Just electrocuted myself while changing strings!

[Sid s]

If I understood the OP correctly, the string fell across the two blades of the AC plug that was partially pulled out of the socket

I see what you're saying. But if it fell across the two blades it would just have tripped the breaker, wouldn't it ?

 

[timmus]

I see what you're saying. But if it fell across the two blades it would just have tripped the breaker, wouldn't it ?

It did. From the OP's quote..."After flipping the breaker everything came back on". What isn't mentioned is that the string had to have contacted ground somewhere to complete the circuit which caused it to get hot. That would've caused the breaker, I think he said on his power strip, to open.
If his bass was plugged into his amp and the string was still contacting the bridge on the bass (which it sounds like it was) the bridge is grounded and that would've completed the circuit. That, or he was grounded himself somehow...I dunno.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

I know it was a power strip, but this is relevant and kinda cool:

 

[Tassieviking]

In Australia it is illegal to sell any plug that does not have insulation on the Active and Neutral pins, when the plug makes contact with the power all you see is the insulation sticking out.
It is extremely hard to get an electric shock from something slipping in between the plug and socket.
I think the law came in about 20 years ago that they all had to be like that, but there are lots of the old types around still.
I spent weeks replacing plugs on new white goods in shops that had the old plugs on them.
EDIT: The Earth probe is also longer then the other 2 probes so the earth is the first one to connect in the outlet.

 

[Hoochie Coochie Man]

In Australia it is illegal to sell any plug that does not have insulation on the Active and Neutral pins, when the plug makes contact with the power all you see is the insulation sticking out.
It is extremely hard to get an electric shock from something slipping in between the plug and socket.
I think the law came in about 20 years ago that they all had to be like that, but there are lots of the old types around still.
I spent weeks replacing plugs on new white goods in shops that had the old plugs on them.
EDIT: The Earth probe is also longer then the other 2 probes so the earth is the first one to connect in the outlet.
View attachment 5383296

That looks very safe. You may be less likely to be electrocuted in Australia compared to other parts of the world, however that safety may be offset by the chance of being killed by a shark, or an eastern brown snake, or an inland taipana, or a Sydney funnel-web spider, or a saltwater crocodile, or maybe even a blue-ringed octopus.

 

[ADHD librarian]

That looks very safe. You may be less likely to be electrocuted in Australia compared to other parts of the world, however that safety may be offset by the chance of being killed by a shark, or an eastern brown snake, or an inland taipana, or a Sydney funnel-web spider, or a saltwater crocodile, or maybe even a blue-ringed octopus.

It always confuses me when Americans think Australian animals are dangerous. A blue ring octopus won't break into your tent looking for food, a shark won't pounce on you from a tree, funnel-webs don't hunt you in packs...
The reality is that Australia is one of the most urbanised nation on earth and most Aussies have never seen a taipan, a crocodile, or a funnel-web outside of a zoo. The most dangerous things in Australia are the heat, the distance and dehydration.
That said, I have been bitten by a funnel-web. Luckily not the Sydney version because I was a long way from a hospital & unable to get any antivenom. That was a rough couple of days.

But, on the electrical topic...
(another near-death experience) I did once cut through 240 volts with uninsulated side cutters. Was helping a mate with renovations & one of the lights was on the power circuit (we'd turned the lighting circuit off). Luckily he had a safety switch on his switchboard, so I only felt the bite for a millisecond.

 

[Tassieviking]

The most dangerous things in Australia are the heat, the distance and dehydration.

Unless you visit Tasmania, we might have high temperatures during the summer up on the mountains but if a southerly comes through we can get a whiteout in minutes.
When tourists go walking up in the mountains with shorts and a T'shirt because it is 40 degrees Celsius they are not ready for a snowstorm, some end up as food for the Tassie Devils when they freeze to death.

 

[ADHD librarian]

Unless you visit Tasmania, we might have high temperatures during the summer up on the mountains but if a southerly comes through we can get a whiteout in minutes.
When tourists go walking up in the mountains with shorts and a T'shirt because it is 40 degrees Celsius they are not ready for a snowstorm, some end up as food for the Tassie Devils when they freeze to death.

I have visited Tassie on a number of occasions, walked the overland track and seen snow in the middle of summer. I am a big fan of the map of Tasmania and (to bring the topic back to Bassics, I am a big fan of Modern Musician in Hobart. I have bought a few things from them over the years; a couple of sets of pickups, the occasional nut and I think a string tree. They are one of the best priced options for parts by mail that I have found in Aus.