Oh for sure this is possible: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQ5MA685ApE
the devices that do it without doing what these guys did is quite pricey though https://www.cru-inc.com/products/wiebetech/hotplug_field_kit...
the devices that do it without doing what these guys did is quite pricey though https://www.cru-inc.com/products/wiebetech/hotplug_field_kit...
For servers I expect that they would have redundant inputs, that you can easily hot swap it.
The second link had a video on how to do that. With multiple ways to achieve a power re-route, including a tool to easily splice into the wire. The easiest technique was to just use a sheath to touch the metal prongs on the cable.
But the surprise for me was the power strip technique, where he plugged in his battery source into one of the 6 outlets, thereby simulating a power input. I didn’t even know that was possible.
This is true, but there is still a real risk that the dual power input on the server fails when you actually do the swap.
For example, the second PSU may not work, or it may have failed in the past and then be forgotten about, or connector or cable internally may be flaky, or the component that combines power from both PSUs may fail (although I think that's quite rare).
If it's a really critical service, those risks may be unacceptable.
It's somewhat interesting how this company can sell a product which obviously violates pretty much any electrical safety regulations (a plug with exposed prongs that can become hot). I'm guessing this is sold as a kit, not as a complete product.
In these cases it's probably worth doing it though.
https://media.screwfix.com/is/image//ae235?src=ae235/38040_P...
FWIW I do not endorse doing this, just stating that its possible and would work, it's not electrically safe and is dangerous for not only the hardware but for you too.
Pretty ingenious, tbh. Though I'm a bit concerned about how much you end up handling energized plugs.