Heating - Pad/Mat/Foil Heating Elements

Calienté offers pad-style heating elements for energy-efficient spot heating, which includes constant wattage or PTC heaters using polymer thick film inks, etched foil, or wire as the conductive element. The elements are extremely thin (.011"/0.28mm typical), constructed with UL/CSA component recognition under file E226297. Element substrate materials include polyester (PET), polyethylene napthalate (PEN), polyimide and silicone.  

Calienté offers a variety of robust connection options, capable of carrying high amp loads and providing excellent pull strength, as well as finished-wire harnessing capabilities to connect with your power system. Calienté also designs thermostatic controls that can be mounted directly to the heater for over-temperature protection. Or it can be potted into the wiring harness for ambient temperature switching, giving you a complete thermal package. Pressure-sensitive mounting adhesive is available, and can be coupled with insulation on the reverse side to yield an energy reduction of up to 25%. Available sizes range from a 8mm square chip heater in excess of 24"x96".

Benefits

• Low-Profile Design – Typical thickness of .011" (0.28mm) is ideal for applications with space constraints.
• Cost-Effective Spot Heating – Save energy by concentrating heat only where needed.  
• DC designs also available.
• Versatile – Can vary watt density in certain high load areas.
• Durable – Acid, abrasion, moisture and chemical-resistant options.
• Overall Value – Cost-effective spot heating for space/power restrained areas.

Applicatons

• Battery heaters for outdoor telecommunications cabinets
• Chip heaters for temperature sensitive electronics
• Fluid heaters for medical patient comfort devices
• Lens Defoggers for military vision systems and LCD displays

Heat Smarter with Spot Heaters from Calienté

If you’re looking for better design, better performance, and better lead times, you’ll want to take a closer look at Caliente. Our spot heaters offer a low profile and rugged design while being both abrasion and acid resistant. They are also more cost and energy efficient than competitive elements, which gives you an advantage over the competitors in your industry.

Spot Heaters:

Proven to perform. Thermal imaging and modifications based on your specs allows for design optimization.

Fits your specific apps. Ideal for a variety of usages, including battery, board, display and cold start.

Design assistance. Our designers can assist in your design efforts to build a battery or enclosure heater specifically for your application.

Gets the job done. Available in 105C, 150C, 200C UL ratings.

Quick lead times. Three to four weeks typical, versus months for our competitors

Design Specifications

Heater Substrate Materials/UL Temp. Ratings

Polyester 105°C/221°F
Polyethylene 105°C/221°F
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) 105°C/221°F
Valox 120°C/248°F
Thermoset Laminate (FR4) 140°C/284°F
Polyethylene Napthalate (PEN) 160°C/320°F
Polyimide 200°C/392°F
Silicone Rubber 200°C/392°F

Pressure Sensitive Adhesives (PSA)/UL Temp Ratings

Available for mounting at temperatures up to 200°C.

Typical Element Profile/Thickness (with PSA/Adhesive)

Polyester, PVC, Valox, PEN, Polyimide 0.33mm or .013”

Thermoset Laminate 1.00mm or .025”

Silicone Rubber 1.27mm or .050”

Watt Density

Dependent upon three key factors: heat sink and air flow, the maximum operating temperature and the control of the heater. Watt density can range up to 0.8W/cm2 (25W/in2) if the element is controlled sufficiently, or if heat is taken away by air or a heat sink. More typical designs fall at or below 0.3W/cm2 (1OW/in2).

With the design flexibility of thick film, watt densities can be varied across an element,  precisely concentrating heat.

Thermal Conductivity

Materials are chosen based on thermal conductivity/ resistance to provide a hybrid effect for high energy efficiency. The heaters also operate at
a cooler temperature due to their low profile, extending the life of the element.

Abrasion, Acid Resistance and Ease of Installation

Elements are designed to provide the appropriate mix of abrasion and acid resistance along with ease of
installation based upon the needs of your application.

Termination

Elements are available with wire leads, as well as locking, edge card, wire to board and flex to board connectors.

Pull Strength

Pull strength of 20+ pounds is typical, with more robust constructions available for heavier grade applications such as battery heaters.

Thermal Sensing

Control Thermostat - Disc, bimetal or bulb/capillary - mechanical device that switches element on and off

Thermal Fuse/Thermal Cutout (TCO)

One-time over-temperature device usually used to protect against a runaway temperature situation.

NTC Thermistors

Leaded glass bead or surface mount styles - senses temperature change while providing significant resistance change.

RTD (Resistive Temperature Device)

Leaded element or surface mount - senses temperature change - high accuracy.

Electronic Control also available.

Size and Dielectric Strength

Elements can range from 25.4mm X 25.4mm (1” X 1”) to well over 0.6m X 1.83m (24” X 72”). Each element is configured to best match your particular application.

All heaters are 100% tested to the greater of 1500V or the widely accepted standard approval agency recommendation of 2x input voltage + 1000 volts for dielectric integrity.

Resistance Tolerance

Typical resistance tolerance is +/- 7.5%, although tighter tolerances are achievable. Each element is 100% tested for continuity and resistance.

Agency Approvals

Caliente works with the world’s leading electrical agencies to ensure uncompromising quality, integrity and safety for you and your customers. Most designs carry UL/ CSA component recognition.

Flammability and Telecordia GR-487

UL94V-0 rated flammability designs are available. Elements also comply with Telecordia GR-487 specs, including salt fog, chemical and fungus resistance.

Design Assistance

Caliente’s experienced designers can assist in your design efforts to build a battery or enclosure heater specifically for your application. In addition, we can look to optimize your current element designs and recommend proper watt densities, controls and element construction.

Caliente will conduct a thorough design review and present a proposal and quotation, followed by sample elements upon approval. We also provide testing and gather agency approvals to verify and ensure that the element construction and design