| By :
Jamie Simpson
Electric blankets are a very popular means of staying warm during the winter months. They have several advantages, the first of which being that they utilize a low voltage meaning that they run on very little cost. When compared with the cost of heating the home, the cost of electric blanket is incredibly small, thereby benefiting your pocket as well as the environment. The newer models of electric blankets come along with the ability to read the temperature of the body and adjust the temperature of the blanket accordingly. This allows for further lowering of electricity costs. Programmable blankets even exist which can be run for a certain number of hours and then shut down or programmed to direct heat to certain parts of the blanket. This can be done in order to heat one person under the blanket while keeping the other cool. Electric blankets are also highly portable meaning the user will be able to move the blanket from one location to another without much inconvenience at all. The materials used for electric blankets are blended according to the blanket specifications and then spun within the fabric of the blanket. The manufacturers of electric blankets create the blanket uses their own looms which are specialized for the purpose of constructing the blankets. The process of weaving the blankets leaves channels within the fabric so that the wires can later be inserted into the blanket. The insulated wires are placed into the fabric channels in order to form a zigzag effect which runs from the bottom of the of the blanket to the blanket's top. Similar to a heating pad, electric blankets utilize a heating element or insulated wire that is placed within the fabric and heats the blanket when plugged in. The unit that controls the temperature is located between the electrical outlet and the blanket and controls the electricity level that is entering the wires present in the blanket. The new blankets function on a 24 volt voltage and have a mechanism that allows for the shutoff of the blanket. This prevents the blanket from overheating or catching on fire. Units that are older, usually over 10 years, do not have a mechanism of shut-off so they run the risk of overheating. Therefore, these blankets are believed to be fire hazards. Electric blankets that are newer may use wires that are composed of carbon fibers in order to heat the occupant of the blanket. These carbon wires are less bulky and noticeable than the wires that were used in the older electric blankets. These wires can also be used as an element for heating in many luxury seats in high-end vehicles. The heat that is produced is infra-red heat that is easily able to warm the body. This type of heating is safer and more efficient to utilize. These blankets can also be bought along with rheostats that serve to regulate the heat by managing the heat of the body and the temperatures present in the blanket.
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