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Why does Geyser switch melted ? Common reasons explained.

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Hey guys Now a days use of Electrical geyser is increasing day by day at our homes. During winter season we can’t imagine to take our bath with cold water so for heating of water either we do it by gas burner (chullah) which is very costly and inconvenient for everyone, Another easiest way to heat water is with Electric Geyser.

When we install new geyser at our homes we found that there is regular melting of geyser switch,socket and wires used for geyser. As a result question rises why it is happened As we are also using various other electrical appliances at home but there is no melting of switches takes place. There are various reasons behind the melting of switches like loose wiring, improper Ampere of switch and sockets used for geyser. Following are the reasons given below:-

 

Improper Ampere switch or socket

Every switch or socket used at home have some current (ampere) carrying capacity, Lets take an example if a switch /socket is capable to handle 5 Amp of current, but if we connect an appliance to that socket that consumes more current say 10 Amp then due to overloading socket gets overheated and melt or burn. Ampere is the measuring unit for calculating electricity handling capacity of switch or socket. so we have to choose proper size ampere handling switch which is directly related to Geyser Wattage. Since Wattage differs from one geyser to another then question arises how can we find the proper size of socket which is suitable for geyser, we have to use the following formula to find the ampere rating of socket required.

Ampere  =    Geyser’s Watts / Electricity Voltage

For example, Geyser wattage is 2000 Watts and Electricity supply Voltage is 220v

Ampere = 2000/220 =  9 A         

Since in general switches or socket the actual ampere capacity is 80% of the given amperes, this is known as Safe Max Ampere. Now for 9 A, the nearby Safe Max Ampere is 12.8 A with respect to the 16 A switch which means we have to go with 16 A switch/socket for 2000 Watt geyser. If we use less than 16A switch socket for 2000 watt geyser then that will melt/burn in future.

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Godown Wiring

Why do we need Transformer ?

Now lets take another example Geyser wattage is 3000 Watts and Electricity supply Voltage is 220v

Ampere = 3000/220 = 13.6 A        

for 13.6 A, nearby Safe Max Ampere is 16 A with respect to the 20 A switch which means we have to go with 20 A switch/socket for 3000 Watt geyser. If we use less than 20A switch socket for 3000 watt geyser then that will melt/burn in future.

So above calculation helps to choose the correct size of switch/socket required for Geysers wattage. In most cases people replace old geyser of 2000 watt with new geyser of 3000 watt without bothering about the electric switch/socket. since old geyser i.e 2000 watt was running on 16 A socket whereas new geyser i.e. 3000 watts require 20 A socket, but due to lack of knowledge people don’t replace switch and socket as a result after few days socket/socket get burn/melt.

So Here we conclude that if Geyser switch/socket burns/melt, first check switch/socket ampere is suited to the Geyser wattage or not. if not, replace immediately with correct ampere rating switch/socket.

Geyser switch
Geyser switch
Geyser socket
Geyser socket

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After long time Switches/socket become old, worn out corroded or damaged, so it looses current handling capacity results in excessive heat buildup, resulting in melting and burning. Also Low quality switches are made of iron like metals which can be easily corroded with moisture ,leading to a short circuit and overheating. So always for brass made switches/socket of branded company.

Incorrect wiring/loose connection

Improper wiring from MCB main board to Geyser like sharing of geyser wiring with other appliances like lights, fans etc. Always go with separate circuit for geyser wiring from MCB main board, never share geyser wiring circuit with any other appliances. Also use proper size of wire required for geyser wattage, if use lower wire size then it gets overheated causes arcing, sparkling in switches/sockets.

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What is the function of a choke in tube light?

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The purpose of the choke is to provide a very high voltage initially between the filaments (across the two ends of the tube light). Again once the gas in the tube is ionized the choke provides a low voltage. A choke is a coil of wire.
Fluorescent tubes/lamps are filled with mercury vapor. They use electric charge to excite mercury atoms in order to produce ultra violet light. A glow starter or commonly known as starter is used in the tube light circuit to provide an initial current to filaments of the tube light.

The function of choke is to provide high voltage enough for ionization to take place in a tube light and after establishment and substenance of ionization, limit the voltage across the tube. That is the reason why a tube fuses when the choke is shorted.

Also Read : Godown Wiring

Gases present in the tube light is of such nature that once the gas ionised then it has a tendency to increase continuously accompanied by a fall in the circuit resistance . in order to limit the current to a safe value choke is used .
choke performs two function
1) providing ignition voltage
2) limiting the current

Choke is nothing but a Transformer. To limit the current in the circuit and to increase the force(Voltage) it is used.

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Now observe below figure

There will be two terminals at both the ends of tube in which two terminals are connected to the starter/thermocouple. And two will serve as phase and neutral.

Choke is connected in series with phase as the tube as hallow space immediately after supply is switched on the electrons won’t flow through the hallow space, so Choke is used to increase voltage to free electrons in the hallow space. It also serves for below purposes.

1.Fuorescent lamp is supplied with constant voltage, which it causes high current in to the hot electrode. Due to high current electrode may get damage. So to minimize the current Choke is used.

2. By minimizing current voltage increases, So the mercury vapour and organ in the hallow space bombard each other and electrons will move freely from one end to another.