Greetings Readers,
I received a 2400W heating element for a new boiler. The image is shown below. The element was from 5 Star - nice service indeed. The quality of this element is excellent and I will be purchasing another one shortly. This particular heater consists of two electrically similar elements (each 50 ohms nominal) connected in parallel to dissipate 2400W.
By removing one of the links each element bay be controlled separately - fast heat-up on 2400W then a single element (1200W) is controlled by a power controller ( https://au.rs-online.com/web/p/thyristo ... s/2143963/ ) The reason we use a single element is that :
1. Only about 830W is required
2.. Heat sinking is much reduced.
This power controller is very simple to use - it has a built in potentiometer (insulated shaft) and the mounting is directly to the heat sink via a single 3/8" nut. I have used one of these controllers for the last 2 years when the shed ambient temperature peaks at about 40C. For those who are interested the circuit diagram I will be using is shown below:
The schematic is provided for information only. No details are provided for construction purposes as this job, as simple as it is, should be carried out by persons who are suitably qualified.
Power indication is via commonly available power monitor - the Belkin unit shown below being used with a QVR/TB-RFI controller built into a suitable box.