Cartridge heater: what is it, and how does it work?
An industrial heating element with a tube shape called a cartridge heater can be put into pre-drilled holes. Cartridge heaters are widely used in the heating process industry as they provide localized and precise heating. High-quality heaters can be obtained by selecting the best cartridge heater manufacturer. In most cases, cartridge heaters warm a metal block from the inside. Depending on the application’s needs, they can be mainly produced to a specific watt density. Cartridge heaters typically heat metal objects by inserting them into holes that have already been drilled. Compared to their nominal diameter, the heaters are undersized for easy installation.
How does it work?
In a cartridge heater, a resistance coil is wound around a ceramic core encased in a metal sheath and surrounded by a dielectric. The heat transferred to the sheath from the coil causes it to warm up. The heat transfer is then directed to the internal metal component that needs heating.
General-purpose drills are often suitable for drilling holes for cartridge heater installation in low or medium-temperature applications. When holes are drilled .003 to .008, more significant than the drill’’ nominal size, fits range from .009 to .0014.
Cartridge heaters, especially those with lengthy sheaths, are easier to install and remove even though the fit is a little looser than what would allow for the best heat transfer. At high-watt densities, a tight fit becomes much more essential.
Boring and reaming the holes is preferable to simply drilling them with a general-purpose bit. A tighter fit will make the heater run quietly and keep it going longer. So this is where the cartridge heater manufacturers come into play to help you.
What are the operating temperatures for the cartridge heater?
Cartridge heaters can use low, medium, and high-watt densities. Due to the way they are made, they can withstand operating temperatures of up to 1400F. The ideal operating temperature for the cartridge heater will be determined by the application for which it is being used. When choosing the working temperature, it is important to consider cartridge heater manufacturers. The electric terminals for cartridge heaters should differ from typical high-temperature lead wires. Or the cartridge should be built so that the temperature around the lead wires is kept below the lead wire’s maximum working temperature while utilizing them at relatively high temperatures.
Parting words:
Due to the numerous advantages and how they operate, which have been explained, you should only buy from the top cartridge heater manufacturers.
