About Chromalox

Edwin L. Wiegand, a self-taught engineer from Pittsburgh, PA, had always shown an intense curiosity in electrical conductivity. In his makeshift laboratory off his family’s dining room, Wiegand experimented with ways to encapsulate the fragile and sometimes dangerous “open coil” heat technology of the time in a dielectric. This led to his groundbreaking patent in 1915 of a resistance-heating element embedded in an insulating refractory and enclosed in a metal sheath. On this technology, he founded Chromalox in 1917 and began producing the strip heater for what would become the modern electric clothes iron.

Key Events

• Chromalox was founded in 1917 by Edwin L. Wiegand
• The first products shipped included the strip heater which later became the modern electric clothes iron
• World War II created demand for portable heaters and freeze protection heaters that could be used in the field

When nuclear power became popular in the mid-fifties, Chromalox was the first to supply pressurizer heaters for nuclear power plants and nuclear submarines. Developing products for new applications like these expanded the standard industrial heater line. Later, in the 1960s entered new industries such as Aerospace and achieved another “First” when a strip heater landed on the moon. In 1969, the Apollo 11 lunar module used a strip heater in the electronic control box of a fuel triggering device.

Key Events

• Provided the first nuclear pressurized heater for Navy submarine, USS Nautilus, commissioned in 1959
• First to supply NASA with liquid nitrogen vaporizers for purging the launch pad fuel systems for rocket ignition
• Developed and introduced the first heat trace cable
• Chromalox became a public company in 1962

During the 1980s and 1990s, Chromalox continued to expand globally and were now becoming recognized as the world's most technologically advanced electric heating equipment producer. Following the acquisitions of Bray and Eltron in the United Kingdom it enabled an increase in manufacturing within Europe, whilst in 1993, Chromalox opened a regional sales office in Hong Kong to meet the growing demand in Asia. 

Key Events

• Introduced the first self-regulating heat trace cables and accessories with UL and CSA approvals
• Further expansion in the UK took place with the acquisition of Eltron in 1987
• Expanded Asia presence with new sales office in Hong Kong

Chromalox strengthened its component heater manufacturing business with the purchase of Ogden Manufacturing Company in 2003 as well as expanding its facility in Neuvo Laredo, Mexico. Global expansion continued with direct sales offices opening in China, India, Thailand, Germany, Singapore and Dubai. Now part of Spirax Group, Chromalox specialize in thermal energy and fluid technology solutions. Chromalox to deliver high-performance electric thermal solutions through expert support and strong customer partnerships.

Key Events

• Supplied high temperature cartridge heater for Columbia Space Shuttle for anti-icing of shuttle wings.
• Launched next generation of heat trace control products with hazardous location certification.
• Filed patent on new 4160 V tubular heating element – launching new medium voltage technology.