How Do Electronic Cigarettes Work?
Electronic cigarettes offer smokers many features over smoking traditional cigarettes. They are free of tar along with the 3000 plus other harmful chemical substances which are found in analog cigarettes. It is a non-flammable product which means there is NO danger of second hand smoke and it is reusable (rechargeable by an electric outlet).
Most smokers enjoy the substantial and emotional feelings of smoking. Individuals who use electronic cigarettes also feel an experience similar to smoking an analog cigarette without the fire, flame, tobacco, tar, carbon monoxide, ash, or smell found in traditional cigarettes. The main reasons people switch to electronic cigarettes include: a tar-free way to smoke, freedom to vape most anywhere and everywhere, does not create first or second hand smoke, no smoke or tobacco odor, non-flammable, convenient and cheaper than traditional cigarettes (based on one pack per day smoker).
Basically, all brands of electronic cigarettes consist of 3 main parts: a battery, a nicotine cartridge and an atomizer.
510 electronic cigarette
eGo T with DCT (Dual Coil Tank)
eGo T electronic cigarette
Battery: Safety
Never exceed the amps of your battery. This is a fundamental rule of battery safety. Take the discharge rate (the amps) of your battery, then divide your voltage level by coil resistance (ohms) and make sure you never exceed your battery’s amp rating.
Check how your mod charges. Some box mods offer pass through charging, where you can use your device while simultaneously charging via USB. However, some mods use the mini USB port solely for hardware updates meaning the batteries must be removed and recharged using an external charger. Make sure you know how your mod works, or you could be in for a very long wait.
Use the correct batteries. It’s crucial to do some research and find out what are the recommended batteries for your specific mod. There are many types of battery, including ICR, IMR and LiPo (Lithium Polymer). Whatever you decide upon, you should never combine different types of battery in the same device.
Use a battery holder. Never carry these batteries loose in your pocket. If they touch each other, or metallic items such as keys or coins, they can fail. In worst-case scenarios they can leak or even explode.
Charge your batteries safely. Always charge them on the lowest setting to put the least stress on your batteries, and never leave them unattended. As soon as they are at full power remove them from the charger, otherwise you risk battery failure.
Buy quality products. Again, don’t scrimp when it comes to something as serious as batteries.
Cartridge:
The 510 cartridge consists of a mouthpiece, a small plastic or metal cup that is filled with a sponge or polyester filler material. The atomizer steel wick contacts the filler material and draws your flavored juices toward the heating coil. The cartridge is designed to simultaneously send your e liquid or juice into the atomizer while sending vapor to the mouthpiece of the cartridge. Some other types of e-Cigs, such as the EGO-T type B, contain a cartridge that does not have any filler material. The nicotine cartridge includes a mouthpiece and a reservoir for the nicotine solution. The cartridges can be purchased in various flavors (tobacco, menthol, cherry, vanilla, etc.) and levels of nicotine (zero, low, medium, high). The nicotine solution in the cartridge mainly consists of water and propylene glycol which is a substance used in medicines, cosmetics, food, toothpaste etc. The only other ingredients include some flavoring and nicotine of course.
Drip Tip:
The drip tip is inserted on the end of the cartomizer and acts as a mouthpiece.
Atomizer/Cartomizer:
The Atomizer is where most of the action happens. Inside the atomizer compartment is a small heating coil. Above the heating coil is a steel wick or in some cases two wicks. This steel wick extends into the cartridge and is the component that draws the e liquid or juice towards the heating coil, thus creating vapor. Some other types of e-Cigs, such as the EGO Dual Coil Tank or DCT, contain a cartomizer, which is an integrated atomizer and cartridge. The cartomizer is inserted through the tank and contains a drip tip as a mouthpiece. The atomizer is activated when the user takes a drag on the device just as when a smoker puffs on a traditional cigarette. The atomizer is a 2 part device which contains a heating element and a chamber for the e-liquid or juice. In the atomization chamber, when the smoker puffs on the device, the e liquid or juice is drawn into the atomization chamber device which in turn creates a vapor-like smoke, just like a real cigarette. This vapor is a result of the nicotine that is found in the cartridge, heating up by the atomizer device and creating vapor smoke, but without the smell of smoking real tobacco. This is how the smoker gets the nicotine hit that smokers crave, and the smoke like illusion, but without having to smoke the traditional cigarette.
Tank:
The tank serves as a reservoir for your flavored juices or e liquids. Tanks are generally larger than cartridges so the vaper does not have to keep refilling with his or her e liquid or juice.
Thread Cover:
The function of the thread cover is to make the e-Cig look uniform. Some vapers do not use the thread cover, since it is basically just for appearance.