What Am I? Mystery Object.

[thor]

Brazilian electric shower heads

Toggleswitch, you have a lot to choose from! There's even a 5400W unit! More powerful than a modern electric clothes dryer!

Emilio

http://brazilian electris shower heads

 

[thor]

Manufacturer data sheet

Toggleswitch, open the URL to the manufacturer home page, then choose "Chuveiros e Duchas" in the "Busca Rápida" box. Once there, then choose any model pictures, but I suggest you start with the Maxi Ducha. That is one of the most common models seen in Brazil, comes both in 127V and 220V versions. Please ask me if you want any text translated to English.
Emiliio

http://www.lorenzetti.com.br

 

[toggleswitch]

Thank you sir!

 

[alr2903]

Togs

I hope you hacksawed that damn thing off the wall, before somebody gets killed...not vandalism, a Public Service. Truly FRIGHTENING.

 

[toggleswitch]

I pointed it out to a PIC(person in charge),....SHHHH quietly..... so that it gets taken care of without drama and a show.

and speaking of danger:
Just this week I had to see fire damage to 3 buildings of a 10 buildng portfolio. I can't tell you what it feels like to see all that devastation and children's toys and clothing left behind when a residential apartment catches fire. Thing is, much of it is AVOIDABLE.

Let me preach a little bit. So many fires I see are caused by candles. Do dear old Toggs a favor: Burn candles in a water-filled bowl that is placed on a non-copmbustible surface. Trouble finds US. Let's not invite it in!

 

[toggleswitch]

I'm wondering if such a heater would ever be granted UL (Underwriters' Laboratories) approval.

I think CSA (Canadian Standards Authority) is even stricter.

http://www.ul.com/

 

[thor]

Electric shower heads

Toggleswitch, you are welcome!

Regarding the unit you saw, which as you stated wasn't properly installed, I am sure it must have posed a terrible shock hazard.

Judging from my own personal experience, most if not every one of the weekend or beach houses I have rented along the huge Brazilian coast do not even have hot water service. Just an electric shower head in every shower and a very small electric heater in the kitchen for the main sink, to wash the dishes. As I stated earlier today in the link asking if Persil was available in Brazil, most households in Brazil have cold fill only washers, which of course wash with cold water only.

Judging from every installation I have seen and used, these showerheads operate safely when properly installed. They even have a two or three position switch for summer and winter use, due to the fact that the better models have two resistances of different wattage, which can be turned on individually or simultaneously, boosting the heating capacity. You additionally regulate the water temperature by adjusting the water flow.

While using these shower heads I never felt that my safety, or the safety of my family members, was being compromised, believe me.

Emilio

 

[Maytagmom]

It's a......

Bojacked Bidet!

*snickers*

 

[mrboilwash]

IMHO these shower heads are saver grounded than some UL approved US kitchen small appliances.
I mean there is at least contact with the water pipe in case of an electrical fault, isn`t it?

 

[toggleswitch]

Good point!

Unless there is plastic pipe interspersed.....

Even electricity seeking ground/earth takes the path of least resistance. Hopefully that is not through the bather!

 

[mrboilwash]

Have been waiting anxiously for your response now, Toggs

 

[sudsmaster]

Well, there are electric tank water heaters... I suppose they *could* present a shock hazard if somehow the heating element's insulation became breached and it started charging the water. But in fact clean water is a relatively poor conducter of electricity (in some engineering applications purified water is used as an insulator). Add some salt though, and bingo it conducts quite well.

 

[toggleswitch]

I dont know if this is true or a wive's tale, but ....

Greeks in Greece are (were?) hell-bent on heating a tankful of hot water then shutting off the power before they go shower. The units I had seen have a red indictor light glowing when heating.

It is said that fear of electrocution (it happened to so-and-so, ya know..) is the reason.

As stated earlier these are probabby very well gorunded/earthed just by the fact that the are connected to water pipes.

My gut instict tells me that the frugality an eco-consciousness may have influenced this culture-wide behavior to limit one's use of water and the elecricity to heat it.

(i.e.) get done before the hot water runs out, boi!

 

[westytoploader]

What I want to know is...

Even though the tenant installed this device, why are there still two showerheads? And is this a stand-up shower or over-the-tub setup?

 

[lederstiefel1]

Brazilian shower

Hello - unfortunately I read this too late...
We had these showers in Brazil as well! They work fine and I installed a new one in one shower for my family! Wanted to buy one as they are sooooo cheap but forget at least or better there was no more time the last day otherwise we would have missed our plane...
But would love to have one - they are really handy!

Ralf

 

[exploder3211]

Eyeyeyee... Yeesh.. When Johnny and I shower together we don't need two shower heads... Odd..

What would be the point??????? I couldn't imagine it being able to produce enough hot water for my tastes.

 

[toggleswitch]

~why are there still two showerheads?

Two showerheads is ridiculous, IMHO.
I would like to have two showerheads with two sets of controls, but on opposite sides of the tub. Low-cost practical, and even luxurious. Accomodates bathing for two in a time pinch, or even when you have lots of spare time.

~Is this a stand-up shower or over-the-tub setup?
Over-the tub.

One of the odd things in NYC (and I have not seen it elsewhere is that the long side of the tub (which is against the wall) sometimes contains the controls and the shower-head, rather than the shorter "ends" of the tub.

 

[exploder3211]

I have seen it in hotels in these parts and in an apartment we looked at

 

[toggleswitch]

Two headed shower-heads or controls on broad side?

 

[thor]

One thing I forgot to mention is that these shower heads have no on-off switch. You just open the cold water faucet and the water heats as it passes through the electrical resistance held in the head. When you finish showering you just close the faucet and the showerhead disconnects itself.

The passing water acts as a conductor and closes an otherwise "open" electrical switch? A pressure switch? I guess the first option is more plausible, these are very simple devices.

Emilio