Electrolytic v Magnetic Limescale Inhibitor - Which one and how do they work?
Limescale Inhibitors are used in areas of hard water where limescale build up can create a fur deposit in plumbing or electrical appliances such as kettles, boilers, washing machines, dishwashers and showers. This build up will, over a relatively short period of time, make these appliances significantly less effective and efficient, eventually leading to equipment failure.
In general terms electrolytic limescale inhibitors are more expensive and have greater proven effectiveness than magnetic scale inhibitors. Electrolytic Inhibitors work by creating their own electrolytic current between an internal anode and cathode, which cause a small amount of iron from the cathode to dissolve in the water. These particles help prevent the scale particles from bonding together and forming the infamous limescale.
Magnetic inhibitors are designed to reduce the effects of hard water on pipework and appliances by passing the water through a magnetic field, this makes salt and lime crystals bond to each other rather than accumulating in the pipework or appliances
Neither electrolytic or magnetic inhibitors require an electrical supply
Both electrolytic and magnetic scale inhibitors are usually available to be installed to 15mm, 22mm or 28mm pipework and are either purchased to be installed in line with the incoming water to individual appliances or to the main household incoming water supply, protecting the whole household
Both types of inhibitor usually come with 1,2,5 or even 10 year lifetime guarantees, meaning that they should be replaced after this time
You can find our range of electrolytic, magnetic an electronic limescale preventers and water softeners by pressing here
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