It's not that it won't work - polarity doesn't quite work like that in AC systems - it's that as soon as you plug in one end, the other end has a pair of exposed metal contacts with mains voltage between them. One mistake, touching the contacts or having them come into something metal (like the ladder you are using to hang the Christmas lights) and someone dies

[–] floofloof@lemmy.ca 7 points 3 weeks ago

Also, once you plug it in to your strand of lights, the other end of your lights will have a live male plug dangling off it.

[–] snowsuit2654@lemmy.blahaj.zone 1 points 3 weeks ago

Thanks! I didn't realize the difference between AC and DC.

[–] Semi_Hemi_Demigod@lemmy.world 20 points 3 weeks ago

Reversing polarity is a Starfleet-approved procedure in all situations.

[–] StrongHorseWeakNeigh@lemmy.world 10 points 3 weeks ago

I know even less probably but I'm going to say yes and let you find out for me.

[–] isolatedscotch@discuss.tchncs.de 9 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

in AC, which is what home electricity uses, the polarity is constantly switching, from + , then - , then + , and so on, 50 or 60 times a second depending on where you live. This means that, unlike batteries, it's symmetrical, and you can just splice the cables and attach two male plugs together and they will work regardless, even if you somehow attach the neutral to live and live to neutral, in fact in many countries you can actually buy just the plug without the cable and then you can assemble it yourself in whatever way you please.

of course tho, this should be done only if you have a decent understanding of electricity, and it should not be attempted by someone who lacks those competences, hence why hardware stores "gatekeep" male to male plugs. If you really need one and are sure you understand how they work, you can probably make one yourself.

[–] snowsuit2654@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 points 3 weeks ago

Ah I see. You can tell I don't know much about this lol. I figured it was like DC.

[–] SirDerpy@lemmy.world 1 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

(If you) are sure you understand how they work

And

If you really need one

I understand how power systems work. But, I can't come up with a situation where I'd use a male-male AC cord rather than a safer and more reliable alternative. Most relevant is simply cutting off the female termination and reterminating through a breaker to the outlet ($15 and 15 min).

[–] Semi_Hemi_Demigod@lemmy.world 1 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Picture this: It's 8pm in early December. You've been hanging lights on your house since about 10 this morning, and it's long after dark. As you're laying the last section, you realize that you've got two female connectors next to each other. Do you tear it up and do it again, or do you hack a solution together so you can go inside and thaw?

[–] SirDerpy@lemmy.world 2 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

The suburban solution is to create a false dichotomy to rationalize outsourcing a simple electrical issue to Lowes.

The hack solution is to cut two ends and reterminate them.

I'd hack it. To do it well it's 8 crimps, wire loom, and harness tape. So, 10 minutes and $5.

[–] isolatedscotch@discuss.tchncs.de 3 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (1 children)

and you'd be right. If you are sure about it, and you know how it works, just make it yourself, so that you don't need to put anyone else in danger of getting sued.

The reason hardware stores don't sell them is that people WILL use them in a dangerous way, and they don't want to be held responsible.

[–] SirDerpy@lemmy.world 2 points 3 weeks ago

Makes sense. I'd not sell a hack job. But, for a temporary thing that's mine, sure.