Arduino - Control Heating Element

In this tutorial, we are going to learn how to control a Heating Element using Arduino. Based on this tutorial, you will learn how to make a heating system in another tutorial.

Hardware Required

1	×	Arduino UNO or Genuino UNO
1	×	USB 2.0 cable type A/B (for USB-A PC)
1	×	USB 2.0 cable type C/B (for USB-C PC)
1	×	Relay
1	×	Heating Element
1	×	12V Power Adapter
1	×	DC Power Jack
1	×	Jumper Wires
1	×	(Recommended) Screw Terminal Block Shield for Arduino Uno
1	×	(Recommended) Breadboard Shield For Arduino Uno
1	×	(Recommended) Enclosure For Arduino Uno

Or you can buy the following sensor kits:

1	×	DIYables Sensor Kit (30 sensors/displays)
1	×	DIYables Sensor Kit (18 sensors/displays)

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Additionally, some links direct to products from our own brand, DIYables.

About Heating Element

Pinout

Heating Element usually has two pins:

Positive (+) pin (red): needs to be connected to 12V of DC power supply
Negative (-) pin (black): needs to be connected to GND of DC power supply

How to Control Heating Element

If 12V Heating Element is powered by 12V power supply, it emits heat. To control a Heating Element, we need to use a relay in between Arduino and Heating Element. Arduino can control the Heating Element via the relay. If you do not know about relay (pinout, how it works, how to program ...), learn about relay in the Arduino - Relay tutorial

Wiring Diagram

This image is created using Fritzing. Click to enlarge image

Arduino Code

The below code repeatedly turns the Heating Element ON in five seconds and OFF in five seconds,

/* * Created by ArduinoGetStarted.com * * This example code is in the public domain * * Tutorial page: https://arduinogetstarted.com/tutorials/arduino-controls-heating-element */ // constants won't change const int RELAY_PIN = A5; // the Arduino pin, which connects to the IN pin of relay // the setup function runs once when you press reset or power the board void setup() { // initialize digital pin A5 as an output. pinMode(RELAY_PIN, OUTPUT); } // the loop function runs over and over again forever void loop() { digitalWrite(RELAY_PIN, HIGH); // turn on heating element 5 seconds delay(5000); digitalWrite(RELAY_PIN, LOW); // turn off heating element 5 seconds delay(5000); }

Quick Steps

Connect Arduino to PC via USB cable
Open Arduino IDE, select the right board and port
Copy the above code and open with Arduino IDE
Click Upload button on Arduino IDE to upload code to Arduino
Check the Heating Element's temperature

Please be careful. It can burn you and your house. This is a serious topic, and we want you to be safe. If you’re NOT 100% sure what you are doing, do yourself a favor and don’t touch anything. Ask someone who knows! We do NOT take any responsibility for your safety.

Code Explanation

Read the line-by-line explanation in comment lines of code!

Video Tutorial

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