Water insulator and electric water heater using the water insulator

Abstract

A device called water insulator (1) is described, for limiting the transmission of current through the water in pipes, in particular for the electrical insulation of water inlet and outlet pipes (1102; 1103) in electrical storage or instant water heaters (11). The water insulator (1) comprises a pile of elements of insulating material (2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 3.2; 23.1, 23.2; 4, 5) on whose faces channels (801) are obtained, in communication with each other by passages (802), so as to form a continuous duct (8) from a first connector (2.1) up to a second connector (2.2). The channels (801.1; 801.2) have a winding path, in order to maximise the length of the duct (8); the use of a variable number of first and second type modular elements (4, 5) alternating to each other in the pile, allows obtaining a duct (8) of variable length and sufficient for ensuring the desired electrical resistance whatever the water conductivity.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to a safety device for preventing dangerous electrical discharges from a first part of metal piping to a second part connected in series, in particular from a storage or instant electric water heater to Discharge of parts touched by the user. Background technique [0002] It is known that in electric storage water heaters, the heat is generated by an electric resistance immersed in water, which generally consists of a metal casing, an internal resistance wire and a layer of insulating material interposed between the casing and the resistance wire. [0003] A break in the metal casing will allow the water in the tank to come into contact with the resistance wire, so that the water becomes charged and thus connects all the conductive parts. [0004] If the safety rules can be observed during the manufacture of products and electrical facilities, such damage to the enclosure will not lead to dangerous situations. Virtually ...

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Problems solved by technology

[0029] The disadvantage of being located inside the tank is that the length of the waterways is predetermined depending on the product, therefore, worst-case scenarios must be considered or not considered at all, since the pipes take up a lot of space

[0030] Another serious problem is that any breakage of plastic water pipes cannot be detected, for example by accidental overheating of the tank

[0031] As for the configuration of the outside of the tank, the disadvantage of the known solutions is of course the space occupied, including the appearance

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