Fixed wattage heaters are ideal for applications where rapid heat-up time is critical and the system includes advanced sensing and electronic controls. These heaters deliver consistent power output and rely on external monitoring to maintain safe operating temperatures.
Flexible PTC Heaters
What Is PTC Technology?
PTC stands for Positive Temperature Coefficient. PTC materials naturally increase their electrical resistance as temperature rises. This means when voltage is applied, the heater automatically limits current and wattage as it warms—regulating itself without external controls.
Flexible PTC printed heating elements offer peace of mind by self-regulating to a specified temperature without the need for external diagnostics or controls.
The result? Smarter heating that’s safer, more efficient, and easier to integrate.
Peace of Mind Built In
Safe. Self-Regulating. Durable.
The biggest advantage of Calienté’s PTC heaters is their self-regulating design, which provides an inherent layer of safety. As temperature increases, power output decreases—reducing the risk of overheating.
This built-in protection minimizes or eliminates the need for:
- External fuses
- Controllers
- Additional safety components
That means greater energy efficiency, fewer field failures, and lower system complexity. Our heaters can also be manufactured with UL Component Recognition, supporting long-term electrical safety and compliance.
Uniform, Reliable Performance
PTC heaters deliver even, consistent heating—without the hot spots commonly found in traditional heater wire technologies.
Benefits include:
- Rapid, precise temperature attainment
- Uniform heat distribution
- Superior heat transfer
- Optional multiple temperature zones in a single heater
At Calienté, we verify performance using high-resolution thermal imaging, ensuring every heater meets strict quality and uniformity standards.
Incredibly Versatile by Design
Thin. Flexible. Customizable.
PTC heaters can be manufactured in nearly any size or shape and operate on AC or DC power, from 5V to 800V. That makes them ideal for a wide range of industries and environments.
Caliente specializes in custom-engineered PTC heaters, built precisely to your application’s requirements. Our advanced 4-post screen printing equipment allows us to deposit conductive and PTC inks with extreme precision—resulting in heaters that are:
- Thinner and more flexible than forced-air and silicone heaters
- More robust and durable than graphite heaters
Energy Efficient—and Cost Efficient
PTC heaters operate at lower temperatures and consume less energy than traditional heating technologies, helping extend battery life and reduce operating costs.
Caliente’s heaters use additive conductive circuitry, an environmentally friendly alternative to the subtractive chemical etching used in copper foil silicone heaters.
When you factor in:
- Reduced power consumption
- Fewer components and controls
- Lower maintenance needs
PTC heaters often deliver a lower total installed cost than copper etched foil, silicone rubber, forced-air, or graphite heaters.
Built for Real-World Environments
Our PTC heaters are constructed from corrosion-resistant materials and designed to withstand:
- Cuts, folds, and piercing
- Harsh outdoor conditions
- Extreme temperature environments
Even under physical stress, they maintain safe operation without dangerous temperature spikes.
Choosing the Right Heater Technology – PTC vs Fixed Wattage
Fixed
Flexible
Flexible PTC heaters, on the other hand, are better suited for applications where uniform heat distribution matters more than speed. Their self-regulating design reduces or eliminates the need for additional over-temperature sensors and control systems, simplifying integration while improving safety and reliability.
By matching the heater technology to your performance and control requirements, you can achieve optimal efficiency, safety, and system performance.
Why PTC Heaters?
PTC Heater technology provides numerous advantages over traditional heating methods.
Safety Designed In
Safety is the biggest attraction to PTC heaters, in that they self-regulate, preventing overheating without external controls.
Energy Efficient
PTC heaters require less energy and operate at lower temps than traditional technologies which saves on battery life.
Uniform Performance
PTC pad heaters provide even, uniform heating without the hot spots associated with traditional technologies.
Incredibly Versatile
Thin, flexible, and available in any shape, PTC pad heaters are suitable for many applications and can run on DC or AC power, from 5 volts up to 800.
| Maximum Size | 24″ x 33″ |
|---|---|
| Standard Thickness | .011″/0.28mm |
| Termination | Lead wires with your choice of connector, or .110″ quick connect |
| Voltage Range | 5V – 800V, AC or DC |
| Maximum Operating Temperature | Fixed Wattage – up to 105°C (220°F) on PET/Mylar Film; up to 150°C on Polyimide/Kapton Film PTC – Regulating temperature points that include 45°C, 60°C and 80°C |
| Maximum Watt Density | Secured to Heat Sink – up to 5W/in2 Unsecured – 0.4W-0.6W/in2 |
| Resistance Tolerance | +/- 20% |
PTC Heater Temperature Curves
45C
Calienté’s 45C PTC ink is ideal for medical patient warming applications.
60C
Calienté’s 60C ink is the ideal solution for most battery heating applications.
90C
Magnification Factor vs. Temperature 90C Setpoint
Calienté’s 90C PTC ink excels in higher temp industrial applications.
PTC technology is great for us because there are two built in safety layers in that it is designed to reach equilibrium below the PTC set point, significantly simplifying our control scheme and reducing overall system cost.
Calienté Battery Heater Customer
Get a quote on flexible PTC heaters
No matter how big or small, standard or custom, we have the solutions you need for your application. Just give us a little info and we’ll follow up to discuss your project.