If I won't get shocked, why?
2006-11-17 06:30:45 · 13 answers · asked by yvette_8955 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
possible, but not probable. Be sure to turn off the breaker that feeds the light, and you should not get hurt.
If the breaker is turned off and opens the circuit correctly, that will stop the flow of electrons through the light socket, thus making it alot harder for you to become a source for the electricity to find its way to "ground".
If electricity is still supplied to the socket, there is a small chance that the potato will conduct electricity, but it would have to go thru the potato, your body, your shoes, your ladder (if you are using one).... But, jamming the potatoe into the broken bulb, may push some of the remaining wires inside the bulb around creating a ground-fault and an arc flash (sparks). I Would not recommend attempting to remove the bulb with the power on!!!
2006-11-17 06:39:59 · answer #1 · answered by stag_12 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you are using a potato, it usually contains water and is organic material, so if the current is still on, then yes you could get a shock.
What you want to do is turn off the power to the socket BEFORE you try the potato trick to get the broken lightbulb out.
If you are not sure if the power is on or off, then I would suggest going to the main circuit breaker and flip the switch for that room until you manage to remove/replace the light.
Addendum: To respond to Toxic's comments below, the reason why people use a "freakin" potato is to avoid cutting their finger on the broken glass, not to avoid a shock. Her BF should have taught her common safety rules for working with electricty, and that is you turn off the current so you do not complete a circuit via the potato, then you, then the ground or other conductive object.
2006-11-17 06:35:56 · answer #2 · answered by SteveN 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If the breaker or the power is on at the Main Panel, you could and possibly will recieve a shock. Turning or Closeing the Light Switch is not an option here. The Breaker or Fuse off/closed is the safest way to approach that, and even that should be tested with a Multimeter before human physical contact is made.
2006-11-17 06:42:31 · answer #3 · answered by Yawn Gnome 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've used a potato on a broken bulb in the bathroom. I didn't shut the house power off just the light switch and was fine. No shock at all. Worked pretty well too.
2016-03-28 23:44:59 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not if you turn of the breaker. I believe if you do tend to remove it with a potato you may get a little shock, but it's not enough to hurt you.
2006-11-17 06:32:28 · answer #5 · answered by Big Mac 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
no thats why people use a freakin potatoe to get a broken light bulb out and no you dont have to turn off the breaker like some1 said my bf is an electrician i should know.
2006-11-17 06:38:21 · answer #6 · answered by ~*cRaCkNeSs*~ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
TURN OFF THE ELECTRICITY IN THAT ROOM FROM THE CIRCUIT BRA KER prior to doing this. You will not be shocked, I know because I did this exact same thing when I broke a light bulb inside my kitchen ceiling fan.
2006-11-17 06:40:12 · answer #7 · answered by Williams L 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes you will,unless you turn off the breaker.Electric and water don't mix.Water is a conductor of electric,and a potato has water in it,that is why you turn off the breaker.
2006-11-17 13:23:57 · answer #8 · answered by ruthann_71168 @yahoo.com 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
turn off the breaker first, you could get shocked and have a baked potato in your hand.
2006-11-17 06:41:08 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
UNPLUG the fixture first!! Then you won't get a shock...if it is a ceiling light, turn off the breaker
2006-11-17 06:54:58 · answer #10 · answered by CJ 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋