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How safe are 12 volt electric blankets ?

broadgage
Modern mains voltage electric blankets have a reasonable safety record if not misused.

But what about the 12 volt ones ? At such a low voltage there is virtualy no risk of a dangerous electric shock, but what about fire risk ? Are there any product safety standards, and are these enforced.


Are the heating elements of the self regulating PTC type, or just a simple length of resistance wire. Is there any requirement for the covering to be fire retardent ?


Slightly concerned to hear that friends are useing these regularly on childrens beds. (off grid home, no mains electricity) They are used in conjunction with wool blankets (naturaly fire retardent) and cotton sheets (moderatly flammable)

The running current is about 4 to 4.5 amps and the supply is from a 12 volt, 16 amp small power circuit with a 5 amp fuse in the plug.
Parents
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    An electric blanket is cheaper to run than heating the whole bedroom, but sufficient warm bedding, such that body heat suffices is better still.

    IMHO, electric blankets were popular in the 1950s and early 1960s with people still suffering from wartime and immediate post war shortages of decent bedding. An electric blanket was cheaper to buy than a couple of decent wool blankets, and a lot warmer than either pre-war blankets that were now worn out and not warm, or government surplus blankets that were better than nothing. As a child I had four blankets on my bed, two government surplus ones (too small, very rough, not very warm) and two pre war blankets (bigger but very thin and not warm). Just about sufficient in average winter weather, but not in very cold weather.

    Some people used HOME MADE electric blankets ! Designs for how to make your own were even published.

Reply
  • 0

    An electric blanket is cheaper to run than heating the whole bedroom, but sufficient warm bedding, such that body heat suffices is better still.

    IMHO, electric blankets were popular in the 1950s and early 1960s with people still suffering from wartime and immediate post war shortages of decent bedding. An electric blanket was cheaper to buy than a couple of decent wool blankets, and a lot warmer than either pre-war blankets that were now worn out and not warm, or government surplus blankets that were better than nothing. As a child I had four blankets on my bed, two government surplus ones (too small, very rough, not very warm) and two pre war blankets (bigger but very thin and not warm). Just about sufficient in average winter weather, but not in very cold weather.

    Some people used HOME MADE electric blankets ! Designs for how to make your own were even published.

Children
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