In addition to Heat Trace products, Wirex carries broad line of other heating products. They are typically referred to under 3 different categories. Given the broad range of available products and options, Wirex can be invaluable to help select the right heating solution for a given application.
Strip Heaters
Strip Heaters are for use on any type of flat running surface and can be mounted to the surface in a number of ways.
There are 2 important factors to select the right Strip Heater for your application:
- Proper sheath material to facilitate the required temperature output and to prevent corrosion
- Watt density of the heating element to meet specific customer requirements
Strip Heaters can be provided up to 72” in length, deliver up to 3,000 watts and can deliver heating temperatures ranging between 750 – 1,500 F.
Band Heaters
Any type of cylindrical surface is a candidate for the use of a Band Heater. While they are commonly used on heating barrels of plastic injection molding machines, heat treating pipes and autoclaves, they are an option for any cylindrical object requiring heating.
Benefits of Band Heaters include a uniform heating solution, high temperatures, high degree of control and a relatively long operating life.
There are a wide range of standard diameters available. Upper limits of the temperature range are 1,200 F sheath temperature and 800 F barrel temperature. There are a number of methods to attach Band Heaters to the application, each ensuring a very tight fit to the cylindrical surface.
Flexible Heaters
Flexible Heaters, also known as Blanket Heaters, have the flexibility to cover shapes that are not perfectly straight or cylindrical. Because of their inherent flexibility, they are used in a variety of industries including Food Service, Medical, Military, Commercial and numerous industrial manufacturing applications. They are most suitable for lower temperature applications; maximum heating temperature is in the range of 390 F.
The variety of options include:
- Materials (providing chemical and moisture resistance)
- Blanket size, shape and thickness
- Electrical termination ranging from standard plugs to a variety of electrical connectors
- Attachment methods including bonding, straps, mounting bars and preformed clasps
