SMEE's Random Banter #97 of gender bending and closet bursting

[Recaiden]

As a reminder, for some reason we can't have posts that are just like this
*something*
Anyway, at my house, we have 2 main circuits, so usually only hal of the house's power will go out at once. I'll be typing something, and the lights and computer go off, but no one else's stuff will.

[Jayngfet]

Hmmmm, is bigotous even a word?

bigoted, the word you're looking for is bigoted.

[Phase]

usually only hal of the house's power will go out at once.

Ohhh, a freudian slip, perhaps?

"I can't let you plug in that toaster, Dave."

[Serpentine]

I learned something new the other day - apparently Geoffrey Chaucer was the first ever person to write in the English language.

At least you didn't say that Chaucer invented half the English language (and Shakespear the other half), just wrote it down. He wouldn't go very far towards getting read by people, if the people can't understand what the Hell he's going on about cuz he's using made-up words Only one man, to my knowledge, has succeeded in this, and he only really did it for one poem. Which, I might add, is awesome.

I have had my first circuit trip thingy ladies and gentlemen.
It was terrifying.

My house for a while was blowing a fuse any time there was so much as a vague hint of a storm coming (and sometimes not even that). And the circuit box is outside. Not under any cover or shelter. And it usually happened at night. And we don't have a torch So yeah, we've had some experience with that. The last time, I think, it wasn't a storm that caused it, and the fuse wouldn't switch back on. We unplugged everything - everything - that we could, in case something was causing it, and nothing worked. It was Friday night. I called almost every electrician in the phone book - starting with the one listed by our freaking real estate agent - and of the few who answered, none would help. One of them said he would, but he wasn't signed by the real estate agent The most helpful guy there? An ex-electrician, wasn't even working any more, just hadn't quit before the phone book was put out. He listened to the problem, gave some suggestions and advice, and even offered to come lend us some extension cable so we could plug the fridge into the electricity in the studio out the back (it was fine, just the house went out). When we finally got someone out the next morning, of course, the circut went back on first try Turned out to be the sparker on the stove that caused it [/out-of-date rant]
Soooo... I feel your pain? Kinda surprising that you don't know about circuits, Jib.

[RandomLogic]

At least it was just a circuit breaker. Those you can reset. Its worse when its expensive electronics that you've fried, also its a little scarier when its in the middle of lab!

Also its worse when you are cutting wires and you expect the circuit to be off and there is a huge arc across your cutting tool! F!!! yeah that'll make ya jump. But then the good side is you know you turned the breaker off then!

[Serpentine]

I had a light bulb explode at me yesterday >.< When we first moved in, that light was out, so I tried to get the bulb out but the bulb came out alone, leaving the base of it behind. I ended up getting my electrician cousin to come get it out, I think. Anyway, this time it did it again... but it turned out I hadn't actually turned the light off >.< I tried to get the lightbulb out, but somehow I just unscrewed the bulb itself from the base. There was a *CRACK*, a bright light, and the bulb was in my hand (for a moment - I threw it on a blanket on the floor cuz it startled me ), charred and blackened. Bloody scary... Bleeding house and its bleeding homemade wiring

[Zeb The Troll]

A trick to get the base of a light bulb out of the socket when the glass comes out seperately for some reason....

Make sure the light switch is turned off then cut a potato in half and use that to unscrew the base that remains in the socket.

I've had that happen because I used to have a tendency to overtighten the bulbs when I was installing them.

[Glaivemaster]

Wait - do American/Australian bulbs use screws? Or is it the same as here which is just sorta slot and twist

[Zeb The Troll]

A light bulb is threaded.

Like so


V - Ohhhh....

[Charity]

The potato works on bayonet fittings too Glaive...
Sounds like a lot of you guys need to check your RCD's and you earth loop impedance, unfortunately you are supposed to get a qualified electrician to do this sort of thing these days, stupid 17th edition...
If your RCD's trip regularly you have almost certainly got some earth leakage current going on.

^ we have threaded bulbs with bayonet fittings

Spoiler

Show

[Glaivemaster]

I figured the potato thing would still work, I was just thrown momentarily by the ability to screw a bulb too tightly. It all makes perfect sense now

[Zar Peter]

The potato works on bayonet fittings too Glaive...
Sounds like a lot of you guys need to check your RCD's and you earth loop impedance, unfortunately you are supposed to get a qualified electrician to do this sort of thing these days, stupid 17th edition...
If your RCD's trip regularly you have almost certainly got some earth leakage current going on.

^ we have threaded bulbs with bayonet fittings

Spoiler

Show

Wow... I've never seen such a bulb and I studied in an electrotechnical school. Must be an english invention.

[SDF]

Those are the new fluorescent lights that are replacing incandescent lightbulbs. Which is really, really, really stupid. Now instead of a less efficient light you have one were, if you break it, you are supposed to open all the windows in the room, vacate said room, then call the EPA for removal and disposal because it contains toxic carcinogens. BRILLIANT!

[dish]

A trick to get the base of a light bulb out of the socket when the glass comes out seperately for some reason....

Make sure the light switch is turned off then cut a potato in half and use that to unscrew the base that remains in the socket.

That's a fantastic idea, and much better than attacking the entire fitting with a hammer as I was once reduced to doing.

Those are the new fluorescent lights that are replacing incandescent lightbulbs. Which is really, really, really stupid. Now instead of a less efficient light you have one were, if you break it, you are supposed to open all the windows in the room, vacate said room, then call the EPA for removal and disposal because it contains toxic carcinogens. BRILLIANT!

Is that the energy-saving lightbulbs, or the fluorescent tubes and such-like?

[Zeb The Troll]

I love the new fluorescent bulbs. They put off far less heat, use WAY less electricity, give off a much more pleasant light, and last forever. In my last apartment, where I lived for four years, I put one in every light in the place and never replaced one of them. Most of those lights came to the new house too, and we're replacing all the fixed lights there with them too.

[SDF]

Is that the energy-saving lightbulbs, or the fluorescent tubes and such-like?

One and the same.

I guess the light is okay if you like the look of a sterile hospital :P

[Zeb The Troll]

Maybe we're experiencing a different brand, but the ones I use definitely don't have a sterile hospital feel to the light they put off. It's more like the "soft white" that somebody used to put out a while back, I don't remember who.

[CurlyKitGirl]

We use the energy saver lightbulbs too. Cheaper and last longer.

[Serpentine]

We have both bayonette and screw-in bulbs. In the one house. And I can't remember which are which. I think this annoying one is a bayonette one... Also, it was actually an energy-saving bulb I was trying to put in >.<

[Charity]

One and the same.

I guess the light is okay if you like the look of a sterile hospital :P

Many varieties of colour are available (in flourescent bulbs it is the temperature that denotes the colour)
also

Spoiler

Show

yup it's one bulb

Disco woo

[Zeb The Troll]

Heh, looks to me like it's the paint the determines the color.

[Charity]

Wheres that rolly eye smillie when you need it
Tri-Phosphor tubes
Numeric Color Code Color Color Temperature (°K)
827 Warm White 2700
840 Cool White 4000
865 Cool Daylight 6500

[dish]

However the colour is determined, I can get 'soft daylight' here in Shanghai, (Philips brand) so it should be available pretty much anywhere.

[Haruki-kun]

We also have the fluorescent lightbulbs, except on nightstand lamps. I don't know why. I guess reading at night isn't so easy without traditional light bulbs for me.

[DraPrime]

Currently the power is out (I'm using a laptop with a good battery) so I'm using candles. None of those new fangled lightbulbs for me.

[Skippy]

We also have the fluorescent lightbulbs, except on nightstand lamps. I don't know why. I guess reading at night isn't so easy without traditional light bulbs for me.

I have a fluorescent lightbulb on my nightstand lamp... You just have to look a bit harder for them...

Edit: @^: So... a lightbulb is newfangled... Then what's a laptop?

[Serpentine]

Quick, everyone, I need a word! I'm trying to get across this:

Resigned to their fate, apathetic, out of hope, have given up, don't see the point in trying to run or fight because they're all doomed anyway. You know, like that one guy in every horror, slasher, thriller and monster movie.

but in substantially fewer words. I keep thinking something like "morbid", but that's not right...

[DraPrime]

Despair? Hopeless? Doomed? Imminent defeat?

[Zeb The Troll]

Are you thinking 'morose' maybe?

[Recaiden]

Maybe defeatist or something.

Also, "No, the toaster!"