Abstract: The invention relates to an electric heater comprising a fluid-conducting housing, in which at least one, preferably helical, heating unit, preferably a wire resistance heating element, is accommodated. The heating unit can have a tubular outer body, in which a heating element electrically contacted with a control circuit accommodated in an electronics housing is embedded. According to the invention, end sections of the heating unit extend in a sealed manner through the fluid-conducting housing to, and preferably into, an electronics housing. The invention further discloses a method for actuating an electric heater and to a heater that can be operated according to such a method, wherein said heater is designed with at least one resistance heating element, which acts as a temperature sensor, so that the temperature thereof can be used for actuating the heater.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electric heater comprising a fluid-conducting housing, in which at least one, preferably helical, heating unit, preferably a wire resistance heating element, is accommodated. The heating unit can have a tubular outer body, in which a heating element electrically contacted with a control circuit accommodated in an electronics housing is embedded. According to the invention, end sections of the heating unit extend in a sealed manner through the fluid-conducting housing to, and preferably into, an electronics housing. The invention further discloses a method for actuating an electric heater and to a heater that can be operated according to such a method, wherein said heater is designed with at least one resistance heating element, which acts as a temperature sensor, so that the temperature thereof can be used for actuating the heater.