Finned Strip Heaters are a type of electric duct heater used for both forced (mounted in a duct) and natural convection air heating (mounted at the bottom of cabinet type ovens). Finned strip heaters have a basic design which consists of a helically wound resistance coil placed in a specially designed ceramic insulator.
Also known as component heaters, these devices come with holes for easy mounting onto the wall or object to be heated. You can use bi-metal thermostats, heating control panels, or electric thermostats to monitor them.
Finned heaters use tubes to contain magnesium oxide. A sheath protects this heating element, and steel fins help transfer the magnesium’s heat throughout the room or object in question. Our models that have extra fins can also be used as duct heaters.
Mica band heaters play an important role in numerous industrial processes. They are ring-shaped heating devices that clamp themselves to a cylindrical element. Then, they produce heat using conduction. The vast majority of band heaters clamp around the outside of a cylinder. Then, they head the element from the outside as well; however, some heaters might clamp to the inside. There is usually plenty of mineral and ceramic insulation to reduce heat loss to the external world. At the same time, you need to make sure you find the right heating system for your needs, so learn more about these industrial heaters below.
How Do Heating Bands Work?
An industrial band heater uses metal filament encased in a protective covering. Then, they take electricity and convert it into heat. An industrial band heater creates useful heat energy that is transferred to another object using either conduction or convection. Conduction takes place when the heating band directly contacts the object it is heating. Convection takes place when the heating element does not have to be touching the surface it is heating, but it can still produce a reliable amount of heat. In the plastics industry, a mica band heater is one of the most common examples. This is a conductive heating source that uses thermal energy to heat an exterior steel surface. This is a reliable, advantageous source of heat with numerous applications.
Benefits of Mica Band Heaters
There are several benefits of mica band heaters you will enjoy. These include:
They work well in areas where a lower maximum temperature is required.
This is a great insulator for numerous heaters because it can resist corrosion.
It also has exceptional dielectric strength, adding to its installation capabilities.
These heaters can also resist strong chemicals and water.
They are relatively flexible and can bend somewhat, adapting to the environment.
Even though this type of heater might not be able to handle higher temperatures, it is not nearly as expensive as other options. Therefore, this is a great way for you to accommodate your heating needs while also remaining under budget.
Common Applications of Band Heaters
There are several common ways these band heaters can be used. For example, they are frequently used in autoclaves and sterilizers, which are critical in the medical and biomedical research fields. They are also commonly used in blow molding machines, drum heating, and fluidized beds. These types of heaters are also frequently used in food and candy production. They can also be located in plastic extruders, oil reclamation systems, and holding tanks. These are just a few of the many applications of these band heaters. It is critical to work with a professional who can help you figure out which heater is the best option to meet your needs. That way, you can maximize the value of your investment while also taking care of all of your heating requirements.
What To Consider When Choosing a Band Heater
If you are looking for industrial electric heaters, you need to make sure you pick the right one. There are several options available, including mica, ceramic, high watt density, and extruded aluminum heaters. Mica bands provide better thermal conductivity, which ceramic bands use radiant heat instead of conductive heat. High watt density bands provide newer plastic resins with higher watt temperatures, while aluminum band heaters are durable and can withstand oil, plastic, and other materials. Ultimately, these are a few of the most important factors you should consider when you are trying to find industrial electric heaters. If you have questions or concerns about heaters, be sure to reach out to the team from Hi-Watt, Inc to help you. At Hi-Watt, it would be our honor to assist you.
Band heaters are ring-shaped industrial heaters designed to clamp around and raise the temperature of a cylindrical element through conductive heat transfer. Most come with an insulation of mineral or ceramic material to reduce environmental heat loss. Here are the key parameters that affect the efficiency and operating capabilities of band style heaters:
AC voltage
Maximum operating temperature
Required watts
Maximum sheath temperature
Sleeve and insulation materials
Mounting and termination types
These types of heaters can be secured permanently around a cylinder or include a quick-release strap to remove and apply to different materials as part of the manufacturing process. Consider the size restrictions and required temperatures to select the optimal size and insulation material.
All types of industrial electric heaters create heat by converting electrical energy. The material used to transfer this heat varies considerably and can rely on one or more of the three methods to transfer heat:
Convection: Electric process heaters that use convection transfer heat by fluid motion. As the liquid or gas heats up, it creates either forced or free convection. Forced convection uses external force to increase the flow speed of the transfer material, typically with stirring arms or a fan. Free convection leverages the natural movement of hot and cold materials to create movement.
Radiation: Radiation is a heat transfer method that relies on electromagnetic waves. Raising an object above absolute zero creates thermal energy in the form of electromagnetic waves, which spread to surrounding gases, fluids and solid objects.
Conduction: Finally, conduction is perhaps the most used method of heat transfer through solid materials. Instead of transferring heat through a liquid or gas, conductive electric heating units heat solid objects that are directly in contact with them. The process works by transferring heat through vibrating microscopic atoms.
Industrial heaters come in a wide range of shapes, sizes, materials, and through the conversion of electrical energy into heat are used in specific heating applications. Examples of industrial electric heaters could be immersion heaters used to raise or maintain the temperature of liquids in a process, or the use of heat trace to keep pipes from freezing.
Some units are incredibly large and capable of extreme temperatures to melt metal components, while others are compact and only used to maintain a standard operating temperature of oil or another liquid.
Because of the wide variety of heater sizes, shapes, heating elements, and sheathing materials, it can be overwhelming to shop for a heating unit on your own. Work with a leading industrial and commercial heater provider to find the optimal unit for your application.
