ELECTRIC FLAT IRON

This is an important domestic appliance.It’s used to press the clothes  in order to remove wrinkles and kill some micro-germs in our clothes by using heat.When the cloth is heated it become soft and mobile,thus due to the weight of the iron plate when pressed by applying pressure, the cloth become plane and with no wrinkles.This process is called IRONING.

Ironing works by loosening the bonds between the long chain polymer molecules in the fibers of the material.When the molecules are hot,the fibers are straightened by the weight of the iron,and they hold their new shape as they cool.

Our clothes are made up with different types of Fabric materials.

Ironing of different types of fabric materials like Polyester,Silk,Wool,Nylon,Linen,Cotton, and etc.. require different types of Temperatures.

Some fabrics,such as cotton,require the addition of water to loosen the inter molecular bonds

Ironing temperature required for different types of fabrics

• Cotton(180-220)
• Polyester(148)
• Wool(160-170)
• Nylon(150-220)
• Silk(140-165)

TYPES OF ELECTRIC IRONS

1. Automatic iron
2. Non automatic iron
3. Steam iron

There are three types of electric irons according to temperature regulation.

1.AUTOMATIC IRON

This type of an electric iron use THERMOSTAT to regulate temperature as an automatic switch.

2.NON AUTOMATIC IRON

This type of Iron does not regulate its temperature.when the iron is too plate,its manually switched of and when the temperature of the plate is less,its manually switched on.

3.STEAM IRONThere is a water reservoir on the the cover plate and a steam chamber above the sole plate and the sole plate has slots.As the iron is switched on,heat produced by the heating element boils the water and steam is produced.The steam get emitted from the slots of the sole plate ensuring better  quality ironing.

PARTIES OF ELECTRIC IRON
a.EXTERNAL PARTIES
b.INTERNAL PARTIES

EXTERNAL PARTIES OF AN ELECTRIC IRON
1.Signal Lamp
-Light showing that the flatiron is switched on
2.Heel Rest
-Party used to up stand the iron when is not used
3.Temperature Control

-Device for regulating irons temperature

4.Sole Plate

-Flat metal part which presses the fabric to remove wrinkles

5.Cord

-This is the flexible electric wire or cable,connecting the appliances to the electric domain.

6.Shell
-Casing covering and protect the internal working parties of the flatiron.

7.Front Tip
-Pointed part of the sole plate used to reach the edge.
8.Handle

-Allow the user to handle the appliance without being burned.

INTERNAL PARTIES OF AN ELECTRIC IRON

1.Heating Element

-This convert electrical current into heat and this heat is get transferred into Sole plate.

2.Thermostat
-This enable the user to control the temperature of the sole plate.

THERMOSTAT is the device which makes and breaks the connection between two points depending on temperature

WORKING OF AN ELECTRIC FLAT IRON
When the current is passed through the heating element which is placed between the sole plate and the pressure plate,the element is get heated up and transfer that heat to sole plate through conduction and in turn the sole plate also get heated up.
Now to remove the wrinkles in clothing,we should apply heat and pressure.Heat is formed due to the coil and when we press the clothes with iron,the wrinkles are removed.
For maintaining optimum temperature,Thermostat is used along with pilot lamp which serves as an indicator.