Cartridge heaters or electric cartridge heaters come in different sizes and shapes with varying watt densities. Watt density is an important parameter for heaters as it indicates the ability of the heater to transmit heat to its surrounding areas. Different fitting and mounting options are also available with cartridge heaters to suit your application requirements.

Before buying a heating cartridge, you need to evaluate it on heat transfer capabilities, ability to maintain uniform temperature, resistance to oxidation and corrosion at high temperatures.

To select a cartridge heater, you must know the following three things:

1. The maximum temperature and wattage required for heating
2. The diameter and the length required of the cartridge heating elements
3. The voltage at which the heat cartridge will be used

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Analyze your requirements to choose the correct specification of cartridge heater

Each application has specific heat requirements, which will determine the specifications for your cartridge heaters. Therefore, before selecting a cartridge heater, you need to define your requirements and then finalize the various specifications for your cartridge heaters.

I recommend: Watlow provides a step-by-step guide for analyzing and determining your heating requirements. Omega Engineering also provides some quality instructions on specifying some key requirements for your cartridge heater.

Shop for your cartridge heater online from a cartridge heater manufacturer

Once you have defined your requirements and determined the specifications of your cartridge heaters, select a reliable manufacturer to buy cartridge heater that satisfies your needs and is economical.

I recommend: You can request a quote to buy a cartridge heater at Durex Industries. Heatron provides heater cartridges that have better heating properties and consumes less energy. Ivaldi is another manufacturer which provides cartridge heaters of different density types.

Find a manufacturer for your high watt density cartridge heaters

For applications like heating for press tools, thermo-sealing in the food industry, heat printing and heating of engines or braking systems, you need to buy cartridge heaters with a high watt density.

I recommend: EZ Heat Corporation provides a full line of custom-made high watt density cartridge heaters. You can also buy cartridge heaters of high watt density from Fast Heat.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  While doing the cost analysis for your cartridge heaters, do not forget to include the cost of energy consumption.
• •  Select a cartridge heater with a watt density only as high as is needed.