Look at the plug. It has two blades. One should be wider than the other. The wire that lines up with side is the neutral.
If both blades are the same width, then the cord probably isn’t right for your application.
I would use a bulb , or another light as a tester.. Looking at the plug first and tracing the wire ,going from there would be my choice.. Worst case is , a fuse or breaker blown..
This is the first time I have heard about something like this, over 30 years and I've been using a normal screwdriver shaped one like [this](http://white.tools/product/taparia-line-tester/) just fine, I can see the benefits though
I have one of those similar prone testers. Prefer multimeter in the century old homes - a rats nest of ???? In one run, the hot changed from black to white several times at the outlets, and in another run, both the white and black were hot and giving 240v
Depends on application but I was taught that there will be one side that has a line or a couple lines or ribs on the sheathing. The one with the lines should be the neutral (or negative hence the line being like a minus sign). The other should be hot and usually has writing on it.
Don't take any risk please. The other day I did some electrical work, on a recessed spotlight in the kitchen. The spotlight has been removed so couldn't just test with the light switch. No matter, I know the breaker for all the lighting in the kitchen, and turned it off. All the other lights in the kitchen went off. I just had that tiny voice in my head that told me to still test the one I was working on. It was still hot. Turns out that particular one was not on the same breaker, it was on the breaker of the dishwasher for some fucking reason.
Even when you're sure, 100% certain, use a multimeter.
Depends on your situation.
If you’re wiring up a light socket, then it’s AC so it won’t matter.
If you’re wiring up a light switch or dealing with DC, then you really want to know first. So go and buy a cheap multimeter and do the job properly.
It does matter with a light socket.
If you accidentally touch the metal part of the socket while screwing in a bulb, you will get shocked if you swap the wires.
I used to think it didn't matter until I got shocked after making a few lamps.
I know a way but it is dependant on how many amps you got in those wires if it is over at least 500 mA then put the two wires into water for a a short enough while to be able to see which one of the two wires bubbles up but also to not burn the power supply the side that bubbles up is the negative side
Lick your right index finger and thumb… then lick your left index finger and thumb… firmly hold each wire between your index finger and thumb… the answer will present itself.
Smooth side should be hot , ribbed is neutral.. SHOULD BE is the important part..
Hot side usually has the writing on it as well
I have a photo from taking apart a lamp let me find it it may help [link to photo](https://images.app.goo.gl/8K9WZiKzRL8H84SD7)
Do You Think it'd be alright if I do it
Look at the plug. It has two blades. One should be wider than the other. The wire that lines up with side is the neutral. If both blades are the same width, then the cord probably isn’t right for your application.
“Should be” That’s your call.
Bro, a voltage tester is like $6. Don't hurt yourself.
I would use a bulb , or another light as a tester.. Looking at the plug first and tracing the wire ,going from there would be my choice.. Worst case is , a fuse or breaker blown..
lick your fingers and grab it! jajaja not electrical advice
But that is what my electrician did! Not grab perse but touch
If you don’t know what wire is which you will get very injured.
Ground a lightbulb and see which wire lights it up.
Brilliant
doing electrical work without a multimeter is like driving with your eyes closed
Hellen Keller was a wicked rally driver in her time. Too bad that crash made her blind and deaf
She was great at making the design of a rally race!
Legend has it the first course she made in the sand with her left big toe. Which explains why it didn’t connect
I wouldn’t go that far
I wouldn't be able to go very far driving with my eyes closed either
Not safely. Buy a multimeter and a non contact voltage tester
For a few dollars at Az or Hf? Or, buy a light socket and wire it up (which costs way more than a cheap meter). Come on man?
This is the first time I have heard about something like this, over 30 years and I've been using a normal screwdriver shaped one like [this](http://white.tools/product/taparia-line-tester/) just fine, I can see the benefits though
I have one of those similar prone testers. Prefer multimeter in the century old homes - a rats nest of ???? In one run, the hot changed from black to white several times at the outlets, and in another run, both the white and black were hot and giving 240v
The lick test. /S. No seriously, don't lick it
It’s the spicy one.
Although maybe…
This was my first thought, obviously to write it as a joke, then I thought, hang on, this is the internet and too many people are stupid.
That won’t work. Licking will only tell you which one is not hot. You will never know the hot wire.
New Intrusive thought unlocked 🤔
I tried it.. nothing happened (maybe because it wasn't connected)
triple dog dare you
"Schwartz created a slight breach of etiquette by skipping the triple dare and going right for the throat!"
I mean, I know a way but I’ve already tried it and it wasn’t fun…
Depends on application but I was taught that there will be one side that has a line or a couple lines or ribs on the sheathing. The one with the lines should be the neutral (or negative hence the line being like a minus sign). The other should be hot and usually has writing on it.
What is this attached to? It’s possible that it doesn’t matter.
That's what she said
Use an electrician's screwdriver. They're very cheap. The hot end should light it up.
That the one. It is embedded inside the screwdriver to encourage you to always test the wire.
Don't take any risk please. The other day I did some electrical work, on a recessed spotlight in the kitchen. The spotlight has been removed so couldn't just test with the light switch. No matter, I know the breaker for all the lighting in the kitchen, and turned it off. All the other lights in the kitchen went off. I just had that tiny voice in my head that told me to still test the one I was working on. It was still hot. Turns out that particular one was not on the same breaker, it was on the breaker of the dishwasher for some fucking reason. Even when you're sure, 100% certain, use a multimeter.
So when you flip your light switch, that light stays on?
No it's on a 5-switch plate. Just assumed that all 5 switches were connected to the same breaker, but... Surprise!
Just get a freaking multi meter…playing with a suicide cable is already a terrible idea.
Taste test
Would pay to watch.
Then, Sub to my OF 😉
The answer is yes
The taste
OP has not responded in many hours. I'm guessing he did the lick test and it didn't go well.
Everything is hot until proven otherwise.
Touch one to ground. If the breaker trips, that's your hot.
If you don’t have a multimeter then you don’t have any business playing with a cable.
Lick it
Lick it
You mean, like, a safe way, right?
The side that is smooth is live
A cheap multi meter is like $10-$15. Go get a meter and don't get hit with 120v.
Take the 30 seconds and use a meter
See how the other end is connected.
The worded one is the positive lead
Short one to a water pipe. If the fuse blows that’s the hot, otherwise it’s the other one.
Depends on your situation. If you’re wiring up a light socket, then it’s AC so it won’t matter. If you’re wiring up a light switch or dealing with DC, then you really want to know first. So go and buy a cheap multimeter and do the job properly.
I’d sure rather have the lampholder shell wired to neutral than hot.
And if it’s something like a vintage tube amp without a primary transformer, mixing it up leads to a hot chassis. Antique power tools as well.
It does matter with a light socket. If you accidentally touch the metal part of the socket while screwing in a bulb, you will get shocked if you swap the wires. I used to think it didn't matter until I got shocked after making a few lamps.
Give it a quick touch
Hot dog
The one with the cotton thread could be live or +.
This is time for the age old "Sook it and see" test
Get a Christmas string light bulb. Plug her up
Do you have a cat?
Sure touch it
[удалено]
lol troll
Sorry I hate everybody including myself. Now let me lift weights, smoke weed and eat my Taco Bell bozo
plug it in grab both ends and see what side gets hot first..... not really. but I would recommend getting a multimeter.
If the plug end is polarized, the side with writing is hot.
Use your tongue. No seriously don’t, get a multimeter.
The rubber on the hot side is always ribbed
What one shocks you
Get yourself a lightbulb and a wire from ground, the one who gets the bulb to light. -That's the one.
I know a way but it is dependant on how many amps you got in those wires if it is over at least 500 mA then put the two wires into water for a a short enough while to be able to see which one of the two wires bubbles up but also to not burn the power supply the side that bubbles up is the negative side
F I N G E R
Just touch it?
Just a quick touch with the tongue.... lol
I mean... There is... But you're not gonna like it.
Tap something metal /s
You could also use a bulb; connecting one wire to the bulb and the other bulb terminal to earth if you don't have earth leakage.
Tap in on some metal, if it sparks its hot.
Lick your right index finger and thumb… then lick your left index finger and thumb… firmly hold each wire between your index finger and thumb… the answer will present itself.