Male-to-male cords are so prevalent in some circles because of all their uses that you would expect female-to-female cords to enjoy the same popularity. You won’t find them in any store and neither will you find them in the homes of those consumers that enjoy re-working extension cords to produce new configurations. But they rarely mention female to female extension cords because, for the most part, they don’t exist. Most electricians oppose male-to-male extension cords because of the danger associated with their use. Some consumers use them all the same because they are convinced that they are too careful to touch an exposed male plug once the extension cord has been connected to power. This is the reason why people call male to male extension cords suicide cables. The fact that they are protruding from the plug means that they present a much greater danger than a female socket.

If you plug one end into a wall receptacle, the prongs of the male plug on the other end will shock anyone who touches them. Not only are they hidden but they are difficult to access, which is why they don’t pose much of a threat.Ī male-to-male extension cord doesn’t have this same advantage. However, the live parts of the female end are found inside the socket. When you plug the male end into a wall outlet, it transmits power to the female end. They will either shock you or anyone else that is unfortunate enough to touch them.Īn ordinary extension cord has male and female ends.

The use of male-to-male cords is discouraged because they are an electrocution hazard. They do not understand the risk they are taking by using double male extension cords or adapters. This is because the exposed prongs can electrocute any passerby that is unfortunate enough to touch a conductor, such as water or a piece of metal, that has come into contact with the exposed prongs of a male plug.Įxtension cords and adapters with two male ends are common during the holidays because Christmas lights take a lot of time and effort to unravel and deploy.Īs such, when homeowners realize that they strung their Christmas lights up the wrong way, with the female end near the socket, they are unwilling to undo them because it would take too much effort. I believe that these extension cords are just as big of a threat to other people as they are to the consumer that is using them. Why Are Male To Male Extension Cords Dangerous? Use a voltage tester to determine whether or not it is working.

Once you are done, connect one end to a wall receptacle. The green, white, and black wires should be secured to the green, silver, and copper terminals respectively.ĥ). Match each wire in the cord to the right terminal. Loosen the screws keeping the cap of the male plug closed. Keep removing the sheath until you have exposed enough of the wires (an inch and a half) to remove the paper insulation.Ĥ). The objective is to access the wires on the inside.ģ). Take one end of the cord, split the ends and remove the outer sheath. But this time, you can just buy two male plugs.Ģ). Normally, you would purchase a male and a female plug. Hunker believes that a 10/3 SJ-cord will do. You have to start by buying a cord of the right length.

Male to male adapter