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Aluminum foil left on glass cooktop

 
 
DTs
 
Reply Sun 2 Jun, 2019 01:20 am
Sitting watching TV when there was a loud bang. We found that my wife had left a roll of aluminim foil (in the cardboard box) on top of a glass cooktop "burner". We don't think the burner was turned on but it *may* have been. The box had a hole burned into it and the trip switch earth had tripped off.


So, could the foil short the burner and cause heat without the burner turned and while it was in the box. ...or had one of us bumped a switch on?

I didn't think any current flowed though the glass? So why did it trip the switch? Did the burner just overheat?

Thanks in advance. I hate electricity when it goes wrong!!!





 
roger
 
  3  
Reply Sun 2 Jun, 2019 01:51 am
@DTs,
Fifty years ago, I knew lots of stuff about electricity. Now, I know better.

Wish I could help, but I'm mystified.
DTs
 
  1  
Reply Sun 2 Jun, 2019 03:52 am
@roger,
Thanks roger,

I electrocuted myself when I was younger so am very wary now!

It can stay tripped until I can get an elctrician here but I was concerned on any "downstream" problems it may have caused and whther the burners could short when not "on" if something fell across them in future .

Cheers

0 Replies
 
maxdancona
 
  2  
Reply Sun 2 Jun, 2019 09:36 am
@DTs,
I am going to guess you have an induction cooktop. An induction cooktop uses an oscillating magnetic field to generate heat. However, aluminum foil shouldn't be effected by the induction element, there might have been iron in the box.. maybe the cutting strip?

I am just speculating here.
farmerman
 
  3  
Reply Sun 2 Jun, 2019 10:03 am
@maxdancona,
I think hes just been introduced to the "Phase Rule" The Al foil has stored up the heat energy which converted to rising temp above the safety element and caused the trip.

Start by unplugging everything (clean off the glass top with white vinegar and bicarbonate (the al will dissolve in a few apps. ).
Then plug it all back in (all we we've done was let the system reboot) Theres a safety temp switch to prevent stuff like this from going catastrophic.
maxdancona
 
  2  
Reply Sun 2 Jun, 2019 10:08 am
@farmerman,
I agree with Farmerman.

Unplug everything. Clean the glass top well. Replug. Then use again normally. You can watch the first couple of times to make sure everything is heating correctly.

0 Replies
 
DTs
 
  1  
Reply Sun 2 Jun, 2019 07:36 pm
Thank you all!

I'll test it tonight. The top was in the house when we bought it 20 years ago, so I don't know exactly what type it is. I mentioned induction (which I don't understand but realise it deals with "fields" ) to SWMBO and got told no, it is a glass one.... I know better than to argue Smile Wink

Now the nasty electrical burn smell has gone and the heart rate is back to normal, I'll check it out and if all seems normal, I'll watch it for a couple of cooks and see how we go.

I just operate on the principal of "what you don't know you don't know is what will kill you" with electricity.

Thanks again all!!!
0 Replies
 
 

 
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