GBR-603 Series PTC Thick Film Heating Elements
Self-regulating PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) thick film heating element on stainless steel substrate
Rated continuous power 5W to 30W
DC supply voltage range 12V to 48V
Standard catalogue configurations at 12V, 24V, and 48V in 15W and 30W ratings; other voltage and power combinations available on request
Power tolerance ±5%
Very high temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) of +1500 ppm/°C, producing inherent self-regulating behaviour
Maximum element temperature 250°C
Solder field termination for direct electrical connection
Self-braking characteristic eliminates the need for external thermostats or temperature control circuitry
What are the GBR-603 Series PTC Thick Film Heating Elements?
The GBR-603 series are self-regulating PTC thick film heating elements fabricated on a stainless steel substrate. Unlike the alumina-based GBR-380 and GBR-601 series, the stainless steel substrate provides mechanical toughness and resilience to thermal cycling stress, making the GBR-603 well suited to environments where the element is subject to vibration or repeated expansion and contraction. The thick film resistive layer is deposited directly onto the steel surface, combining compact form factor with the characteristic self-limiting behaviour inherent to PTC resistive materials.
The defining feature of the GBR-603 series is its very high positive temperature coefficient of resistance of +1500 ppm/°C. This means that as the element temperature rises, its electrical resistance increases substantially, which in turn reduces the current drawn from the supply and lowers the dissipated power. The element therefore self-regulates its own temperature without any external sensing, switching, or control circuitry — a behaviour described in the catalogue as self-braking. As the element approaches thermal equilibrium, power delivery tapers off naturally, preventing overheating even if airflow is restricted or the thermal load changes. This intrinsic safety characteristic makes the GBR-603 suitable for unattended and embedded heating applications where thermostat-based protection would add cost and complexity.
The GBR-603 series operates from DC supply voltages of 12V, 24V, and 48V, covering the standard low-voltage DC bus levels used in automotive, industrial, and telecommunications systems. Standard rated power outputs of 15W and 30W are available at each voltage, with the resistance value selected for each variant to deliver the rated dissipation at the nominal supply. The maximum permissible element temperature is 250°C, and all variants carry a power tolerance of ±5%. Other voltage and power combinations beyond the standard catalogue range are available on request, allowing the GBR-603 platform to be configured for specific supply voltages or power budgets. Electrical connection is via solder fields on the element surface, providing a compact termination for direct wire attachment or PCB-based integration.
GBR-603 Series PTC Thick Film Heating Elements Specifications
A practical overview for engineers and procurement teams evaluating resistive solutions.
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
Applications of the GBR-603 Series PTC Thick Film Heating Elements
Where RARA resistive heaters are deployed in the field.
Automotive electronics and EV systems — self-regulating low-voltage DC heating for battery management, sensor modules, and on-board control units
Industrial control panels and PLCs — thermostat-free anti-condensation and minimum-temperature heating on 24V and 48V DC supply rails
Telecommunications and network equipment — compact self-limiting heaters for temperature-stabilised cabinets and outdoor enclosures on 48V DC infrastructure
Embedded heater assemblies — integration into OEM products where passive thermal self-regulation removes the need for external temperature controllers
Precision surface heating — stable low-power heat delivery for sensors, optical components, and analytical instruments requiring gentle controlled warming
Medical and diagnostic devices — safe self-braking heating for patient-contact or reagent-warming applications where overtemperature must be passively prevented
Aerospace and defence electronics — thermally robust stainless steel substrate heating in vibration-prone and thermally cycled environments
Battery and energy storage systems — low-voltage DC cell warming for cold-temperature performance recovery in lithium-ion and other electrochemical storage systems
Outdoor and remote monitoring equipment — thermostat-free enclosure heating for unattended installations on 12V or 24V solar or battery-backed power supplies
Fluid and reagent heating — gentle self-limiting thermal coupling to small-volume flow cells, microfluidic systems, and laboratory sample holders
Related Products of the GBR-603 Series PTC Thick Film Heating Elements
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
Model: GBR-619
Resistor type: Heater
Description: Thick film elements
Power Rating: 10W~100W
Supply Voltage (V): 12-230
Tolerance (%): ±10
TCR (ppm/C): 100
Model: GBR-620
Resistor type: Heater
Description: Thick film elements
Power Rating: 1W~2W
Supply Voltage (V): 12-240
Tolerance (%): ±5
TCR (ppm/C): 50
Model: GBR-666
Resistor type: Heater
Description: Thick film elements
Power Rating: 10W~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.
