NITE Alert_72
November 15, 2006
Warning of Probable Fire and Other Hazards
Relating to Remote Controlled Electric Heaters
NITE recently implemented product tests of remote controlled electric heaters in response to information concerning their malfunctions.
- Examples are;
- (1) When a user changed TV channel with a TV remote-controller, it inadvertently switched on an electric heater with remote control function.
- (2) An electric heater with remote control function automatically turned on for no apparent reason.
As a result, malfunctions have been confirmed in some products which are turned on by operating the remote controllers of other electric appliances or by electro-magnetic noise.
Test results
1. Test products (samples)
13 models of electric heaters which are sold in the market and operate with attached infrared remote controllers.
| Sample No | Name of Product | Rated Power Consumption(W) | Name of Importer/Distributor | Model No. | Country of Origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Halogen Heater | 500 | Japan Vinegar Bottlers Co. Ltd. | VG500-ABR | Taiwan |
| 2 | Halogen Heater | 800 | Myuji Corporation Co. Ltd./Yamazen Corporation | KRI-800 | China |
| 3 | Halogen Heater | 800 | Doshisha Corporation | HT-35R4 | China |
| 4 | Halogen Heater | 800 | Interumo Co. Ltd. | SR-803IR | China |
| 5 | Halogen Heater | 800 | Amami Co. Ltd. | HC-318R | Taiwan |
| 6 | Halogen Heater | 800 | Senju Co. Ltd. | PH-282R | China |
| 7 | Halogen Heater | 800 | Shi Ai Shi Co. Ltd. | YS-F803R | Taiwan |
| 8 | Halogen Heater | 800 | MORITA DENKO Co., LTD/EPOTECH Corporation | TS-806HIR | China |
| 9 | Halogen Heater | 800 | Masao Corporation | MS0-203HR | Korea |
| 10 | Halogen Heater | 800 | SK JAPAN CO., LTD | SKJ-803ARS | China |
| 11 | Carbon Heater | 900 | MORITA DENKO Co., LTD | MS-C904R | China |
| 12 | Carbon Heater | 900 | IRON Co., LTD | IR-4622 | China |
| 13 | Carbon Heater | 900 | Apix International Co., LTD | ACH-930IR | China |
- Note:
- Tested products were purchased at mass sales stores in Osaka prefecture in January 2006.
- * The numbers of pictures above correspond to the sample number.
2. Contents of test
Two types of tests were implemented.
- (1) Remote controller test
The first test was conducted to see if any malfunction of heater occurred by pressing all the buttons of infrared remote-controllers (9 kinds of 9 manufactures for TV remote-controller, 9 kinds of 9 manufactures for HDD/DVD recorder, 4 kinds of 4 manufacturers for VCR), all of which are sold by domestic manufacturers. - (2) Electro-magnetic noise test <
This test was conducted to see if those electric heaters are turned on with electric noise according to "JIS C 61000-4-4 Electrical fast transient/burst immunity test method". The JIS method, harmonized with IEC standards, simulates the noise level of an ordinary household environment.
- * Immunity Test: This test verifies whether or not an electric appliance can work without malfunctioning under influence of various kinds and strength of electric noises.
- * Electrical fast transient/burst immunity test: This simulates the noise that is transmitted along mains wires when an electric appliance is turned on or off.
3.Test Result
- (1) Remote controller test
Two cases (No.11, No.12) of false operations out of 13 products were observed when tested with irrelevant remote-controllers. For example, ref. No.11 had false operation on its hi/low switch, while No.12 showed a variety of malfunctions such as turning on, hi/low switch.
- Note: These phenomena are considered to be attributable to partially coinciding
signals (control codes) used both in remote-controllers of imported heater and domestic home appliances. In addition, electric heaters that can be turned on by remote controllers are not manufactured in Japan.
| SampleNo. | Type of remote controller | Observed phenomena | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heater was turned on |
Hi / low was switched |
Oscillation | Timer function | ||
| No.11 MS-C904R |
TV use (Sony / RM-J1004) |
No | Yes "volume(-)" button |
No | No |
| No.12 IR-4622 |
V use (Sharp / GA226WJSA) |
Yes "menu"button |
No | No | No |
| TV use (Sharp / GA389PA) |
Yes "pose-record" , "stop- record" button |
No | No | No | |
| DVD/HDD Recorder use (Hitachi / DV-RMDH400T) |
Yes "channel 2" button |
Yes "channel 7" button |
No | NO | |
| DVD/HDD Recorder use (Sharp / GA016TEV1) |
Yes "record programming" button |
Yes "standard/ Triple-speed" button |
Yes "channel 4 " "cancel/reset " button |
Yes "channel 8" button |
|
- (2) Electro-magnetic noise test
Four kinds of products (No.1, No.5, No.6, and No.7) out of thirteen samples were turned on under the test conditions.
| Samples | Test Level 1 | Test Level 2 | Test Level 3 | Test Level 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
(Well-protected Environment) |
(Protected Environment) |
(Typical Industrial Environment) |
(Severe Industrial Environment) |
| No.1 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| No.5 | No | No | No | Yes |
| No.6 | No | No | No | Yes |
| No.7 | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| TestLevel | Power port / Protective earth | Environment type and specific examples | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peak voltage (kV) | Repetition rate (Hz) | |||
| 1 | 0.5 | 5 | Well-protected environment | Computer room |
| 2 | 1 | 5 | Protected environment | Management office or computer room of a factory |
| 3 | 2 | 5 | Typical industrial environment | Industrial automatic controller surroundings / power plant |
| 4 | 4 | 2.5 | Severe industrial environment | Power substation / outdoor high pressure substation |
Fore more information;
National Institute of Technology and Evaluation (NITE)
Product Safety Technology Center, Product Safety Investigation Division
Contact us
- Consumer Product Safety Public Relations Division Product Safety Technology Center National Institute of Technology and Evaluation
-
Phone number:+81-6-6612-2066
Fax number:+81-6-6612-1617
Address:1-22-16 Nankokita, Suminoe-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka 5590034, Japan MAP