What is "induction heater"

n. A heater than employs induction heating

An induction heater is a key piece of equipment used in all forms of induction heating. Typically an induction heater operates at either medium frequency (MF) or radio frequency (RF) ranges.

Four main component systems form the basis of a modern induction heater

• the control system, control panel, or ON / OFF switch; in some cases this system can be absent
• the power unit ( power inverter)
• the work head ( transformer)
• and the heating coil ( inductor)

How it works
Induction heating is a non contact method of heating a conductive body by utilising a strong magnetic field. Supply (mains) frequency 50 Hz or 60 Hz induction heaters incorporate a coil directly fed from the electricity supply, typically for lower power industrial applications where lower surface temperatures are required. Some specialist induction heaters operate at 400 Hz, the Aerospace power frequency.

Induction heating should not be confused with induction cooking, as the two heating systems are mostly very physically different from each other. Notably, induction heating (aka forging) systems work with long metallic rods and sheets to bring them up to temperatures as high as ~2500c for work to be done on them.