Final answer:
If the wrong size heater is installed, it may not provide enough heat, could overheat and cause damage, or if incorrectly wired, might lead to a short circuit due to low resistance, posing significant fire and safety risks.
Step-by-step explanation:
If the wrong size heater is installed in a phase, the following can happen:
- The heater may not work effectively, failing to provide the desired level of heat, which is necessary especially in cold environments.
- The heater may overheat, which can result in damage to the heater itself, as well as pose a serious fire risk to the surrounding area due to thermal hazards associated with electric power.
- Moreover, if the heater's electrical resistance is too low, it can create a condition similar to a short circuit. This could potentially cause the heater to draw an excessive amount of current, leading to extremely high power dissipation and creating a risk for fire and other damages.
- It is less likely that an incorrectly sized heater would cause a short circuit by itself, but wiring or insulation failures related to an improperly installed or selected heater could lead to a low resistance path and subsequent short circuit.
Thermal hazards such as these are serious considerations when selecting and installing electrical appliances such as heaters, as the risk of fire and damage is significant if the appliance is not appropriately sized or installed.