Hi Advice On Home Magnetic / Electronic De-Scalers

[david77]

Hi,

(New to the forum)

My lovely girlfriend's Polish cousin's husband has asked her what price we sell Magnetic / Electronic De-Scaler here in the UK.

My question to this group of experienced people is: Is there a specific model or brand (for home use) that above the others? Or do you have any experience with a similar product that works?

He sent pictures similar to 1 and 2 below, but on searching amazon number 3 came up more.

Thank you forum.

 

[centralheatking]

You might ask him for what purpose he requires the filter. Different filters perform
well when matched to the design purpose. Is it for a combi boiler or an instant water heater or a hot water cylinder or the fresh water drinking supply ...let us know
centralheatking

 

[david77]

Thank you so much for your reply I have passed on this question to my lovely gf who in turn will pass it on to lovely Polish husband.

 

[rpm]

In the world of plumbers they are considered as snake oil as they only use magnets yet home owners post good reviews. At best they may reduce scale build up but will never match a water softener. They don`t catch anything so should not be considered as a filter.

 

[Stigster]

Still a controversial subject. I have read apparently well conducted studies that show conflicting results. Some experiments show a change in structure of the calcium from calcite to aragonite, both are types of calcium but the former is bead-like and the latter more like little needles. The bead shaped ones are the ones that stick best to surfaces and form deposits whilst the needle shape does deposit but not so easily.

There seems to not be a truly definitive answer on the question of their effectiveness.

This study finds no difference when magnetism is used. Test of a magnetic device for the amelioration of scale formation at Treatment Facility D (Technical Report) | OSTI.GOV

This study (where I learned about the different types of calcium deposit) showed it did have a positive effect on scale formation reduction. There is a nice picture from an electron microscope showing the changes. Magnetic Water Treatment.


I've gone from thinking definite snake oil to completely undecided now.

 

[centralheatking]

Still a controversial subject. I have read apparently well conducted studies that show conflicting results. Some experiments show a change in structure of the calcium from calcite to aragonite, both are types of calcium but the former is bead-like and the latter more like little needles. The bead shaped ones are the ones that stick best to surfaces and form deposits whilst the needle shape does deposit but not so easily.

There seems to not be a truly definitive answer on the question of their effectiveness.

This study finds no difference when magnetism is used. Test of a magnetic device for the amelioration of scale formation at Treatment Facility D (Technical Report) | OSTI.GOV

This study (where I learned about the different types of calcium deposit) showed it did have a positive effect on scale formation reduction. There is a nice picture from an electron microscope showing the changes. Magnetic Water Treatment.


I've gone from thinking definite snake oil to completely undecided now.

I also thought that the magnetic ones only altered the water on a very temporary basis
...as in an instant hot water system but in a stored water system the naughty particles
re..form. These things were marketed years ago when combis came in and instant water
heaters ...main mersey, trent severn ...I really could not comment on their effectiveness
maybe we fitted a few in Bath ...very hard water area ...centralheatking

 

[Stigster]

The second link states that the effect on the calcium lasted for up to 200 hours but I wouldn't be happy to spend the money for one based on that one test alone.

 

[Chuck]

The second link states that the effect on the calcium lasted for up to 200 hours but I wouldn't be happy to spend the money for one based on that one test alone.

The paper that is usually cited in support of these gadgets:

J. M. D. Coey and S. Cass, J. Magn. Magn. Mater. 209 (2000) pp.71-74.

is the one that includes the photos and '200 hours lifetime' for the post magnetic-treatment effect.

I think that it is significant that Coey and Cass found that the effect had an 'incubation period' of several hours during which the ratio of aragonite to calcite built up (their figure 1), i.e. immediately after magnetic treatment they observered no effect. So, maybe the effect they observed could help protect a stored HW system but it is not going to help protect a combi boiler where there are only a few seconds between treatment and heating.

 

[Chalked]

Magnetic filters do work to some extent. They are proved to reduce hardness by 2-3 degrees Clark ( American measure of hardness). But if you have a local hardness of 20 degrees, it’s still 18. which is still hard water.
on my experience in our local area, which is around the 22 degrees level. Magnetic scale reduces do well when fitted just before a combi boiler and extend the life of the heat exchanger.
other than that, if you want to get rid of the calcium, only a water softener can achieve that.