Ask HN: MagSafe Equivalent for Wall Outlets?
1 point by geepytee 8 months ago | 7 commentsNow, I looked around and can't find a single product for this other than this one [0] made by a product studio in Oregon which is out of stock (also can't find any reviews online so can't tell if it ever shipped).
The idea feels obvious so I'm surprised no one has done it. I don't think there are any laws of physics that would make this impossible? Is it a case of a patent or regulations blocking this?
I'm sure the Magsafe engineers at Apple have thought of this :)
[0] - https://ilovehandles.com/shop/tug/
- 8 months ago
- k310 8 months agoThe live end has to be inaccessible to fingers, unlike the low voltage contacts on the MagSafe. Done.
But the line voltage prongs need to make solid contact with only the pressure of the magnet holding them in. The more gripping force, the more likely you'd trip on the cord. To me, that's the limiting factor.
A "trip sensor" like a garage door or safety table saw might have would add to the complexity.
I can check the code book, but there's a reason that plugs and outlets are snug, and you replace ones that aren't. A firm connection is a safe one.
NEC now requires Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupter. Wikipedia [0] says:
> An arc-fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) or arc-fault detection device (AFDD) is a circuit breaker that breaks the circuit when it detects the electric arcs that are a signature of loose connections in home wiring. Loose connections, which can develop over time, can sometimes become hot enough to ignite house fires. An AFCI selectively distinguishes between a harmless arc (incidental to normal operation of switches, plugs, and brushed motors), and a potentially dangerous arc (that can occur, for example, in a lamp cord which has a broken conductor).
> In Canada and the United States, AFCI breakers have been required by the electrical codes for circuits feeding electrical outlets in residential bedrooms since the beginning of the 21st century; the US National Electrical Code has required them to protect most residential outlets since 2014, and the Canadian Electrical Code has since 2015.
Reason for the code requirement: [1]
> Arc fault circuit breakers (AFCI) may still seem new to homeowners who haven’t dealt with electrical codes in a while. They’re the result of research in the industry on how home fires start and what might prevent them. Some studies reveal that electrical wiring issues account for over 150 home fires across the United States each day. An arc fault breaker differs from a GFCI outlet or circuit breaker in that it detects slow electrical leaks. A slow leak typically occurs when wiring is compromised but not completely shorted.
> A good example of this would be when a nail punctures a wire behind a wall and a small electrical current begins to build up heat. Another occurs when a wire nut loosens and a small arc allows the temperature to build between the wire and nearby ground. This can even happen when an outlet or switch connection becomes loose.
Quite possibly, arc fault breakers present the cheapest fire insurance you can give your home.
[0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arc-fault_circuit_interrupter
[1] https://www.protoolreviews.com/what-is-arc-fault-circuit-bre...
- JohnFen 8 months agoOTOH, countertop deep dryers have had magsafe-like connectors for their power cords for a long time (I seem to remember seeing them before Apple's version, but I could be misremembering). That cord is carrying wall current. The purpose of them is so that if you snag the power cord or little hands give it a yank, it will disconnect before the fryer can be pulled off a counter or tip over.
- solardev 8 months agoMy countertop water heater power cord does the same thing. It's kinda annoying, because just moving the boiler around the counter will often cause it to come loose: https://shop.zojirushi.com/products/8-cdp-p300
That goes from the wall outlet directly into one of the boilers like this: https://shop.zojirushi.com/collections/water-boilers-warmers
- k310 8 months agoWHOA! You made me look. I have a Krups deep fryer that I never use, because who fries food in oil any more? The plug has two magnets surrounded by cylindrical sockets that pins in the fryer go into.
It's good for 1700 watts at 120 volts. Meets UL Standard 1083, CSA C22.2 No.64.
If we haven't seen something like this yet, it must have to do with cost. It's about twice the width, with the two magnets, of the $20 unit.
- JohnFen 8 months ago> because who fries food in oil any more?
I do. Fried chicken and donuts, mmmmmm. :)
- JohnFen 8 months ago
- solardev 8 months ago
- geepytee 8 months agoThis is an awesome reply, thank you so much for explaining this, and for the links!
- JohnFen 8 months ago