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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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    I remember a low voltage blanket with a large transformer in the 50's but my uncle did not allow it to be on overnight. As for caravan use, unless you have a mains hook up (not a luxury for us) the battery would not last long. We simply leave the gas warm air central heating on low, which works well.
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    I remember a low voltage blanket with a large transformer in the 50's but my uncle did not allow it to be on overnight. As for caravan use, unless you have a mains hook up (not a luxury for us) the battery would not last long. We simply leave the gas warm air central heating on low, which works well.
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