Finned Tubular Heaters: Engineered for Forced Convection







Finned Tubular Heaters: Engineered for Forced Convection
| Technical Specifications | Range / Typical Values |
| Voltage Range | 12V / 110V / 220V / 380V / 480V |
| Power Range | 500W – 10kW (Custom lengths available) |
| Resistance Range | 5Ω – 500Ω |
| Current Range | 2A – 30A |
| Common Diameters | Φ8mm, Φ10mm, Φ12mm, Φ16mm |
Enhanced Heat Transfer: The fins disrupt the “boundary layer” of air, creating turbulence that pulls heat away from the element much more effectively than a smooth tube.
Lower Operating Temperatures: By increasing the surface area, the heater can output high BTUs while maintaining a lower surface temperature, preventing the “red-hot” glow that can degrade air quality or pose safety risks.
Versatile Fin Materials:
Stainless Steel Fins: Best for high-humidity, wash-down, or corrosive environments.
Aluminized Steel Fins: The most cost-effective choice for dry, high-temperature air heating.
Rugged Construction: The fins are under permanent tension or brazed to the sheath, ensuring they won’t loosen due to thermal expansion and contraction over thousands of cycles.
| Feature | Steel/Aluminized Fins | Stainless Steel Fins |
| Sheath Material | Steel or 304 SS | 304, 316, or 321 SS |
| Max Air Outlet Temp | 600°F (315°C) | 900°F (480°C) |
| Typical Fin Density | 4 to 6 fins per inch | 4 to 8 fins per inch |
| Watt Density (Forced Air) | Up to 50 W/in² | Up to 45 W/in² |
Industrial Duct Heaters: Primary or supplemental heating in HVAC systems for factories and warehouses.
Drying & Curing: Used in conveyor ovens for textiles, painted parts, and powder coatings.
Load Banks: Dissipating heat for backup generator testing or battery discharge stations.
Dehumidification: Keeping moisture out of large electrical control rooms or outdoor kiosks.
Resistor Banks: High-wattage dissipation for braking systems on trains or heavy cranes.
Installation Styles:
Bulkhead Mounting: Threaded fittings at both ends for secure mounting through duct walls.
“U” or “W” Shapes: Bent configurations to fit inside compact air-handling units.
Open Frame: Mounted in banks with stand-off insulators for maximum airflow.
Engineering Note: To maximize the life of a finned heater, the airflow should never drop below 200 FPM (Feet Per Minute). If the airflow stops while the heater is on, the “thermal lag” in the fins can cause the internal element to overheat rapidly. Always interlock the heater with the fan motor.
At Runkel, we don’t just manufacture heating tubes; we provide thermal solutions. Our core strength lies in our unmatched customization capabilities.
Whether you are a researcher needing 1–2 prototype samples for a new project, or a maintenance manager looking to replace a discontinued or aging heating element in your existing machinery, we deliver perfect-fit solutions with no minimum order hurdles.
“From 1 unit to 1,000—we treat every prototype with production-grade precision.”
Engineering Review: Our team verifies the power density and material compatibility for your application.
Agile Production: Your custom order enters our flexible production line immediately.
Quality Assurance: Every unit undergoes rigorous insulation and leakage current testing before shipping.