The History of Electric Heating
It’s fair to say that the modern world couldn’t live without electricity. Modern electricity systems are used to help heat our homes, operate essential appliances and keep us entertained.
Electric heating systems have transformed dramatically over the years, and heating elements used in these systems also have a long history that can be traced alongside significant scientific developments.
In this article, the team here at Hedin Heaters will take a closer look at electric heating history.
The history of electric heating
The advent of heating systems goes back centuries but the first electric heating element was invented in 1859 by Edward Simpson. Building on the principles of Joule’s Law, he patented a metal wire wound around a metal tube that could be used as a heating element.
By the early 1900s, many companies across the world were manufacturing their own heating elements, with American companies leading the way in the field. By the 1950s, electric heaters and components were commonplace in all kinds of machinery across a variety of industries. This led to them becoming more cost effective and more frequently used.
Nowadays, electric heating elements are used worldwide in all kinds of industries and machines. They’ve become more sustainable and energy efficient, and at Hedin Heaters we supply a wide range of products from cartridge heaters to rod elements and everything in between.
Ensuring safety with industrial heaters
While the use of industrial heaters is now extremely common in a range of machines and appliances, ensuring their safe use remains essential.
There are a whole host of ways to ensure this safety including:
- Regulations and standards – All heating elements must adhere to the highest safety standards and come with CE markings and ISO certifications, as well as meeting UL standards. As well as these professional regulations, the elements must also be compliant with the industry-specific standards depending on the sector (food, pharmaceuticals and more).
- Design – These days, industrial heating elements are manufactured using the most durable materials to ensure safety. Typically, this will include stainless steel that is extremely robust and helps to prevent overheating and corrosion. All our products also include design features that enhance safety such as automatic shut-offs and temperature protections.
- Installation and maintenance best practices – It is vitally important that all electrical elements and components are properly installed to ensure no electrical faults or hazards occur. The Hedins Heaters team has spent more than 80 years manufacturing quality elements to the highest professional standards and when we deliver our products we’ll explain how they should be installed, so you don’t need to worry about problems occurring.
When to replace industrial heaters
There are several signs that your industrial heating elements may need to be replaced. This includes:
- Signs of wear and tear – such as excessive noise, visible damage or inconsistent heating and performance.
- Performance issues – any declining performance or reduction in energy efficiency are signs a new element may be needed.
- Safety concerns – like overheating or electrical faults.
- Upgrading to modern solutions – when looking to upgrade to modern heating systems, it may be more cost-effective to replace your existing elements.
At Hedin Heaters, we have spent over 80 years supplying quality heating elements to customers around the world. No matter what industry you work in, we can always provide you with the perfect solution. Contact our expert team today to find out more.