Electric heaters are devices that can convert current into thermal energy. In everyday life, we encounter them constantly, and this category includes not only heating means, but all existing household items. This teapots, and stoves, and hair dryers, and much more. The basis of such devices is a heating element.
The use of all these items is associated with increased attention. Operation of electric heaters must be carried out in accordance with fire safety regulations.
Destination Groups
Depending on the scope of their application, electric heaters are divided into the following groups:
- for heating people;
- electric heating type tools;
- for cooking and heating food;
- for ironing;
- for space heating;
- for heating water.
Types of designs
Devices of this type have their own classification, which is described in detail in the existing GOST standards. However, despite this, in practice it is not used very often. Sometimes it is very difficult to divide electric heaters into certain types, since a lot of them have appeared in recent years.
Below we consider the separation of these objects depending on the type of their structures:
- open heating elements;
- closed;
- hermetically sealed.
This version of the classification of devices characterizes them quite well in terms of technology, but does not make it clear how they should be used. The use of electric heaters for their intended purpose, we examined a little higher. And below we consider another system for their separation.
Devices depending on the heating product
According to this classification, electrical appliances are divided into water heaters and air heaters.
But it will also not be completely complete, because some equipment is difficult to attribute to the first or second group. For example, microwave or
electric ovens. Therefore, the first classification is the most accurate, where electric heaters are classified according to their purpose.
Features of heating
This method of heating devices has a number of visible advantages compared to others. In particular, with gas or with the use of solid or liquid fuels. First of all, he is able to improve the living conditions of people in the place of their application.
Electric heaters for heating rooms are not explosive, unlike gas, and do not leave behind harmful emissions, which can pose a potential danger to human health.
In addition, these devices have such advantages compared to analogues of other origin:
- high power
- ease of use;
- high efficiency (in some cases reaching more than 95 percent) and much more.
Domestic electric heaters are equipped with infrared type heating, high resistance or high frequency.
Products for cooking
Compared to other cooking appliances, those that work by means of high-frequency heating do it much faster. The dishes themselves do not lose their nutritional qualities from this, their burning is excluded, it will be easier to wash the dishes. And microwave ovens do not radiate heat into the environment, which is very important when the kitchen is very hot.
Electric heaters for cooking and heating dishes are divided into the following categories:
- general purpose products;
- for frying, baking and stewing;
- for cooking;
- for drinks.
How to cook food
It is possible to cook and warm dishes of various types with the help of microwave ovens, floor-standing and portable appliances, food warmers, as well as special devices for heating baby food.
To cook something or make drinks, the following are commonly used:
- Kettles
- coffee pots and coffee makers;
- samovars and more.
Kettles can have an aluminum, plastic or brass body. The heater is most often tubular and placed inside. For better heat transfer it can be pressed with a disk or screw to the inner bottom.
The coffee pot is somewhat different in shape, it is also equipped with a special geyser. The heating element is located in the double bottom of the device. But the coffee maker is designed for preparing drinks under pressure. It includes two vessels. One is for boiling water, and the second is for collecting the finished drink. Water is heated and under pressure passes through coffee from one vessel to another.
Samovars are currently practically not used, most often they are a decorative element of the interior in a national style. They have a traditional shape and are made on the basis of brass.
Household products
All kinds of household items that we use, if not daily, then often enough, fall under the category of electric heaters.
In particular, ironing products such as special machines and electric irons. Water heaters are also widely used - these are immersion boilers and flow-type and storage-type water heaters.
The heating elements include devices for welding and burning, vulcanizers, soldering irons and much more. Also, household appliances are used for drying hair (hair dryers) and for linen (dryers, coasters, special sliding curtains).
Protection classes
Be sure to comply with fire safety when operating electric heaters. When using them, you need to know which protection class each product belongs to:
- zero - devices equipped with working insulation, with the absence of additional protective equipment;
- first zero - products equipped with such insulation and connected to the ground loop by non-conductive metal parts;
- first, there is an additional connection with conductive parts, so if the insulation is damaged, these parts will not be subject to voltage;
- the second - there is no protective connection here, but there is double isolation; the case is made of material that does not conduct current;
- third class - the product has low-voltage power, is extremely rare.
Operation and Installation Requirements
Contacts with this type of equipment should be carried out in accordance with the requirements of special regulatory documents. This applies to its design, installation and commissioning. And we are talking not only about household products themselves, but also about electrical networks and installations.
You should also periodically monitor their technical condition. It is necessary to follow the rules of operation of electric heaters. For example, in rooms where the duty officer is not present during off-hours, they should be de-energized. The only exceptions are basic lighting, anti-fire installations and burglar alarms.
If we talk about living quarters, then the products can be left energized, if this is allowed by the instruction or such is their purpose.
Do not allow the installation and use of overhead transmission lines near combustible roofs or awnings, or in warehouses with explosive substances and products.
Fire safety requirements
To prevent fires, observe the following rules:
- Do not use power receivers in places and conditions that do not meet the requirements of the instructions from their manufacturers;
- Do not use products with a malfunction that could cause a fire;
- Do not operate wires and cables with damaged insulation or without protection;
- Broken sockets, circuit breakers and other products must not be used for their intended purpose;
- do not wrap lamps and fixtures with paper, fabric dressings and other combustible materials; it is forbidden to use light sources without caps if they are provided for by their design;
- it is forbidden to use tiles, irons, kettles and other electric heaters if they do not have thermal protection and supports based on heat - insulating non-combustible materials that may prevent fire;
- Do not operate improvised appliances, fuses, non-calibrated inserts and other non-standard products of protection against short circuit;
- Do not place or store flammable and flammable substances and products near switchboards, engines or starting equipment;
- if the room is explosive, then all types of household appliances cannot be used in it.
However, not always knowledge of fire safety rules can protect against fire. Naturally, all electrical appliances must be used in accordance with existing requirements in order to prevent property damage and more serious consequences.
If the fire does occur, it can be stopped in time by calling the fire department at 01 or 010. There is also an emergency number 112, which can be called even from a mobile phone, when it does not have funds and even in the absence of a SIM card .
However, such situations are best avoided. To do this, when buying a product, carefully study its instructions so as not to purchase defective goods. Remember that the use of electric heaters should not lead to unpleasant consequences, but be beneficial.