Benefits of Finned Heaters

finned strip heater

Finned heaters provide a greater degree of control over your heating process because their alloys can withstand high temperatures without breaking down. They also have insulation made out of mica, magnesium oxide, and fiberglass, which reduces wasted heat. For extreme environments, we offer heaters made of aluminized steel, stainless steel, and zinc-coated steel for even more protection.

Finned heaters are easy to use and customizable. Choose heaters with slots or holes to mount onto the wall, and request different wattages, voltages, and sizes based on your heating needs.

Common Applications of Finned Heaters

Strip heaters with fins are commonly used in space or duct heaters, dehumidifiers, and air conditioning units. They are also popular for keeping food and equipment sanitary during packaging.

Finned heaters also have many applications in process air heating, or heating systems that rely on steam. They increase the efficiency of dehydrating and cooking ovens, and they dry out the air around motors in steam engines to prevent moisture damage.

What To Consider When Choosing Finned Heaters

When you’re ordering new finned heaters, think about the temperature you want your heater to reach. Our finned heaters made of aluminized steel can reach up to 1100 degrees Fahrenheit.

You should also think about how much corrosion your heater’s fins will be exposed to. Iron sheaths provide some protection, but sheaths made of aluminized steel or grade 430 stainless steel are much more corrosion-resistant.

Finned heaters are available with parallel, opposite-end, or offset terminals. We recommend heaters with welded post terminals because they have the strongest electrical connections.

Finally, think about how many watts your electrical system can handle. Our finned heaters, which are UL- and CSA-approved, offer up to 33 W/in2, but you may need a lower watt density depending on how old your electrical system is and how many devices are using it.

Hi-Watt Inc. specializes in industrial electric heaters, temperature and process controls, temperature sensors and more. Some of the products we carry include: immersion heaters, band heaters, thermowells, quartz infrared heaters, RTD sensors, cartridge heaters and more. Contact us for details today.

Finned Strip Heater Specs

MaterialMaximum Operating TemperaturesMaximum Watt Densities
°F°CW/in2W/cm2
Aluminized Steel1100595335.1
  • Aluminized steel sheath temperatures to 1100°F (595°C)
  • Watt density up to 33 W/in² (5.1 W/cm²)
  • UL® approved to 240VAC (File No. E52951)
  • CSA approved to 600VAC (File No. LR7392)
Features & Benefits:
Nickel chromium element wire is centered in the heaterHeats the strip uniformly
Aluminized steel sheathOperates at higher temperaturesResists corrosion better than iron-sheathed heaters
Optional 430 SS sheathProvides a solution for more corrosive environments
Welded post terminalsProduces strong, trouble-free connections