GBR-388 Series Thick Film Heating Elements
Thick film resistive heating element on 96% alumina (Al₂O₃) ceramic substrate
Rated continuous power 80W per element when mounted on a heatsink
Pulse power capability 300W for 2 seconds on heatsink
Three resistance variants designed for series connection: GBR-388-160 at 165.31Ω, GBR-388-240 at 73.47Ω, and GBR-388-320 at 41.33Ω
Series connection at 230V AC yields scalable total outputs: 160W (two elements), 240W (three elements), or 320W (four elements)
Tolerance ±5%
Supply voltage 230V AC in series configuration
Temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) ±50 ppm/°C
Maximum element temperature 300°C
Very low inductance — suitable for high-frequency and switching applications
Solder field termination for direct electrical connection
What are the GBR-388 Series Thick Film Heating Elements?
The GBR-388 series are thick film heating elements fabricated on a 96% alumina (Al₂O₃) ceramic substrate, sharing the same platform and manufacturing process as the GBR-380 series but distinguished by their design for series-connected multi-element assemblies. The thick film resistive layer deposited on the ceramic surface delivers high power density in a compact form factor, while the ceramic substrate provides the low thermal mass, high dielectric strength, and flat mounting surface required for effective heatsink coupling. Each element is rated at 80W continuous power on a heatsink, with a 2-second pulse rating of 300W for applications requiring short-duration high-power delivery.
The defining characteristic of the GBR-388 series is its scalable series connection architecture. Three resistance variants are offered, each calibrated so that a specific number of elements connected in series at 230V AC produces a target total power output. Two GBR-388-160 elements (165.31Ω each) in series deliver a combined 160W; three GBR-388-240 elements (73.47Ω each) in series deliver 240W; and four GBR-388-320 elements (41.33Ω each) in series deliver 320W. This approach allows designers to build scalable heater assemblies from identical per-element ratings simply by selecting the appropriate resistance variant and element count, without requiring custom resistance values or multi-tap power supplies.
All GBR-388 variants carry a resistance tolerance of ±5% and a temperature coefficient of resistance of ±50 ppm/°C, ensuring stable power output over the operating temperature range. The maximum permissible element temperature is 300°C. In addition to their primary role as heating elements, the thick film construction and planar geometry produce very low inductance, making the GBR-388 series equally suitable as high-power resistors in circuits where inductive reactance would otherwise introduce measurement or switching errors. Electrical connection is made through solder fields on the element surface, providing a compact and reliable termination method for both wire attachment and PCB integration.
GBR-388 Series Thick Film Heating Elements Specifications
A practical overview for engineers and procurement teams evaluating resistive solutions.
Model: GBR-388
Resistor type: Heater
Description: Thick film elements
Power Rating: 80W, 230V
Resistance (Ω): 161.31, 74.47, 41.33
Tolerance (%): ±5
TCR (ppm/C): 50
Applications of the GBR-388 Series Thick Film Heating Elements
Where RARA resistive heaters are deployed in the field.
Scalable industrial heater assemblies — series-connected multi-element configurations delivering 160W, 240W, or 320W from a 230V AC supply
Precision surface heating systems — uniform and thermally stable heat delivery for process and laboratory equipment
High-power resistor applications — non-inductive load dissipation in power electronics and test systems where low inductance is essential
Rapid warm-up and thermal cycling equipment — pulse power capability for fast temperature ramp and cyclic heating applications
Medical and analytical instrumentation — stable low-TCR heating for temperature-sensitive diagnostic and measurement devices
Semiconductor and PCB processing equipment — localised precision heating of substrates and components during fabrication and reflow
Fluid and gas heating systems — direct or indirect thermal coupling to pipework and flow-through heating assemblies
Industrial automation and metrology — high-stability resistive heating in calibration, testing, and quality assurance systems
Aerospace and defence electronics — thermally robust ceramic heating elements for controlled-environment and ruggedised electronics
Renewable energy and power conversion equipment — compact heatsink-mounted heating and load dissipation in inverter and converter assemblies
Related Products of the GBR-388 Series 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.
