It is that time of year when the warm clothes come out and electric blankets are taken down from their summer storage. The Fire Service recommends that you should have your electric blankets inspected and tested by a competent person before use each year. Some electricians offer a testing service, often at a very low cost. Unfortunately the testing they carry out with their standard 'meters' (such as a multi-meter or insulation resistance tester) often are only able to test the electrical lead supplying the blanket, not the entire circuit. This is because all electric blankets have a thermostat fitted and this can often need electricity to close the circuit. Also this style of testing will not find any breaks in the insulation protecting the element core.
The only way to effectively test an electric blanket is to test it while it is turned on and to measure any leakage to earth along the entire length of the heating element.
Jim's Test & Tag can conduct this very testing using their proprietary electric blanket tester.
Stay safe this winter!
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