Electric Filaments: Safe in Water?

  • Thread starter Thread starter mtanti
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Submerged
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the safety of electric filaments in water, particularly in the context of electric kettles and water heaters. Participants explore the mechanisms that prevent short circuits when heating elements are submerged in water, comparing these devices to other electrical appliances that may pose risks when in contact with water.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions how electric filaments in kettles remain safe in water, contrasting this with the dangers of other devices like hair dryers.
  • Another participant explains that the filament is insulated and contained within a tube, preventing direct contact with water.
  • Concerns are raised about the potential failure of the insulating tube, which could lead to safety hazards, but it is noted that this should ideally trigger a circuit breaker.
  • Some high-powered devices use deionized water to ensure high resistance, which is a safety measure in their design.
  • A participant seeks further information about the insulating substance used in immersion heating elements.
  • It is mentioned that immersion heating elements typically consist of a heater wire surrounded by a ceramic insulating material within a metal tube.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views on the safety mechanisms of electric filaments in water, with some agreeing on the importance of insulation while others highlight potential risks. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the specifics of insulation materials and their effectiveness.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the discussion regarding the specifics of the insulating materials and the conditions under which they may fail. The conversation does not resolve the potential risks associated with different types of heating elements.

mtanti
Messages
172
Reaction score
0
I'm not sure if this is the place to post this thread but how is it that an electric filament in an electric kettle or water heater doesn't short in the water? What makes it safer then a hair blower falling in a bath tub?
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
Because it is like why you don't drown when you go scuba diving. The important stuff is not in contact with the water. The filament itself is inside a tube that is inside the water. A substance that is an electrical insulator is between the actual filament and what is called the element.
 
Sometimes a heating elements insulating "tube" will fail. Hopefully current will flow to the tanks ground causing a circuit breaker to trip.
 
Some high powered devices are directly cooled by water flow but the water is deionized and carefully monitored to ensure a very high resistance.
 
Averagesupernova said:
Because it is like why you don't drown when you go scuba diving. The important stuff is not in contact with the water. The filament itself is inside a tube that is inside the water. A substance that is an electrical insulator is between the actual filament and what is called the element.

And what might this substance be? Any extra info I can find?
 
Immersion heating elements are usually consist of a heater wire ( e.g. nichrome) surrounded by a ceramic insulating material all packed inside a metal tube make of maybe aluminum or Stainless steel.
 

Similar threads

High School Filling a bathtub (Hot water to cold water exchange)
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
6K
How Can I Improve My DIY Van de Graaff Generator to Prevent Charge Leakage?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
Undergrad Is a half submerged object submerged in its own displaced water?
  • · Replies 22 ·
Replies
22
Views
2K
Drawing Electric Arcs at 230 Volts
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
How Do Solar Panels Perform Under Different Loads and Light Intensities?
  • · Replies 28 ·
Replies
28
Views
4K
Is Induction Heating More Efficient Than Resistive Heating for Water?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
4K
Considering Earth ground vs floating ground in off grid solar
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
7K
I get a shock when touching water pipe
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
16K
Induction Heater at 50Hz or 60Hz from Kitchen Wall Outlet.
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
Semi-Safe Electric Current in Water without explosions?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K