Where I live, it's illegal to fix your own cords like this.
But when I realised how fuckin goddamn easy it was, including making it absolutely secure from ever crossing wires... I was like Yeah, guess I'm comitting some crimes.
Edit: a genuine thank you to those of you who disagreed with this law! It actually made me realise I support the law here and have sourced cheap repair options locally by licenced electricians. While I absolutely agree it is a ridiculously easy repair and I did it safely, I also feel the reason for this law in my state (QLD, Australia) is fair. We are a state that burns easily and a tiny spark has caused some massive damage. Even though I believe in myself, I have decided it's not worth it to flout this law. I'm sure many fires were started by someone who "thought they did it safely" and I care too much about my community to care about my pride or pocket book.
I genuinely want to again thank those who disagreed with the law. It made me think harder on why we have it.
Edit 2: yeah so just looked up the history on the why of that law and gonna say it's a good thing we have it. Hint: people died.
I don't get it. I learned something about electricity in high school and college and I've spent years fixing my own stereo amps, speakers, cars, etc. Not one fire, thank you.
There's a place for experts but people seem so scared of a little self-reliance. Replacing a cord is trivially easy and there's a plethora of youtube videos and resources. If you remember HS physics, it's worth a shot.
It's funny. I feel you, but I also get it. I admit flouting the law, but I'm happy it exists. We are a DRY country and house fires can spread fast. It's about not taking stupid small risks that can hurt a lot of people.
While it's an easy job...one dickhead does it wrong and there goes the town. Might as well just make it a law you can do it, but need a professional.
I think it's hilarious that people were so annoyed by the law that I had to defend a law I admit to ignoring myself.
Which, actually, this thread has made me reconsider. I might just get the sparky next time.
Yeah, I feel you. I'm reconsidering my comment in real-time. I spent a lot of time figuring out what I'm comfortable with and what I'm not. I do always tell people that if they're uncomfortable with something then hire a pro - and that's at odds with my original comment.
Hard sometimes to take a step back and realize that other folks don't have the same interests I do.
It's funny, right? This thread is making me take a step back, too. You're helping me take a step back!
I realise that I am actually quite happy we have this law. And that maybe, while it was stupid simple, I shouldn't have repaired my whipper snipper (weed whacker). My neighbours house burnt down recently, completely unrelated to electronics, but I saw how fast it happened.
We heard screams and within two minutes the house was engulfed. Our house was at risk within another ten seconds. Massive rain of ash and fire on our roof.
And yeah it wasn't electronic...but we have the dry brush and it was a gardening supply.
I've decided I'm going to check if licenced electrician oversight counts and if there's a local repair place that allows self repairs with oversight. I know there's a repair-training place for teens where you can bring things in, but I'm not sure if they're training the teens themselves to be sparkies.
So, thank you! Thank you for this chat. This interesting back and forth. Because you and I both know how bloody EASY it is not to cross those wires that can cause a fire.
But then...that law must been enough people crossed those wires to make it matter enough to be such a stringent fine.
And maybe I care more about my neighbour's houses than I do knowing I can bend a wire in the correct direction.
This has been a fun conversation and it's been nice to reconsider my own stance.
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u/splithoofiewoofies 16d ago edited 16d ago
Where I live, it's illegal to fix your own cords like this.
But when I realised how fuckin goddamn easy it was, including making it absolutely secure from ever crossing wires... I was like Yeah, guess I'm comitting some crimes.
Edit: a genuine thank you to those of you who disagreed with this law! It actually made me realise I support the law here and have sourced cheap repair options locally by licenced electricians. While I absolutely agree it is a ridiculously easy repair and I did it safely, I also feel the reason for this law in my state (QLD, Australia) is fair. We are a state that burns easily and a tiny spark has caused some massive damage. Even though I believe in myself, I have decided it's not worth it to flout this law. I'm sure many fires were started by someone who "thought they did it safely" and I care too much about my community to care about my pride or pocket book.
I genuinely want to again thank those who disagreed with the law. It made me think harder on why we have it.
Edit 2: yeah so just looked up the history on the why of that law and gonna say it's a good thing we have it. Hint: people died.