# Am I likely to die by placing this electrical device in my bath? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 2, 2017, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-likely-to-die-by-placing-this-electrical-device-in-my-bath/787907 "2017-06-02T02:13:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![andrea\_green](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecccb3/32.png) [@andrea\_green](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andrea_green)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2017, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-likely-to-die-by-placing-this-electrical-device-in-my-bath/787907/1 "2017-06-02T02:13:00Z")
Just moved to a snazzy new apartment in San Francisco, it’s great except for one minor detail: mediocre water pressure. As someone who thoroughly enjoys the occasional bubble bath, this is a non-trivial problem! My solution? This [Conair Jet Bath Spa](https://www.amazon.com/Conair-Dual-Jet-Bath-Spa/dp/B005EO2EO2) device. The device (which is plugged into the power outlet via a long chord) is intended to be fitted along the side of the tub, so only the bottom is submerged in water. However for bubble bath purposes, this configuration isn’t useful because the jets need to shoot water through the surface in order to have much effect on the bath foam. Therefore the way I’m using it, much more of the device is getting exposed to water. My Question: Is it safe to assume that the engineers made this thing in such a way as to avoid the possibility of electrocuting users even if the whole thing gets submerged or other eventualities occur? What sort of tricks might they have used to avoid the possibility of electrocution? ---
**Author:** ![AnalogSignal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/analogsignal/32/1085_2.png) [@AnalogSignal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AnalogSignal)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2017, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-likely-to-die-by-placing-this-electrical-device-in-my-bath/787907/2 "2017-06-02T02:22:40Z")
I think it is dangerous. I would suggest not using it all. ---
**Author:** ![AnalogSignal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/analogsignal/32/1085_2.png) [@AnalogSignal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AnalogSignal)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2017, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-likely-to-die-by-placing-this-electrical-device-in-my-bath/787907/3 "2017-06-02T02:41:30Z")
Sorry, didn’t realize this was in GQ. I don’t have evidence to back up my opinion. :o ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2017, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-likely-to-die-by-placing-this-electrical-device-in-my-bath/787907/4 "2017-06-02T02:50:10Z")
It doesn’t run directly off the AC power. It has an in-line transformer that turns the juice into a low voltage direct current. Still, you should make sure the outlet in your bathroom is equipped with a GFCI, or ground fault circuit interrupter, which will interrupt the current coming from the outlet in the event of a short circuit. ---
**Author:** ![andrea\_green](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecccb3/32.png) [@andrea\_green](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andrea_green)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2017, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-likely-to-die-by-placing-this-electrical-device-in-my-bath/787907/5 "2017-06-02T03:03:47Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > It doesn’t run directly off the AC power. It has an in-line transformer that turns the juice into a low voltage direct current. Still, you should make sure the outlet in your bathroom is equipped with a GFCI, or ground fault circuit interrupter, which will interrupt the current coming from the outlet in the event of a short circuit. I just confirmed that, based on the “Test” and “Reset" buttons on the outlet, I do indeed have a GFCI. ---
**Author:** ![smithsb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smithsb/32/12107_2.png) [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2017, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-likely-to-die-by-placing-this-electrical-device-in-my-bath/787907/6 "2017-06-02T05:31:32Z")
> [@andrea\_green](#): > > I just confirmed that, based on the “Test” and “Reset" buttons on the outlet, I do indeed have a GFCI. Perfect, the first responders pulling you from the tub won’t have any worries then.😃 Just kidding, you’ll be fine. Start out with a lower water level when you turn on the spa and you’ll get all the bubbles you want. ---
**Author:** ![SpeedwayRyan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce7236/32.png) [@SpeedwayRyan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpeedwayRyan)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2017, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-likely-to-die-by-placing-this-electrical-device-in-my-bath/787907/7 "2017-06-02T12:29:01Z")
> [@andrea\_green](#): > > The device (which is plugged into the power outlet via a long chord) Like the one at the end of “A Day in the Life?” ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2017, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-likely-to-die-by-placing-this-electrical-device-in-my-bath/787907/8 "2017-06-02T16:09:11Z")
Experiment first. Plug the device in and submerge it in the tub along with some broccoli, and see if the food gets cooked. Also do some research. If this thing is deadly, you won’t be the first to have discovered this. Naked people getting fried will have attracted news coverage. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2017, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-likely-to-die-by-placing-this-electrical-device-in-my-bath/787907/9 "2017-06-02T16:25:13Z")
> [@SpeedwayRyan](#): > > Like the one at the end of “A Day in the Life?” 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2017, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-likely-to-die-by-placing-this-electrical-device-in-my-bath/787907/10 "2017-06-02T19:19:35Z")
> [@SpeedwayRyan](#): > > Like the one at the end of “A Day in the Life?” 🙂 +1 Double referent ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2017, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-likely-to-die-by-placing-this-electrical-device-in-my-bath/787907/11 "2017-06-02T19:35:28Z")
> [@andrea\_green](#): > > My Question: Is it safe to assume that the engineers made this thing in such a way as to avoid the possibility of electrocuting users even if the whole thing gets submerged or other eventualities occur? Yes, it is safe to assume that. [here’s the instruction manual for it,](https://www.sharperimage.com/si/pdf/manuals/202460.pdf) which has the following on the third page in bold font: > [@Conair](#): > > CAUTION: IF BATH SPA FALLS AND BECOMES COMPLETELY IMMERSED IN WATER IN TUB, DO NOT PANIC. THE BATH SPA HAS BEEN DESIGNED TO WITHSTAND SUBMERSION. ALWAYS REMOVE UNIT FROM BATHTUB. PRESS OFF BUTTON, DRAIN WATER FROM UNIT AND STORE IN A DRY PLACE. The “CAUTION” notifier isn’t because there’s a danger of shock, it’s because there’s a danger of you hurting yourself if you try to scramble out of the tub because you’re panicking about the possibility of being shocked. > [@andrea\_green](#): > > What sort of tricks might they have used to avoid the possibility of electrocution? Low voltage. 11 volts DC at the device. To put your life at risk, you’d need to rip the power supply wires out of the device, separate them, and [put one on your upper right chest and the other on your lower left rib cage (with your skin wet).](https://www.google.com/search?q=portable+defibrillator+pad+locations&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj-idi18Z_UAhUKQCYKHX68D28Q_AUIBygC&biw=1067&bih=851) Even then, the voltage is so low that I have my doubts about moving enough current through your heart to do much of anything. If the device is intact, then any water that gets in there will only help carry current from one of the wires to the other wire; current will not flow out of the device, through the tub water, across your heart, and then back to the other wire. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2017, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-likely-to-die-by-placing-this-electrical-device-in-my-bath/787907/12 "2017-06-02T20:53:49Z")
> [@SpeedwayRyan](#): > > Like the one at the end of “A Day in the Life?” Hey – that also could go in [this thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=827592).