| 1. Choose insulation type Pick from the available insulation types. When selecting insulation consider temperature range, maximum resistance density and maximum heater size. Insulation options are available on page 7. 2. Choose installation option Proper installation is crucial for optimal heater performance. Determine the best method to install flexible heaters in your application so you can achieve desired results in your thermal system. Minco installation options are available on page 8. 3. Calculate required wattage The heater you select must produce enough power to (1) warm the heated object to control temperature in the desired time and (2) maintain that temperature. The specific heat formula on page 10 gives an estimate for warm-up, assuming all heat enters the object and none is lost. Add at least 20% to account for unknown losses. Heat loss factors include conduction, convection, and radiation. A more accurate wattage estimate will take these into account. For a general discussion of heat loss, download Minco White Paper "Estimating Power Requirements for Etched-Foil Heaters." Also helpful is Thermal Calc, an online tool to assist with calculations. Both are available at www.minco.com/e2e. 4. Select a Minco stock or standard heater Select from the hundreds of available heater sizes in this guide that will best fit your application. Multiple resistance options will allow you to carefully manage your heat output. Ohm's Law A Thermofoil heater has a specific resistance. Its power output, in watts, depends on supply voltage (P=E2/R). |