Hairdryer Housing
Most hairdryers have an external housing, usually pistol shaped, with a handle. The body of the dryer is usually funnel shaped. This helps the air blown through the unit to be heated more easily and to better direct the flow of air to the hair. The dryer is lightweight, and easily manipulated by the handle with just one hand. On the handle are two switches.
Internal Components
The first switch controls the speed of an electric motor that drives a fan. The fan blows air through the unit. A screen filter at the end of the unit prevents hair and debris from being sucked into the dryer. The other switch controls a heating element in the housing. This consists of a support structure that holds a series of wire filaments wrapped around it, made of nichrome wire. Special plastic channels on the support structure direct the flow of air from the fan to the heating elements. The unit will also have a cutoff circuit that will shut the dryer off, in case it overheats.
Operation
When the fan switch is activated, the fan pulls air from the back end of the dryer, through the screen filter and into the dryer. The air is driven through the directional channels, which send the air straight through the dryer at up to 50 miles per hour. If the heat switch is off, the air will be blown out at room temperature.
If the heat switch is on, an electric current will pass through the wires in the heating element. The nichrome wire used in the heating element is extremely resistant to electricity passing through it. This results in the wire heating up to over 900 degrees F in just seconds. The element will then heat the air as it passes over it. The heated air will then be blown out of the dryer.
Using the Hairdryer
Many people find a hairdryer an indispensable tool for personal grooming. Heat and air speed are often varied and used in different combinations, to achieve the proper temperature and air speed for specific hair styling needs. For example, full heat and speed may be used for quick and simple drying, while a slower speed and lower temperature may be required for careful styling.
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