Electronic limescale preventers?

[rovermorris999]

Wonderful invention or snake oil? You know the sort, a box on the wall plugged into the mains and a wire wrapped round the cold main where it enters the house. Stops limescale forming and dissolves existing. Reputedly.

Any experience, especially from plumbers who've done work on a system a while after one has been installed.

Ta in advance.

[jagnet]

They do improve the situation, though I tend to use the magnetic ones rather than coiled wire versions for ease of installation. They don't remove the limescale (for that you need a proper water softener), but make what limescale there is tend to stick to itself rather than surfaces. The resulting limescale deposits are much softer and more powdery, so things like shower heads and shower screens are much easier to keep clean.

Where you install it is important though. Their effect has a limited time span so it's best to install them after any tanks rather than on the rising main for best effect.

[Gingerbread Man]

I come across them quite often, but have never actually fitted one myself. I always ask the owner if they work as I always thought them to be a mickey mouse bit of wire cuddling a pipe.

Worked for someone earlier this week who had two. One on the incoming main and one for the cylinder. He said that he was dubious at first, but that they actually work.

I think I've asked someone else before also who said that it worked.