What are Tubular Heaters?
A tubular heater is a tube-shaped heater that can be formed into many shapes. A heating coil is put into a metal pipe, then Magnesium oxide (MgO) powder is added to fill the gap between the metal pipe and the heating coil. The heater is then compressed to make a tubular-shaped structure. They may be made in almost any shape, although the most frequent are round, triangular, or flattened.
The most customizable of all electric heating components are tubular heaters. They are extremely adaptable, save energy, and are suitable for a wide range of heating applications. They may be made in almost any shape, although the most frequent are round, triangular, or flattened.
Types of Tubular Heaters
Tubular heaters can be categorized into single-ended and double-ended. Single-ended tubular heaters have two terminals at one end while the double-ended tubular heaters have one terminal at each end of the tube.
Tubular heaters can range in temperatures from 750°F to 1500°F depending on the application.
Applications of Tubular Heaters
Tubular heating elements provide excellent heat transmission to liquids, air, gasses, and solids through conduction, convection, and radiation. They come in various diameters and lengths. They can be formed into a variety of shapes or welded to any metal surface.
Tubular heating elements are extensively utilized in industrial heating, because of their adaptability and cost. There are a number of sheath materials used in constructing these heaters, such as steel, stainless steel or Incoloy which allows them to be used in many applications such as:
- Animal incubators for prenatal care
- Air ducts
- Epoxy curing
- Steam tables
- Spas and hot tubs
- Sterilisers and autoclaves
- Welding preheat equipment
- Furnaces
- Food service equipment
- Textile and chemical dryers
Tubular heaters are one of the most durable of all heaters and have the longest lifespans, depending on the material used in their manufacture and the harshness of the application they are subjected to.
Getting the Right Tubular Heater for Your Needs
Selecting the right tubular heater depends on a number of factors, like:
- The area to be heated
- The surrounding environment
- The degree to which the space is properly insulated
- The wattage necessary to heat the specific area
- The cost of the heater
- The temperature required for the application to run
