The heating cables we're familiar with are the ones used in floor heating systems in our homes. Those who have used them at home are likely familiar with carbon fiber and metal heating cables. People often hesitate when choosing between these two types of heating cables, as they each have their own advantages and disadvantages. Below, we'll focus on the differences between them.
Overview of Carbon Fiber and Metal Heating Cables
Currently, there are two common types of heating cable radiant heating systems in China: one using metal heating materials, and the other using far-infrared carbon fiber heating materials. Metal heating cables operate on the principle that when current is applied to the metal conductor, it generates heat due to its inherent resistance, and the heat is then dissipated through heat conduction. Carbon fiber heating cables operate by applying a voltage across the carbon fiber, causing the far-infrared carbon fiber to radiate energy as far-infrared rays.
1) Heating Cables
Heating cables played a crucial role in early heating systems in Europe and the United States, and have entered the Chinese market in recent years. Domestic cable manufacturers have also begun producing them, hoping to capture a share of the floor heating market. The technology is relatively uncomplicated, and the production process is simple. Efficient installation and effective results. It's particularly suitable for cement-bonded projects like tile and marble. The unique cable coiling method easily integrates with the cement, ensuring long-term floor smoothness and stability. However, due to the traditional metal wire heating method, improper handling can easily generate electromagnetic radiation when powered on, which can have adverse effects on the elderly, children, and pregnant women. Manufacturers have therefore mitigated this by adding shielding layers, changing the metal composition, and using dual-conductor wiring, which has been effective.
2) Carbon Fiber Heating Cable
Carbon fiber heating cables use high-performance carbon fiber as the conductor, insulation made of high-temperature-resistant Teflon, and an outer sheath made of environmentally friendly polyvinyl fluoride or low-smoke, halogen-free polyolefin.
Schematic Diagram of Carbon Fiber Heating Cable Structure: When the heating cable is energized, the heating wire generates heat, typically between 40°C and 60°C. This heat is then transferred to the surrounding medium through contact conduction, and then to the air through convection. Conductive heat accounts for 50% of the cable's heat generation.
In addition, when powered on, the heating cable also generates far-infrared radiation, ranging from 7 to 14 microns, which is optimal for the human body and radiates into the body and space. This heat accounts for 50% of the total heat generated, and the heating cable's heating efficiency is nearly 100%.
Differences Between Carbon Fiber and Metal Heating Cables
1) Performance Comparison:
① Electric floor heating systems require frequent system startups due to temperature requirements. The more stable the current during startup, the more energy efficient they are. Metal cables operate in a series circuit, while carbon fiber heating cables operate in a parallel circuit. Therefore, carbon fiber heating cable floor heating systems use a stable current during startup.
Heat Transfer Method: Metal cable floor heating systems use conduction, while carbon fiber heating cable systems use over 75% of their heat energy in the form of far-infrared radiation. Utilizing the kinetic properties of far-infrared radiation, they can achieve a 2°C lower temperature (consistent with the human body's perceived temperature).
2) Safety Comparison:
Because carbon fiber heating cables use a parallel circuit, the current per heating wire does not exceed 0.8A. The current at every point in a metal cable is consistent, which is over ten times the current capacity of a carbon fiber heating cable. Carbon fiber heating cables also emit low electromagnetic radiation, while metal cables emit electromagnetic radiation, requiring measures.
3) Health Benefit: Over 75% of the heat energy in a carbon fiber heating cable floor heating system is generated in the form of far-infrared radiation with a wavelength of 7-14 μm. When these two wavelengths interact with each other, resonance occurs. The human body is a living organism, composed of over 70%-80% water molecules. This resonance first activates the vibrations of these water molecules, triggering a series of physiological reactions. This increases the temperature of cells in the skin and subcutaneous tissue, allowing heat transfer from the inside out, promoting and improving blood circulation. This helps alleviate fatigue, restore muscle function, enhance metabolism, and improve immune function.
4) Lifespan:
The heating element may oxidize. If it does, power degradation will occur, and the degree of degradation determines its lifespan.
Carbon fiber heating cables use non-metallic carbon as the heating element, ensuring it will not oxidize at low temperatures, resulting in a guaranteed lifespan of over 50 years. Power degradation in metal cables varies depending on the manufacturer and process.
5) Difficulty of Process Control:
Carbon fiber cables utilize parallel connections, have numerous contacts, and require complex process control. Improper handling of any one contact (whether it's good contact or insulation) can negatively impact the overall performance. This makes carbon fiber cables significantly more complex than metal cables, and is the primary reason they're less readily marketable.
After analyzing these two cable types from five perspectives, we'll see that each has its advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, if your family needs electric floor heating, avoid blindly following the crowd and choose the most suitable option based on your specific circumstances.
