How Electronic Cigarettes Work

Although there are many different brands and types of electronic cigarette models in the market today, most are basically built on the same concept as shown below. The main process of inhalation is slightly different from a regular tobacco cigarette. Instead of a quick draw like you would take from a regular tobacco cigarette, you should take a long, slow draw from an electronic cigarette.  A long, slow draw gives time for the vapor to be produced once the activation button is pressed. Below we list the various components of an electronic cigarette in hopes to educate consumers.

EGO DCT (pictured)

BATTERY:
The battery is what powers the electronic cigarette. Most eGo batteries are rechargeable lithium-ions that make use a small circuit board inside, which have fail safes for overheating and overcharging. A majority of eGo batteries possess an LED activation button that lights up when the electronic cigarette is activated. The threading at the top of the battery is usually eGo (big outer thread) and 510 (small inner thread) to allow numerous atomizers/cartomizers and tank systems to be compatible. You can turn the eGo battery off/on by pressing the LED activation button 5 times within 1-1/2 seconds. As with most lithium-ion batteries, you should never let the charge get below 10% power capacity.


ATOMIZER/CARTOMIZER:
The atomizer / cartomizer is where most of the action happens.  The Black Mesa Juice e-liquid is simply heated up by the atomizer / cartomizer, thus producing vapor. Some tanks require atomizers, while others use cartomizers. Both are basically the heating element of the electronic cigarette. Atomizers usually contain wick material along with a metal coil. Cartomizers are typically small metal cylindrical tubes filled with wick material. Inside the cartomizer is a wire with heating coils that run through the wick material. Most atomizers / cartomizers need to be replaced between 1 to 4 weeks depending upon usage.

TANK:
The tank serves as a reservoir for E-liquid. Tanks come in many different colors, shapes, and sizes. You fill your tank with E-liquid and are able to vape for hours. Earlier versions of electronic cigarettes only possessed small cartridges that would not last very long. Examples of tanks: DCT (Dual Coil Tank), Vivi Nova, and Clearomizer.

DRIP TIP:
The drip tip acts as a mouthpiece and sits atop the tank. They come in many different colors, shapes, and sizes.

THREAD COVER:
The functions of the thread cover are to make the electronic cigarette look uniform and to protect the threads. Some vapers do not use the thread cover, since it tends to get in the way when removing the tank.

Eliquid:
Most e-cigarette users prefer the taste of eliquid compared to traditional tobacco cigarettes. Eliquid comes in many different flavors and nicotine strengths. E-liquid, usually comes in a 10ml bottle. Some users start with a high nicotine strength, such as 24mg/ml (usually abbreviated 24mg), then decrease their nicotine intake over time. Eliquid is comprised of water, propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, flavoring, and liquid nicotine. Some eliquid (0mg) do not contain any nicotine. Propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerin (PG) are added to eliquid for sweetness and vapor production. Both are common food additives that have been approved by the FDA.

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