From: margie.brazelton**At_Symbol_Here**AM.DYNONOBEL.COM
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Runaway Hot Plates
Date: Wed, 22 Apr 2015 08:36:02 -0600
Reply-To: DCHAS-L <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU>
Message-ID: OF488ACDC8.835B320D-ON87257E2F.00500EDC-87257E2F.00503459**At_Symbol_Here**dynonobel.com
In-Reply-To <2c05874dfa89441caff680c445b46b17**At_Symbol_Here**EXCHCS34.ornl.gov>


i have never seen a hotplate 'run away' when in the off position.  we use only corning brand hotplates here.  thanks for the info and something else to be aware of!

Best regards,
Margie Brazelton
Senior Process Chemist

Dyno Nobel Inc.
A business of Incitec Pivot Limited
Cheyenne Plant, P.O. Box 1287 / Cheyenne, WY 82003, 8305 Otto Road / Cheyenne, WY 82001, USA
Office: +1 307 637 2766 | Fax: +1 307 771 5637  | Mobile: +1 307 631 8368
mailto:margie.brazelton**At_Symbol_Here**am.dynonobel.com
http://www.dynonobel.com

Groundbreaking Performance Through Practical Innovation



From:        "Pickel, Joseph M." <pickeljm**At_Symbol_Here**ORNL.GOV>
To:        DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU
Date:        04/21/2015 07:55 PM
Subject:        [DCHAS-L] Runaway Hot Plates
Sent by:        DCHAS-L Discussion List <dchas-l**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU>





In the past year, we have had a series of issues with "runaway" hot plates.  In the first instance, a hot plate in the off position began heating in an unoccupied laboratory resulting in a hood fire.   Since then we've observed another hot plate that was heating while in the off position as well as a hot plate that heated uncontrollably while on a low setting.  The hot plates that were in use were all relatively new and issues look to be caused by failed circuit boards.
 
I presented some of the lessons that we learned from these events at the recent ACS National Meeting and was surprised with how many researchers stopped by my poster to indicate that they have observed the same issues.  Descriptions of some of these events and additional details can be found at the following links:
https://opexshare.doe.gov/lesson.cfm/2014/12/11/4670/Electronic-StirrerHot-Plate-Malfunction-Inside-Glove-Box
http://www.research.northwestern.edu/ors/forms/CSHEMA%20Hotplate%20Poster%202014.pdf
https://www.drs.illinois.edu/News/Warning-about-malfunctioning-hotplates
 
We're advising our folks to keep hotplates unplugged when not in use and use stirring-only hotplates where possible.  In addition, some groups are considering getting rid of their existing hotplates and buying new models, but I fear that these may have the same potential issues.  The possibility of installing an on/off switch on the cord has also been discussed, and while this will prevent hot plates from heating while in the off position, it might not help the issue of hot plates running away (uncontrolled) when the hot plate  is intentionally turned on.
 
I'd like to poll the group-  has anyone else had similar issues, and more importantly... what kind of solutions have you identified?
 
Thanks,
Joe Pickel
 

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