I don't think they are insulated - the text explains that a current does pass 
through the water. I suspect that is the main mechanism. Only the wire 
attachment and outside are insulated.

I also suspect that it 'seems' to work because any 50Hz vibration (if it 
exists) would tend to  "stir" the liquid, spreading the heated liquid around, 
rather than vaporize the water in the immediate vicinity. The outer bell would 
shield any noticeable patterns of vibration...

Something in the back of my mind says I've seen something like this as a small 
pump, or that it could act like one, but it could just be my imagination. If 
so, it might also be benefiting from a small pumping action to move the water 
around too.

Two things tell me it's suspect:
- The lack of 'approval' more likely would come from having your soup at mains 
voltage level while heating rather than conspiracy

and

- in the writeup they go to great pains and 2 decimal places to note a 
relatively irrelevant voltage measured at 1.24v, but omit the real proof value, 
the current input, which they just say is "small".


Jinx wrote:
>> I am not so sure it isn't "just" passing a current through the water to
>> heat it.
> 
> The electrodes are insulated. No current passes through the water
> 
> The claim is that he couldn't get approval for the device. Reading
> between the lines there was utility company - at that time probably
> the NZEC - influence on other civil servants, the inspectors
> 
> I'd have thought the shock risk no greater than an immersion or
> stove element
> 
>> But then I only glanced at the pictures, and haven't read the text
> 
> There's not much, you should read it, FWIW
> 
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