Scalewatcher®
SIMPLY
EFFICIENT |
Scalewatcher® Versus Magnetic Water Conditioning |
| Electronic Water
Conditioning -- What is it? |
 The term magnetic water conditioning normally
refers to the use of permanent magnets. Rather than magnets,
Scalewatcher uses electric fields to treat water in a very
different way. The Scalewatcher field is electronically generated,
and is referred to as electronic water conditioning. It consists of a
complex frequency modulated wave form. Why is this important? Because the
effectiveness is greatly increased over the permanent magnet
approach. |
| Magnetic Water
Conditioning Has Been Proven Over Time |
The effects of magnetic fields on scale build up have been known for a
number of decades. Historically, permanent magnets were used. The results
were inconsistent from one site to another. There is a reason for the
inconsistency. The magnetic field strength required for effective
conditioning varies with the velocity of the water flow. Most applications
have changing water flow velocities. A permanent magnet of a given size
works well with a small range of water velocities, but is ineffective when
the flow is outside of the useful range. |
| How Magnetic Fields
Condition Hard Water |
The stimulating effect a magnetic field has on the formation of
aragonite results from Lorentz forces on the calcium and carbonate ions.
An electrically charged particle that moves through a magnetic field is
subjected to a force that is proportional to its velocity. (It is this
force that is used to deflect electrons in a television tube in order to
create an image on the screen.) When calcium carbonate dissolves in water,
it dissociates into calcium and carbonate ions. Two electrons that were
shared in the calcium carbonate molecule remain with the carbonate ion
giving it a negative electric charge, and leaving the calcium ion with a
positive charge. These charged ions are subject to Lorentz forces when
they move through a magnetic field.
As water containing calcium and carbonate ions move with a high
velocity through a magnetic field, the Lorentz forces agitate them. This
stimulates the formation of calcium carbonate crystals. |
| Why Permanent Magnets
Often Don't Work Well |
Until recently, permanent magnets did not have the field strength
necessary to excite the formation of calcium carbonate crystals at water
velocities normally found in water pipes. Permanent magnets tended to work
when the water velocity was high, such as when a hose bib was turned on
full, but not when the flow was slower. In a residential setting, the
water velocities go from high to low, with low being typical for showers,
flush tank fills, and kitchen use.
The recent advent of ceramic magnet technology with high field
strengths has greatly improved the effectiveness of permanent magnets.
Even the new technology magnets are quite limited in their range of use.
Permanent magnets that work fairly well are costly, and do not compete
well with electronic water conditioning. It normally takes multiple high
strength permanent magnets to provide a measurable water conditioning
benefit in a home. For larger applications, permanent magnets are not
practical. Scalewatcher's electronic method works for very large
pipes. Scalewatcher produces an industrial line which will work
with pipes as large as 48 inches in diameter. |
| Electronic Water
Conditioning Overcomes Permanent Magnet Shortcomings |
The electronic Scalewatcher® method varies an electric field
over a range of frequencies. Rather than depend on high magnetic flux
densities and high water flow velocities to stimulate the formation of
calcium carbonate crystals, Scalewatcher gets the job done with a
complex frequency modulated electric field. The flux density associated
with electronic water treatment is orders of magnitude lower than with a
fixed magnetic field - 30,000 gauss for permanent magnets, under one gauss
for the Scalewatcher method. Better yet, the Scalewatcher
method works for all flow velocities. Even the best permanent magnets
don't work at low flow velocities.
Another characteristic that is seen with magnetic water conditioning
which is not seen with the Scalewatcher method is localized
scaling. Magnetic water conditioners are often found to cause scaling at
the point in the pipe where the magnet is attached. In fact, experienced
magnet installers will often plumb in a bypass valve arrangement around
the pipe with the magnet to facilitate cleaning of the localized scale
build-up. This condition does not occur with
Scalewatcher. |
| Scalewatcher
Electronic Method is Superior to Magnets |
The electronic Scalewatcher hard water treatment method is far
superior to magnets. It overcomes the flow velocity problems, pipe size
limitations, and localized scaling problems. The only place where
permanent magnets may make sense is where a source of electricity is not
available. Even then, one should consider using a battery source or a
solar photovoltaic power source. The low power requirement of
Scalewatcher makes it quite practical to use a rechargeable
battery. A 20 amp-hour 12 V rechargeable battery will operate
Scalewatcher for over 10 days. |
