Static and dynamic temperature distribution of heat mats for swine farrowing creep heating

Laboratory and in-barn tests were conducted to study the thermal characteri stics of electrical heat mats for creep heating in swine farrowing crates. Art infrared imager was used to evaluate the surface temperature distributi on and controllability of four commercial hear mats under constant environm ental conditions. The effects of pig resting behavior on surface temperatur e distribution of the heat mats were elucidated by in-barn tests. Embedded temperature sensors facilitated the controllability of mat surface temperat ure. If either designed or operated improperly electrical hear mars could c ontain hot spots (> 43 degrees C or 109 degrees F), which would greatly red uce the effective usable mat area for piglets. When piglets were lying on t he mar with embedded temperature sensors, mat surface temperature rose in r ite occupied region and declined in the unoccupied region. The temperature difference between the two regions ranged from 7 to 12 degrees C (13 to 22 degrees F). Temperature feedback control maintained the mat temperature in a comfortable range for piglets. By comparison, a mat without temperature f eedback control could become excessively hot (> 43 degrees C or 109 degrees F) for piglets.