(PRWEB) February 8, 2006 -- Two-thirds of users of electric heating elements reported having problems, according to a recent study by Venture Development Corporation (VDC). This share is significantly higher than VDC's 2003 study of this market, in which 52% of users cited problems.

The most identified problems were burnout and the operating life of the heating elements. The next most cited problems were damage to leads and breakage. Users listed shock, vibration and temperature cycling as common reasons for breakage.

Problems With Electric Heating Elements Cited by Users
(Ranked in Descending Order)
1. Burn Out/Operating Life
2. Damage to Leads
3. Breakage
4. Poor Quality Control
5. Failing Electrical Connections
6. Not Durable
7. Premature Failures
8. Hard/Impossible to Repair
9. Lack of Heating Uniformity
10. Units Short Out

VDC also asked users for suggestions on how to overcome their problems with electric heating elements. In rank order, the solutions most identified by users were:
- Better quality control
- Better designs
- Better insulation materials
- Better materials in designs
- More attention to specification details
- Easier repair

Other suggestions for overcoming problems included: UL approval, lower watt density, replaceable leads, waterproof electrical connections, installation of sensors, heating uniformity analysis, better sealing, more user information and universal power connectors.

"In general, it appears that many of these problems could be prevented with better communication between the user and the vendor of the heating element," say VDC analyst Jake Millette. "Better technical support on the vendors' side may be required to ensure the proper installation of these units, as well as their use in a proper application. Of course, vendors also need to ensure that their products are of the highest quality possible."

To view this entire press release, go to:
http://www.vdc-corp.com/industrial/press/06/pr06-07.html

Report Availability
http://www.vdc-corp.com/industrial/reports/05/br05-10.html

About VDC
Venture Development Corporation (VDC) is an independent technology market research and strategy consulting firm that specializes in a number of industrial, embedded, component, retail automation, RFID, AIDC, datacom/telecom, and defense markets. VDC has been operating since 1971, when the firm was founded by graduates of the Harvard Business School and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Today, we employ a talented collection of analysts and consultants who offer a rare combination of expertise in the market research process; experience in technology product and program management; and formal training in engineering and marketing. VDC's clients include thousands of the largest and fastest-growing tech suppliers in the world and the most successful investors participating in the markets we cover.

For further information about "Electric Heating Elements: North American Market Demand Analysis" or any other VDC service, contact:

Jake Millette, Senior Analyst, 508-653-9000 ext. 135

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