M & G Series Panel Heaters
High-temperature, cleanable surface and uniform coverage.
G-Series Specifications
Glass is the standard face on the G-Series panel heaters. The G-Series uses a high-temperature (1202°F/ 650°C, continuously operating temperature) black glass. The construction of the G-Series heater is similar to that of the F-Series heater, with the exception that glass replaces the quartz composite fabric as the face material.
The glass face G-Series heater is used for industrial applications in which there is a possibility that materials will fall onto the heater’s face. A glass face allows for easy clean-up and prevents damage to the heater or heating element. Common applications for the G-Series heater include operation as the bottom oven in a thermoforming machine and as the bottom heater in a wave solder oven.
The G-Series heater can be constructed as wide as 24″ (610 mm) and as long as 36″ (914 mm), though not that width and length in the same heater. For example, a 36″ (914 mm) long heater is commonly 12″ (305 mm) wide. This heater has a maximum watt density of 20 watts/in2 (31 kW/m2) and a durability defined by a typical life expectancy of 25,000 hours. It has a high radiant efficiency of 77.5%. Because the heater’s design does not depend on an external reflector, the heater maintains a consistently high radiant efficiency over time. The G-Series heat transfer rate for 20 watts/in2 (31 kW/m2) is 1.9 Btu/ft2/sec. delivered to the product.
M-Series Specifications
Metal is the standard face on the M-Series panel heaters. The face can be manufactured using either hard-coated aluminum or porcelanized steel. The remaining construction is exactly the same as that used in the G-Series heaters. The heater’s face can be provided with air holes for forced airflow, as is done in the FBA’s construction.
A metal face is used for industrial applications in which there is a possibility that materials will fall onto the heater’s face. Although a metal face heater is more durable than a glass face heater, a disadvantage, however, is that the radiant efficiency of metal is slightly lower than that of glass. Because a glass face heater allows a portion of the infrared energy to transmit through the glass, only a segment of the infrared energy is absorbed by the glass and re-radiated. A metal face heater, on the other hand, absorbs all of the energy and re-radiates it to the process. Especially demanding applications sometimes require a slightly different design that makes use of a hard-coated aluminum face constructed in a cap (pan) style. This design ensures that materials definitely can not penetrate the heater.
The M-Series heater can be constructed as wide as 24″ (610 mm) and as long as 48″ (1219 mm), though not that width and length in the same heater. For example, a 48″ (1219 mm) long heater is commonly 12″ (305 mm) wide. This heater has a maximum watt density of 10-15 watts/in2 (15.5 – 23 kW/m2), depending on which metal face is used, and a durability defined by a typical life expectancy of 25,000 hours. It has a radiant efficiency of 64%. Because the heater’s design does not depend on an external reflector, the heater maintains a consistently high radiant efficiency over time. The M-Series heat transfer rate for 10 watts/in2(15.5 kW/m2) is 0.786 Btu/ft2/sec. delivered to the product.
G-Series and M-Series Panel Heater
Heaters in the G-Series and M-Series product lines use a high-temperature material for their surface face. All heaters provide a uniform coverage with a convenient, cleanable surface.
Features:
- Glass or metal emitter surface material
- Ceramic standoffs used to keep electrically conductive material separated from resistance wire
- High-temperature cement bond
- Refractory board to hold resistance wire
- Precision-resistance wire
- Heavy gauge aluminized steel frame
- Blanket insulation layer
- Ceramic bushings to insulate terminals
- Stainless steel terminals
- Quartz thermowell tube (optional)
Glass Face Warm-up Curve
The warm-up curves are measured from heaters running facedown in open air. The thermocouple is located in a standard location inside a thermowell behind the coil. The curves will change depending on the environment and thermocouple location.
- Construction Options
- Voltage, Phase, and Other Options
- Mounting Options
- Temperature Sensing Options
- Electrical Termination Options
Housing
The heater’s case or housing can be manufactured using aluminized steel or stainless steel. Additionally, in some cases, the heater can be supplied without a case.
Aluminized steel is the most commonly used case material. It can achieve very high temperatures — namely 1200°F (649°C) — without flaking, discoloring or degrading; this assures that the heater’s case will outlive the heater itself. The housing is typically riveted together. The rivets, along with slots in the heater case, permit controlled expansion and contraction during heat-up and cool-down processes. Some applications require the slots to be removed, which can be achieved for many engineering designs.
Stainless steel’s advantages of enhanced cleanliness and a very polished appearance make it a good choice for food and semiconductor applications. Because the 304 grade of stainless steel will discolor at a lower temperature than aluminized steel, the 310 grade of stainless steel is often chosen for extremely high temperature applications. A stainless steel case is usually riveted together in the same manner as aluminized steel though there are some applications where the stainless case is welded and polished for superior cleanliness and cosmetic appeal. Additionally, those housings are usually supplied without expansion slots. This construction is typically implemented in our glass, koramic and quartz face heaters.
The last option, called board only, is to have no case at all for the heater. This heater is usually an F-Series model without the housing, insulation or pre-constructed panel design. Customers who have in-house sheet metal capability will sometimes choose to buy the heating element, fiber board, quartz fabric and cement as a completed assembly. The remaining components of the panel fall under the customer’s responsibility. This approach shifts much of the heater’s construction and warranty issues toward the customer.
Standard Dimensions
Width (mm) |
Length (mm) |
F | FBA | G | K | M | Q | ||||
6″ (152.4) |
12″ (304.8) |
18″ (457.2) |
24″ (609.6) |
30″ (762) |
36″ (914.4) |
X | X | X | X | X | |
6″ (152.4) |
42″ (1066.8) |
48″ (1219.2) |
54″ (1371.6) |
60″ (1524) |
X | X | X | X | |||
10″ (254) |
4″ (101.6) |
6″ (152.4) |
8″ (203.2) |
10″ (254) |
X | ||||||
12″ (304.8) |
6″ (152.4) |
10″ (254) |
12″ (304.8) |
X | |||||||
12″ (304.8) |
12″ (304.8) |
18″ (457.2) |
24″ (609.6) |
30″ (762) |
36″ (914.4) |
X | X | X | X | X | |
12″ (304.8) |
42″ (1066.8) |
48″ (1219.2) |
54″ (1371.6) |
60″ (1524) |
X | X | X | 42″ or 48″ |
|||
12″ (304.8) |
72″ (1828.8) |
84″ (2133.6) |
X | 72″ only |
|||||||
16″ (406.4) |
16″ (406.4) |
24″ (609.6) |
X | X | X | X | X | ||||
18″ (457.2) |
18″ (457.2) |
X | X | X | X | X | |||||
24″ (609.6) |
24″ (609.6) |
X | X |
Note: Solar Products specializes in manufacturing custom heaters that match a specific application. Listed above are standard heater dimensions.