PTC elements, or Positive Temperature Coefficient elements, are a type of ceramic heating element that is widely used in a variety of heating applications. They are made of a special ceramic material that has a resistance that increases as the temperature of the element rises. This characteristic makes PTC elements self-regulating, meaning that they can maintain a constant temperature without the need for external temperature control.

What is a PTC Heating Element?

PTC is an acronym for positive temperature coefficient. These heating elements are heating discs crafted from ceramic materials. Research has found that the heat produced by this technology is energy efficient, powerful, stable, and durable, making it especially applicable in compact spaces such as appliances.

PTC heaters run open-loop, which means they have no need for feedback controls or external diagnostics. This makes them much safer as there is a low risk of overheating. For appliances that need risk-free, uniform, and powerful heating, PTC heating elements are a dependable option.

How Does a PTC Heating Element Work?

PTC heating elements are made with advanced conductive ceramic materials. They have a positive resistance change when exposed to increasing temperature. As the element is exposed to more heat, the ceramic restricts the passage of the current through the component. Conversely, when exposed to a lower temperature, it will increase the passage of current. This is how it is able to create, maintain, and self-monitor heat.

Research supports the effectiveness of PTC heating technologies across a variety of applications. It performs exceptionally well and provides appliance manufacturers with the opportunity to designate specific temperature limits for the heater to function within.

Applications of PTC Elements in Various Industries

· Transportation: PTC Elements bring a wide variety of benefits to the automotive and aerospace industries. These systems provide compact, lightweight means to heat the interiors of planes and vehicles. Anything from the seat and steering wheel heaters to plane de-icers will likely use a PTC heater.

· Healthcare: Because of the PTC heater's high safety records, medical workers frequently turn to them for a variety of applications. PTC Elements work especially well as under-body heating systems on operating tables, gurneys, and beds.

· Recreational: Outdoor clothing manufacturers can weave PTC Elements into their clothing. Because of their ability to run open-loop (without the use of electronic controls), jackets, vests, socks, and gloves can all incorporate PTC Elements.

· Food and beverage: PTC Elements can keep foods and fluids at consistent temperatures while they're being transported or stored for later use. These systems appear at many stages of the food processing and distribution process—processing plants, food transportation, and restaurants all benefit from PTC Elements.

· Public spaces: PTC Elements provide efficient, portable methods to heat outdoor venues such as restaurant patios, stadiums, and convention centers. Because of their light weight and energy efficiency, they can be moved and repositioned as needs and weather conditions change.

PTC Elements Solutions

This concludes our guide to everything you need to know about PTC heating elements.

Dealing with dangerous and unreliable heaters can be stressful for you. PTC heaters improve on previous heater designs to provide safe, energy-efficient heating systems for applications of all sizes. Understanding the advantages of these heaters over traditional coil or ceramic chip options can help make a huge difference in safety and effectiveness.

At PAKE, we have designed our own patented PTC heating technology. Our systems perform better, regulate temperatures more efficiently, reach target temperatures better, and are better at achieving temperature uniformity. Contact us today to learn more about our custom PTC heating elements.