Aug 31, 2015

Scrambling over the cold water pipe, Ryan stood on the walkway enjoying the cooler air inside. After steadying himself he inspected the wiring. A minute later he held the insulated alligator clips open over a power feed.

“OK, here goes. Trust in insulation. I have faith in insulation. If this doesn’t work, I’m barbeque.”

Having done more than my fair share of home handyman projects, including electrical wiring, I can tell you this sentiment comes from experience. The worst case was when I had cut the power to the socket. I tested it by plugging a fan in and making sure it was dead then proceeded to cut out the wall around it. Little did I know that the fellow who had first done the wiring had run two feeds to the socket splicing them to use a common return. Saw hit wire and I found myself on the other side of the room.

Ryan’s concern is magnified by voltage. I have to say that my faith in insulation is limited as is my faith in ground fault. I’ve seen people run extension cords through ponds of water with children nearby at public events. When I challenged them on it they said it was insulated and put into a ground fault.

Safety measures are supposed to augment common sense not replace it. Electricity and water are a bad mix, as is wonky wiring that breaks code. In Cloning Freedom I show that many laws are silly and intrusive, but basic safety regulations based on the laws of nature do not fall in this category. So unless you are busy saving your lady love from a murderous cooperation please don’t trust in insulation, and do use common sense.

Stephen B. Pearl