Resistance wire is the core of every heater that converts electric current into heat. We stock European-made round and flat resistance wires supplied on spools. The tables below give the resistance and weight per metre for each size; together with you we can calculate the right wire diameter and length for the power and voltage you need.
The first criterion in wire selection is operating temperature and environment. Nickel-chromium (NiCr) alloys retain their shape and mechanical strength through heating and cooling cycles; they are widely used in tubular, cartridge, band and open-coil heaters. NiCr grades with a lower nickel content are more economical and are preferred for medium-temperature applications.
The Ω/m value in the tables is the resistance of one metre of wire at 20 °C. The total resistance required for a heater is found with the relation R = U² / P (e.g. approximately 52.9 Ω for 230 V and 1000 W). Dividing this value by the Ω/m value of the selected size gives the required wire length. As the wire heats up its resistance changes somewhat, depending on the alloy; in precise applications this difference should also be taken into account.
Flat (ribbon) wire offers a larger surface area than round wire of the same cross-section. As a result it gives off heat more easily and runs at a lower surface temperature for the same power. It is preferred in plate, band and mica-wound heaters.
The g/m column is used to calculate the order quantity in kilograms: multiplying the required metres by the g/m value gives the total weight. Simply send us the size, alloy and quantity; we will confirm stock availability and lead time with our quotation.
Note: The Ω/m and g/m values in the tables vary with wire type and alloy and are intended for preliminary selection. For an exact resistance and length calculation, please contact our technical team.
Round Resistance Wire – Table 1
Round resistance wires, 80Ni/20Cr alloy
| Size (mm) | Ω/m | g/m |
|---|---|---|
| 0.05 | 570.4 | 0.0163 |
| 0.06 | 396.1 | 0.0235 |
| 0.07 | 291 | 0.032 |
| 0.08 | 223 | 0.042 |
| 0.09 | 176 | 0.053 |
| 0.10 | 143 | 0.065 |
| 0.11 | 118 | 0.079 |
| 0.12 | 99.10 | 0.094 |
| 0.13 | 84.20 | 0.111 |
| 0.14 | 72.70 | 0.129 |
| 0.15 | 63.30 | 0.148 |
| 0.16 | 55.70 | 0.168 |
| 0.17 | 49.30 | 0.190 |
| 0.18 | 44.10 | 0.213 |
| 0.20 | 35.70 | 0.262 |
| 0.22 | 29.50 | 0.317 |
| 0.25 | 22.80 | 0.410 |
| 0.30 | 15.80 | 0.590 |
| 0.35 | 11.60 | 0.803 |
| 0.40 | 8.89 | 1.05 |
| 0.45 | 7.04 | 1.33 |
| 0.50 | 5.71 | 1.64 |
| 0.55 | 4.70 | 1.98 |
| 0.60 | 3.96 | 2.36 |
| 0.65 | 3.38 | 2.77 |
| 0.70 | 2.91 | 3.21 |
| 0.75 | 2.53 | 3.69 |
| 0.80 | 2.23 | 4.20 |
| 0.90 | 1.76 | 5.31 |
| 1.00 | 1.43 | 6.56 |
| 1.20 | 0.991 | 9.44 |
| 1.50 | 0.633 | 14.66 |
| 2.00 | 0.357 | 26.2 |
| 2.50 | 0.228 | 41.0 |
| 3.00 | 0.158 | 59.0 |
| 3.50 | 0.116 | 79.85 |
| 4.00 | 0.0889 | 105.0 |
| 4.50 | 0.070 | 132.00 |
| 5.00 | 0.057 | 162.97 |
Round Resistance Wire – Table 2
Round resistance wires, 30Ni/20Cr alloy
| Size (mm) | Ω/m | g/m |
|---|---|---|
| 0.10 | 133.76 | 0.0624 |
| 0.11 | 110.54 | 0.0755 |
| 0.12 | 92.89 | 0.0899 |
| 0.13 | 79.15 | 0.1055 |
| 0.14 | 68.24 | 0.1223 |
| 0.15 | 59.45 | 0.1404 |
| 0.20 | 33.44 | 0.2496 |
| 0.22 | 27.64 | 0.3021 |
| 0.25 | 21.40 | 0.3900 |
| 0.30 | 14.86 | 0.5617 |
| 0.35 | 10.92 | 0.7645 |
| 0.40 | 8.36 | 0.9985 |
| 0.45 | 6.61 | 1.2638 |
| 0.50 | 5.35 | 1.5602 |
| 0.55 | 4.42 | 1.8878 |
| 0.60 | 3.72 | 2.2467 |
| 0.65 | 3.17 | 2.6367 |
| 0.70 | 2.73 | 3.0580 |
| 0.75 | 2.38 | 3.5104 |
| 0.80 | 2.09 | 3.9941 |
| 0.90 | 1.65 | 5.0550 |
| 1.00 | 1.34 | 6.2408 |
| 1.20 | 0.93 | 8.9867 |
| 1.50 | 0.59 | 14.0417 |
| 2.00 | 0.33 | 24.963 |
| 2.50 | 0.21 | 39.0047 |
| 3.00 | 0.15 | 56.1668 |
| 3.50 | 0.11 | 76.4492 |
| 4.00 | 0.08 | 99.852 |
| 4.50 | 0.07 | 126.3752 |
| 5.00 | 0.05 | 156.0188 |
Flat (Ribbon) Resistance Wire
Flat resistance wire, 60Ni/15Cr alloy, imported from Europe
| Size (mm) | Ω/m | g/m |
|---|---|---|
| 8.00 × 0.20 | 0.75 | 12.220 |
| 6.00 × 0.20 | 1.00 | 9.160 |
| 5.00 × 0.20 | 1.20 | 7.640 |
| 4.00 × 0.50 | 0.60 | 15.300 |
| 4.00 × 0.20 | 1.50 | 6.110 |
| 3.50 × 0.20 | 1.71 | 5.350 |
| 3.00 × 0.20 | 2.00 | 4.580 |
| 2.50 × 0.25 | 1.92 | 4.780 |
| 2.50 × 0.20 | 2.40 | 3.820 |
| 2.50 × 0.15 | 3.20 | 2.860 |
| 2.00 × 0.20 | 3.00 | 3.050 |
| 2.00 × 0.15 | 3.99 | 2.290 |
| 2.00 × 0.12 | 4.99 | 1.830 |
| 1.80 × 0.20 | 3.33 | 2.750 |
| 1.80 × 0.15 | 4.44 | 2.060 |
| 1.60 × 0.20 | 3.75 | 2.440 |
| 1.50 × 0.20 | 3.99 | 2.290 |
| 1.50 × 0.15 | 5.33 | 1.720 |
| 1.40 × 0.20 | 4.28 | 2.140 |
| 1.20 × 0.20 | 4.99 | 1.830 |
| 1.20 × 0.12 | 8.32 | 1.100 |
| 1.00 × 0.20 | 5.99 | 1.530 |
| 1.00 × 0.10 | 11.98 | 0.764 |
| 0.9 × 0.18 | 7.40 | 1.240 |
| 0.8 × 0.18 | 8.32 | 1.100 |
| 0.8 × 0.15 | 9.99 | 0.916 |
| 0.8 × 0.12 | 12.48 | 0.733 |
| 0.7 × 0.18 | 9.51 | 0.962 |
| 0.7 × 0.16 | 10.70 | 0.855 |
| 0.6 × 0.18 | 11.10 | 0.825 |
| 0.5 × 0.18 | 13.32 | 0.687 |
| 0.5 × 0.16 | 14.98 | 0.611 |
| 0.4 × 0.18 | 18.64 | 0.550 |
| 0.4 × 0.16 | 18.73 | 0.489 |
| 0.3 × 0.18 | 22.19 | 0.412 |
| 0.3 × 0.16 | 24.97 | 0.367 |
| 0.2 × 0.16 | 37.45 | 0.244 |
| 0.2 × 0.12 | 49.93 | 0.183 |
Size: width × thickness. Values are nominal values at 20 °C and may vary within the manufacturer's tolerance.
Heater Materials and Spare Parts
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