Abstract: An electric heating unit for heating fluid, such as air in a hair drier, includes two ring-shaped electrodes and a plurality of spaced, plate-like ceramic heating elements having a positive temperature coefficient of resistance (PTC) aligned between the electrodes. The electrodes comprise an inner ring and an outer ring disposed in a nested, concentric, spaced relationship. The PTC ceramic plates are radially arranged in aligned spaced relationship with the opposite ends of each PTC ceramic plate mechanically and electrically connected respectively to the inner and outer rings. The inner and outer rings can be formed as arc-shaped segments separated by gaps prevent damage to the PTC ceramic plates by heat strain, and are provided with slits, grooves, etc., for firmly positioning the PTC ceramic plates.