Why do ceramic heat emitters produce UV radiation?

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SUMMARY

Ceramic heat emitters, when heated to approximately 200 degrees Fahrenheit, do not produce significant UV radiation. The discussion confirms that any radiation emitted is primarily thermal radiation, which is a form of black body radiation. At this temperature, the emission of UV radiation is effectively zero, and visible light is not appreciable until temperatures reach 800-900 degrees Fahrenheit. Therefore, concerns about harmful UV radiation from ceramic heat emitters are unfounded.

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acesuv
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this might be kind of a weird question lol but according to forums on tortoises and other reptiles, ceramic heat emitters (a piece of ceramic heated to about 200 degrees id say) actually emit a UV radiation...

is this true? where does the radiation come from? is it black body radiation? thermal radiation? ??!
 
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acesuv said:
this might be kind of a weird question lol but according to forums on tortoises and other reptiles, ceramic heat emitters (a piece of ceramic heated to about 200 degrees id say) actually emit a UV radiation...

is this true? where does the radiation come from? is it black body radiation? thermal radiation? ??!
Not sure if we can make a distinction between blackbody and thermal radiation, but this is indeed the source of the radiation. Do you see the ceramic heater glow with visible light? Any emission in the UV range will be weaker than emission in the visible range. I wouldn't worry about such a heater producing any significant or harmful UV.
 
acesuv said:
this might be kind of a weird question lol but according to forums on tortoises and other reptiles, ceramic heat emitters (a piece of ceramic heated to about 200 degrees id say) actually emit a UV radiation...

(Underlining mine)

At 200 degrees the amount of UV radiation emitted from the ceramic should be effectively zero. Heck, you don't get appreciable visible light until 800-900 degrees (F).
 
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