cross-posted from: https://programming.dev/post/48079645 because it was headshotted within five minutes without any explanation. :/
In the laundry room where I live, there is this machine.
The fan in the back blows air onto the heating elements that heat up the air, which in turn hits the laundry, speeding up the evaporation of the water.
I have no formal education on electricity, I'm just extremely interested and eager to learn. I think I understand that the rods heat up because enough current is "pushed" with enough voltage through this material that has enough resistance for it to heat up.
If these are the hot and neutral rods next to each other (which I visually believe I confirmed) with no insulator in between, why is there no arcing?
What are prerequisites for arcing? I guess, if arcing occurred so easily, then we would have a lot more ground faults and short circuits all over electrical installations?
I'm not an electric engineer by any means but electrons take the path of least resistance. In this case the heating element is still less resistance than arcing through air. Keep in mind the distance between prongs in an electric plug is just as close.
If you straightened out a paperclip and threw it in there you would probably see what you are asking about. Or a stick of graphite(pencil lead) if you really want fireworks. Don't do either of these things, though. You could be shocked by the current and even more shocked by medical and legal bills.
Thanks! I needed a good laugh. And also thanks for teaching me about the graphite! :D