PTC resistor heating: a new generation of elements

A Hawco product story

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Feb 26, 2001

PTC resistor heating elements are a new generation of heating elements by which maximum heating power can be obtained through optimum tuning of the function.

PTC resistor heating elements are a new generation of heating elements by which maximum heating power can be obtained through optimum tuning of the function.

They are a combination of two technical practices: Heating and Temperature Control.

The safety is achieved by the temperature limiting effect.

By exact dimensioning of the PTC reference temperature, the heating can be matched precisely to the set requirements.

The characteristic features of the Positive Temperature Coefficient resistors are a resistive temperature variation with a highly positive temperature coefficient.

The resistance value changes from a low resistance value to a high resistance value by several power of ten when the reference temperature is exceeded.

This new self regulating technology means that the heaters will work without the use of thermostats and limiters, constantly for many years.

PTC resistive elements are universal and can be housed in a small area, for the heating of vessels, fluids and appliances, they are used in industry, laboratories and many household applications.

Currently the Thermospeed range covers: 1 - Finned PTC Heater Elements: this design of heating element allows a large wattage to be delivered from a small sized heating element.

Designed to be an ambient air heater, this unit can be left in a convection patch to keep the ambient at a constant level or can be set in front of a fan to be force cooled.

The forced cooling allows the PTC element to run at much higher temperatures and thus give out a lot more heat.

Should the air circulation fail, these heaters will self regulate and never over heat.

Applications: Electronic Enclosures; Telecommunication Enclosures; Air Pre-Conditioning.

2- PTC Self Regulating Cabinet Heater: the 'ABC' range of Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) 'self-regulating' heaters have been designed to offer a choice of power outputs within the same physical frame size and are offered with DIN clip/base mount for easy fixing.

The clip can be easily unscrewed for the heater to be surface mounted via the 4 holes on the corner of the body.

Applications: Electrical Switchgear Cabinets; CCTC Camera Housing; Telecommunication Cabins.

3- PTC Anti-condensation Heaters: this range of anti-condensation heaters is used in switchgear/instrumentation panels when a build up of condensation must be avoided.

The aluminium body sections on each side of the heaters provide a large surface area for the heat to be dissipated.

They come fitted with DIN rail mounting clips ready to be clipped straight in to place.

Applications: Automation Systems; Anti-Frost; Display Boards.

4- PTC Resistor Heating Element: the PTC resistor heating elements are ideally suited to small electrical appliances, which have to be heated to the required operating temperature quickly.

The compact design of the heating elements permits a very good symmetrical thermal flux into the medium to be heated.

Applications: Travel Iron; Warming Plate; Massager.

5- PTC High Power Heating Plate: this series of PTC flat heating elements are especially noteworthy due to their compact size and high power density.

Within the specified voltage range, the power consumption and the reference temperature of the heating elements remain virtually constant, thus being self-regulating.

Applications Heating of Castings; Heating of Wax; Face Treatment Appliances.