[Jewelry making - Article 00201] - Re: [Orchid] Safety of fans for soldering ventilation

[Ian W. Wright]

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    It is most unlikely that simply venting off propane hoses will
    produce a sufficiently concentrated mix with the workshop air to be
    explosive. However, if you are intending to vent off the propane
    into a very confined area close to the fan you would be fine using
    any kind of fan which doesn't use a 'brush-type motor' but uses an
    induction motor. This is the majority of small fans such as bathroom
    vent fans. One source you might like to try is computer fans which
    have brushes to produce sparks and so are completely safe for this
    application. They do, however, run off 12 volts which, while being a
    plus point in that the low voltage is much safer than mains, does
    mean that they will have to be run off some form of
    transformer/rectifier. However, the current they take is minimal and
    a normal type of 'wall wart' plug mounted power supply will give
    ample current. You can stack several fans in line if you want more
    air throughput. One thing you may wish to consider if you are
    seriously concerned about the risk of explosion is the switch which
    operates the fan - this could produce a spark and so you should use
    a 'fire rated' switch - over here in the UK it is referred to as an
    'IP66' type. Similarly, you should consider any other equipment
    which could be in the immediate vicinity - power tools, heaters,
    mobile phone (the vibrator uses an ordinary brush-type motor). For
    all normal purposes it is not necessary to go to these lengths as the
    amount of gas involved is too small - just vent it off slowly and
    stop worrying... 

Best wishes, Ian
Ian W. Wright SHEFFIELD UK
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