Ceramic heater

From Infogalactic: the planetary knowledge core
Jump to: navigation, search

Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

File:Goldair GCH200 ceramic heater.jpg
A Goldair 1800W ceramic heater

A ceramic heater as a consumer product is a space heater that generates heat using a heating element of PTC (Positive Temperature Coeffient) ceramic.[1]

Ceramic heaters are usually portable and typically used for heating a room or small office, and are similar[how?] to metal-element fan heaters.

How ceramic heaters work

PTC ceramic material is semi-conductive and when voltage is applied to it, the power decreases quickly as it reaches a certain temperature according to the particular composition of the ceramic. This means its temperature is self-regulating.

The ceramic elements are in contact with aluminium fins, thereby heating the fins up. A fan blowing across the fins heats the air.

Differences from other electric heaters

Electric heating elements[clarification needed (See hidden comment here by clicking edit.)] made of resistance wire also have a positive temperature coefficient of resistivity, but do not increase their resistance enough to be self-regulating; they are typically used with the wires red-hot. The ceramic, on the other hand, increases its resistance sharply at the Curie temperatures of the crystalline components, typically 120 degrees Celsius, and remains below 200 degrees Celsius, providing a significant[according to whom?] safety advantage.[2]

References

<templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" />

Cite error: Invalid <references> tag; parameter "group" is allowed only.

Use <references />, or <references group="..." />
  1. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. US patent 4703153