Yes - a 12V PTC heating element is generally safe for long-term use in a glue gun, and in fact, it is often considered safer than traditional resistance wire heaters. Here's why:
1-Safety Features
As defined by the term itself, a self-regulating temperature heater: heating element that automatically decreases the amount of current it draws from the power supply as it heats up and ensures there is no overheating; unlike other heating elements, it does not require elaborate, external thermostats.
Overload protection: If the airflow through the glue gun is blocked or the glue gun is idle, the PTC element will self-regulate its temperature, rather than just continuing to rise, and provide lower fire risk.
Longevity: PTC ceramics are a solid-state product, and have the ability to take more abuse as the materials are generally less sensitive to burnout than resistance coils, as evidenced by the years of usage with a resistive wire, or some sort of contemporary heating element.
2-Practical Considerations
Longevity: As long as normal wear and tear remains manageable, a PTC heating element has been known to last for many years. There are several factors that contribute to the longevity of the heating element, including the quality of the element, consistent voltage, and frequency of usage of the glue gun.
Voltage match: It cannot be overstated the necessity of using a power supply that matches the heating element's rated voltage of 12V in this case. The use of significantly greater or less voltage would result in lower levels of efficiency and safety.
Thermal cycling: It can be assumed that the lifespan of the PTC element will shorten with each rapid heat and cooling cycle more so than with a resistive wire heating element. However, a PTC element is definitely tolerant to thermal cycling compared to the original wire heater.
A 12V PTC heating element is safe and reliable for long-term use in glue guns, provided you source it from a reputable manufacturer and use it within its rated voltage and temperature range.
