Temperature limiters – find manufacturers and suppliers

Temperature limiters are used for safety by interrupting the energy supply when a set temperature is exceeded in order to protect devices or systems from overheating.

They can be used to monitor the temperature of a process or machine and trigger a shutdown or other safety measures if a defined limit value is exceeded. In this way, temperature limiters can protect devices, machines or systems from overheating.

Below is an overview of the function and types of temperature limiters, as well as a list of typical applications:

Function of temperature limiters:

1. Temperature limiters prevent damage to appliances and machines due to overheating by setting a maximum temperature limit. If this limit is exceeded, the limiter automatically switches off the appliance or activates a cooling system.
2. They ensure the safety of people and machines by minimizing the risk of fires, explosions or mechanical damage caused by excessive heating.
3. In many industries, there are legal requirements or standards (e.g. DIN EN, IEC) that prescribe the use of temperature limiters, especially for devices with high power or in safety-critical applications.
4. In industrial processes, such as chemical production or the melting of materials, temperature limiters help to keep the temperature within a certain range to ensure product quality.

Types of temperature limiters:

1. Mechanical temperature limiters: Work with bimetallic strips or capillary tubes that expand with temperature changes to actuate a switch contact.These are often used in simple applications such as household appliances or heating systems.
2. Electronic temperature limiters: Use semiconductor temperature sensors (such as thermistors or semiconductor ICs) that respond precisely and quickly to temperature changes.Electronic temperature limiters are ideal for applications that require high accuracy and fast response time.
3. Manually resettable temperature limiters: Require a manual reset to resume operation after a shutdown. These are often used in safety-critical applications where automatic restart is to be avoided.
4. Self-resetting temperature limiters: These limiters switch the appliance off as soon as the temperature exceeds the limit value and automatically return to normal as soon as the temperature falls below the limit value again.

Typical applications of temperature limiters:

1. Household appliances:
In kettles, coffee machines and irons, temperature limiters protect against overheating and the risk of fire.
In heaters and hot water tanks, they cut off the power supply if the temperature reaches a dangerous level.
They prevent overheating and possible damage to the electronics or the area around ovens and stoves.

2. Heating and air conditioning:
Temperature limiters prevent excessive water temperatures that could lead to steam explosions or damage to heating systems.
Protect against overheating of the compressor or other critical components in air conditioning systems and heat pumps.

3. Industrial applications:
Temperature limiters prevent overheating of machines and motors that could lead to machine damage or inefficient operation.
Safeguard reactor temperatures in chemical processes to prevent dangerous reactions.
Prevent overheating of electronic components and circuits in electrical control cabinets.

4. Mobility:
In the automotive industry, temperature limiters protect motors, gearboxes and batteries from overheating.
They are used on railroads and in aviation in safety-critical systems such as braking systems or electrical components.

5. Renewable energies:
Temperature limiters prevent solar panels or inverters from overheating in solar power systems.
In wind turbines, they protect the generators and gearboxes from thermal overload.

6. Medical technology:
In sterilizers and medical devices, temperature limiters ensure a constant temperature to guarantee effective sterilization or safe device function.

Temperature limiters are indispensable components for ensuring the safety and reliability of devices and machines that work with heat. They prevent overheating and the associated risks such as fire, explosions or mechanical damage.

Here is an overview of the most important criteria to consider when purchasing temperature limiters:

When purchasing temperature limiters, there are several important aspects to consider to ensure that the device is suitable for the application in question and meets the necessary safety requirements.

• Mechanical limiters often work with bimetallic strips or capillary tubes. They tend to be more robust, less susceptible to electrical interference and are well suited to simpler applications such as domestic appliances or simple heating systems.
• Electronic limiters use semiconductor temperature sensors (such as thermistors or semiconductor ICs) and offer higher accuracy and faster response times. They are ideal for applications that require precise control and fast response to temperature changes.
• Self-resetting limiters automatically reset when the temperature falls below the limit. Suitable for applications with frequent temperature overshoots.
• Manually resettable limiters require manual resetting after tripping. Suitable for safety-critical applications where automatic restarting is to be avoided.
• The temperature limiter must be designed for the specific temperature range of the application.
• Ensure that the limiter covers the maximum and minimum temperatures that can occur during operation.
• check the limit values for shutdown and restart to ensure that they meet the requirements.
• Ensure that the temperature limiter offers high reliability and precision. This is particularly important in safety-critical applications such as medical technology, industrial use or heating systems.
• Choose a temperature limiter with a suitable tolerance range and low deviation to ensure accurate temperature monitoring.
• The response time of the limiter should correspond to the speed at which temperature changes can occur in your application.
• In applications that heat up quickly or in safety-critical areas, e.g. with potentially explosive substances, a fast response time is crucial.
• The design and size of the temperature limiter should be suitable for the intended installation situation.
• Check the dimensions, the type of installation (e.g. plug-in or push-on installation) and the connection options to ensure that the limiter can be integrated without any problems.
• Make sure that the temperature limiter complies with the necessary certifications and standards, such as CE, UL, VDE or others that are relevant for the respective application. This ensures that the limiter meets the legal safety standards and the requirements of the country of use.
• Consider the protection class of the temperature limiter (e.g. IP protection class) with regard to the environmental conditions in which it is used.
• For harsh environments in which the limiter is exposed to dust, moisture or chemical substances, a model with a higher degree of protection should be selected.
• Depending on the requirements, the temperature limiter should be designed as either "Normally Closed" (NC) or "Normally Open" (NO):
• NC (Normally Closed): The switch is normally closed and opens when the limit temperature is exceeded. This version is often used in heating appliances.
• NO (Normally Open): The switch is open in the normal state and closes when the limit temperature is exceeded. This version can be used in applications that require activation of a cooling system or an alarm.
• Choose a temperature limiter made of high-quality materials that are durable and resistant to the conditions in the respective application.
• For applications in the chemical industry, in food processing or in areas with high humidity or extreme temperatures, the housing should be corrosion-resistant and robust.
• consider how easy the temperature limiter is to install and whether special tools or expertise are required.
• Make sure the limiter is easily accessible and replaceable to minimize maintenance and downtime.
• Choose a product from a manufacturer or supplier with good customer service and a reliable warranty.
• check whether the supplier offers support in selecting the right product and whether spare parts are readily available.
• Consider not only the purchase price, but also the ongoing operating costs, service life and maintenance costs of the temperature limiter.
• A cheap limiter may turn out to be more expensive in the long run if it has to be replaced frequently or incurs higher operating costs.

When purchasing a temperature limiter, focus on the specific requirements of the application, including temperature range, accuracy, response time, design, certifications and environmental conditions. A high-quality and suitable temperature limiter not only ensures operational safety, but also contributes to the efficiency and longevity of the entire system.

Temperature limiters can be obtained from various suppliers. You will find comprehensive information on manufacturers and suppliers of Temperature limiters around the world on Exportpages.