Clothing/Smoothing/Steam Irons
© 2006 Dr. Ray Franco, PhD., PE r.a.franco@ieee.org
The 2005 National Electrical Code (Section 422.46) Requires Flatirons and Smoothing Irons be Equipped with an Identified Temperature Limiting Means.
UL Standard 1005 Requires that No Surface of the Iron Gets Hotter than 662°F, "A Condition that Could Cause a Fire". UL Irons
The U.S. Consumer Protection Safety Commission (CPSC) Estimates that in 1998 there were 400 Residential Structural Fires Due to Irons. 1998 Residential Fire Loss Estimates
| Fabric | |
|
| Linen | 490-750 | 445 |
| Cotton | 490-750 | 400 |
| Wool | 1060-1110 | 300 |
| Polyester | 840-1040 | 300 |
| Rayon/Viscose | 790 | 375 |
| Nylon | 840-1060 | 275 |
| Spandex/Lycra | 780 | 275 |
| Acrylic | 860-1050 | 275 |
| Acetate | 820-1000 | 290 |
| |
|
Case History: F03-002 - The owner of this iron was going out of town. She was behind schedule. The last thing she did before leaving her residence was to iron a blouse on the bed. A copper bead was found on the power cord to iron, which indicated the cord was energized at time of the fire. The control knob is in the "On" position.
For Maximum Resolution, Click on the Body of the Picture.
Iron in the Fire Matches Exemplar Proctor-Silex Iron.
The Pattern on the Bottom of the Irons Match.
Copper Beading on Power Cord.
Exemplar Iron Tag - Hamilton Beach / Proctor-Silex - 1000 Watts.
The Measured Heating Element Resistance was 14.4 Ohms,
Which Corresponds to 1,000 Watts.
The Measured Heating Element Resistance was 14.2 Ohms,
Which Corresponds to 1,014 Watts.
Thermal Cutoff (TCO)- Looped Metal Held in Place with
Low Melting Solder. It Did Not Melt at 534 °F.
Activated Thermal Cutoff (TCO).
The Contacts of this Iron were Not Stuck or Welded Together.
The Cycling Temperature was 235 °F to 248 °F.
Case History: Exemplar Durabrand Flatiron Purchased at Wal-Mart in 2006 for $6.54.
For Maximum Resolution, Click on the Body of the Picture.
Durabrand Flatiron Purchased at Wal-Mart in 2006 for $6.54.
Manufacturer's Tag.
The UL file # E91117 is Registered to Tsann Kuen Enterprise in Taiwan.
Flatiron Metal Body.
Thermostat and Thermal Cutoff (TCO).
Thermostat - The Bottom Bimetal Element Bends
with Temperature and Separates the Contacts.
The Value of Thermal Cutoff (TCO) was 240 °C (464 °F).
The Measured Heating Element Resistance was 13.5 ohms,
Which Corresponds to 1,067 Watts.
The Cycling Temperature Was 351 °F to 401 °F, and It Went
From Room Temperature to Its Maximum in less than one Minute.
The Temperature at the Thermostat was
Between 15-32 °F Cooler than the Iron.
Thermostat Date Sheet: 180 °C (356 °F) Was the ~ Trip Point.
The 25 °C (45 °F) Differential Matched the Measured Values.
Case History: Exemplar Black & Decker ("Applica") Iron Purchased at Wal-Mart in 2006 for $26.67.
For Maximum Resolution, Click on the Body of the Picture.
Black & Decker, "The Classic", Model F63D.
Pattern on Bottom of Iron
Manufacturer's Tag - Model F63D - 1,100 Watts.
Major Components.
Thermostat, Heating Element, and Thermal Cutoff (TCO).
Thermal Cutoff - 216 °C (421 °F).
The Measured Heating Element Resistance was 13.0 Ohms,
Which Corresponds to 1,108 Watts.
The Cycling Temperature Was 213 °F to 239 °F.
Case History: Exemplar Sunbeam Iron with Timed Auto-Off Purchased at Wal-Mart in 2006 for $14.23.
For Maximum Resolution, Click on the Body of the Picture.
Sunbeam Iron, Model 3985, with Timed Auto-Off - 1100 Watts.
Pattern on Bottom of Iron
Flatiron Metal Body.
Thermostat, Heating Element, and Thermal Cutoff (TCO).
Thermal Cutoff - 240 °C (464 °F).
Thermostat - The Bottom Bimetal Element Bends
with Temperature and Separates the Contacts.
The Measured Heating Element Resistance was 13.4 Ohms,
Which Corresponds to 1,075 Watts.
30 Minute Auto-Off Electronics in Iron Handle.
The Cycling Temperature Was 351 °F to 372 °F.
