Opinions, please....

[JDgreen227]

Over the weekend I attended a dinner at a distant (both mileage wise and relations wise) relatives house, and while there I observed one of those classic safety hazards: An duplex electrical outlet (2 prong type) that had about 14 different things plugged into it, lights, phone chargers, tv set and related gear, most running off extension cords and cube taps and all the things we are warned not to do so the circuit doesn't overload.

Now, had you been in my place, would you have said anything to the young couple that own the house about the safety hazard that presents? I decided not to, but wonder if I should have. Thanks for your input.

 

[Pixguy]

Distant relative... Nope, stay quiet and out of it. Not your place.

This opinion is worth what you paid for it.

 

[Depmandog]

Why don't you drop them a line (snail mail or email) and thank them for the dinner. Tell them how great a time you had, how good the food was, blah blah blah and then wrap it up by mentioning you noticed a potential safety hazard and you just couldn't live with yourself if something tragic happened to them and you had kept quiet.

Perhaps even offer to comeback and help add an outlet (if you are so inclined). I don't think they would be put off at all by your correspondence.

 

[CalG]

Even drawing 10 amps is difficult to do with modern "electronics"

Caution for the sake of caution is stupidity.

If you do the load analysis and have real issues, then say something. Otherwise.

 

[rekees4300]

Now, had you been in my place, would you have said anything to the young couple that own the house about the safety hazard that presents? I decided not to, but wonder if I should have.

If their house burns down how are you going to feel? I would have mentioned it to the man tactfully in private so he wouldn't have been embarrassed or defensive. If he did ignored your advice and suffered the consequences, at least you would have the peace of mine knowing you did what you could.

 

[George2615]

I agree with Dean to drop them a line and mention the safety hazard. Whether a relative, or just an acquaintance I would have said something. How would you feel if their safety hazard started a fire and they died as a result and you didn't say anything. You didn't mention whether they own or rent but either way their electrical needs to be upgraded before a fire starts.

 

[jaotguy]

if the house was new enough to have "breakers" instead of fuses, let it go .... they will trip long before anything overheats...

the octopus may just be temporary , or a lot of wall warts with no real draw ... either case, it is their choice.

most items these days draw far less than those from years ago .... and few people, these days, use the Ol' penny under the fuse trick to stop them from blowing.

 

[Looking4new]

I think I would have said something to him in private. At least that way I could live with myself IF anything did happen.

 

[PILOON]

With all the gadgets we use these days the old rule of thumbs are no longer valid.
Couple of examples:
Kitchen, any less that 6 circuits with all the appliances today is a hazard IMHO.
While power consumption is rarely the issue, quantity of outlets to charge all our computers, phones, GPS, walkmans, EBooks, cordless this and thats we really need a charging station or dedicated space.
My kitchen has 12 circuits so we can run just about anything anywhere. Each outlet is split and has 2 breakers per, overkill but no problems.
A norm is 12 outlets per circuit but I only have 10 in case of expansion.
My shop has 3 circuits, one for lighting and 2 others (one per wall) all 20 amp circuits and that is not counting my 220 circuits for some power tools and welding. Shop is also set up with a sub panel so that I don't have to go back to the main panel if or when I pop a breaker.

Electrocution being kinda final I would have been tempted to make a few suggestions, but that's my 2 cents.
True breakers protect (Usually) but with just the right conditions (wire size and current draw) you can really heat up to the point of combustion without popping a breaker.
Also loose wires can chafe and then the exposed breaks cause nasty shocks and hopefully not near water.

 

[Depmandog]

Even drawing 10 amps is difficult to do with modern "electronics" Caution for the sake of caution is stupidity. If you do the load analysis and have real issues, then say something. Otherwise.. Don't be a dick.

So you suggest he should have pulled the gear away from the wall and tallied up the watts for each plugged in item? And what about any open receptacles at the end of those cheapie indoor extension cords? Just assume those would never be used? What happens if (and it's a big if) they also plug a space heater in that same rats nest when it gets cold?

Not everyone is a master electrician, a well versed DYI or has a modicum of common sense.

"About 3,300 residential fires originate in extension cords each year, killing 50 people and injuring about 270 others. - See more at:

Fire-Related Statistics - ESFi :: Electrical Safety Foundation International

Oh and nice name calling...class act for sure.

 

[300UGUY]

I like the email idea. I think I'd had just said "wow, that's a lot of things going into one outlet!" and let it go at that. But emailing the guy is probably better, no sense embarassing him in front of his wife. Your lucky, few of my relatives invite me over, and when I hear from them, they usually have a number in mind.

Btw, missed ya on the Good Morning thread. Nobody postwhores like you!!!

 

[CalG]

So you suggest he should have pulled the gear away from the wall and tallied up the watts for each plugged in item? And what about any open receptacles at the end of those cheapie indoor extension cords? Just assume those would never be used? What happens if (and it's a big if) they also plug a space heater in that same rats nest when it gets cold?

Not everyone is a master electrician, a well versed DYI or has a modicum of common sense.

"About 3,300 residential fires originate in extension cords each year, killing 50 people and injuring about 270 others. - See more at:

Fire-Related Statistics - ESFi :: Electrical Safety Foundation International

Oh and nice name calling...class act for sure.

"You can't fix stupid"

Did you remind them to wear their seat belts? OH! If they would wear a helmet while they drive it would be much safer. You might suggest it.

Not everyone is a master electrician, a well versed DYI or has a modicum of common sense. [end quote] which describes your credentials?

 

[texasjohn]

OK...very distant relations, you hardly know them.

While there, you could have added up all the loads and seen if there was a real problem.

Now, it seems that the only approach would be to provide an actual help/solution.

What about purchasing two multi outlets which have individual circuit breakers...the sum of which is 15 amps or less and 14 outlets or more...under the assumption that this is a reasonably modern home with 15 amp breakers. Now, send them the note as discussed by others, along with a thank you gift of couple of multi outlets...or 3 if you think that is what is needed for safety. Telling them you noticed the problem and wanted to help them organize the wiring tangle. Maybe include some zip ties for all the cords.

This is a win win path. The young couple get advised by a distant relative of some of the hazards they may not be aware of. Assuming they NEED all those appliances in that location, an overload on one of the multi plugs will pop its breaker BEFORE a TRUE overload occurs on the house wiring. And, they get a warm feeling for their distant relative. You can live with yourself. Call it an early xmas present...or belated wedding gift...or whatever...

I always think it is better to solve a problem rather than lecture, become "holier than thou", or a pest......whenever it is possible to do so.

Who knows...perhaps your generosity will become a family legend, retold at family gatherings, and the lesson of proper electrical outlet organization/use is spread near and far and your line prospers for years to come.:thumbsup:

 

[KiotiKowboy]

Alright, you have the load calculator, gift cards and high-speed Internet connection for email ........ problem solved :confused2:

This is really simple. Should you have said something? The answer to that is in this question.

What will you say to yourself if you read the family died in a house fire this evening?

 

[CalG]

What could be said

"Wow, that's a busy little outlet you have here!"

The entire message....On you!

 

[powerpace]

A mention of a recent fire near you (Google fires in your area and you will find one) and the cause (overloaded extension cord) give details to the individual and suggest a different arrangement.

Here I did it for you.
There is a bunch.
michigan fire extension cord - Bing

 

[JDgreen227]

Appreciate all the responses...maybe I should supply some facts: House I saw the situation in is an old 2 story farmhouse with a Michigan basement and 100 amp fused main panel. As for the safety factor...my GF lost her favorite cousin and her husband in a home fire late last year and it's suspected overloaded wiring was the cause...

I am considering offering to correct the situation for the couple but it's a 2.5 hour drive one way....

 

[Pixguy]

Appreciate all the responses...maybe I should supply some facts: House I saw the situation in is an old 2 story farmhouse with a Michigan basement and 100 amp fused main panel. As for the safety factor...my GF lost her favorite cousin and her husband in a home fire late last year and it's suspected overloaded wiring was the cause...

I am considering offering to correct the situation for the couple but it's a 2.5 hour drive one way....

Well, that changes my original "not your business" response.

I would then send them the multi breaker extension box mentioned above with the story of your GF's cousin and state that you'd hate to see that happen to them.

 

[The Fred]

Being a do-it-yourselfer I hooked up our first gas dryer to a plastic vent tube not realizing I had no idea it was against code to do so AND dangerous. This in a new home.

8 years later the appliance repairman comes by to fix another problem and noticed it. He simply took it apart and told me what a fire hazard it was.
I was happy he fixed it with the proper metal ducting.



Fred, still here and didn't burn up in my sleep!

 

[texasjohn]

OK...well, things are never simple, are they

Old...as in fuses, not circuit breakers. And, wiring throughout the house is likely of old type, poor insulation, perhaps of a small gauge. Thus problem could be anywhere , actually, that a high amperage device might be plugged in.

Applause to you for your concern and agonizing about what to do.

So, it now appears that the options are , in order of increasing expense

Educate the couple about the problem

insure fire alarms are installed in the house

assure that the immediate rats nest of cords is resolved and not pulling excessive amps

install a modern circuit breaker main service

replace wire/rewire entire house

I'm hoping that the couple are technically savvy and trainable so they can do some of the work themselves and live in the house in a way that avoids exposing the problem in a catastrophic way.

A "complete" solution would certainly be way expensive....even including your personal time and travel expense to pay them another visit.

But, at the root is the question of what money is for and what values and decisions a person makes in their life.....you can find these questions embedded in just about every TBN post/thread.

Thanks for sharing your concern with the TBN community...it puts a spotlight on the complexity and difficulty of being in "community" with others, be it at short or long distance, a close family member or distant, and how we interact to maintain pleasant and safe society. The tensions that make us human.

A personal story....my cousin visited the other day to see our fields of spring flowers...whole blankets of bluebonnets and indian paint brush...blues and reds spread across the pasture among the green of spring. Seeing our very friendly cat, she asked if he was micro-chipped ...nope, he roams 200 acres at will, avoids coyotes and hawks..so far..been with us 8yrs or so. She, being from the big city where apparently cats get lost, perhaps stolen, she believes every pet should be micro-chipped. She offered to pay to have ours chipped. I dunno. ..there are so many things I "should" do and have trouble getting around to...chipping the cat seems to be near the bottom of the list to me, but it's super important to her....