# No outlet in bathroom... would this hack be suicide?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-outlet-in-bathroom-would-this-hack-be-suicide/785395>\
**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:** 3\
**Page:** 3

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**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, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-outlet-in-bathroom-would-this-hack-be-suicide/785395/41 "2017-04-29T23:59:35Z")

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> [@markn\_1](#):
>
> 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.

It makes me feel better when I am standing in a puddle of salt water. 🙂

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**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\
**Post date:** [April 30, 2017, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-outlet-in-bathroom-would-this-hack-be-suicide/785395/42 "2017-04-30T01:39:21Z")

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> [@beowulff](#):
>
> 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.

This seems like a good compromise?

Good news: I’m still alive.

But for how long, who knows? Would the GFCI extension cable still work if I got a cheater adapter (to get rid of the ground prong)?

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**Author:** ![UltraVires](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecccb3/32.png) [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\
**Post date:** [April 30, 2017, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-outlet-in-bathroom-would-this-hack-be-suicide/785395/43 "2017-04-30T16:19:36Z")

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> [@Reply](#):
>
> This seems like a good compromise?
> 
> Good news: I’m still alive.
> 
> But for how long, who knows? Would the GFCI extension cable still work if I got a cheater adapter (to get rid of the ground prong)?

As a few other posters stated, you will be fine. I understand the objections of some posters above who always insist on the latest electrical code being followed, cost be damned, I think that attitude should be tempered with some common sense.

If you are just plugging in an electric shaver, then that is different that if you decide to plug in a mini-fridge.

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