Is the length of a heating element exact?

The length of a heating element is measured from the inner edge of the flange to the tip of the coil. While this length may have slight variations, they typically fall within a range of 2-5%. This variability arises because different manufacturers may use distinct drawings for their heating elements. It's important to note that espresso machine companies do not manufacture their own elements; instead, they are produced by brands such as Becker, Recor, and Helkra.

If a replacement part corresponds to a specific part number, it is considered compatible, even if its length is slightly greater than specified.