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A simple test of how the PTC heater block behaves in a total failure situation. In reality, this situation would require a processor crash or triac failure to achieve. If everything was otherwise intact the internal thermistor should sense the build up of heat as "room temperature" and shut the heater off.

https://youtu.be/76s5gWF8qIA

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Let's overheat a Tesla miracle heater core to see what happens

As promised in the Tesla miracle heater video, here's what happens to the PTC ceramic heater core when the forced airflow is removed. I would guess that in-situ the electronics would sense the high ambient temperature as "room temperature" and shut the heater block off. But in the event of triac failure or a processor crash that could still result in the heater being left active continuously. I prefer not to rely on active electronics and software as a single safety layer. If you enjoy my videos and would like to support me with a dollar or two for coffee, cookies and gadgets to take apart, you can do so by supporting me on Patreon. I release videos without adverts for critique and feedback on Patreon as soon as they have been made. I also release Patreon-only backstage videos when I'm working on shows. https://www.patreon.com/bigclive Alternatively, for a single coffee contribution you can use PayPal:- https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/bigclive #ElectronicsCreators

Comments

Mike Page

Good test, thanks Clive.

Charles

Huh, interesting. I saw there was no "tilt switch" in this - are those not required for portable heaters in the UK? They're common here, and are supposed to shut the thing off if it falls over on its side (or worse, heat side face-down). Sometimes it's a literal tilt switch (the ball bearing type, I'm guessing, in these mercury-paranoid times), sometimes it's just a microswitch pushed by a plastic pin that pokes out the bottom. If it falls over, a spring pushes the pin out and it opens the microswitch.

bigclive

I think they rely on the inherent thermal limiting of the PTC element and vicinity of the internal thermistor.