I push the “test” button on GFCI outlets in public bathrooms. Last night, it caused a restaurant to close unnecessarily.
Every time I use a public restroom I look for a GFCI button on the outlets. If it’s present, I push the button and I do not reset it.
*(A GFCI outlet has two buttons on its face. This type of outlet is required safety feature in areas near water like kitchens, laundry rooms and bathrooms. It’s designed to cut off power to the outlet when it detects a “ground fault” or an unintentional electrical path, like through water or a person. They can run in parallel with each other, but lights and other electrical equipment should be separated. When the test button is pushed, the outlet cuts power as if it detects a fault. Pushing the reset button restores the connection.)*
Most of the time, nothing happens. I imagine someone will eventually discover the outlet doesn’t work. If they’re semi-bright or give half of a damn, they’ll hit reset and move on. Otherwise, I like to imagine the chaos and chain reaction of a company having to hire an electrician to push the button. Judge me if you wish, I’m a chaos guy and I’m moderately proud of it.
Occasionally, the chaos is more immediate. Last night, I was at a restaurant and I pushed the button. Seconds later, I hear someone in the kitchen yelling “fck, fck, fck fck!!” along with general chaos noises. When I came out the bathroom, the kitchen was dark. Turns out their lights are down circuit from that outlet.
(No, that’s not supposed to happen, like at all. Whoever wired the place seriously messed up.)
I returned to the table saying nothing. The server came by a few minutes later to inform us that the kitchen was closed unexpectedly for the night. We finished our drinks and got food elsewhere.
They posted on Instagram this morning that they would be closed for lunch. While it revealed a serious electrical and possibly safety problem in the building, I feel bad because it caused a restaurant to close unnecessarily and miss out on business.
Edit: I made a burner account and sent the restaurant a DM sharing what I did. Hopefully they see it and will be open for dinner service.
The most “chaos” that has happened in the past has been the hand dryer won’t work. Real low-stakes stuff. But this, I felt too bad to let it stand any longer.
Edit 2: the restaurant read the message and put a thumbs up reaction on it. They were open for dinner service.