The PTC Ceramic Heater and Fan |
Posted: May 21, 2017 |
In the world of portable ceramic heaters it's hard to compete with the PTC ceramic heater and fan for efficiency, temperature consistency, and safety. The very design of the PTC system makes these types of heaters great for certain applications. But in order to understand why this is so, we must first define the term PTC and explain how the technology works.
PTC heaters are built on a principle known as Positive Temperature Coefficient. This principle relates to a material whose electrical resistance increases as its temperature goes up. Ceramic is a material with a high PTC rate, meaning temperature changes cause its electrical resistance to rise very quickly. This allows for rapid heating of the material without the possibility of electrical overload which, in turn, reduces the risk of fire or short-circuiting. In other words, these properties of ceramic make it an ideal an PTC element for heaters.
PTC Ceramic Heater and Fan Self-Regulating Properties Because of the PTC properties of ceramic it can be used as a self-regulating material in a portable space heater. The ceramic is formed into stones of various sizes and shapes; they can be circular, rectangular, oval, or square, depending on the heater. They are also sometimes made with holes in the surface as a means of more quickly dissipating heat.
The composition of an individual stone determines what is known as the reference temperature. At this temperature the ceramic stone plateaus. To plateau means that once the ceramic stones reach their reference temperature, the high electrical resistance reduces total power draw and prevents the stone from getting any hotter. Only as heat is dissipated and resistance reduced is the power draw increased again. As a general rule, the higher the reference temperature the higher the potential power draw.
The idea behind having a PTC ceramic heater with a fan is to use the fan to dissipate heat and maintain a constant temperature. This arrangement allows for a fairly consistent temperature without the need for a thermostat or other regulating device. When users get too warm they can simply shut of the fan and allow the heater to dissipate on its own.
Some of the other advantages of PTC heaters include:
PTC Ceramic Heater and Fan Ideal Applications
A PTC ceramic heater and fan is it the perfect option for portable heating in your car. Because of their efficiency and heat output you can get a lot of Hot Home Air from a very small unit. And with the low power draw, a car heater can be run directly off the battery by plugging into a standard cigarette lighter outlet. This is a great way to provide extra heat in your car if the factory heater is insufficient.
PTC heaters are also a great option for caravaning. Perhaps you're facing a cool night ahead and your caravan either lacks a furnace or you simply don't want to turn it on. A small PTC heater would give you just enough heat to get through the night without the need for the full-size furnace. And if you have kids sleeping in tents outside, they can use these types of heaters as long as they have access to electricity. They'll be able to stay warm without you having to worry about a fire.
PTC Ceramic Heater and Fan Be Careful of Imported Units If you plan to purchase a PTC heater make sure you're careful about checking on the manufacturer. Many imported devices, from countries like China, may not necessarily meet the same high standards as those manufactured by a domestic manufacturer. In either case, any PTC ceramic heater and fan you purchase should be clearly marked as being compliant with your regions regulations.
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