CHUVEIRO ELÉTRICO é PERIGOSO? Pode DAR CHOQUE? #OQueTemDentro

Summary

In this video, the host takes viewers inside an electric shower to explore its components and how it works. Through an engaging and personal story, the host reveals the risks of using electric showers and shares a dramatic experience of a malfunction. The video explains how electricity heats the water through a resistor and how the water pressure triggers the mechanism that powers the shower. Key safety insights are provided, including the role of the earth wire and potential dangers when mishandling the device. By the end, viewers understand how to safely use a shower and avoid dangerous mistakes.

Takeaways

• 😀 The electric shower was invented in Brazil in the 1930s and is not common worldwide. In some countries, it is even banned, such as in Europe.
• 😀 Electric showers operate without a conventional switch, using water flow to activate the electrical components through a pressure-based mechanism.
• 😀 The mechanism inside an electric shower involves a rubber membrane that, when pushed by water pressure, connects electrical contacts, allowing current to pass and heating the water.
• 😀 The resistance in the shower is similar to that of an iron, where the current flows through the metal, generating heat to warm the water.
• 😀 The electric shower's temperature is regulated by the amount of resistance used: less resistance results in more heat, while more resistance results in less heat.
• 😀 The key to controlling shower temperature lies in a switch that selects between summer (less resistance) and winter (more resistance) settings.
• 😀 A common risk of mishandling an electric shower occurs when attempting to change parts while it’s still powered, which could lead to electric shocks or even short-circuits.
• 😀 The water in an electric shower doesn’t conduct electricity well, which prevents direct electric shocks during use, although issues can arise if the system is poorly installed.
• 😀 The grounding wire (green) in the shower directs any stray electricity safely to the ground, preventing shock to the user during normal operation.
• 😀 Accidents can occur if someone attempts to repair the shower without turning off the power or if there’s air in the water pipes, which can cause the heater to burn out due to overheating.
• 😀 To safely use an electric shower, it’s recommended to switch off the power entirely before working on it, and to use protective gear such as rubber shoes, gloves, and goggles to minimize risk.

Q & A

What is the basic functioning mechanism of an electric shower?

An electric shower works by using water pressure to push a rubber membrane inside the unit, which in turn connects two copper terminals, allowing electricity to pass through and activate the heating element.

How does an electric shower regulate water temperature?

The electric shower regulates the temperature by adjusting the amount of resistor used. In summer mode, the entire resistor is used, while in winter mode, only part of the resistor is activated, causing less resistance and generating more heat.

What happened when the person first used the electric shower in São Paulo?

The electric shower exploded, releasing smoke and fire. The person, confused and panicked, ran out of the apartment naked, which became a humorous memory later on.

Why is the electric shower considered dangerous in some countries?

In some countries, electric showers are considered dangerous due to the risk of electrocution from combining water with electricity. In the U.S., it's even referred to as a 'suicide shower' for this reason.

How does the resistor in the electric shower work?

The resistor in the electric shower heats up when electricity passes through it. A higher resistance means less electricity flows, generating less heat. A smaller resistor offers less resistance and heats up faster, generating more heat.

Why is it dangerous to switch between summer and winter modes while the shower is on?

Switching between modes while the shower is on can cause sparks due to the high energy passing through the system, potentially damaging the copper terminals and the shower's internal components.

What is the role of the 'earth wire' (ground wire) in the electric shower?

The earth wire ensures safety by providing a path for excess electricity to flow into the ground, preventing electrical shock if there's a fault in the system.

Why does the electric shower not give a shock during use?

The electric shower does not give a shock because the water inside the shower is a poor conductor of electricity, and there's usually an air gap between the electrical components and the user.

What could go wrong when someone tries to replace the resistor of an electric shower without cutting off the power?

If the power is not turned off before replacing the resistor, the person could get shocked if they accidentally touch the electrical parts while handling the shower, as the power is still live.

What is the significance of the experience with salt in water when testing electrical conductivity?

The experiment demonstrated that tap water is a poor conductor of electricity unless it is ionized with substances like salt. This helps explain why electricity prefers to flow through the resistor in the electric shower, rather than the water.