Whether you are still looking for the best heating elements in the UK, you have come to the right place. Read on to learn the different aspects of heating elements in detail.
What Are Heating Elements?
Heating elements, also called water heaters or electric water heaters, are electrical elements designed to heat various compatible devices using electric power. These elements convert electrical energy into heat due to their built-in coils, wire strips, or ribbons. Upon receiving electric energy, the coils become hot and heat the element. The coils, called a filament, produce heat by creating resistance, or joule heating, in various radiators or electric-only installations.
Furthermore, ceramic heaters are widely used in domestic, commercial, and industrial applications and come in various dimensions and power ratings. Depending on the devices or element types required, they are constructed from durable materials, such as stainless steel, silicon carbide, tungsten, graphite, and chrome finishing materials. Additionally, a heating element is equipped with insulating lead connectors and conductive materials for heating purposes.
How Do Heating Elements Work?
Electric installation devices get hot when electricity flows through them. The same is the case with heating elements, where the wire's thin coil, known as a filament, gets hot, making heat. The heat is produced by creating a resistance to the electric current, which causes the filament to produce heat and transmit it outwards.
Types of Heating Elements:
Heating elements come in various forms based on their materials and applications, such as:
Water Heaters
These heaters are traditionally used as immersion heaters to heat water and come in different lengths and wattages, like a 12V water heater with a metal rod and thermostat.
Cartridge Heaters
These heaters feature a tube shape for fitting into holes in metal. They are extremely corrosion-resistant and provide effective heating applications in extreme temperatures.
Immersion Heaters
Immersion water heaters are widely used in cylindrical boilers for heating the water and surrounding cylinder waters.
PTC Heating Elements
These elements are constructed from PTC rubbers that conduct enhanced resistivity against rising temperatures. They are suitable for heaters operating in the cold due to their robust heating and constant temperature maintenance applications.
Air Heaters
These heaters are used for laminating, drying, and sealing applications by heating air. They usually come as rod-shaped heaters.
Composite Heating Elements
These elements allow for easy incorporation in appliances like toaster ovens and feature sheathed or tubular elements. They can also be bent to be easily integrated within electric stoves or coffee makers.
Drum Heaters
As the name indicates, drum heaters are widely used in drums for heating industrial cylindrical parts. They resist the heating materials (plastic or gels) from solidifying within the drums and feature excellent heating specifications.
Mica Strip Heaters
These mica-insulated heaters are suitable for sealing and heating plates in multiple industrial heating applications.
Ceramic Heating Elements
These elements feature up to 96% conversion efficiency and are ideal for curing, drying, heating, radiating, and cooking appliances like ovens and toasters.
Metal Heating Elements
These elements are constructed with fixed proportions of chromium and nickel. Nichrome 80/20 (80% nickel and 20% chromium) are popular heating elements due to their high resistance properties. Etched foils and resistance wires are also made from similar materials for effective heating applications in hair dryers and furnaces.
Common Watts and Dimensions of Heating Elements Available at Enrgtech:
Enrgtech stocks top collections of heating elements with distinct watt ratings and lengths, such as:
- Water Heater, 345mm, 6 kW, 230-400 V ac.
- Heating Element, 80mm, 200 W, 230 V.
- Enclosure Heating Element, 50W, 110°C, 12-30 V
- Heating Element, 500mm, 145 W
- Heating Element, 160mm, 1.6 kW, 230 V
- Enclosure Heating Element, 50W, +100°C, 230 V, and many more.
Other Heating Elements' Related Products Enrgtech is Offering:
Choosing the Right Heating Element Type:
As heating elements come in varied types and designs, selecting the appropriate heaters for your applications is crucial. Some of the crucial parameters include:
- Heating Elements' materials.
- Wattage and voltage.
- The appliance diameter compatibility.
- Dimensions.
- Power ratings.
- Element types.
- Water quality (Hard or soft water)
- Cost and brands.
- Performance and durability.
List of Equipment That Holds the Heating Elements:
Our extensive heating elements allow perfect compatibility for various appliances, including:
Safety Considerations for Heating Elements:
While handling any electric installation devices, safety precautions can help avoid accidents and potential injuries from heat sources such as fires, burns, and even explosions. Some key safety considerations can help protect individuals from such events and include:
- Ensure to buy certified electrical equipment.
- Handle them with great care and never leave such products unattended when finished.
- Avoid storing or using flammable materials/chemicals and water near heating elements.
- Ensure to keep your children and pets away from the equipment.
- Install or place in safe areas or wall sockets.
- Take special care when plugging or unplugging heating devices.
- Use the equipment in good ventilation spaces.
- Avoid using or touching damaged cords.
- Use specific element types for particular applications.
Top Five Manufacturers of Heating Elements In the UK:
Within the UK, there are multiple renowned heating element suppliers, including:
Applications of Water Heating Elements:
These exquisite heating elements offer various industrial, domestic, and commercial applications. Some of the typical environments include:
Industrial Applications Include:
- Chemical and Petroleum Industries.
- HVAC Systems.
- Oil & Gas Industries.
- Food & Beverage Industry.
- Nuclear Power Plants.
- Water Treatment.
- Plasma Heating Furnaces.
Commercial Applications Include:
- Automotive
- Aerospace
- Office Buildings
- Trucking
- Floor Heating Applications.
Domestic Applications Include:
- Ovens
- Toasters
- Hair Dryers
- Immersion Heaters
- Dishwashers
- Cooking Appliances (cookers, coffee makers, cooking plates)
- Refrigerators
- Washing Machines.
