How a Heating Element Works
A heating element basically converts incoming electricity into useful heat utilizing the Joule heating process. When the electrical current flowing about the element runs into resistance heat is produced. Heating elements are used in a variety of household items as well as in industrial applications. The typical element utilizes Nichrome wire for the conductor. Nichrome wire has a high level of resistance and usually does not malfunction when being used in its preferred temperature range.
Varieties of Heating Elements
There are basically five types of heating elements utilized for commercial use. Coiled or straight Nichrome wire is quite prevalent in manufacturing elements. Screen printed metal/ceramic material placed on metal plates and usually insulated with ceramic are also commonly used. This type of element has been used in household appliances beginning in the middle of the 1990's. Cal rod also known as a sealed element is basically a thin coil of Nichrome wire situated in a ceramic binder and properly sealed in a shell made of metal. This type of element can be found in stoves and ovens as well as coffee makers and other household appliances.
A Heat lamp radiates primarily infrared light and they are typically utilized in radiant space heaters and food warming devices. PTC ceramic has a positive thermal coefficient of resistivity while the majority of cermacis have a negative coefficient. This type of material is found in rear window defrost heaters in cars and is also used in manufacturing space heaters and some hair dryers also use this type of material in order to create heat.
Kakhom HaGuff Company has developed a new heating element technology which uses ceramic crystals for producing elements. There has been some interest around the world in the new technology and a British company that produces ventilators has placed an order for 15,000 heating elements from Kakhom HaGruff.
Thick film heating element technology is another variety that has been utilized in many ways. This type of an element is very useful for high watt density as well as for instances when rapid heating is required. These elements are considered to be high powered and quick to respond and these characteristics have made them popular. Be careful not to severely overheat this type of element since permanent damage will likely occur. Over the years their have been advances in heating element technology and different types of materials have been tried, some with success and some have been failures. There are many practical uses for heating elements and they are usually found in numerous appliances in the typical home.
