"Michael A. Terrell" wrote in message
...
ian field wrote:

"Michael A. Terrell" wrote in message
...

I've never seen diodes in any I've worked on. They just had a
mechanical thermostat that switched the element on and off.

Were they made in the 30's?


No, in the '70s and '80s, here in the US.


--
Service to my country? Been there, Done that, and I've got my DD214 to
prove it.
Member of DAV #85.

Michael A. Terrell
Central Florida

I suppose there's some merit to using a simmerstat since ambient temp
influences on time and therefore heating level, but the constant clicking
does tend to keep some people awake!

All the modern ones I've seen used very thin element wire, and presumably a
large PTC for self regulation with switch selected diodes for power control.
The last one I opened the switch unit had a lot of diodes the element was
sort of co-axial, the centre wire was thinner than a human hair and the
second element was spiral wound thicker wire round the inner insulation, I
think the switch se;selected various combinations of one, other or both
elements with or without series diodes to give about 5 different power
levels.