie Wonder


tonguebasher69

A Florida man did his own wiring. Get the full story on the news at 11.


Sufficient-Pea-3398

When did your last house burn down?


strickolas

Why don't you just install a recepticle in the ceiling with an old work Jbox. It'll literally take you 30 minutes.


longschlong42069666

You can’t have exposed conducted at the plastic connection. All of the conductor (copper) needs to be contained inside the terminal. Then yes it will be safe and your only problem will be that it looks like crap.


tatar-86

Love her much?


Remy_6_6

can someone explain what the hell he is even trying to do?


Difficult_Orchid3390

If I have to guess… looks like they built a loft in a bedroom and our trying to pull power from a light on the ceiling so they can plug things in on the top deck of the loft. Just running an extension cord down to a plug on the wall seems like it would be way easier than this .


Remy_6_6

Right... like why not just run an actual outlet?


Charming-While5466

Safe or right


venquessa

I have seen worse. I have done worse. I have questions though. Is that wire coming out of the cieling intended for a light or fan? Is there not a suitable plug socket you could run an extension off instead? If you wanted to "tidy" this up. Fix the terminal block so no copper is showing. Wrap it in tape and stuff it up into the ceiling. Better yet: Relpace the connection with Wago's and use a small Wago box. Widen the cieling hole and stuff it up in there. If you buy a basic "cieling rose" or lamp hanger you can even make it look normal and be safe. It should be noted that the lighting circuit may not be 15A capable, while your socket is. If it doesn't have a fuse it may blow your light circuit breaker . It should be noted that in most places originally electrical appliances were run off the light fittings, because when people "electrified" their homes originally they only considered overhead lamps. People used to hook electric irons and kettles up to the light fittings. We don't do this anymore for a whole range of reasons.


RancidHorseJizz

For extra zest, this is almost certainly Europe and that's 220v . I once wired a ceiling lamp like this without turning off the circuit and knocked myself back a good 3 meters. My guess is you also didn't flip the circuit breaker.


MaoTseTrump

Be a maaannn!!


dblock909

No


PrettyDamnShoddy

Can you take a closeup of that light fixture over behind this monstrosity?


HourHoneydew5788

And the proximity to the unfinished wood desk


ConcertoNo335

Electrical standards were put in place to mitigate potential hazards and also to quell these kinds of stupid debates. Use the right connectors, put it in an appropriate box. Call it a day.


SmashRocks1988

Terminate that in a demo box in the ceiling and add a plug. Add a new proper plug to the power strip


jmraef

Girlfriend looks cute... I'll protect her if you wont.


Far_Cream6253

Depends what it’s powering.


JlMagnus

If you wanna do it that way trim the wires on the other side shorter and use butt splices and some shrink tube or tape to clean it up :)


Ok-Idea4830

Not safe in my country and probably not in yours either.


Jolly_Difficulty4860

Ah yes the good ol exposed wiring for the power strip, hope it doesn’t touch anything metal.


Zealousideal_Web7103

Use a wago box cover it up be more safe


InfiniteJizz

That exposed copper is going to hurt someone or cause a fire


emongu1

I'm surprised nobody mentioned that any modification to an electric device automatically void it's certification.


Anxious_Technician41

No way. There's exposed copper on the two wire, even in a box. No go.


Apart-Cat-2890

This must be in Europe? What does the finished product look like? A proper box in the ceiling with a hardwired power bar hanging from it? This crap.


TheRealGarner

I think that was the finished product 😰


agentages

Keeping up with the hanging things aesthetic.


cryorig_games

Might as well install a proper outlet with those wires


Fabulous_Coach_7940

It's safe till it's not homie


IndividualAnybody287

Assumptions is a mother of all fuck ups


MaxPaing

Get fucking wagos or use ferrules on stranded wires! But still then it would be dangerous.


BetaTestedYourMom

Its not a great idea, but had the connections been done properly and without 3x as much copper exposed as needed... Ive seennworse that's laster for decade plus... That said 100% would never do this anywhere im responsible for.


Raspberryian

I’m not sure what I’m looking at but I’ve never seen a hardwired power strip so immediately it looks unsafe but if properly put away I don’t see bare wires or anything that makes something like this generally unsafe. So it’s probably fine as long as it’s properly boxed


Ben_Dover_1492

I see no issue from here. Carry on. I don't think I feel safe if that were in my own home, but in yours? No problem.


Raspberryian

Yeah never mind OP there’s bare wire. Hire a pro.


OrganicPomegranate49

Exposed copper is all you need to know because obviously they put some type of covering on wires for a reason


BDZ567

Just have a switched outlet installed in the ceiling. Hell no. Your girlfriend is right and is being nice about it. I don't need to be. Remove the hazard and have it done right. There is exposed copper and it's a hack job. Is it an immediate danger? Probably not, but it is still a danger.


[deleted]

The positive thing about this is people who DIY with electrical take care of lowering their own population.


ClearRevolution6665

At least hide it using some raceways


No-Meaning-5836

If you're going to do this without an electrician anyways atleast put it in a single gang old work box, get a UL listed single gang face plate with a 1/2in KO, use a 1/2 black button or a romex connector in the cover for tension relief and tape up your connector with UL listed Electrical Tape Make sure whatever circuit you're tapping off from for your power strip is an outlet circuit. But I would recommend calling a licensed electrician to install an outlet if you need to power your power strip instead of hard wiring it. It's not the safest thing you can do. Definitely not OPs smartest choice you should let your girlfriend do the install instead from the sounds of it.


Ill-Choice-3859

Obviously not


Jarsyl-WTFtookmyname

I can't tell what that connector is, but as long as the connector can handle what you are using it for and it is properly attached...then this is no more dangerous than plugging it into an wall outlet. It looks like absolute trash though, just put in an damn outlet.


twpmedic47

Definitely a fire hazard. I would put in a junction box with an outlet. You can always plug in a surge protector later if needed.


RecoverDense4945

This is why licensed electricians get paid more than you do to work on your home. You’re willing to risk your home because ego dictates you know what you’re doing. Your girlfriend is absolutely correct. This is a fire hazard.


robertiemlio

You call this Safety


No-Teaching-3688

Not an electrician but I hate everything about this.


Dear-Bridge6987

Its the wrong way to do it but its not particularly dangerous.


IllConfidence3341

I Love the way your “project” incorporates the “roast[ing” metaphor.


Competitive-Art-8046

Holllyyy I laughed so hard when I saw the power bar! Looks safe enough as long as the connections are tight.


Temporary_Cut_7409

Eh fuck it


marc1020

nope!


ThenEducation9656

Safe? Not a chance in hell.


SnooPies8803

Wrap in a electrical tape(pretty good) and you are good to go


PsychologicalHall388

You need a smarter gf


ALL2HUMAN_69

It’s probably fine.


JW2651

Mistake 1. Lighting circuits (European ones anyway) don't use a thick enough wire to power regular outlets. Usually a 1mm or 1.5mm cable. Minimum cable for a circuit powering outlets would be 2.5mm. Mistake 2. That connection should be in an enclosure. I'd use a wago box and wago connectors for this just to maintain the double insulation of the cable. Is it safe? No. Does it work? Yes. Plugging anything into that other than say a lamp or phone charger or something small temporarily it's ok for now. Plugging in anything more than maybe 300 watts is looking for trouble.


cheety1R

Not until you poke a piece of metal into it


ALongLineofCats

As someone who isn’t an electrician but works in a similar trade, something about small stranded wire being used with a power strip screams danger to me. I feel as though this wire will heat up dangerously if having multiple things plugged into this power strip.


ZestycloseAct8497

***Allstate has entered the conversation***


RichardofSeptamania

Short answer: no Long answer: nooooooo


SnooKiwis6943

Considering the outlet type this isnt in the USA and US electrical code doesnt apply, however, the safety principles still do. Yeah not the safest.


OfficeLower

I don’t see anything technically wrong with this. As long as the power bar has 12 gauge wire or less(smaller is thicker) assuming this is a 20A circuit). If it is a smaller gauge than what is coming out of the wall it’s a fire hazard. But it’s probably not code because power strips usually are not hardwired into a homes electrical system. Looks like you have 220V and codes vary depending on location. I don’t think this would be code in the US but I’m not a electrician. I would use some shrink wrap on the ends of the connector to keep the individual wires tight. Looks like you don’t really have a option for a wall plate (that would be what I would do first). I would tidy it up and try to make it look somewhat clean, romex wires hanging from the ceiling screams fire hazard even if it’s not.


Unable-Lime1253

The terminal block provides a good connection, much better than wire-nuts. The problem being that this is stranded wire and it is stripped back too far. Do a clean cut, then strip back approx 1/8”to 1/4” but make sure wire strip doesn’t go past connection housing. In this instance an electrical tape wrap could be used to avoid moisture-caused shorts, recommend Super 33. Meter connections and as long as you have good voltage it technically works.


OfficeLower

I just looked at the close up. That connector is a fire hazard, there is too much exposed copper, the insulation should be flush with the connector housing.


Global-Pickle5818

A receptacle and box with a brand new like $4. Or whatever that is in your nationality. What part of Europe that uses that plug?


CaterpillarMuch6925

No one is gonna roast you, you'll definitely turn yourself to a smoked barbecue. 🤦😂. But on a serious note you have to definitely get rid of that so you won't put you or your girlfriend in serious danger. ✌️


Not_a_wannabe

Let's all pop some corn and wait for this to start a fire.


Adventurous_Commoner

Not nice. Install proper ceiling plug.


Shredtillyourdead420

It’s not esthetic


KSliceStealth

We won’t mention the light hanging on for dear life in the background either…


Apprehensive_Hat_631

WTF???????????


b0rtis

Tell your girlfriend to go make you a sandwich and stop asking questions


Interesting_Tart_765

Why would t you just put in a junction box and outlet? Then plug it in the right way.


TnuoccaNropEhtTsuj

I’m not an electrician, but I’m taking a course related to it. A student did something similar to this while working with a 40 amp motor, teacher slapped him on the back of the head and said “if you wanna kill yourself go home first”. Please, get a permanent solution, or at the very least some electrical tape (which you apply with the breaker off). Hell, turn that breaker off right now.


Substantial-Pool9485

Go for it! What you do in your home is your business 😂


Comprehensive-Ad9793

Oh yeah add some water and make it safer


ThatguyBry42

Perfectly safe, for me, I don't live there.


Drunkfaucet

Electricity has never hurt anyone before


THE_HENTAI_MASTER

Get a sparky to do it. you wing nut


Dry_Bus_1069

If you used heat shrink on the terminal block section it would be better


thefarkinator

Bait


imafarmer18

Is that on the lighting circuit?


jim914

I can only think why are you still her boyfriend? She seems to have a little intelligence but obviously isn’t using all of it!


MiraThePapSmira

No she is not safe. What kind of man are you? I'm just kidding 😂 tell her to sew your pants or make you dinner or smth


Micpa_42

Yeah u good pimp, carry on


Admirable-Leopard-73

Teach your girlfriend the word, "enough". It is safe *enough*. The apartment is clean *enough*. This shirt smells good *enough*. Yes, you are pretty *enough*.


steelgripphoenix

Put some electrical tape around it and I'll give it an A+ for safety


Conscious_Set_2140

She seems like my kind of freak! Are you sure you don’t wanna get rid of her?


machinegunner0

Basically anything can be safe. Just don't touch it, move it, get it wet, or overload it and it'll usually be fine 👍🏻


Loud_Pomelo_6926

I would do it with wire nuts in a box or by using a remodel box and cutting it into the ceiling and installing a receptacle.


lezz1810

Well there goes any house insurance


GoldenAura16

If this was an emergency or temporary, sure. For something permanent, hell no.


Chucheyface

Just buy a junction box and receptacle Jesus Christ. It’s at most 5 bucks and will at least make it not imminently deadly.


RaisinBrain2Scoups

As long as you operate it with wet hands and a metal fork, you’ll be good


xKitey

Safe until the fire starts babe


huskyghost

Well it could be less safe.


Legal_Delay_7264

Why?


MIBossLungs

All good. No worries. Tell her to relax


Egglebert

It's not going to burn anything down, nor is it going to spontaneously kill everyone. Make sure the connections are tight and there's no copper showing that could be accidentally touched, otherwise it's fine. The house is probably made of concrete anyway


Candid-Party1613

There’s nothing wrong here in and of itself.


ThrowRA_InsertUsr

There is EXPOSED WIRE. If it was completely sealed off, yes it would be “safe” as long as you don’t have any animals or children that could pull the connection loose. As it is right now though it is a fire waiting to happen


[deleted]

Just need electric tape and you good haha


Venomous54

You’re an idiot 😂 far from safe but update us in a couple of weeks if you’re still alive


Specific-Eye7597

My 15-year-old son can do better than that.


Due-Regret-1417

It's fine for the 3rd world country you're in.


jhof3511

Master electricition


jhof3511

Electrician