Rob Will
01-18-2007, 8:34 PM
At first glance it may appear that this thread does not have a connection to woodworking. However, much discussion has taken place here regarding the use of PVC pipe for dust collector piping and how static electricity might build up in the PVC.
I had something interesting happen today regarding a clothes dryer vent I was working on (not my house). In fact, this is the third time I have seen this.
4" PVC had been used for the clothes dryer vent. The PVC was connected to a flexible metal foil hose at the dryer itself. Both appeared clean and normal from the OUTSIDE.
Upon further inspection, the metal was totally clean on the inside but just as soon as it switched to PVC, here is what it looked like. The lint was attracted to the PVC and totally blocked the pipe. Read: FIRE HAZARD! (not to mention the wasted energy).
I'm not trying to say that PVC dust collector systems behave like PVC on a clothes dryer vent, but it is interesting to see the effect of static at work.
If you have PVC anywhere on your clothes dryer vent - look inside.
Hopefully this will help someone save some $$ and avoid a tragedy. If you have seen this problem occur or if this post helps you find a hidden fire hazard, please post a reply.
Rob
I had something interesting happen today regarding a clothes dryer vent I was working on (not my house). In fact, this is the third time I have seen this.
4" PVC had been used for the clothes dryer vent. The PVC was connected to a flexible metal foil hose at the dryer itself. Both appeared clean and normal from the OUTSIDE.
Upon further inspection, the metal was totally clean on the inside but just as soon as it switched to PVC, here is what it looked like. The lint was attracted to the PVC and totally blocked the pipe. Read: FIRE HAZARD! (not to mention the wasted energy).
I'm not trying to say that PVC dust collector systems behave like PVC on a clothes dryer vent, but it is interesting to see the effect of static at work.
If you have PVC anywhere on your clothes dryer vent - look inside.
Hopefully this will help someone save some $$ and avoid a tragedy. If you have seen this problem occur or if this post helps you find a hidden fire hazard, please post a reply.
Rob