What Is the Wire Size for Oil Delonghi Space Heaters?

The Heaters

• As of 2012, DeLonghi manufacturers nearly a dozen oil-filled space heaters worldwide. Most heaters sport seven fins and a groomed, classy style that consumers find appealing. The space heaters resemble furniture accessories and are not like the typical boxy, clunky space heater. Oil-filled heaters contain non-replaceable oil that circulates throughout the fins by an electric-generated pump.

Power Supply

• DeLonghi oil-filled space heaters are equipped with a 1500 watt/110 to 120 volt maximum power setting that draw 12.5 amperes or more. The heater is rated for use with a typical household 20-amp, three-pronged receptacle outlet. Use of an extension cord is not recommended. The heater is best operated on a dedicated circuit. Other appliances should not be used on the same circuit as the heater, as the circuit may overheat and cause a fire. The wire size for 1,500 watt appliances such as the DeLonghi oil-filled space heaters is typically 14-gauge, the common wire size for appliances of this wattage.

Issues

• A Consumer Product Safety Commission for the fiscal year 1991 reports that one of the "largest corrective actions in the Commission's history" involved DeLonghi space heaters sold from 1980 to 1988. In those models, faulty electrical controls from the heaters could cause a fire. More recent reports, including consumer complaints to the CPSC from 2011 and 2012, have reported safety problems with certain heaters. Some consumers reported short circuits with the control panel, causing sparks, and another reported a burned-out electrical prong and blown circuit breaker after several hours' use. While these reports are alarming, the instances appear to be very rare. The CPSC has received very few such notices and one of the consumers lauded DeLonghi for their exceptional customer service and replacement of the defective device.

Proper Use

• DeLonghi oil-filled space heaters carry the United Laboratories, or UL, mark and are approved for sale and safe operation in the United States. According to the DeLonghi owner's manual, the heater should be plugged into a 110 to 120 volt-rated electrical receptacle. This is the common 20-amp receptacle wired with 12 gauge copper electrical conduit approved for use in U.S. households. Never use extension cords with space heaters nor operate other high-power appliances on the same circuit. As with any small appliance, improper use or occasional faulty components can cause problems or failure of the device. In a statement issued by DeLonghi America, Inc., at the CPSC website, DeLonghi states that the company takes product safety issues very seriously. "We investigate each CPSC database incident report. We encourage our customers to provide additional information about incidents to our Customer Care Network."