Talk:3211: Amperage - Revision history

2600:6C54:4E00:99C:67B7:D578:30ED:2471: I agree

2026-03-01T15:53:26Z

I agree

82.132.239.97 at 12:55, 28 February 2026

2026-02-28T12:55:02Z

82.132.239.97 at 12:53, 28 February 2026

2026-02-28T12:53:06Z

2600:6C54:4E00:99C:67B7:D578:30ED:2471: The NEMA 5-15 outlets would melt, even if the other wiring inside the wall was upgraded.

2026-02-28T06:07:42Z

The NEMA 5-15 outlets would melt, even if the other wiring inside the wall was upgraded.

Yorkshire Pudding at 00:16, 28 February 2026

2026-02-28T00:16:56Z

82.13.184.33 at 10:09, 27 February 2026

2026-02-27T10:09:50Z

81.179.199.253 at 00:19, 27 February 2026

2026-02-27T00:19:24Z

81.179.199.253 at 23:59, 26 February 2026

2026-02-26T23:59:22Z

BaddDadd at 22:27, 26 February 2026

2026-02-26T22:27:30Z

BaddDadd at 22:26, 26 February 2026

2026-02-26T22:26:37Z

@@ Line 45: / Line 45: @@
 ::At some point, you can probably work out the physical limit of Type B (or semi-compatible Type A) prongs, which seem to me to be rather weedier than the pins that ''my'' national plug-standard uses, for any given material used (plotting the self-reinforcing resistance vs temperature problem, to check it doesn't go over the material's MP), but that's a cable issue anyway, and who knows how chunky the 'backplate' metalwork actually is, because there's not such an obvious upper limit to that (perhaps divide the backplate ''entirely'' into three distinct 'lumps', plus necessarily sufficient air/other-insulator gap, but that's going to far outperform the plug-pin limitations wihout even trying).
 ::Or, by sacrificing some slight cross-section, what if it was riddled/jacketed with microchannels through which liquid helium (or other sufficiently cold gas/liquid) flowed, in order to maintain supercondunctivity and/or just soak up the excess resistive heat... hardly something allowed by a standard off-the-shelf socket, I know, but maybe Beret Guy was his (original, or upgrading) electrician. One can then imagine such a coolant household system being extended on demand through specially-designed power leads (hollow-tipped prongs, and open-on-contact 'cup' valves at the bottom of the socket holes, and some clever flexible-yet-insulating way of conveying the house-supply of coolant through any such plugged in lead, all without causing cold-induced brittleness of course!) to 'solve' the problem he's now asking about, caused by him 'solving' his original current-limitation issues. ;) [[Special:Contributions/82.132.239.97|82.132.239.97]] 12:53, 28 February 2026 (UTC)
 TL;DR this is a setup that would make Tim Taylor (from the sitcom {{w|Home Improvement (TV Series)|Home Improvement}}) jealous. [[Special:Contributions/2603:6011:853A:4DDA:3F9A:6297:AF9E:2340|2603:6011:853A:4DDA:3F9A:6297:AF9E:2340]] 04:43, 25 February 2026 (UTC)

@@ Line 42: / Line 42: @@
 There is nothing in the comic to suggest the internal wall wiring is melting or catching fire.  I think we can assume Cueball has upgraded the internal wall wiring to match the breaker upgrades.  Cueball is only enquiring about cords which don't catch fire, and "cords" are the external extension leads. Cueball doesn't say anything about internal wall issues. [[User:Martin|Martin]] ([[User talk:Martin|talk]]) 22:30, 24 February 2026 (UTC)
 :The outlet is a Type B (NEMA 5-15) outlet (note the two vertical slots in the comic), these are designed for 15 Amps. These simply cannot support 500 Amps (the wires to support 500 Amps are bigger than the entire outlet). Cuball hasn't even upgraded to a NEMA 5-20R outlet which can support 20 Amps. [[Special:Contributions/2600:6C54:4E00:99C:67B7:D578:30ED:2471|2600:6C54:4E00:99C:67B7:D578:30ED:2471]] 06:07, 28 February 2026 (UTC)
-::You exclude the possibility of them being (deliberately or just by chance) over engineered, perhaps massively so. I don't believe that there's any reason to have an upper limit to capacity, just a hard lower limit below which they must not be expected to fail. Except in any actual fuse/RCD that is fitted for the protection of the nominally-rated hardware (where sockets havebsuch things them, easily replacable/resettable or not), which I would expect to have been 'upgraded' as part of the whole scenario as a matter of course.
+::You exclude the possibility of them being (deliberately or just by chance) over engineered, perhaps massively so. I don't believe that there's any reason to have an upper limit to capacity, just a hard lower limit below which they must not be expected to fail. Except in any actual fuse/RCD that is fitted for the protection of the nominally-rated hardware (where sockets have such things in them, rather than the lead-plugs, easily replacable/resettable or not), which I would expect to have been 'upgraded' as part of the whole scenario as a matter of course.
 ::At some point, you can probably work out the physical limit of Type B (or semi-compatible Type A) prongs, which seem to me to be rather weedier than the pins that ''my'' national plug-standard uses, for any given material used (plotting the self-reinforcing resistance vs temperature problem, to check it doesn't go over the material's MP), but that's a cable issue anyway, and who knows how chunky the 'backplate' metalwork actually is, because there's not such an obvious upper limit to that (perhaps divide the backplate ''entirely'' into three distinct 'lumps', plus necessarily sufficient air/other-insulator gap, but that's going to far outperform the plug-pin limitations wihout even trying).
 ::Or, by sacrificing some slight cross-section, what if it was riddled/jacketed with microchannels through which liquid helium (or other sufficiently cold gas/liquid) flowed, in order to maintain supercondunctivity and/or just soak up the excess resistive heat... hardly something allowed by a standard off-the-shelf socket, I know, but maybe Beret Guy was his (original, or upgrading) electrician. One can then imagine such a coolant household system being extended on demand through specially-designed power leads (hollow-tipped prongs, and open-on-contact 'cup' valves at the bottom of the socket holes, and some clever flexible-yet-insulating way of conveying the house-supply of coolant through any such plugged in lead, all without causing cold-induced brittleness of course!) to 'solve' the problem he's now asking about, caused by him 'solving' his original current-limitation issues. ;) [[Special:Contributions/82.132.239.97|82.132.239.97]] 12:53, 28 February 2026 (UTC)

@@ Line 42: / Line 42: @@
 There is nothing in the comic to suggest the internal wall wiring is melting or catching fire.  I think we can assume Cueball has upgraded the internal wall wiring to match the breaker upgrades.  Cueball is only enquiring about cords which don't catch fire, and "cords" are the external extension leads. Cueball doesn't say anything about internal wall issues. [[User:Martin|Martin]] ([[User talk:Martin|talk]]) 22:30, 24 February 2026 (UTC)
 :The outlet is a Type B (NEMA 5-15) outlet (note the two vertical slots in the comic), these are designed for 15 Amps. These simply cannot support 500 Amps (the wires to support 500 Amps are bigger than the entire outlet). Cuball hasn't even upgraded to a NEMA 5-20R outlet which can support 20 Amps. [[Special:Contributions/2600:6C54:4E00:99C:67B7:D578:30ED:2471|2600:6C54:4E00:99C:67B7:D578:30ED:2471]] 06:07, 28 February 2026 (UTC)
 TL;DR this is a setup that would make Tim Taylor (from the sitcom {{w|Home Improvement (TV Series)|Home Improvement}}) jealous. [[Special:Contributions/2603:6011:853A:4DDA:3F9A:6297:AF9E:2340|2603:6011:853A:4DDA:3F9A:6297:AF9E:2340]] 04:43, 25 February 2026 (UTC)

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:07, 28 February 2026
Line 41:		Line 41:

	There is nothing in the comic to suggest the internal wall wiring is melting or catching fire. I think we can assume Cueball has upgraded the internal wall wiring to match the breaker upgrades. Cueball is only enquiring about cords which don't catch fire, and "cords" are the external extension leads. Cueball doesn't say anything about internal wall issues. [[User:Martin\|Martin]] ([[User talk:Martin\|talk]]) 22:30, 24 February 2026 (UTC)		There is nothing in the comic to suggest the internal wall wiring is melting or catching fire. I think we can assume Cueball has upgraded the internal wall wiring to match the breaker upgrades. Cueball is only enquiring about cords which don't catch fire, and "cords" are the external extension leads. Cueball doesn't say anything about internal wall issues. [[User:Martin\|Martin]] ([[User talk:Martin\|talk]]) 22:30, 24 February 2026 (UTC)
		+	:The outlet is a Type B (NEMA 5-15) outlet (note the two vertical slots in the comic), these are designed for 15 Amps. These simply cannot support 500 Amps (the wires to support 500 Amps are bigger than the entire outlet). Cuball hasn't even upgraded to a NEMA 5-20R outlet which can support 20 Amps. [[Special:Contributions/2600:6C54:4E00:99C:67B7:D578:30ED:2471\|2600:6C54:4E00:99C:67B7:D578:30ED:2471]] 06:07, 28 February 2026 (UTC)

	TL;DR this is a setup that would make Tim Taylor (from the sitcom {{w\|Home Improvement (TV Series)\|Home Improvement}}) jealous. [[Special:Contributions/2603:6011:853A:4DDA:3F9A:6297:AF9E:2340\|2603:6011:853A:4DDA:3F9A:6297:AF9E:2340]] 04:43, 25 February 2026 (UTC)		TL;DR this is a setup that would make Tim Taylor (from the sitcom {{w\|Home Improvement (TV Series)\|Home Improvement}}) jealous. [[Special:Contributions/2603:6011:853A:4DDA:3F9A:6297:AF9E:2340\|2603:6011:853A:4DDA:3F9A:6297:AF9E:2340]] 04:43, 25 February 2026 (UTC)

@@ Line 20: / Line 20: @@
 :::::This is why I never drink tea when I'm in the US.--[[Special:Contributions/2A00:23CC:D248:8901:C1C2:6444:7428:2D04|2A00:23CC:D248:8901:C1C2:6444:7428:2D04]] 08:59, 26 February 2026 (UTC)
 ::::::I've heard this before and do not understand the issue.  Do you think we have the tea bag in the water while microwaving it?  Or do you think the water remembers how it was heated? [[User:BaddDadd|BaddDadd]] ([[User talk:BaddDadd|talk]]) 22:19, 26 February 2026 (UTC)
 :::::::Well, we've gone over this sort of thing before... See [[3022: Making Tea]] for details. ;) (And also take care not to splice apart comments from their signatures!) [[Special:Contributions/81.179.199.253|81.179.199.253]] 23:59, 26 February 2026 (UTC)
 ::I'm not sure why no toaster means no toast. You don't need a toaster to make toast. [[User:Yorkshire Pudding|Yorkshire Pudding]] ([[User talk:Yorkshire Pudding|talk]]) 21:53, 26 February 2026 (UTC)

@@ Line 14: / Line 14: @@
 I understand the theory of it, and it clearly doesn't cause any more electrical fires than home run circuits, but the UK's 32A ring circuits on 14 gauge wire will always make me raise an eyebrow. [[Special:Contributions/64.135.140.145|64.135.140.145]] 13:36, 24 February 2026 (UTC)
 :The US's pathetically wimpy system always raises an eyebrow for me.  No wonder Cueball felt the need to upgrade his house.  I would also be frustrated by not being able to run a kettle and a toaster on the same circuit simultaneously.  No tea and no toast?? Sacrilege! [[User:Martin|Martin]] ([[User talk:Martin|talk]]) 22:21, 24 February 2026 (UTC)
 :: >"frustrated by not being able to run a kettle and a toaster on the same circuit simultaneously." Why must it be the same circuit? The US NEC code calls for TWO 20A circuits in kitchen/pantry. US market kettles are, in your opinion, underpowered, 1500 Watts (or less!), so as to run comfortably on even legacy 15A circuits. The toaster goes on the other kitchen circuit. --[[User:PRR|PRR]] ([[User talk:PRR|talk]]) 00:52, 25 February 2026 (UTC)
 :::Wow, two circuits are mandated?!  That goes to show how dire the situation is with their limited available power. [[User:Martin|Martin]] ([[User talk:Martin|talk]]) 05:52, 25 February 2026 (UTC)
@@ Line 22: / Line 21: @@
 ::::::I've heard this before and do not understand the issue.  Do you think we have the tea bag in the water while microwaving it?  Or do you think the water remembers how it was heated? [[User:BaddDadd|BaddDadd]] ([[User talk:BaddDadd|talk]]) 22:19, 26 February 2026 (UTC)
 :::::::Well, we've gone over this sort of thing before... See [[3022: Making Tea]] for details. ;) (And also take care not to splice apart comments from their signatures!) [[Special:Contributions/81.179.199.253|81.179.199.253]] 23:59, 26 February 2026 (UTC)
+::I'm not sure why no toaster means no toast. You don't need a toaster to make toast. [[User:Yorkshire Pudding|Yorkshire Pudding]] ([[User talk:Yorkshire Pudding|talk]]) 21:53, 26 February 2026 (UTC)
 : 2.5mm2 is actually more closer to a 13 gauge (which corresponds to 2.6mm2), and with it being in a ring so electricity has two ways to go it's more closer to what a 12 gauge (3.3mm2) would be able to hold. [[User:Sztupy|Sztupy]] ([[User talk:Sztupy|talk]]) 22:48, 24 February 2026 (UTC)
 :: The current will be about equal through the two paths if the outlet is half way around the ring.  If it's, say, only 10 percent of the way around, 90% of the current will take the shorter path. [[User:BaddDadd|BaddDadd]] ([[User talk:BaddDadd|talk]]) 22:22, 26 February 2026 (UTC)

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:19, 27 February 2026
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	:Also, he didn't get rid of safety equipment. He actually put more in, but made it more ''relaxed'' safety equipment, and made sure that the greater relaxation is as exploitable as possible so that it still ''might'' get tripped, but only in a worse way. (Simultaneously more forgiving ''and'' less forgiving, depending upon whether you prioritise continuity of service or personal safety.) [[Special:Contributions/82.132.236.204\|82.132.236.204]] 11:15, 26 February 2026 (UTC)		:Also, he didn't get rid of safety equipment. He actually put more in, but made it more ''relaxed'' safety equipment, and made sure that the greater relaxation is as exploitable as possible so that it still ''might'' get tripped, but only in a worse way. (Simultaneously more forgiving ''and'' less forgiving, depending upon whether you prioritise continuity of service or personal safety.) [[Special:Contributions/82.132.236.204\|82.132.236.204]] 11:15, 26 February 2026 (UTC)
	Using the standard 15 amp outlets (as shown in the picture) with a 500 amp breaker is definitely a code violation. He needs to replace them with NEC 500 amp rated outlets (if those exist). Then buy extension cords with the corresponding 500 amp plugs. [[User:BaddDadd\|BaddDadd]] ([[User talk:BaddDadd\|talk]]) 22:26, 26 February 2026 (UTC)		Using the standard 15 amp outlets (as shown in the picture) with a 500 amp breaker is definitely a code violation. He needs to replace them with NEC 500 amp rated outlets (if those exist). Then buy extension cords with the corresponding 500 amp plugs. [[User:BaddDadd\|BaddDadd]] ([[User talk:BaddDadd\|talk]]) 22:26, 26 February 2026 (UTC)
		+	:The highest (US-'standard') rating I've found, on a quick search is the [https://diy.stackexchange.com/questions/227652/does-electrical-code-allow-nema-14-60r-receptacles-in-residential-settings NEMA 14-60]-type plug/socket... Of course, if you're dealing with industrial-level currents you probably would be engineering your own conecting units to fit ''your'' particular power-transfer needs, subject only to basic common sense{{Citation needed}} and a more widely encompassing general set of federal power-regulations.{{Actual citation needed}} [[Special:Contributions/81.179.199.253\|81.179.199.253]] 00:19, 27 February 2026 (UTC)

@@ Line 48: / Line 48: @@
 :More than that, an overwhelming majority 'exploded' into being within ''half'' a day. The 1.5 days since then has been mostly tweaking.
 :Also, he didn't get rid of safety equipment. He actually put more in, but made it more ''relaxed'' safety equipment, and made sure that the greater relaxation is as exploitable as possible so that it still ''might'' get tripped, but only in a worse way. (Simultaneously more forgiving ''and'' less forgiving, depending upon whether you prioritise continuity of service or personal safety.) [[Special:Contributions/82.132.236.204|82.132.236.204]] 11:15, 26 February 2026 (UTC)
-: Using the standard 15 amp outlets (as shown in the picture) with a 500 amp breaker is definitely a code violation.  He needs to replace them with NEC 500 amp rated outlets (if those exist).  Then buy extension cords with the corresponding 500 amp plugs. [[User:BaddDadd|BaddDadd]] ([[User talk:BaddDadd|talk]]) 22:26, 26 February 2026 (UTC)
+Using the standard 15 amp outlets (as shown in the picture) with a 500 amp breaker is definitely a code violation.  He needs to replace them with NEC 500 amp rated outlets (if those exist).  Then buy extension cords with the corresponding 500 amp plugs. [[User:BaddDadd|BaddDadd]] ([[User talk:BaddDadd|talk]]) 22:26, 26 February 2026 (UTC)