Heating Element for water heating: types, features, how to choose

Electric tube heater is a device that heats water by converting electricity into heat energy. It is installed in electric kettles, boilers. Immersion heater is immersed in a container with water to heat it. Let's consider the main types of heating element and tips on choice.

Types of heating elements

The peculiarity of heating elements is that they are made in different configurations and shapes. For heating water most often use the heating element of such designs:

• The horseshoe shape is formed by bending a straight heating element in half in a «U» shape. This allows the device to be placed in a small sized enclosure or container.
• The paper clip shape is obtained by bending the straight heating element in a loop. The bend can be one or several. The greater the number of loops, the higher the power and speed of water heating.
• Loop shape, expanding at the end into a circle, etc.

Heating elements for water heaters can be dry or wet. The first type does not come into contact with water, as it is hidden in a sealed bulb. They are considered to be more durable. Submersible heating elements are located in the water.

Immersion heaters work on the same principle. The heating element is made in the form of a spiral. It is immersed in water, fixed on the edge of the container with a special hook. It is covered with a lid so that it does not touch the heating element protruding from the water. Only then the immersion heater cord is connected to the mains. The peculiarity of using immersion heater is that after disconnecting it should not be removed from the water for 10-20 seconds. This time is necessary for the heating element to cool down a little.

Immersion heaters vary in size. Miniature models are placed in a mug or a half-liter jar. Larger immersion heaters are used to heat water in large pots or buckets.

Heating elements are installed in mugs boilers or mount the design of the pot. Such equipment fulfills the role of a kettle.

Industrial water heaters consist of a volumetric tank for water, heating element, a faucet for water supply, thermostat, cable and control panel. Such equipment is installed in kitchens, hotel utility rooms and production facilities.

Heating elements are flow-through. They are mounted in a special container and installed in the water supply near the faucet. The liquid moves through this element and is quickly heated due to the high power of heating elements. The peculiarity of flow water heaters is that they cannot heat the liquid to the boiling point.

It is important to clean the water heating elements from limescale in time. Then there will be no obstacles to heat transfer. This is done when the heating element is switched off and cooled down.

How to choose a heating element for water heating

First of all, pay attention to the fact that the power of the heating element is enough to heat the required amount of water:

• Small Immersion heaters, designed to heat water in a mug, have a power of 0,5-0,7 kW.
• To heat 3 liters of water, a large Immersion heater with a power of 1.5 kW is suitable.
• For 50-80 liters of water you need a heating element with a power of 1.2 kW.
• A container of 100 liters will be heated by a heating element of 1.5 kW.
• For 120 liters of water you need a heating element of 2 kW.
• A container up to 150 liters will need a heating element of 2.5 kW.

If you need a heating element for more accurate water heating and programming, it should have a control panel. So you can adjust the power of the device and its mode of operation.

Industrial heating elements for water choose according to the need for tank volume and settings. Such devices can be programmed to turn on and off in advance.