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Improper use of the hot and cold water heater can lead to unfortunate breakdowns or even unforeseen consequences.
1. Is there a risk of electric shock while showering if the hot and cold water heater is not turned off?
Improper use of the hot and cold water heater can lead to unfortunate breakdowns or even unforeseen consequences.
The hot and cold water heater is an essential electrical device for households entering the winter season.
As the northern provinces enter the winter season with intensified cold air, the demand for heating devices, heating equipment, water heaters, ... is increasing, and the hot and cold water heater has become an indispensable item in households from rural to urban areas. According to statistics, about nearly 1 million hot water products are sold each year, and this number is expected to increase to 2 million in 2020. Many hot and cold water heaters have reached users, but according to surveys, people's knowledge of how to use this device safely and effectively is not really complete. Mr. Toan, a hair salon owner in Hoang Mai district, Hanoi, said that his store installed a hot water heater, but he has long been indifferent to turning off/on this device. Accordingly, the hot and cold water heater is always on in open mode to serve customers. In the evening after work, he and his wife and children also bathe, using hot water normally every day.
Despite numerous regrettable accidents, users remain indifferent to ensuring safety when using hot and cold water heaters.
When questioned about safety due to past accidents related to electric shocks, Mr. Toan mentioned that his family has used hot water heaters for many years without any electrical leakage issues. Additionally, the design of the hot and cold water heater includes an automatic circuit breaker, providing him with peace of mind in usage.
Mrs. Lan, a neighboring household, also mentioned that her family doesn't pay much attention to turning the hot and cold water heater on/off when using it mainly for a few months in the cold season, so the electricity cost is not too high.
Meanwhile, the convenience of having hot water available at all times - especially for households with young children, infants - is undeniable.
Anti-shock devices for hot and cold water heaters can be purchased separately or come with newer models.
This bad habit leads users to misunderstand, as some electronic stores claim that users don't need to turn off the hot and cold water heater because there is an automatic circuit breaker system, ensuring absolute safety from electrical leakage. However, according to Mr. Hong - a long-time electronic repairman on Ba Trieu street, Hanoi - this is a completely mistaken belief. 'Even though modern hot and cold water heaters are designed with an automatic power cut-off system when the water is heated, this does not prevent electricity from leaking into the water,' said Mr. Hong.
According to him, there are many reasons for this situation. Partly because the hot and cold water heater, after a period of use, has internal components that are old and cannot operate efficiently as when new. It may also be due to the circuit breaker part being damaged, and users do not detect this issue.
Another electrician on Thai Thinh street also shared that although circuit breakers are made to prevent short circuits and electric shocks, on some hot and cold water heaters - especially products with unclear origins, used products - the anti-shock device is merely 'installed for appearance'.
It is advisable to choose reputable hot and cold water heater brands, especially avoiding buying used or unclearly sourced products.
The consequence of this is that electricity can leak into the water at any time without your prior knowledge. If you continue to leave the hot water heater on while bathing, there is a risk of electric shock when electricity leaks into the water. At this point, the risk of death is very high.
There are also cases where the circuit breaker will only cut off when there is a large current, but sometimes the amount of leaked electricity is low, making users feel 'numb,' and the circuit breaker does not function. 'Trust yourself by cutting off the power supply to the heater, in case the circuit breaker has issues, then your life is as good as over,' this electrician shared.
It can be seen that to ensure absolute safety for yourself and your family, users are still advised to turn off the hot and cold water heater when it reaches the desired temperature, then cut off the power before using water for bathing.
Additionally, there are other considerations that users need to keep in mind to minimize equipment breakdowns or regrettable consequences, such as regularly maintaining and cleaning the hot and cold water heater, paying attention to grounding, and avoiding buying used or unclearly sourced hot water heaters.
