Kitchen Appliance Circuit Safety Protection Solutions and Products from SETsafe | SETfuse

Overview

Electric hot plates and griddles are common cooking appliances used in kitchens. They provide even heat through electric heating for a variety of cooking methods, including pan-frying, grilling, and boiling. An electric hot plate typically refers to a flat, single-sided heating device widely used to heat or keep food warm. An electric griddle is more focused on pan-frying and grilling, often used for barbecue or making pancakes. Their features include easy operation, even heating, simple cleaning, and a trend toward intelligence with temperature control and sensor technology. Electric griddles come in various types, including traditional single-sided griddles, smokeless multi-functional griddles, ceramic griddles, and mini griddles, to meet different needs.

In terms of market size, a 2024 study estimates the global kitchen appliance market to be worth approximately $158.54 billion, with a projected growth to $202.62 billion by 2029, representing a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5.20%. As a sub-category, the global electric griddle market generated revenue of several million dollars in 2023, with significant growth expected by 2030. The Chinese market share is increasing year by year, with the Asia-Pacific region being particularly prominent. (Data is from the internet and for reference only.)

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Why Use Circuit Protection Components

Circuit protection components are essential for kitchen appliances like electric hot plates and griddles for the following reasons:

To Prevent Safety Incidents from Overheating:

Electric hot plates and griddles operate at high temperatures. If temperature control fails, it can lead to equipment damage, fire, or burns. Circuit protection components, such as a single-use Thermal-Link, can cut off the circuit when the temperature exceeds a safe threshold, preventing accidents.

To Protect Electrical Components:

Overloads, short circuits, or abnormal voltages can damage core components like heating elements and circuit boards. Protection components, such as fuses and circuit breakers, cut off abnormal current, extending the equipment's lifespan.

To Ensure User Safety:

Circuit protection components prevent electrical hazards like leakage and electric shock, ensuring user safety during operation.

To Handle Abnormal Operating Conditions: In case of voltage fluctuations, prolonged operation, or excessively high ambient temperatures, protection components can respond in time to prevent equipment failure or performance degradation.

To Enhance Equipment Reliability:

By protecting circuits from overcurrent, overvoltage, or over-temperature, these components increase the device's stability and durability, reducing maintenance costs.

To Comply with Safety Standards and Regulations:

Global appliance safety standards (e.g., UL, CE, CCC) require electric heating devices to be equipped with protection components to ensure product compliance and mitigate a manufacturer's legal risks.

National and International Standard Requirements

Many countries and regions have mandatory safety standards for the design of household appliances, which require the use of circuit protection components to ensure safety. Here are some of the relevant standards:

International Standards:

IEC 60335-1:

This standard from the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) requires electric heating appliances to have over-temperature protection devices, such as thermal fuses or thermal cutouts, to prevent hazards caused by overheating. As household appliances, electric hot plates and griddles must comply with this standard.

IEC 60730: This standard specifies the performance requirements for temperature controls and protective devices (like a Thermal-Link), ensuring they function reliably under abnormal high temperatures.

National Standards:

China:

GB 4706.1:

Requires electric heating appliances to be equipped with over-temperature protection devices, such as thermal fuses or thermal switches.

CCC Certification:

Electric hot plates and griddles must pass CCC certification to prove their circuit protection complies with national safety standards; otherwise, they cannot be sold in the Chinese market.

European Union:

EN 60335-1:

This is the European version of IEC 60335-1, requiring electric heating devices to have over-temperature and overcurrent protection. A thermal fuse is a common solution.

CE Certification:

Appliances entering the EU market must meet CE safety requirements, including the use of circuit protection devices.

United States:

UL 873, UL 1026: 

Require electric heating appliances to have over-temperature protection devices, such as a Thermal-Link, to prevent overheating risks.

UL Certification: 

Electric hot plates and griddles for the US market must pass UL certification to ensure their circuit protection meets safety standards.

The use of circuit protection components is not just a technical requirement but a mandatory legal one globally. Through standards (such as IEC 60335-1, GB 4706.1, UL 873) and certifications (such as CCC, CE, UL), countries ensure that electric hot plates and griddles include reliable protection mechanisms in their design to guarantee user safety and market access. The Thermal-Link, being simple and effective, is often used as a protection component to meet these standards.

SETsafe | SETfuse Solutions & Products

Product Name: Thermal-Link (Organic Type OTCO)

Series:

Axial Lead Type RS  Learn more

Axial Lead Type RT  Learn more

In kitchen appliances like electric hot plates and griddles, the following circuit protection components are also commonly used (for reference only; subject to actual design):

Fuse

Function: A fuse melts and permanently cuts off the circuit when the current exceeds its rated value, preventing short circuits or severe overloads that could damage the equipment or cause fire.

Varistor(MOV)

Function: A varistor (Metal Oxide Varistor) quickly conducts when the voltage suddenly rises (e.g., from a lightning strike or power surge), diverting excess energy and protecting the circuit board and other sensitive electronic components from over-voltage damage.

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Summary

These circuit protection components work together to monitor and respond to abnormal conditions like overcurrent, overvoltage, overheating, and electrical leakage. They jointly ensure the safety, reliability, and service life of electric hot plates and griddles. Different components are combined based on the device's design and functional needs to meet safety standards and improve the user experience.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact: sales@SETfuse.com