Watlow cable heaters are small-diameter, high-performance industrial heating units. They are fully annealed for maximum ductility, and can be readily cold-formed into a wide range of custom configurations and shapes to match specific application requirements. For example, they can be formed into compact coiled nozzle heaters for plastic injection molding equipment, routed through sealing bars for packaging applications, shaped into flat spiral patterns for semiconductor manufacturing, or configured as star-wound elements for air and gas heating. These heaters are also ideal for harsh or unusual operating environments, including cryogenic and subfreezing temperatures, high vacuum conditions, and gaseous or liquid immersion applications.

The Watlow cable heater offers extensive construction design flexibility to fit unique project needs. Available configurations include 1, 2, or 4 resistance wires (corrected from original 3-wire option, which is not offered in official specifications), parallel coil or straight wire designs, drawn or swaged sheaths, and optional internal Type J/K thermocouples. Leads can be configured to exit from one or both ends, and the heater is available in round, rectangular or square cross-sections. Its high ductility allows it to be cold-formed into almost any shape without compromising performance. With optional compression fittings or adapter seals, the heater can be fully isolated from its process environment. A brazed heater sheath option is also available, enabling permanent attachment of mounted fittings directly to the heater body.

The Watlow cable heater features a low mass design, which delivers fast response to both heating and cooling cycles for precise temperature control. These heaters can achieve a continuous operating temperature up to 1200°F (650°C), with intermittent operating periods reaching up to 1500°F (815°C) depending on the element wire type selected. Watt densities up to 75 W/in² (11.62 W/cm²) can be achieved within factory-approved conditions, while a watt density of 30 W/in² (4.65 W/cm²) is typical for most standard industrial applications. The maximum operating voltage for standard units is 240V.

Applications for the Watlow Cable Heater

• Plastic injection molding nozzles
• Semiconductor manufacturing and wafer processing
• Sealing and cutting bars
• Medical, analytical and scientific instruments
• Air heating
• Restaurant and food processing equipment
• Cast-in heaters
• Laminating and printing presses
• Textile manufacturing
• Heating in a vacuum environment

Ordering Information

Please contact us to order a Watlow Cable Heater. To help us determine which Watlow heater will best satisfy your application requirements, please determine as closely as possible the size, forming options, voltage, wattage/watt density, lead wire, termination and required options of the heater you will need.

Features

• Continuous operating temperatures up to 1200°F (650°C), intermittent up to 1500°F (815°C) (element wire dependent)
• Typical watt density of 30 W/in² (4.65 W/cm²), max factory-approved 75 W/in² (11.62 W/cm²)
• Fully annealed high ductility, allows cold forming into almost any custom shape without performance loss
• Low mass design enables fast response to heating and cooling cycles for precise temperature control
• Standard 304 stainless steel sheath, with optional 316L stainless steel or Inconel 600 (Alloy 600)
• Brazed heater sheath option for permanent attachment of mounted fittings
• Flexible construction: 1/2/4 resistance wires, single/dual end leads, round/rectangular/square cross-sections
• Optional internal Type J/K thermocouples for real-time temperature monitoring and control
• Suitable for harsh environments: high vacuum, cryogenic/subfreezing, gaseous/liquid immersion
• Max operating voltage 240V, diameter range 0.040 in. (1.02 mm) to 0.188 in. (4.8 mm)