Screw Plug Immersion Heaters
Screw Plug Immersion Heaters Overview
ZIRCO is proud to distribute INDEECO screw plug immersion heaters as the official representative for Western Canada. These compact, versatile heaters represent the ideal solution for applications requiring easy installation and reliable performance. The screw plug design allows for direct threading into tank walls, making them perfect for retrofit installations and new equipment designs throughout Alberta's industrial sector.
Available in 1" to 3" NPT sizes, these heaters feature uniform element bends that maintain insulation integrity and electrical reliability. The one-piece forged hex, thread, and riser construction ensures rugged, leak-resistant performance even in demanding applications. Element spacers reduce the risk of hot spots and extend element life, while encapsulated bussing with epoxy seal ensures permanent electrical connections. Built-in thermostats provide automatic temperature control without the need for separate well installation.
Built by INDEECO with over 90 years of American manufacturing experience, these heaters are UL & CSA labeled for copper, stainless steel, and Incoloy elements. Suitable for NEMA 1, 4, and 4X environments, they can handle indoor, outdoor, washdown, and corrosive area applications with voltages up to 600V and customized wattages. Common applications include water heating, oil heating, air heating, heat transfer systems, food processing, boiler equipment, and parts washing tanks. ZIRCO provides expert application support for Western Canada industries, helping you select the right screw plug immersion heater for your specific requirements.
Why Choose INDEECO Screw Plug Immersion Heaters?
Wide NPT Size Range
Available in 1" to 3" NPT sizes to fit standard tank openings. The screw plug design allows for easy threading into tank walls without requiring flanges or special mounting hardware.
Rugged One-Piece Forged Design
One-piece forged hex, thread, and riser construction provides superior strength and leak-resistant performance. Eliminates weak points found in welded or assembled designs.
Hot Spot Prevention
Type 304 stainless steel element spacers maintain uniform distance between elements, preventing hot spots that can cause premature element failure and ensuring consistent heat distribution.
Permanent Electrical Connections
Encapsulated bussing with epoxy seal ensures moisture-resistant, permanent electrical connections for fluid temperatures up to 250°F. Eliminates loose connections and provides reliable performance.
UL & CSA Certified
UL & CSA labeled for copper, stainless steel, and Incoloy sheathed elements. Certified for safety compliance across Canada and the United States, meeting rigorous standards for hazardous and non-hazardous locations.
Versatile NEMA Enclosure Ratings
Suitable for NEMA 1 (indoor general purpose), NEMA 4 (outdoor, washdown), and NEMA 4X (corrosive environments) applications. Provides flexibility for diverse installation environments.
Technical Specifications
Size Range & Construction
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| NPT Size Range | 1", 1-1/4", 1-1/2", 2", 2-1/2", 3" |
| Element Construction | Tubular elements with 80/20 nickel-chromium resistance coils |
| Insulation | Magnesium oxide insulation |
| Element Mounting | Welded or silver soldered into hex head pipe thread fitting |
| Pipe Thread Fittings | Forged brass (copper heaters), steel/stainless steel welded fittings |
| Element Bends | Uniform bends maintain insulation integrity and electrical reliability |
| Element Spacers | Type 304 stainless steel, maintains uniform distance, prevents hot spots |
Electrical & Performance
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Voltage Range | Up to 600V |
| Wattage | Customized wattages available |
| Sheath Materials | Copper, Stainless Steel, Incoloy |
| Epoxy Seal Rating | Moisture-resistant for fluid temperatures up to 250°F |
| Electrical Connections | Encapsulated bussing with epoxy seal |
Enclosure & Certification Options
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| NEMA 1 | Indoor general purpose terminal enclosures |
| NEMA 4 | Indoor/outdoor, watertight, washdown environments |
| NEMA 4X | Indoor/outdoor, corrosion-resistant environments |
| NEMA 7 | Hazardous locations (optional) |
| UL Listing | UL & CSA labeled for copper, stainless steel, and Incoloy elements |
| Built-In Thermostats | Automatic temperature control without separate well installation |
Typical Applications
- Water heating tanks and vessels
- Oil heating and storage tanks
- Air heating systems
- Heat transfer systems
- Food processing equipment
- Boiler equipment and pre-heaters
- Parts washing tanks
- Chemical process heating
- Industrial cleaning systems
- Freeze protection applications
Design Considerations
Screw plug immersion heaters are specifically engineered for applications requiring compact, easy-to-install heating solutions. The threaded NPT design allows direct installation into tank walls through standard pipe tap holes, eliminating the need for flanges, brackets, or special mounting hardware. This makes them ideal for retrofit applications and new equipment designs where space is limited and installation simplicity is valued.
The one-piece forged hex head construction provides a robust, leak-proof connection that withstands thermal cycling and mechanical stress. Element spacers prevent hot spot formation and extend heater life by maintaining uniform spacing between heating elements. The encapsulated bussing with epoxy seal ensures moisture-resistant electrical connections that remain secure even in high-humidity and washdown environments. Material selection (copper, stainless steel, or Incoloy) depends on the heated medium's chemical properties and operating temperature requirements.
ZIRCO provides expert application support for Western Canada industries, helping you select the right screw plug immersion heater configuration for your specific requirements. Our team can assist with wattage and voltage recommendations, sheath material selection, NEMA enclosure options, thermostat integration, and custom configurations for unique applications. Contact us to discuss how INDEECO screw plug immersion heaters can provide reliable, efficient heating for your water, oil, air, or process heating needs throughout Alberta and across Western Canada.
What Is a Screw Plug Immersion Heater?
A screw plug immersion heater is a compact electric heating device designed to thread directly into a tank or vessel through a standard NPT (National Pipe Thread) opening. Unlike flanged immersion heaters that require bolting to a flange, screw plug heaters utilize a threaded hex head fitting that screws into a tapped hole, providing a secure, leak-proof seal without the complexity of flanged mounting systems. This design makes them ideal for smaller tanks, limited space applications, and situations where easy installation and maintenance are priorities.
The heating elements consist of tubular sheaths containing resistance wire coils surrounded by magnesium oxide insulation, providing efficient heat transfer from the element to the heated medium. Multiple elements can be mounted on a single screw plug, with element spacers preventing contact and hot spot formation. Built-in thermostats provide automatic temperature control by sensing the process temperature directly through the heater mounting, eliminating the need for separate thermowells and reducing installation costs. The forged one-piece construction of the hex head, threads, and riser ensures structural integrity and leak resistance even under thermal cycling and pressure variations.
INDEECO screw plug immersion heaters leverage over 90 years of American manufacturing experience to deliver reliable, efficient heating solutions for diverse industrial applications. With NPT sizes ranging from 1" to 3", voltage options up to 600V, multiple sheath materials for corrosion resistance, and NEMA enclosure ratings for various environmental conditions, these heaters provide versatile solutions for water heating, oil heating, air heating, and process temperature control. ZIRCO's expertise in Western Canada's industrial sectors ensures you receive the right screw plug immersion heater configuration for your specific application requirements.
Product Literature & Resources
Technical Documents
Electric Immersion Heaters Catalog
Complete product specifications, dimensions, and selection guide for all INDEECO immersion heater types including screw plug, flanged, and over-the-side heaters
Request for Quote
Request for Quote (RFQ) Form
Download and complete this form to submit your immersion heater requirements for quotation
Contact for More Information
ZIRCO is the authorized Western Canada representative for INDEECO screw plug immersion heaters. Contact our team for:
- Technical specifications and sizing assistance
- NPT size and wattage recommendations
- Application engineering support
- Sheath material compatibility guidance
- NEMA enclosure selection (NEMA 1, 4, 4X)
- Thermostat and control options
- Quotations and delivery information
- After-sales service and support
- Custom configuration options
- Voltage and wattage recommendations
Ready to Optimize Your Compact Heating Application?
Contact our team today to discuss how INDEECO screw plug immersion heaters can provide reliable, easy-to-install heating solutions for your water heating, oil heating, air heating, and process heating applications. ZIRCO provides expert support for Western Canada's industrial, commercial, and institutional sectors, helping you select the right NPT size, wattage, voltage, sheath material, and NEMA enclosure rating for your specific requirements.