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| Question: |
| Knuckle Bands or Mica Band Heaters |
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| Answer: |
It seems that at least once a week, we have a customer changing from mica heaters to ceramic heaters or from ceramics to mica. If you?re thinking of a change or if you?re simply curious, we?d like to offer a little information here to help you make an informed decision.
The two greatest things about using ceramic heaters are the potential energy savings and the fact that less heat is released to the atmosphere than with mica heaters. While we wouldn?t recommend touching the sheath of a ceramic heater, we can say that the consequences of an accidental encounter are less severe than an experience with a mica band. From our field studies, we have determined that our ceramic band heaters typically use 10% less energy than a mica band heater when manufactured with extra heat saver insulation.
Thermal Corporation?s ceramic heaters have two standard insulation options as shown below. There are many other options available as to clamping options, terminations, leads and lead protection. Please see our Ceramic Heater Pages for listings and sketches of available options.
The ?business end? of our ceramic heater is the construction of high quality ceramic ?knuckles? which support coiled nickel-chromium element wire. This assembly is sheathed in stainless steel. These heaters are extremely flexible allowing for easy installation, can operate at higher temperatures than mica heaters and are longer lived as well! This can mean quicker start up times translating to extra production time. Another item of consideration is the fact that extremely tight fits and irregularities in the mounting surface are not as critical with ceramic versus mica due to the fact that much of the heat is transferred via radiant energy.
Downsides to ceramic heaters would be that they are thicker than mica heaters, and widths are only available in ?? increments. When selecting a knuckle band, you need to consider that they do not lend themselves to repeated reinstallations. While price is higher than mica heaters, the savings in energy and longer lived heaters more than makes up for any price difference.
Mica band heaters are great low cost heaters that are easily customized and quickly manufactured. They can last for years or months depending upon many different variables.
Positives for mica band heaters in addition to the low cost would have to include their versatility, low prices and ability to be manufactured in less time than ceramic heaters. When installed properly, they are an efficient and durable answer to process heating in an industrial environment.
Whichever route you take in your process heating needs, you can depend on the Thermal Corporation Team to do our best to provide you with the best solution available today.
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| Question: |
| I need a band heater. I have been heating a barrel with propane to boil water. So the temperature needs to be high enough to boil water. The barrel measures 15.5 inches diameter. the heater can have a width (from top to bottom) of 5 inches max. Also wil |
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| Answer: |
| Thanks for the question, Perry.
We a band heater and control system that would heat water, but it may not be the best solution to your problem.
Mica band heaters are not waterproof and if one was used on a container in which water might boil over, the heater would most likely short out creating a dangerous situation.
In an application like this, I would suggest you call us at 1-800-633-1212 or email us directly to discuss your process so we can help you determine the best solution possible.
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