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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.
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Parents
  • 0
    Hi Broadage.

    I must admit two things.

    One I`ve never heard of 12v versions.

    I`ve never felt easy about mains versions in a bed where someone might wet the bed, vomit etc.

    I know people of my generation noticed our parents etc had a common liking for electric blankets - stems, I think, from the days that it was common to have badly fitting sash windows and open coal fireplaces. Ventilation was king but it could be bloody cold in winter. No wonder electric blankets were so  popular.

    Nowadays most folk have central heating and double glazing , makes the atmosphere in a home more comfortable so are electric blankets needed anymore? (Actually I find the downside of modern living to be stuffy homes and more colds and flu etc about, just my opinion really).

    A few years ago my Father in Law told me that his electric blanket set on fire whilst he was in bed - then asked me if I could repair it !!!!.

    Like you I worry that the lower voltage means higher current to get the same wattage
Reply
  • 0
    Hi Broadage.

    I must admit two things.

    One I`ve never heard of 12v versions.

    I`ve never felt easy about mains versions in a bed where someone might wet the bed, vomit etc.

    I know people of my generation noticed our parents etc had a common liking for electric blankets - stems, I think, from the days that it was common to have badly fitting sash windows and open coal fireplaces. Ventilation was king but it could be bloody cold in winter. No wonder electric blankets were so  popular.

    Nowadays most folk have central heating and double glazing , makes the atmosphere in a home more comfortable so are electric blankets needed anymore? (Actually I find the downside of modern living to be stuffy homes and more colds and flu etc about, just my opinion really).

    A few years ago my Father in Law told me that his electric blanket set on fire whilst he was in bed - then asked me if I could repair it !!!!.

    Like you I worry that the lower voltage means higher current to get the same wattage
Children
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