From toasters to industrial ovens, infrared heaters see use in a wide range of applications. Infrared, being a form of light, radiates its energy efficiently and quickly. Its heat is easy to control and direct, and the heater can be powered by electricity or fuel.

Description

An infrared heater is an appliance that produces infrared rays as a heat source. The amount of heat depends on the heater and how much energy it uses. Infrared heaters can produce anything from gentle warmth to 2000 degrees C.

Infrared

Visible light is electromagnetic energy that runs in the familiar rainbow pattern of colors. At wavelengths longer than orange and red light lie the infrared, between 1mm and 750nm (nanometers).

Radiant Heat

Generally, a heater can use conduction, convection or radiation to carry heat to its target. Infrared sends its heat by radiation. Radiation travels in straight lines and needs no medium to transfer heat. This also makes heating nearly instant because infrared moves at the speed of light.

Source

Infrared heat begins with a flame or a wire heated by electricity. The source is designed so that most of the energy used comes out as infrared rays. To stand up to many heating and cooling cycles, the source is made of quartz, ceramics and metals.

Reflector

Most infrared heaters have a reflector behind the source to direct the infrared light in one direction. Like a reflector in a flashlight, this keeps light from being lost on the back wall of the source, improving efficiency.

Source:

Georgia State University, HyperPhysics: Infrared light

Heraeus Noblelight: IR in Metal Fabrication