This simple guide is designed to help you select the correct sized Ceramic Infrared Heating Tube for your Infrared Sauna. It will also help you check for and diagnose some other simple related issues that can occur as a result of a heater failure.
First it is important to make sure that you have all the tools you will need to make the job easier
o Philips #2 Screwdriver
o Small Flat Screwdriver or Small Utility Knife
o Pliers or small adjustable wrench/ Shifter
o Digital Multi-meter (Optional)
Before getting started, make sure that you have the power disconnected from the Sauna. This is very important as in some rare cases the neutral/common side of the Heater may be found to be switched, while maintaining 240v potential to one side of the tube. This is a serious safety concern as it could lead to electrocution. The best way to do this is to remove the plug from the wall and leave it resting somewhere where you can see it. In the case of a hard-wired unit Isolate the power from a locally positioned Isolator/Disconnect or from the breaker in the board.
Now to remove the cover from the heater. Using the small flat blade screwdriver or utility knife remove the small timber caps usually covering the screws in the backrest and heater frames. Store these in a small container or other safe place for reuse. Using the #2 Philips screwdriver remove all the screws holding the frames and heater covers to the wall, again setting the screws aside in the small container. Place all the frames and covers somewhere out of the way, preferably outside of the sauna. This should now have exposed the entire ceramic heating tube allowing access for the next step.
Cover of Heater removed to expose Endcap to Endcap
Before we move on to measuring the heater tube lengths it is important to visually inspect the wires connected to the top and bottom of the heater tube. These terminals can sometimes corrode due to moisture and heat, eventually becoming brittle and severing from the termination point. If this looks like it has already occurred or is showing signs of beginning, give the lugs and wires a stress test by trying to move them with a little force. This action should not stress out a healthy terminal but will likely break down one that is on the way out. I will cover repairing this closer to the end but for the moment just try to cover the bare ends of the conductor and NEVER connect the sauna back to the mains power until this has been fixed.
Tube with obvious corrosion. Client reported tubes no longer working, found to be connection completely disintegrated
Measuring your existing heating tube. As shown on the graphic bellow we need to get a measurement of the tube from Endcap to Endcap “Total Length” this is the reference we use for replacement parts when selecting from the Website.
Ceramic Infrared Heating Tube Selection guide
· In most cases the length also determines the wattage and does not require confirmation. If you would still like to confirm we can check using one of the existing ‘working’ heating tubes of identical length. To do this you will require a Mulit-Meter with Resistance (Ω) function. Before testing make sure that the power is disconnected from the sauna. Expose the two conductive/metallic ends of the heater tube by removing the ceramic screwed caps and terminal protection. Select Resistance (Ω) setting on automatic multi-meters, or the 200Ω setting where many options exist. Place one probe on each end of the heaters metallic conductor and take note of the reading. For a standard 240v 450W heater this should read about 127Ω or .127KΩ. Using an online Ohms calculator enter the available information, for Australian assume 240v and the resistance just measured. Long hand calculations shown.
If you have any further questions or can’t find your exact sized Ceramic Heater Tube in the Store please reach out to us via our Service@customsaunas.com.au email. If you would like to place an order our rage of Ceramic Tubes are available here https://infraredsaunarepairs.com.au/infrared-sauna-parts/ceramic-heating-tubes. Always remember when dealing with anything to do with electricity never work live. If you have any doubts about the steps listed above contact us directly or use a local Licenced and Registered Electrical Contractor or Appliance Repair Person.