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What things am I a dumbass about? (lemmy.nz)

submitted 8 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

157 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Had someone contact me because a browser interface was 'down' and it was actually a cert issue. It surprised me that in an IT context, this person didn't have a basic understanding of SSL certs. They didn't even know how to add a cert exception.

It got me thinking, what basic ubiquitous things am I a dumbass about outside of IT?

Ive seen lots of 'fun facts' compilations, but it would be better to get a wide range of subject suggestions that I can spend 30 minutes each or less on, and become a more capable human.

Like what subjects would plumbers consider basic knowledge? Chemical interactions between cleaning products and PVC pipes?

What would an accountant or a landscaper consider to be so basic its shocking people can live their lives without knowing any of it?

For most areas of expertise, its difficult to know even what the basics are to start with.

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[–] [email protected] 6 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) (3 children)

Always use a one lead voltage ~~meter~~ tester when working on electricity. Don't trust your breakers. Don't trust light switches.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 8 months ago (2 children)

Are you talking about the meters that simply detect whether wires are still live or not? Definitely a good backup to double check that you've shut off the right breaker.

If you're talking about a single lead multimeter to measure voltage, I've never heard of such a thing and don't know how that would even work.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

This one can detect voltage with a single lead and also works as a voltage meter if you use two leads: https://www.benning.de/products-en/testing-measuring-and-safety-equipment/test-equipment-voltage-tester/voltage-tester-duspol.html

It also has an inbuilt motor to distinguish leaking voltage from continuous AC.

Sorry if I didn't use the correct English terms and that wasn't clear enough.

In Germany you simply call it a Duspol and every electrician knows what you mean. Didn't research enough into the English description but it seems it's a two pole voltage tester with one pole voltage detection mode.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 8 months ago

There's literally no such thing as a one-lead voltage meter. Voltage is, by definition, the difference in potential energy between two points.

Any tool that can give a voltage reading with one probe has a second probe you're not considering, or is estimating voltage based on a some assumptions about current or some other factor being measured.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Yeah, they're called death sticks for a reason.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago

They kinda work as anti-death sticks for me.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago (2 children)

'Electrical safety' for this one I think?

[–] [email protected] 4 points 8 months ago

Sure. Also invisible electricity in general. If you can see it it's many times not a good thing.