RTA/RDA Power Ratings

[Frenchfry1942]

Has anyone made a power ratings chart for rda/RTAs?

I have many toppers, but don't really know if I am pushing/surpassing a structure limit.

I guess, even if you know one, it would be helpful. I will start a chart.

Thanks!

 

[State O' Flux]

You use terms "power" and "structure", as seemingly interchangeable elements... neither of which are specific. The true limiting elements will be heat, air pressure/vacuum, and chemical in nature.

RDAs don't necessarily have a resistance "lower limit"... other than temperature effects on what ever type of insulation is used for the positive terminal. as well as the cap and/or drip tip o-rings.
To the above, one could include (perhaps) the drip tip/chuff cap... and what the user can tolerate on their lips.

PEEK thermoplastic, the most preferred insulation material for rda positive center posts, has a melting point of 650F°.

With rta/modern glassomizers... the above will apply as well. As the majority of RTA/glassomizers are constructed of stainless steel and (most commonly) borosilicate glass, that leaves the few that use some form of generic polycarbonate for the transparent housing. Polycarbonate has a melting point of 311F° and a upper working temperature of 239–266F°.

RTA/glassomizers also contain a number of o-rings... which can be a critical variable, as they must tolerate heat, and provide an air tight, e-liquid seal.
Below are some generic values for common materials. Unless the maker offers specific information, your most likely o-ring material will be silicone rubber.

Viton 75: -20° to +400F°
EPDM: -65F° to +300F°
HNBR 70: -40° to +300F°
Kalrez (DuPont/Dow): up to 428F°
Silicone: -80F to +400F°
PTFE (Teflon): -300° to +450F°

So... unless you are aware of a material not described in the above... you're limits will be determined by the lowest temperature tolerance of the individual components.

 

[Frenchfry1942]

Thanks for helping.

Sometimes the vendor/manufacturer gives a recommended wattage (power) range. Hopefully, the stated upper limit will be in line to not damage the overall physical structure, and its many components, of the RTA/RDA/clearomizer.

Per Kanger, the Sub-Tank is rated at 30 watts so as not to damage the topper's physical structure. Be it coil, o-rings, metals, etc.

It is a safety question that many probably assume is non-important until things don't work properly or consistently over time.

 

[roxynoodle]

With RTAs, airflow may be the biggest factor as it determines how hot things get in there. For example, a 0.3 ohm build running 50W is going to damage a Kayfun Lite. That same build in the Aromamizer runs quite cool with all 4 airholes open and just warm with two open. If its vaping hot, expect things may get damaged.