In article , Steve IA wrote:

Can two extension cords, plugged together and covered with ice and snow
cause a direct short without breaking the circuit breaker?

Yep. The breaker won't trip unless the current exceeds the breaker's rated
capacity. A continuous 1A leak won't even come close to tripping a 15A
breaker, but costs you 1A * 120V * 24 hrs = almost 3 kwh per day.

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Regards,
Doug Miller (alphageek at milmac dot com)

It's time to throw all their damned tea in the harbor again.