Home >> Science & Nature >> Science

DIY: Thermal Switch for a Water Distiller

Water distillation is an ideal method to purify and decontaminate water. The process involves heating the water to boiling and allowing the steam to rise up and out of the boiling chamber and into a condenser, which cools the steam back to the liquid phase. At atmospheric pressure, the heating element of the distiller cannot exceed 212 degrees F so a thermal switch is not needed. However, as the liquid water boils out of the boiling chamber, its level is reduced and over time will completely boil out. If the heating continues after that point, the temperature could rise and damage the boiling chamber.

Things You'll Need

Electric water distiller
Thermal switch with temperature dial and sensing element probe
Wiring tool
High temperature conducting tape

Instructions

- 1
  Unplug the electric water distiller from all power sources. Use a wiring tool to cut the power cord sheath and expose the wires. For AC power, there should be three wires, white, black and green. Cut the white wire in two and expose the metal part of the wire.
- 2
  Connect one of the white wire ends to one side of the thermal switch and the second to the other side of the thermal switch.
- 3
  Attach the sensing element probe to the boiling chamber using the high temperature conducting tape.
- 4
  Turn the temperature dial on the thermal switch to 225 degrees F. Once all of the water is boiled off and the heating continues, the thermal switch will cut the power once 225 degrees is reached.

Science