WTF Heater Cords!

[zendriver]

Picked this up at estate auction, looks like it was hardly ever used.

Works good but the cord gets pretty hot. Looks like a simple thin cord a lamp would use.

Would it have made any difference if they had made it with a heavier cord?

 

[mm08822]

Wattage?
Voltage?
Cord gauge?
Cord Length?

That looks like it is out of the 60/70's.

Does it have have tip-over protection? High Temp cut-out?

 

[CoogarXR]

Watch out for the part where the cord enters the grommet. Mine split there and shorted out, scorching the carpet.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/psa-check-those-space-heaters-good-thing-i-already-needed-new-carpet.505308/

 

[Junkdrawer Dog]

If it's truly 60s-70s vintage and works well otherwise, I'd think about preemptively replacing the cord. Then sit back and enjoy!

 

[Firebrick43]

Picked this up at estate auction, looks like it was hardly ever used.

Hardly ever used, like new, only started one house fire!

Of the all the fires related to heating appliances such as wood stoves/chimney fires, water heaters, furnaces, and so on, space heaters cause 88 percent of them and 80 percent of the deaths.

 

[lzenglish]

Appears To Be A 1500 Watt Old School Space Heater. I Hope Yours Has a Tip Over Safety On It. The Zip Cord Is Fine If No Major Deterioration On It.

LZ

 

[The Cobbler]

it should have " heater cord " and it's made to withstand the heat . but I agree, it is scary

 

[rlitman]

it should have " heater cord " and it's made to withstand the heat . but I agree, it is scary

This. HPN type cord, also found on irons and better toaster ovens. I added one to my Ninja smoothie maker when the factory PVC cord started to melt where it touched the hot side of my toaster oven.

 

[zendriver]

This was what I was looking for

it should have " heater cord " and it's made to withstand the heat . but I agree, it is scary

This. HPN type cord, also found on irons and better toaster ovens. I added one to my Ninja smoothie maker when the factory PVC cord started to melt where it touched the hot side of my toaster oven.

Thanks, this was the info I was looking for.

 

[BrandonV]

Like all things, I would respect the heater for what it is. Be aware of limitations in regards to safety but continue to use it. Most of the fires that occur involve people doing things that the manual even back then warned against.

Good video on replacing the cord.

 

[zendriver]

Like all things, I would respect the heater for what it is. Be aware of limitations in regards to safety but continue to use it. Most of the fires that occur involve people doing things that the manual even back then warned against.

Good video on replacing the cord.

Thanks for sharing that.

Pretty much answers the question. Seems like I have never used a small heater - old or new, that the cord did not get hot, but they all seem to use the same relatively wimpy power cords.

Just wondering why they don't just use a heavier cord when manufactured, like that replacement.

 

[Firebrick43]

Thanks for sharing that.

Pretty much answers the question. Seems like I have never used a small heater - old or new, that the cord did not get hot, but they all seem to use the same relatively wimpy power cords.

Just wondering why they don't just use a heavier cord when manufactured, like that replacement.

Because the average consumer of space heaters (note I didn’t say all) are shopping on price(cheap), is ignorant of what quality construction is, and ignorant, apathetic, or uncaring of the risk.

There are quality and safer space heater (oil filled) but they are more expensive. But they cost 2 to 3 times as much as the style of space heater you have.

 

[rlitman]

...Just wondering why they don't just use a heavier cord when manufactured, like that replacement.

Because they expect the cord to be exposed, so while it may feel hot to the touch, it isn't dangerously hot. Now if you were to bury that cord in insulation (or wrap it in a blanket), it very well may get dangerously hot.

Newer PVC zip cord may be rated as high as 105C. I'd never want to see my wiring exceed the boiling point of water, yet there it is, stamped on the insulation. The funny thing is that HPN cord does not carry any higher an operating temperature rating than PVC. However, HPN will not melt when it incidentally contacts a very hot surface, which is why you will always find it on irons, and why you probably shouldn't replace the cord on heaters with PVC.

 

[zendriver]

Because the average consumer of space heaters (note I didn’t say all) are shopping on price(cheap), is ignorant of what quality construction is, and ignorant, apathetic, or uncaring of the risk.

There are quality and safer space heater (oil filled) but they are more expensive. But they cost 2 to 3 times as much as the style of space heater you have.

I've had oil filled space heaters.

The heat output ***** and the cords get hot as well, which might be where most of the fires start.

 

[zendriver]

Because they expect the cord to be exposed, so while it may feel hot to the touch, it isn't dangerously hot. Now if you were to bury that cord in insulation (or wrap it in a blanket), it very well may get dangerously hot.

Newer PVC zip cord may be rated as high as 105C. I'd never want to see my wiring exceed the boiling point of water, yet there it is, stamped on the insulation. The funny thing is that HPN cord does not carry any higher an operating temperature rating than PVC. However, HPN will not melt when it incidentally contacts a very hot surface, which is why you will always find it on irons, and why you probably shouldn't replace the cord on heaters with PVC.

I've seen enough of those heaters (and other appliances) with the insulation melted off.

Looks like they are just rubber/plastic.

 

[fitter30]

Doubt it's over 1500 watts that's 12.5 amps more than likely 1200 watts 10 amps 16 gauge lamp cord 13 amps. A fire just waiting to happen and safe just waiting for kids

 

[BrandonV]

I'd reckon the cause of space heater fires is almost certainly user error in almost all cases (minus recalled products).

You could give me a bare inductive element and nothing bad is going to happen unless you want to put it next to pets, curtains or combustible material.

Anytime I've used an electric heater there isn't anything in the world that is going to come close to it. I used to put a Nomex blanket down if it wasn't on tile.

Now with the indoor propane heaters hitting the market more commonly I'm sure the number of fires is going to creep back up.

 

[zendriver]

I'd reckon the cause of space heater fires is almost certainly user error in almost all cases (minus recalled products).

You could give me a bare inductive element and nothing bad is going to happen unless you want to put it next to pets, curtains or combustible material.

Anytime I've used an electric heater there isn't anything in the world that is going to come close to it. I used to put a Nomex blanket down if it wasn't on tile.

Now with the indoor propane heaters hitting the market more commonly I'm sure the number of fires is going to creep back up.

Judging from the news stories, it sounds like in many cases it might have been their only source heat, so probably ran on high all night long.

I just use them to quickly take off the basement chill when we have visitors, wife like one in the bathroom, since we keep our home temp in the mid-60's. Moved the setting on this one to medium and the cord was warm.

 

[danfromsyr]

warm cord is just part of it's heating benefit

 

[micromind]

That cord is rated for a higher temperature than normal, likely 105C. That's more than the boiling point of water so warm (or even hot) to the touch is normal.

Then reason they don't go with a larger cord is because it would cut into executive compensation packages.......can't have that!

 

[PoorUB]

I've had oil filled space heaters.

The heat output ***** and the cords get hot as well, which might be where most of the fires start.

Oil filled heaters have there place. I have one in my home office. I like it because it is quiet. No fan blowing. All I hear it a slight click from the thermostat every so often. It also gives of fairly constant heat unlike the fan heater I had before which would start up, the fan would run, then shut off and get chilly, then start again.

 

[mikedodge]

Looks lik its in good shape. Portable space heaters like that are only a danger when they aren't used properly.