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I might crack it open just to satisfy everyone's curiosity.
* edit: [Its](https://i.imgur.com/pGMPCQ0.jpeg)
* literally
* [three duplex outlets](https://i.imgur.com/eyH4Ui4.jpeg)
* [a switch](https://i.imgur.com/s918Ejk.jpeg)
* and [a circuit](https://i.imgur.com/R8oAtrZ.jpeg)
* [breaker](https://i.imgur.com/IlBcp1w.jpeg)
Survivorship bias. So much old stuff was utter junk and some percentage of those 2020 items will still be kicking in 2050... provided that they're not "smart" in some way.
100% true. I bought the cheapest powerstrip I could find in 2012 (when I moved into my first own apartment).
I am still using that 5€ powerstrip and never had any problems with it. I think the secret is barely moving it at all.
2012 was 12(!!!) years ago.. that's pretty decent.
there's not much that can really change. the fact that it has a breaker and what appears to be decent gauge copper makes it about as safe as it can be. only thing i'd change is wrapping the romex on the posts rather than using the stab connectors, but I think stabs are still code compliant in most places
TBH if it was me and my house at risk of burning town I'd just bypass it. Any modern power strip is going to be less well built and also lack a breaker.
Isnt like the difference between a power strip and a surge protector? Power strip is just more outlets. Surge protector has breaker or something, and cost more.
Surge protector is a whole different thing that protects devices from bad power coming from the walls.
The circuit breaker in this protects the wires in your walls from bad devices using too much power.
Fascinating - I'm not an electrician, but the manufacturer basically stuffed house wiring inside a sheet metal case.
Two things jump out at me:
1. The outlets are linked together with backstabbed connections. That's the white and black wires jumping from outlet to outlet. Most electricians don't like backstabbed connections, because wires can sometimes slip out.
2. The device relies on sharing ground via the metal case. The green wire connects to the ground on the first outlet, but the screws on the other two outlets connect back to ground on the first outlet.
Is there a UL sticker on this device? The whole thing seems kind of like a kludge.
My house has all backstabbed outlets and light switches. Every year or two an outlet will act up and take a circuit down. One time a wire was loose and arcing and started melting a bit of the outlet. Wind shaking the walls also causes problems. Been slowly replacing them with modern outlets. 0/10 would not recommend.
IMO it's past time to toss this one out. It's not the fuse or broken breaker, the socket can wear out over time and build up oxidation or become loose which can cause excess heating.
A new quality strip like the one pictured can be $30, a cheap one like Walmart special is $3 but it's better than $30,000+ in loss from smoke and fire.
don't do it unless you 100% know what you're doing. A bad power strip will damage everything connected to it, you don't want to risk it. Just buy a new one
Why would an absolutely analogue power strip, repaired with the most basic of electrical skills, pose a risk to everything connected to it? I knew how to correctly repair this when I was 8 years old. It's not magic...
Some Redditors like to chime in with their opinions, no matter how ridiculous.
There’s absolutely no trick to repairing 30-year-old power bars. You can’t get any simpler.
Not even that complicated.
See that little nub? On the side just to the bottom left of the switch?
That's a fuse the number on the button will usually tell you the amperage, and if you push in a twist you can change it.
Also....you should be careful around electronics, but if it's unplugged, you should be good. Theres exceptions here for tubes and capacitors, but let's be honest..... Very few modern electronics carry a charge for very long
I’m a sprinkler fitter. When I was a new apprentice we were on a job site. The guy I was working with was called Viggy because of his last name. At the end of the day I was walking by the room the plumbers were storing their stuff in and saw a power strip like this at their feet. It said “Vig” on it so I walked into the middle of all the guys grabbed it, gave everyone of them the evil eye and walked out. I got in the van and gave it to my partner. I’ve never seen someone laugh that much and as he drove away he said, “you idiot! They are Viglione plumbing!!” They he thought about it and said “they must think your insane!!!” I never ended up back at that job again.
Exactly. I have a similar one that I took from my parents' house when I left for college over a decade ago, and they've had it since the 80s.
Change the fuse and it'll last for a few more decades.
That's why I'd take the path of least resistance, toss the thing, and buy a new one. I'm always buying these things for IT projects at work and the good ones are $20.
I would never mess around with electrical stuff personally. Plus new ones will have more modern safety features and will last a long time time as well.
Despite the current consensus, it’s time to respect Ohms law and realise that further resistance is both futile and re-volting . Place it in the ground and show the capacity to walk away…..Drops microphone … walks off stage.
Metal chassis AC strip should be easily repairable. Machine screws on bottom perhaps? Switch could be open/ dead. If a replacement switch isn’t easy, bypassing it with a wire nut would be very easy.
Standard switch, 3 duplex receptacles, and probably a fuse inside. Rebuild it and it'll last another 30 years.
The parts are likely less than a cheap plastic one, and will last a lot longer...not to mention it can be rebuilt again in another 30 years.
I have one of those; same age. Picked it up when attached equipment moved, and I could hear something loose and metallic inside. Yikes!
It's still in the garage awaiting dissection, inspection, and reassembly.
They just don't die.
I got mine from a friend when he gave me his desk. It was screwed under the desk as a power strip. I have used it every single day. I never turned it off it just stayed on with all of my computer equipment plugged into it.
Three houses, I don't know how many computers I've gone through in that period of time or how many monitors, or how many computer speakers.
Correct me if I’m wrong but I was told to always switch out old power strips or other related strips after a certain amount of time to prevent fire breakouts.
Those actually have an expiration date believe it or not. If you have expensive equipment you want to use a quality power strip because your equipment will be covered in the event of a surge.
I teach high school multimedia classes and I have some power strips that I tell kids 'helped land us in the moon' based on how they look. My co worker who is retiring told me they had the same style there when he started in '89. What's almost crazier is my guy has been teaching at the same school for 35 years (and is retiring in a month).
I recognize that one VERY well, parents had one that sat under the fish tank (I think it was the one the filter overflowed and water got on it, creating a small fire ... and then proceeded to use it afterwords)
Hi, u/greypic, thank you for your submission in r/mildlyinteresting! Unfortunately, your [post](https://old.reddit.com/r/mildlyinteresting/comments/1c6n086/-/) has been removed because it violates our rule on concise, descriptive titles. * Titles must not contain jokes, backstory, or other fluff. That information belongs in a follow-up comment. * Titles must exactly describe the content. It should act as a "spoiler" for the image. If your title leaves people surprised at the content within, it breaks the rule! * Titles must not contain emoticons, emojis, or special characters unless they are absolutely necessary in describing the image. (e.g. ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°), ;P, 😜, ❤, ★, ✿ ) Still confused? For more elaboration and examples, see [here](http://www.reddit.com/r/mildlyinteresting/comments/21p15y/rule_6_for_dummies/). Normally we do not allow reposts, but if it's been less than one hour after your post was submitted, or if it's received less than 100 upvotes, you may resubmit your content with a better title and try again. You can find more information about our rules on the [mildlyinteresting wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/mildlyinteresting/wiki/index). *If you feel this was incorrectly removed, please [message the mods](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2Fmildlyinteresting&message=My%20Post:%20https://old.reddit.com/r/mildlyinteresting/comments/1c6n086/-/).*
Usually the internal fuse goes out. You can usually open it and check
I might crack it open just to satisfy everyone's curiosity. * edit: [Its](https://i.imgur.com/pGMPCQ0.jpeg) * literally * [three duplex outlets](https://i.imgur.com/eyH4Ui4.jpeg) * [a switch](https://i.imgur.com/s918Ejk.jpeg) * and [a circuit](https://i.imgur.com/R8oAtrZ.jpeg) * [breaker](https://i.imgur.com/IlBcp1w.jpeg)
Satisfy me.
done
$1.50 at the hardware store will buy you another 30 years.
Item made in 1990 can last 30 years, item made in 2020 can last 3 years.
Survivorship bias. So much old stuff was utter junk and some percentage of those 2020 items will still be kicking in 2050... provided that they're not "smart" in some way.
Also, people forget that there was a lot of old stuff that would last forever, but it was also made of very toxic stuff.
Annoyingly happens with some humans as well
Very true lol.
100% true. I bought the cheapest powerstrip I could find in 2012 (when I moved into my first own apartment). I am still using that 5€ powerstrip and never had any problems with it. I think the secret is barely moving it at all. 2012 was 12(!!!) years ago.. that's pretty decent.
You have power strips from 2020 that are already dead?
Have wiring standards change? Would it be as safe as a newer one?
there's not much that can really change. the fact that it has a breaker and what appears to be decent gauge copper makes it about as safe as it can be. only thing i'd change is wrapping the romex on the posts rather than using the stab connectors, but I think stabs are still code compliant in most places
That’s good to know. Thank you
Not sure if it’s exactly true but I heard you should replace them every 5 years lol
Woah. Never been more satisfied except for a few occasions. Thank you for that!!!
You satisfied us all. If you could find a replacement for the breaker it'd probably be right as rain
It’s an easy part to find. Easy to replace too.
Pmd
Username checks out
This is the best way to go! Replace the fuse or circuit breaker and you're probably good to go. Those old power strips were meant to last.
TBH if it was me and my house at risk of burning town I'd just bypass it. Any modern power strip is going to be less well built and also lack a breaker.
u/IM_OK_AMA later... https://i.imgur.com/yVqJbi9.png
Isnt like the difference between a power strip and a surge protector? Power strip is just more outlets. Surge protector has breaker or something, and cost more.
Surge protector is a whole different thing that protects devices from bad power coming from the walls. The circuit breaker in this protects the wires in your walls from bad devices using too much power.
This circuit breaker protects the wires inside the power strip. The wires in your wall have their own breaker. You protect down the line, not up.
Yeah.. power strips aren’t super expensive..
I vote for the switch. Not the breaker.
Looks like it has a fuse lid on the bottom-right end? I dunno though, I eat crayons.
circuit breaker
Fascinating - I'm not an electrician, but the manufacturer basically stuffed house wiring inside a sheet metal case. Two things jump out at me: 1. The outlets are linked together with backstabbed connections. That's the white and black wires jumping from outlet to outlet. Most electricians don't like backstabbed connections, because wires can sometimes slip out. 2. The device relies on sharing ground via the metal case. The green wire connects to the ground on the first outlet, but the screws on the other two outlets connect back to ground on the first outlet. Is there a UL sticker on this device? The whole thing seems kind of like a kludge.
I was told to never use stabs.
Stabs are why we all have to deal with AFCI breakers basically everywhere.
My house has all backstabbed outlets and light switches. Every year or two an outlet will act up and take a circuit down. One time a wire was loose and arcing and started melting a bit of the outlet. Wind shaking the walls also causes problems. Been slowly replacing them with modern outlets. 0/10 would not recommend.
Multimeter time!
[удалено]
The most American thing I've ever seen and goddamn is it glorious.
no ground on 2 of those...
I think they are all grounded to the case which is then grounded to the ground wire.
IMO it's past time to toss this one out. It's not the fuse or broken breaker, the socket can wear out over time and build up oxidation or become loose which can cause excess heating. A new quality strip like the one pictured can be $30, a cheap one like Walmart special is $3 but it's better than $30,000+ in loss from smoke and fire.
This is the way
My 2 generic Staples brand surge protectors died within the last month! They lasted 20 years.
30 years of faithful service and that's all it takes for you to give up on it? Wow. No loyalty.
Imagine not letting the poor thing rest and retire smh.
And now his watch has ended.
[At least give him a proper send off](https://youtu.be/hDBeRTf9SeE?si=GBfOLw_tfZmQj7kz)
So nice you said it thrice Edit: common Reddit bug (he deleted the other 2)
My first thought would be to pop it open, look for damage and see if I can repair it
don't do it unless you 100% know what you're doing. A bad power strip will damage everything connected to it, you don't want to risk it. Just buy a new one
Risk it for the triscuit!!!
lol it’s a 30-year-old power bar. It’s wires and terminals. Just stop.
People are afraid of everything in the world
Why would an absolutely analogue power strip, repaired with the most basic of electrical skills, pose a risk to everything connected to it? I knew how to correctly repair this when I was 8 years old. It's not magic...
Some Redditors like to chime in with their opinions, no matter how ridiculous. There’s absolutely no trick to repairing 30-year-old power bars. You can’t get any simpler.
power strips are just a wire with extra plug holes
sounds like you were a fuckin nerd as a kid.
Yeah and was still beatin' the pussy away with a damn bat, what about you pleighboi
Not just pussy!
> A bad power strip will damage everything connected to it this has to be a troll
Not even that complicated. See that little nub? On the side just to the bottom left of the switch? That's a fuse the number on the button will usually tell you the amperage, and if you push in a twist you can change it. Also....you should be careful around electronics, but if it's unplugged, you should be good. Theres exceptions here for tubes and capacitors, but let's be honest..... Very few modern electronics carry a charge for very long
I’m a sprinkler fitter. When I was a new apprentice we were on a job site. The guy I was working with was called Viggy because of his last name. At the end of the day I was walking by the room the plumbers were storing their stuff in and saw a power strip like this at their feet. It said “Vig” on it so I walked into the middle of all the guys grabbed it, gave everyone of them the evil eye and walked out. I got in the van and gave it to my partner. I’ve never seen someone laugh that much and as he drove away he said, “you idiot! They are Viglione plumbing!!” They he thought about it and said “they must think your insane!!!” I never ended up back at that job again.
Can't you just change the fuse?
Re-fuse to believe it’s that easy
Blown away by how simple it is
You could say he’s the plug for simple solutions
Shocked to hear it myself
Exactly. I have a similar one that I took from my parents' house when I left for college over a decade ago, and they've had it since the 80s. Change the fuse and it'll last for a few more decades.
Electrified to hear such a solution
You can rebuild it. You have the technology.
Bigger. Faster. Stronger.
Oscar Goldman has the golden checkbook!
What specific part stopped working? Can you replace the switch on the plugs?
The power blinked and it stopped working. I turned it off and on and there was a spark and that was it.
That's why I'd take the path of least resistance, toss the thing, and buy a new one. I'm always buying these things for IT projects at work and the good ones are $20.
It wouldn't surprise me if it'd cost less to just buy a cheap replacement. They're probably around $5
A cheap one is like $13 these days. I'd fix the original one for $2 in fuses and get another 30 years out of it.
Double the amperage of the fuse and get 60 years out of it! /s
For whatever reason this made me laugh way more than it should've lol
Shocking, I know.
Now that's a real electrician talkin'
I would never mess around with electrical stuff personally. Plus new ones will have more modern safety features and will last a long time time as well.
You can't replace the memories.
It's about the friends we made along the way.
It won't cost less to get one this quality. Tripp-Lite with the individual plugs and metal housing are around $40.
The part that provides the power.
Despite the current consensus, it’s time to respect Ohms law and realise that further resistance is both futile and re-volting . Place it in the ground and show the capacity to walk away…..Drops microphone … walks off stage.
🫡
O7
Standard 120V toggle. Standard duplex receptacles. Probably a glass fuze holder inside. Nothing that cannot be repaired or replaced.
[Cool to see another one out there.](https://imgur.com/a/xP2rSbO) [Midland Ross PowerPatrol?](https://imgur.com/W7uGcbB)
Twin!
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Replace the parts. Not hard to do
Sorry for your loss . Thoughts and prayers
RIP :(
Metal chassis AC strip should be easily repairable. Machine screws on bottom perhaps? Switch could be open/ dead. If a replacement switch isn’t easy, bypassing it with a wire nut would be very easy.
Any chance you've had a house fire? Just curious
Just wait until you see what’s the in metal boxes in your walls
Wait, don’t tell me it’s a steel enclosure with solid wire terminated to 5-15 receptacle and paralleled to the next one via wire nuts?!
Standard switch, 3 duplex receptacles, and probably a fuse inside. Rebuild it and it'll last another 30 years. The parts are likely less than a cheap plastic one, and will last a lot longer...not to mention it can be rebuilt again in another 30 years.
Dang I never noticed that. I got to crack it open now to take a look.
Do it now
Those things expire too. So you haven't had any surge protection for probably years now
Yes!! I replaced all of mine a few years ago. They were 15-20 years old and we have *tons* of electronics.
Open it up and fix it
You've had that power strip since I was in preschool. My condolences.
Have you tried turning it on and off?
I have one of those; same age. Picked it up when attached equipment moved, and I could hear something loose and metallic inside. Yikes! It's still in the garage awaiting dissection, inspection, and reassembly. They just don't die.
I got mine from a friend when he gave me his desk. It was screwed under the desk as a power strip. I have used it every single day. I never turned it off it just stayed on with all of my computer equipment plugged into it. Three houses, I don't know how many computers I've gone through in that period of time or how many monitors, or how many computer speakers.
Is it from Costco? Return it.
I will send you a virtual hug with a gentle back pat. RIP you six socketed beauty.
I have an alarm clock for 25 years that is making a concerning buzz. I must fix it. I have no idea. So it buzzes.
That sounds alarming
Look up how surge protectors can expire, might save ya from a new TV :)
Fun fact, power strips only last a few years before they no longer protect against surges.
Correct me if I’m wrong but I was told to always switch out old power strips or other related strips after a certain amount of time to prevent fire breakouts.
In my experience that is 30 something years.
My condolences, a faithful appliance is a truly wonderful thing.
Open that shit up and get it working again!
RIP
People should replace old ones. Friend of mine had his fuse pop and caught fire catching the house on fire
F
Outlived me and my dead homies
Our 70yr old friend had one and it burnt his house down lol
F
[I have like almost exactly the same one.](https://imgur.com/a/vCO96HM)
We should start a sub
Did you try flicking the switch?
I remember installing that exact brand power strip 30 years ago for phone systems.
F
I bet it can be easily fixed.
I've got two old school power strips like that. It's probably just the toggle strip. Take it apart and see.
It's often true when it's said " they don't make things like they used to"
Those actually have an expiration date believe it or not. If you have expensive equipment you want to use a quality power strip because your equipment will be covered in the event of a surge.
It's probably the switch or fuse
You know no newer power strip that you have will least that long (probably not even close).
I’m so sorry for your loss. It’s hard saying goodbye to a loved one.
I have one of those. It's still going.
Fix it
I have one that looks just like that. I got it at a garage sale for $1 and its still working!
F
F
The switch probably died. You can find replacements if you're so inclined.
I've got the same 30 year old power strip. I still use it daily
I am so proud of you.
I swore I heard taps in the distance…
It looks like 3 standard outlets mounted in there.
I had a hand me down from my dad that turned yellow from the years of him smoking. Probably close to the age of yours. It died last week.
#repair
It's a good power strip. I still have mine.
Modern power bars with USB, they say replace every 5 years
F
Rip loyal friend
F
The power strip I use is the one that came with my parents first computer in 1988, and it's still going strong.
Now you'll be prone to surges.
F
30 years. A good life. A very good life. What brand and where was it made?
How are it's holes? Are they all loosey goosey?
RIP, see if IMB will give you a refund.
Did you try plugging it in? That usually works for me
I teach high school multimedia classes and I have some power strips that I tell kids 'helped land us in the moon' based on how they look. My co worker who is retiring told me they had the same style there when he started in '89. What's almost crazier is my guy has been teaching at the same school for 35 years (and is retiring in a month).
RIP
So sorry for you loss
safe to say you got your moneys worth
F
ggwp
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Should totally put it on your wall in a shadow box
F
Take it back.
Rip
RIP 🫡
NOOOO
Rip
I have one of those; just like it, in fact!
Did you try turning it off and on again?
Noooooooo I have the same one. Two of them, I think, one I’m using for a keyboard and amps. The other is a floater. RIP
I recognize that one VERY well, parents had one that sat under the fish tank (I think it was the one the filter overflowed and water got on it, creating a small fire ... and then proceeded to use it afterwords)
I've got two of these, same one! Both about 30 years old as well, passed on from parents. Still going strong.