Darwin Awards: Penny SMPS Challenge - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Shock
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 07, 2020, 02:36:52 pm
content: New stupid for school kids who weren't taught the dangers of electricity.In other news, another crappy phone charger took out a guy in Russia just recently. Still a slow and steady supply of cheap smps killing people. If you are interested in how this occurs in 2016 a smps electrocution that lead to a fatality was captured on video.Content Warning: Second video shows electrocution.

author: Bark
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 07, 2020, 03:38:09 pm
content: There are a lot of really confusing things on this "Tik Tok" site. There has been recent news about the "skull breaker challenge" and the kids involved seem to be well old enough to know that "skull breaking" should sound fatal.Yet they do it.Has anyone seen the movie "idiocracy"? I think the world is de-evolving in this direction

author: OwO
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 07, 2020, 03:44:53 pm
content: I've always associated tiktok with instagram thots. It's called dick tok for a reason (see "d" in logo").

author: Domagoj T
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 07, 2020, 07:30:34 pm
content: Let's not conflate these two.One is clearly abuse and intentional circumvention of safety features, the other is an innocent kid dying due to no fault of his while properly using a device that should not have failed in this way.These two events could hardly be more different.

author: Shock
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 07, 2020, 08:14:41 pm
content: Quote from: Domagoj T on March 07, 2020, 07:30:34 pmHow dare you accuse me of conflating!Maybe I should have put in an extra video to make it clear they were not related. Well... aside from smps and the dangers of electricity and the need for ground fault protection for the public when they place the penny on the wrong side or use noninsulated mobile/headphones. Oh no, it's starting to sound conflated again.

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 07, 2020, 09:21:11 pm
content: That second video is utterly bizarre (and sad!). How can people sitting right next to the poor guy completely fail to react? They can't bethatabsorbed.

author: Gregg
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 07, 2020, 09:57:02 pm
content: In the US and Canada balancing a penny on the plug terminals would be a lot more difficult if installers would install the wall receptacles with the larger ground terminal on top (the way it should be IMHO). It is too bad the other way around has become the de facto standard because it looks better.At least all of my receptacles are installed in the correct orientation (except for the one behind the refrigerator due to the molded flat 90 degree plug).

author: Ranayna
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 07, 2020, 10:18:02 pm
content: But the US sockets make such a nice face with the ground pin downThe thumbnail of the first video actually shows a socked with the ground lead up, which of course does nothing for stuff without a ground pin.Crap like that makes me glad that our Schuko sockets in germany are so deeply recessed. None of our coins can fit there.Or do it like the brits, and have mandatory sleeving on the pins. That, combined with the ground pin that is also mandatory, should also make shorting the plug out with a coin impossible.

author: Shock
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 07, 2020, 10:32:42 pm
content: In Australia we insulate half the line and neutral pins now so less of a touch hazard if it's not fully inserted. Still want ground fault protection though, might end up with a badly burnt fingers but prevents it from getting worse if you aren't thrown off.

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 07, 2020, 10:46:12 pm
content: I guess the UK BS1363 plug/socket has been covered enough times for its safe design - not that anyone should get complacent about a mains outlet!

author: I wanted a rude username
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 07, 2020, 11:17:29 pm
content: Quote from: Shock on March 07, 2020, 02:36:52 pmWas itthis case in Volga?

author: Shock
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 07, 2020, 11:32:18 pm
content: Yes that was the one.

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 08, 2020, 12:32:04 am
content: the fact that all those people keep sitting there without even getting up to look is very scary

author: I wanted a rude username
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 08, 2020, 12:41:59 am
content: Cf.bystander effect.Quote

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 08, 2020, 12:42:56 am
content: when I see that video it makes me think they are all criminals that don't want to be roped into something, wtf are they doing breaking into fort knox ?

author: amyk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 08, 2020, 05:09:04 am
content: Quote from: coppercone2 on March 08, 2020, 12:32:04 amTo be fair, the last thing you want to do is touch someone who is being electrocuted...

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 08, 2020, 05:25:30 am
content: sit there and play DOTA to the smell of burnt flesh??

author: Domagoj T
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 08, 2020, 06:17:45 am
content: Quote from: Shock on March 07, 2020, 08:14:41 pmIt's a matter of too many videos, not too few.

author: Shock
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 08, 2020, 07:35:10 am
content: Quote from: Domagoj T on March 08, 2020, 06:17:45 amThe way to my heart is not to criticize me on your first outing, I'll need flowers.

author: exe
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 08, 2020, 08:46:49 am
content: What is the reason of death? Cardiac arrest?

author: Shock
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 08, 2020, 10:35:17 am
content: Quote from: exe on March 08, 2020, 08:46:49 amDied in the ambulance according to what I read. He looked alive in the video so assuming he wasn't damaged internally likely ventricular fibrillation leading to cardiac arrest. Depending on his vitals would have been a good candidate for CPR and cardiac massage at least until he got an epinephrine pen or oxygen etc.

author: SilverSolder
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 08, 2020, 04:01:53 pm
content: Quote from: Gyro on March 07, 2020, 09:21:11 pmIf you are not familiar with electricity, you probably don't even realize what's happening fast enough. It was only a few seconds...

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 08, 2020, 06:22:30 pm
content: Quote from: Gregg on March 07, 2020, 09:57:02 pmAs I understand it, while the national electrical code does not address receptacle orientation, many local codes now do, specifying the ground-up orientation. Makes total sense, it’s not just you! :p

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 08, 2020, 06:25:59 pm
content: Quote from: Gyro on March 07, 2020, 09:21:11 pmPlease. That could EASILY happen, it was literally just a few seconds.Moreover, the culture in China is reported to be one where good samaritans are often accused of malfeasance, resulting in a culture of not providing first aid.Finally, as others have said, touching someone who is clearly being electrocuted is very dangerous itself. The kid did the right thing by yanking the cable.Quote from: coppercone2 on March 08, 2020, 05:25:30 amThat level of electrocution doesn’t require current sufficient to burn flesh. It’s highly unlikely any significant heating occurred.

author: SiliconWizard
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 08, 2020, 07:21:16 pm
content: Quote from: tooki on March 08, 2020, 06:25:59 pmYes.Quote from: tooki on March 08, 2020, 06:25:59 pmDidn't know about that.Quote from: tooki on March 08, 2020, 06:25:59 pmIndeed. First thing to try would be to shut down the source if you can. Or use big protective gloves - you usually don't wear that at all times.As to getting burnt - it really depends on where exactly the current is flowing, which all depends on the exact conditions. But when being electrocuted with mains, burns are actually uncommon. You usually pull off quickly enough not to get any burn, if you're lucky and have good reflexes. In some conditions/some people will just get temporarily "stuck" (tetanized muscles). This is the worst-case scenario as it quickly leads to heart fibrillation (within just a few seconds).Burns are more common with higher voltages.

author: Stray Electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 08, 2020, 07:30:36 pm
content: Quote from: tooki on March 08, 2020, 06:25:59 pmThat was a big concern in the US when everyone started getting lawsuit happy in the 1970s. However most states have now passed "Good Samaritan" laws that prevent people from being sued in the event that they made agood faitheffort to help someone, even if they caused additional injury.

author: janoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 08, 2020, 07:53:54 pm
content: Quote from: blueskull on March 07, 2020, 03:30:45 pmAs if kids weren't doing stupid things because they saw them e.g. on Youtube, Instagram or were told by their friends.Remember people trying to reproduce the Jackass pranks? Or eating Tide pods? Or "planking" on balconies and such? (a few have died too). Or the Russian guys frying stuff with a microwave magnetron?I fail to see how that is TicTok's fault, really. Human stupidity and the quest for popularity among peers is an endless source for such darwinism.

author: edy
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 08, 2020, 09:20:09 pm
content: The difference today is that stupidity can travel around the globe much faster and unchecked. So within seconds millions of Darwin-award candidates can be exposed to this nonsense. Also sad that the Chinese system/environment/education doesn't promote "Good Samaritanship". I would think basic CPR should also be a requirement not just there but around the world... we should be doing more. However, anyone in that situation would need to assess the surroundings quite astutely if they are to move the victim and ensure they aren't putting themselves in danger. I think they could safely touch the victim with the back of their hand even, while wearing their rubber-soled sneakers and see that no current is passing through. Also, looking around and unplugging any extensions of whatever feeds the rail to the table may also have been an option. As far as saving the electrocuted kid, ideally if an AED was available it could have assessed he was in atrial fibrillation and the AED would have probably been his best chance for survival. At the end of the day, *why* did it even happen? What was he touching exactly, we will probably never know.

author: janoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 08, 2020, 09:55:15 pm
content: Quote from: edy on March 08, 2020, 09:20:09 pmHate to say this but that has been the case for the last 15 years or so at least (think Facebook and Orkut before it)?It is not like there haven't been similarly stupid things being done until TicTok or Youtube came around ...

author: Stray Electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 08, 2020, 10:06:49 pm
content: Quote from: edy on March 08, 2020, 09:20:09 pmI don't think that in China that an individual can sue the government, or a business or another individual for an injury. Hence there's no need of Good Samaritan laws there.

author: donotdespisethesnake
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 08, 2020, 10:17:49 pm
content: I used to enjoy watching stupid people doing stupid things, then I watched the video of the Chinese "rooftopper" falling off a building. That made me feel pretty sick. Die for a cause, ok, die for Youtube clicks?After that, not so much.

author: Shock
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 08, 2020, 10:54:13 pm
content: Quote from: Stray Electron on March 08, 2020, 10:06:49 pmI'm fairly sure you can take them to court otherwise Pengci fraudsters wouldn't be thing. This one is almost like performance art.

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 09, 2020, 02:22:23 am
content: Quote from: tooki on March 08, 2020, 06:25:59 pmthere is an episode of seinfeild (the final episode) actually, about this,I just noticed that in China everyone is looking mad cool/slick despite a guy being fried (yes, I know its mostly because some officials can get a promotion harassing 'persons involved'). I don't think they are THAT addicted to the game. It's just what you do usually to get away from a crime scene (act cool). They can probobly take you on a 48 hour hold because you 'got involved' so some crooks have something to write on a time sheet to get a promotion. 'interviewed' witnesses to a crime vs 'monitored police station'. What sounds better? Hell, it could go down as 'quelling unrest in a computer laboratory caused by electrical malfunction'No doubt though some people in that room need a computer detox...

author: 0culus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 09, 2020, 02:33:57 am
content: Am I the only one that read the title to mean building SMPS where the BOM cost is 1 penny?Either way crappy switch mode supplies are a cancer.

author: edy
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 09, 2020, 05:25:54 am
content: Sorry for maybe stating the obvious, but whether or not the accessory was faulty or not, why didn't the building fuse blow or trip some protection circuit? Is this all due to the fault of using garbage chargers and power supplies or could the building wiring/protection (or lack thereof) also have contributed to this serious situation?

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 09, 2020, 06:24:46 am
content: A GFCI/RCD only detects unwanted current returning from live through earth instead of neutral. So it won’t catch every electrocution risk. As for fuses/circuit breakers, they’re overcurrent devices to protect from fire, not for electrocution safety. The current required to trip a breaker or burn out a fuse is far, far in excess of what it takes to kill a human.