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Old 09-06-2011, 11:22 AM   #21
Kamper
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When using a "suicide plug" you are assuming that your wiring and breaker system are working normally and properly installed. A reasonable and exceedingly likely expectation.

As I understand it... The supposed risk is that there could be a system flaw. The normal household breakers are only hooked up to the black (hot) lines. If a circuit is mis-wired you may back-feed power through the return line. This was much more likely in the days before grounded systems and cheap reliable testing equipment. Not to mention licensure for professional electricians.
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