GBR-618 Series Miniature Thick Film Heating Elements
Miniature thick film resistive heating element on 96% alumina (Al₂O₃) ceramic substrate
Rated continuous power 5W to 20W when mounted on a heatsink
Industry-leading power tolerance of ±1% — the tightest specification in the GBR heater range
Low-voltage DC supply range 3V to 24V, covering signal-level and logic-supply voltages through to standard embedded system rails
Standard catalogue configurations at 3V, 9V, 12V, and 24V in 5W, 10W, and 20W ratings; other voltage and power combinations available on request
Temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) ±100 ppm/°C
Maximum element temperature 300°C
Solder and contact field termination for direct electrical connection
Designed for applications requiring small size, precise heating, and accurate power dissipation
What are the GBR-618 Series Miniature Thick Film Heating Elements?
The GBR-618 series are miniature thick film heating elements fabricated on a 96% alumina (Al₂O₃) ceramic substrate, specifically developed for applications where small physical size and highly accurate power delivery are the primary design requirements. While other elements in the GBR family prioritise high continuous power output, pulse power capability, very low inductance, or wide voltage range, the GBR-618 is distinguished above all by its power tolerance of ±1% — the tightest specification of any element in the GBR range and significantly closer than the ±5% tolerance standard across the rest of the series. This precision makes the GBR-618 suited to applications where the exact amount of heat delivered to a surface or component must be controlled accurately and repeatably.
The GBR-618 series operates from DC supply voltages between 3V and 24V, targeting low-voltage embedded systems, battery-powered instruments, microcontroller-driven platforms, and signal-level supply rails that are not served by the higher-voltage GBR models. Standard catalogue configurations provide 5W, 10W, and 20W rated outputs at each of four supply voltages — 3V, 9V, 12V, and 24V — giving twelve off-the-shelf combinations that cover the most common low-voltage DC levels in portable, embedded, and laboratory equipment. Additional voltage and power combinations are available on request for designs with specific supply or thermal budgets. The resistance value for each variant is selected to deliver its rated dissipation at the nominal supply voltage, and all variants carry the ±1% power tolerance that defines the series.
The temperature coefficient of resistance is ±100 ppm/°C, reflecting the balance between precision and thermal stability appropriate for the low-power, low-voltage operating regime of the GBR-618. The maximum permissible element temperature is 300°C. Electrical connection is made through solder and contact fields on the element surface, providing compact termination options for direct wire attachment, spring-contact integration, or PCB-based assembly. In addition to their primary role as miniature precision heaters, the GBR-618 elements can function as high-power resistors in low-voltage circuits where small size and accurate dissipation are needed alongside a known resistance value.
GBR-618 Series Miniature Thick Film Heating Elements Specifications
A practical overview for engineers and procurement teams evaluating resistive solutions.
Model: GBR-618
Resistor type: Heater
Description: Thick film elements
Power Rating: 5W~20W
Supply Voltage (V): 3-24
Tolerance (%): ±1
TCR (ppm/C): 100
Applications of the GBR-618 Series Miniature Thick Film Heating Elements
Where RARA resistive heaters are deployed in the field.
Precision laboratory and analytical instrumentation — accurate low-power surface heating for temperature-sensitive sensors, optical benches, and sample holders requiring ±1% power repeatability
Medical and diagnostic devices — miniature heating elements for reagent warming, microfluidic channel heating, and patient-contact thermal management in space-constrained assemblies
Embedded systems and IoT devices — compact low-voltage DC heating for temperature stabilisation of oscillators, sensors, and electronics in battery-powered or microcontroller-driven products
Optical and photonic systems — precise thermal control of laser diodes, optical fibres, waveguides, and detector arrays requiring stable and accurately defined heat input
Semiconductor test and characterisation equipment — controlled localised heating of devices under test at known and repeatable power levels on low-voltage supply rails
Microfluidics and lab-on-chip systems — miniature heaters for PCR thermal cycling, cell culture temperature control, and reaction zone heating in compact bio-analytical platforms
Aerospace and defence sensor modules — small, precisely powered heating elements for gyroscopes, pressure sensors, and MEMS devices requiring thermally stabilised operating conditions
Wearable and portable medical equipment — low-voltage precision heating in body-worn monitors, infusion devices, and point-of-care diagnostic instruments
Precision resistor applications — accurate known-resistance dissipation elements in low-voltage calibration, reference, and attenuator circuits requiring ±1% component tolerance
Automotive sensor modules — miniature 12V and 24V heating elements for dew-point prevention and temperature stabilisation in emissions, exhaust, and ambient environment sensors
Related Products of the GBR-618 Series Miniature Thick Film Heating Elements
Model: GBR-601
Resistor type: Heater
Description: Thick film elements
Power Rating: 10W~150W (heatsink)
Supply Voltage (V): 12-240
Tolerance (%): ±5
TCR (ppm/C): 50
Model: GBR-603
Resistor type: Heater
Description: Thick film elements
Power Rating: 5W~30W
Supply Voltage (V): 12-48
Tolerance (%): ±5
TCR (ppm/C): 1500
Model: GBR-605
Resistor type: Heater
Description: Thick film elements
Power Rating: 5W~60W (heatsink)
Supply Voltage (V): 12-240
Tolerance (%): ±5
TCR (ppm/C): 50
Model: GBR-612
Resistor type: Heater
Description: Thick film elements
Power Rating: 5W~100W
Supply Voltage (V): 12-240
Tolerance (%): ±5
TCR (ppm/C): 50
Why Choose RARA Resistive Heaters
What sets RARA apart for engineers and procurement managers in industrial and automotive markets.
01
Three Technologies
Metal clad space heaters, PTC self-regulating elements, and thick film heaters — RARA covers every industrial heating requirement from a single ISO-certified supplier.
02
Wide Voltage Range
From 3V DC low-voltage PCB warmers to 240V AC panel space heaters — the GBR series and RSHT/RSH range cover virtually any supply voltage in industrial or building systems.
03
PTC Self-Regulation
PTC models (YB, GBR-603) are inherently self-limiting — no thermostat or controller required. As temperature rises, power draw automatically decreases, preventing overheating by design.
04
Global Track Record
Deployed by Siemens, Schneider Electric, Rockwell, and Hanwha in industrial panels and power systems across six continents — backed by ISO 9001 and IATF 16949 certification.
