Efficiency : Electric power is converted to almost 100% efficiency compared with 25 t0 80% when fuel is pumped. This efficiency increases directly as process temperature increases – Electrical heating has many advantages over fuel fired furnaces.
Environmental: clean efficient Electric Heat . The future is electric. The nearly 100% efficiency of electric heating , means there is NO POLLUTION, as in gases with fumes, exhaust, and particulate and /or opaque matter . Reduced cost of pollution control devices, environmental disposal, containment and storage of toxic waste is virtually non-existent. Significant reduction in the training of personal, a clean safe working environment, all add up to a bright, clean, efficient future for the world. Electric heating is noiseless, clean and easier to insulate, storage of fuels on site is costly, and dangerous. Transmission of electricity is less costly and user friendly .
Quality : The by-products of combustion in fuel – fired equipment are deposited on the workload. Electric heating element does not produce these contaminants, and improves over looks, and appearance. Certifications of in process work are less prone to error and more efficient.
Temperature: Uniform temperature is simpler to attain due to the flexibility in positioning and design of electric heating elements. Workloads can be directly radiated upon using work chambers of exacting size and shape. Use of time proportioning or SCR controls, temperature can be maintained +/- 3 degree C (+/- o F ). In comparable fuel – fired furnaces +/- 5.5 degree C (+/- 10 o F) is difficult to maintain because of high – low firing characteristics. Generally it is easier and less costly to control quantity of heat and rate of heat increase or decrease, or both. Temperature control in an electric furnace to +/- ½ degree C or better is not uncommon.
Maintenance: Insulation and refractories last longer in electric furnaces than fuel-fired. furnaces. Fuel fired furnaces require blowers, valves,flues (openings), and flow meters, adding cost and maintenance. Maintenance of electric furnaces is limited to elements. Good elements designs and good selecting of manufactures which in many cases with reasonable care and clean environment last many years. Regular inspection of the elements supports, hungers, ceramic insulators, and scheduled maintenance cleaning will extend life considerably.
Electric Heating Type: Resistance heating, Electric arc, and induction are the most common types of electric heating. The basic units of electricity are voltage, current, and resistance.