Meanwhile, the Consumer Council has co-operated with the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department in a joint test on instantaneous electric water heaters.
The test focused on 5 models of a specified wattage of 6 kW, used mostly in kitchen to supply hot water for wash basin. Slim in size, they can be easily hidden inside cabinets.
These water heaters have no ON/OFF-switch or temperature control dial. Instead, the output water temperature is controlled by the water flow rate: the higher the flow rate, the lower the output water temperature.
The test, conducted with reference to the safety standard of IEC 60335-2-35, indicated that overall, the samples were in compliance with the major safety requirements.
Non-compliance was found in the resistance-to-fire test on components of four of the five samples. Notwithstanding, the temperature rise of these samples, under normal and abnormal operation conditions, were found to fulfil the stipulated safety requirement.
So, with proper usage and maintenance, these water heaters should not pose a fire risk to the users.
On performance, the test was conducted at the minimum required water pressure; the values measured reflected the lowest flow rate and the highest water temperature that could be attained within the individual operation range of the samples.
The test showed that with an inlet water temperature of 15°C, the outlet water temperature was measured to range from 35°C - 53°C and the water flow rate from 2.2 to 4.4 litre/min.
Consumers are advised to consult the test findings in the choice of the product.
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