MENSCHEN FUER MENSCHEN FOUNDATION
Agro Technical and Technology College (ATTC)
Department of Electrical & Electronics Technology
Power and Control stream
INDIRECT RESISTANCE HEATERS
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GROUP MEMBERS ID NUMBER
1. MULUGETA NEGASA ……………………....................ATTC/ 149 /22
2. MURTESA AHMED……………………………………. ATTC/ 152 /22
3. NETSANET MEKONNEN……………………………… ATTC/160/22
4. OLJIRA FIKADU……………….……………………… ATTC/ 169 /22
5. RABIRA MORKE……………………………………… ATTC/ 171 /22
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OUT LINE
Introduction
Principle of Resistance Heating
Indirect Resistance Heating
Application
Advantages
Disadvantages
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INDIRECT RESISTANCE HEATERS
Introduction
Resistance heating, also called electric resistance heating, is one of the simplest and
most widely used methods of electric heating. It works on the principle of Joule’s
law of heating, where heat is produced when an electric current passes through a
resistive material.
The method of electric heating in which the resistive property of materials is utilized
to generate the required heat is known as resistance heating.
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From elementary physics, we know that the resistance of a material is the property
by which heat is generated when an electric current flows through the material.
This property is used in several heating devices such as electric iron, electric
heater, etc.
In resistance heating, a heating element made of a material of high resistance is
employed for producing heat when an electric current flows through it. The
operation of resistance is based on Joule’s law of heating.
According to the Joules law, the heat produced by the material is directly
proportional to the square of current passing through the material and the
resistance of the material, Where t is the time for which current flows through the
material.
i.e.
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Principle of Resistance Heating
The principle of resistance heating is based on Joule’s law of heating.
When an electric current flows through a material of high resistance, the moving
electrons collide with the atoms of the material.
These collisions convert the electrical energy into thermal energy (heat). The amount
of heat produced depends on the square of the current, the resistance of the material,
and the time of current flow.
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Indirect Resistance Heating and Working
The type of resistance heating in which heat is generated in an element of high resistance
by passing electric current and the charge is placed either above or below the element, is
known as indirect resistance heating.
Therefore, in indirect resistance heating, heat is produced by a heating element according
to the I^2*R law and this heat is then transferred to the material to be heated.
The mode of heat transfer from the element to the charge could be either conduction or
convection or radiation.
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Diagram
Here, a heating element is installed in a
heating chamber and the charge is poured
around the heating chamber.
When electric current flows through the
element, heat is produced and is transferred
to the charge.
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In a refrigeration system, indirect resistance heating is used mainly for
defrosting and oil/refrigerant management, not for cooling itself.
In refrigeration systems, indirect resistance heating is used in defrost heaters
and crankcase heaters.
Electrical energy is converted into heat in a resistance element, and the heat is
transferred to system components without current passing through them.
It is important in order to prevents efficiency loss due to frost protects
compressor life.
Safe (no current in refrigerant or metal parts) ontrolled by thermostat or timer.
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1. Defrost Heater (Evaporator Coil Heater)
During normal operation, moisture from air freezes on the evaporator coil, forming frost or ice.
Frost acts as an insulator, reducing heat absorption and cooling efficiency.
The defrost heater removes this ice.
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A resistance heating element is installed near or around the evaporator coil.
When frost or ice forms on the coil Current flows through the heater
The heater produces heat and it is transferred to the coil and melts the ice.
No current flows through the evaporator coil or ice heat transfer is indirect .
Because Current flows only through the heater element.
The evaporator coil and ice do not carry currentHence, heating is indirect resistance heating.
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2. Crankcase Heater (Compressor Heater)
Prevents refrigerant migration into compressor oil during OFF cycles and protects
compressor from damage at startup.
When the compressor is OFF, the crankcase heater is energized.
Current flows through the resistance element and heat is produced then Heat is transferred
to compressor body and Lubricating oil.
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Advantages
Indirect resistance heating provides uniform temperature.
In indirect resistance heating, automatic temperature control is also possible.
Indirect resistance heating can be used for heating almost all kinds of materials.
Disadvantages
The time required for heating is longer compared to direct resistance heating.
It is less efficient than direct heating because some amount of heat is lost during the
transfer from the element to the charge.
Explosion hazard with indirect resistance heating
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