# No outlet in bathroom... would this hack be suicide? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 27, 2017, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-outlet-in-bathroom-would-this-hack-be-suicide/785395 "2017-04-27T21:27:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2017, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-outlet-in-bathroom-would-this-hack-be-suicide/785395/21 "2017-04-28T15:49:48Z")
> [@Sparky812](#): > > What!? I’m sorry but if you don’t understand polarity, how to install and check for it, please do not ever do electrical yourself. I don’t want to sound cruel, but I don’t think I want to go anywhere near **anomalous1** ’s house. He keeps mentioning unsafe things like this that he’s done with electrical installations about which he’s totally unconcerned, while the things that he is concerned about are borderline impossible, like wires spontaneously breaking inside a conduit, or plugs sliding part way out of a socket and causing a fire. ---
**Author:** ![Ann\_Hedonia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ann_hedonia/32/319_2.png) [@Ann\_Hedonia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Hedonia)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2017, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-outlet-in-bathroom-would-this-hack-be-suicide/785395/22 "2017-04-28T15:58:20Z")
I would complain to the landlord about the lack of a bathroom switch. As to converting the socket to an outlet…I can’t find an adapter that converts the socket to a GFCI outlet but you could use a 2 part solution. You can use the socket adapter that converts the socket to a standard outlet - then you can add the adapter that converts the standard outlet to a GFCI outlet ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2017, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-outlet-in-bathroom-would-this-hack-be-suicide/785395/23 "2017-04-28T16:09:53Z")
There are [GFCI extension cords](http://www.homedepot.com/p/Defiant-2-ft-In-Line-GFCI-Cord-30338213/203741466). Plug one of those into the light socket adapter and you should be fine. ---
**Author:** ![Sparky812](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb9ed0/32.png) [@Sparky812](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sparky812)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2017, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-outlet-in-bathroom-would-this-hack-be-suicide/785395/24 "2017-04-28T16:30:29Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > There are [GFCI extension cords](http://www.homedepot.com/p/Defiant-2-ft-In-Line-GFCI-Cord-30338213/203741466). Plug one of those into the light socket adapter and you should be fine. Unfortunately, that won’t work if the outlet does not have a ground and/or the circuit isn’t grounded to begin with. If the service panel has GFCI breakers there is protection, GFCI outlets are safer because they have a quicker response time due to their proximity to the fault. The truth is, neither one may interrupt the power quick enough. That said, it’s probably fine, your electric toothbrush charger and shaver are most like designed for “wet” conditions and do not have a ground anyway. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2017, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-outlet-in-bathroom-would-this-hack-be-suicide/785395/25 "2017-04-28T16:31:47Z")
> [@Sparky812](#): > > Unfortunately, that won’t work if the outlet does not have a ground and/or the circuit isn’t grounded to begin with. Good point. Considering the circumstances it’s likely not grounded. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2017, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-outlet-in-bathroom-would-this-hack-be-suicide/785395/26 "2017-04-28T17:04:32Z")
> [@Sparky812](#): > > Unfortunately, that won’t work if the outlet does not have a ground and/or the circuit isn’t grounded to begin with. I have a GFCI installed for the aquarium, and it indeed works in a two prong outlet house. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2017, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-outlet-in-bathroom-would-this-hack-be-suicide/785395/27 "2017-04-28T17:22:44Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > I have a GFCI installed for the aquarium, and it indeed works in a two prong outlet house. Yes, the GFCI measures the current flowing in the hot and the neutral wires and makes sure they are the same. If they are not, the current must be going somewhere - into a ground fault. No ground reference is needed. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2017, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-outlet-in-bathroom-would-this-hack-be-suicide/785395/28 "2017-04-28T17:37:43Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > If they are not, the current must be going somewhere - into a ground fault. As through my leg to a puddle of saltwater. ---
**Author:** ![Sparky812](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb9ed0/32.png) [@Sparky812](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sparky812)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2017, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-outlet-in-bathroom-would-this-hack-be-suicide/785395/29 "2017-04-28T17:40:42Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > I have a GFCI installed for the aquarium, and it indeed works in a two prong outlet house. The one\*\* Tripolar\*\* linked to? ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2017, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-outlet-in-bathroom-would-this-hack-be-suicide/785395/30 "2017-04-28T17:44:53Z")
And now I recall, you have to mark a GFCI connected to a 2 wire system. ---
**Author:** ![Sparky812](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb9ed0/32.png) [@Sparky812](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sparky812)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2017, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-outlet-in-bathroom-would-this-hack-be-suicide/785395/31 "2017-04-28T18:15:22Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > And now I recall, you have to mark a GFCI connected to a 2 wire system. Yes, you must mark them as “No Equipment Ground” ---
**Author:** ![Pasta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecccb3/32.png) [@Pasta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pasta)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2017, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-outlet-in-bathroom-would-this-hack-be-suicide/785395/32 "2017-04-28T18:19:59Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > And now I recall, you have to mark a GFCI connected to a 2 wire system. Yes, it has to be labeled “NO EQUIPMENT GROUND”. I’ve found that GFCI’s that you buy at the hardware store always have such a sticker supplied with them for this application. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2017, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-outlet-in-bathroom-would-this-hack-be-suicide/785395/33 "2017-04-28T19:42:48Z")
> [@Sparky812](#): > > GFCI outlets are safer because they have a quicker response time due to their proximity to the fault. :dubious: Let’s assume the average velocity factor for a given length of Romex is 65%. If the distance between the GFCI circuit breaker and the ground fault is 100 feet, it will only take 0.16 μs for the fault “signal” (the current imbalance) to get from the fault to the breaker. Are you saying 0.16 μs is significant? Heck, the max response time for a GFCI is 25 ms, which is 160,000X longer. ---
**Author:** ![River\_Hippie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/river_hippie/32/26_2.png) [@River\_Hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/River_Hippie)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2017, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-outlet-in-bathroom-would-this-hack-be-suicide/785395/34 "2017-04-28T23:02:43Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > There are [GFCI extension cords](http://www.homedepot.com/p/Defiant-2-ft-In-Line-GFCI-Cord-30338213/203741466). Plug one of those into the light socket adapter and you should be fine. Gotta love the name… **DEFIANT!** 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Sparky812](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb9ed0/32.png) [@Sparky812](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sparky812)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2017, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-outlet-in-bathroom-would-this-hack-be-suicide/785395/35 "2017-04-29T02:48:15Z")
> [@Crafter\_Man](#): > > :dubious: > > Let’s assume the average velocity factor for a given length of Romex is 65%. If the distance between the GFCI circuit breaker and the ground fault is 100 feet, it will only take 0.16 μs for the fault “signal” (the current imbalance) to get from the fault to the breaker. Are you saying 0.16 μs is significant? Heck, the max response time for a GFCI is 25 ms, which is 160,000X longer. Yeah, on further examination I’m not sure if they’re significantly quicker, although my inspector always asks"If you’re being electrocuted, where would you like the power to shunt off? Right here or 2 stories and 100 feet away?" They do offer protection to a specific area and are much more convenient to test and reset which is recommended monthly. BTW, the statistics on GFCI outlets failure or not operating properly is shocking. ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2017, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-outlet-in-bathroom-would-this-hack-be-suicide/785395/36 "2017-04-29T20:09:13Z")
> [@Sparky812](#): > > Yeah, on further examination I’m not sure if they’re significantly quicker, although my inspector always asks"If you’re being electrocuted, where would you like the power to shunt off? Right here or 2 stories and 100 feet away?" Hm, my first instinct is, as far away as possible. Shut off the whole building, or the whole neighborhood for all I care. Seems safer to shut off as much as possible. I guess your inspector is arguing the opposite, but I don’t really follow his reasoning. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2017, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-outlet-in-bathroom-would-this-hack-be-suicide/785395/37 "2017-04-29T22:14:20Z")
> [@markn\_1](#): > > Hm, my first instinct is, as far away as possible. Shut off the whole building, or the whole neighborhood for all I care. Seems safer to shut off as much as possible. I guess your inspector is arguing the opposite, but I don’t really follow his reasoning. The closer the GFCI is to you, the sooner it will shut off. Current travels near the speed of light, though. 65% mentioned upthread, 85% in an experiment we did in under graduate school. They also taught us that 25 mA (25 thousandths of an Ampere) passing through your heart will kill you. Then they made us wear ground straps.:dubious: ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2017, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-outlet-in-bathroom-would-this-hack-be-suicide/785395/38 "2017-04-29T22:25:36Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > The closer the GFCI is to you, the sooner it will shut off. Current travels near the speed of light, though. 65% mentioned upthread, 85% in an experiment we did in under graduate school. > > They also taught us that 25 mA (25 thousandths of an Ampere) passing through your heart will kill you. Then they made us wear ground straps.:dubious: Ground straps have a built-in 1MΩ series resistor. And: a) The difference between 6’ and 50’ is negligible - 60nS or so, which is many orders of magnitude faster then the GFCI reacts. b) It’s not correct, anyway - the current starts flowing at the far end at exactly the same time as it does at the fault. It’s not like a traffic jam, more like a tube full of ball bearings, all touching. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2017, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-outlet-in-bathroom-would-this-hack-be-suicide/785395/39 "2017-04-29T23:34:52Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > b) It’s not correct, anyway - the current starts flowing at the far end at exactly the same time as it does at the fault. At around 85% of C, which is pretty close to the same time. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2017, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-outlet-in-bathroom-would-this-hack-be-suicide/785395/40 "2017-04-29T23:38:34Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > The closer the GFCI is to you, the sooner it will shut off. Current travels near the speed of light, though. 65% mentioned upthread, 85% in an experiment we did in under graduate school. Huh? I agree with your second sentence, so what’s the point of your first sentence? Obviously a few hundred nanoseconds isn’t going to make any difference in the biological effect of the electricity. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-outlet-in-bathroom-would-this-hack-be-suicide/785395.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-outlet-in-bathroom-would-this-hack-be-suicide/785395.md?page=3)