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• Resistive Heating Technology | IRC

Unlike conventional thermal elements, these resistive heaters can achieve a near-instantaneous temperature rise to a precise temperature, maintain that constant temperature as long as required, and be touch-safe within a second or two of being powered off due to the extremely low thermal mass of the heating device and the rapid response of an onboard thermal feedback component. By replacing conventional heat sources, this heating element technology virtually eliminates warm-up time and latent thermal issues, delivers better temperature control, and improves safety for patients and medical professionals.

IRC's technology integrates the proprietary thick film resistive elements onto a rugged ceramic dielectric glaze, which is directly applied to a stainless steel substrate, providing an extremely robust heating element with superior thermal transfer characteristics.  The stainless steel heating element can then be designed directly into the medical equipment, giving the design engineer maximum flexibility to make their systems smaller, with more precise temperature control, as well as a higher margin of safety. Fuses and thermistors can be integrated directly into the heating elements to provide additional over-temperature protection as well as closed-loop feedback control. The technology is also available on 300 series stainless steel tubular substrates from 0.5" to 2.25" OD for direct heat transfer to fluid flow. The thick film-on-steel technology can also be used as an ultra-high power surge resistor to suppress loads such as dynamic motor braking, inrush current limiting, and capacitor discharge applications.

Medical applications for this version of the resistors include use as a low-pass filter in MRI and CT scanners to improve image definition by suppressing EMI; and as a line load control to reduce power to surgical lasers during idle periods before powering down. In addition to the custom designs available for specific medical applications, the resistor technology is offered in several standard configurations rated for 0.5kW, 1.0kW, 2kW, 3kW, 5kW and 7kW (maximum pulse power rating). Standard resistance values range from 12 Ω to 150 Ω with tolerances to ±10% (custom resistance values and tolerances are available).  Minimum dielectric withstanding voltage is specified at 2500VDC. Inductance values range from less than 3µH to less than 6µH, with a continuous operating temperature rated to 400°C.

Features & Benefits:

• Eliminates warm-up time and latent thermal issues
• Maintains a constant temperature as long as required
• Improves safety for patients and medical professionals
• Flameproof planar device

Applications:

• Medical
• Dynamic Motor Braking
• Capacitor Discharge
• Inrush Current Limiting