[Heathkit] OT, Electric Heater Question

[Phil Lefever]

At 05:00 PM 2/4/2006, km1h wrote:
>I figure someone here knows the answer! Excuse the O/T subject.
>
>What is that thingie in all heaters in series with the AC line, it looks 
>similar to a diode?? Are these things generic, there are no markings and 
>Ive seen them in all sorts of heating devices?

Carl, its like a little silver tube that is tapered on one end? I'm
sure its a thermal fuse, they are common in most heating appliances
today.


>Source of replacements?

I seem to remember Digi-Key sells them, I'm sure everyone else does
now too.

>Is it safe to bypass it if everything else in the circuit checks OK?

Well the manufacturer put it there for a reason, bypass it at your own
peril. Odds are everything will be fine as the manufacturers have started
using these mostly to help limit liability. I'd probably bypass it only
if it is a heater that is used in a firesafe area and is normally supervised!

73

Phil, KB0NES