Ceramic heaters are space heaters that generate heat by passing electricity through heating wires embedded in ceramic plates. The plates heat aluminium baffles, and a fan blowing across the baffles heats the air. Ceramic heaters are usually portable and typically used for heating a room or small office, and are similar to metal-coil fan heaters.
Contrary to natural IR radiation sources (e.g. the Sun, flames) the sources discussed here use technical means to produce IR radiation.
The IR radiators discussed here are technically constructed units designed for the purpose of transferring as much of the input energy (electricity, natural gas) as possible into warmth which is delivered by a radiating surface.
The differing atomic structures of materials to be warmed means that each has its own spectral range at which it best absorbs the emitted radiation. Each material has its own rate of absorption. Radiation which meets material which cannot absorb it will either let it pass through or reflect it.
The ceramic infrared radiator consists of a resistance heating wire which is fully embedded in adequate ceramic material. By being fully embedded the energy produced is transferred to the ceramic material. This also protects the wire against overheating and extends its lifespan. The material in which the wire is embedded is electrically non-conducting and should have very good absorption and emission characteristics which allow it to radiate or emit in the desired range of wavelengths. These are factors which allow ceramic radiators to be produced in a large variety of geometric forms.
