Electric heat tracing, heat tape or surface heating, is a system used to maintain or raise the temperature of pipes and vessels using heat tracing cables. Trace heating takes the form of an electrical heating element run in physical contact along the length of a pipe.
How does heat trace work?
“The good news is that heat trace systems and controls allow plant operators to monitor and manage temperatures of critical pipelines and facilities — easily and efficiently. A proper heat trace system gives plant operators control over erratic and unseasonable weather patterns to prevent outages and ensure reliability.”
How does self regulating heat trace work?
nVent RAYCHEM self-regulating heat trace cables consist of two parallel conductors embedded in a heating core made of conductive polymer. The core is radiation-cross-linked to ensure long-term reliability. Heat is generated as electric current passes through the conductive polymer core between the cable’s conductors.
What are the applications of Electrical heat tracing?
Electric Heat Tracing. Industrial applications may be found in the oil and gas production and storage facilities, petrochemical plants, refineries, pharmaceutical production, power generation, water and waste treatment plants, food processing, plus many others. Solutions can be provided for freeze protection, or for temperature maintenance duties.
What is needed for heat to flow through a conductor?
When current flows through a conductor, heat energy is generated in the conductor. The heating effect of an electric current depends on three factors: The resistance, R of the conductor. A higher resistance produces more heat. What causes electrical wires to get hot?
What is electrical heat tracing system?
A heat trace system is a set of paths lined along pipes or vessels. These paths are made up of a resistive element that heats up when electricity passes through it. You can design a customized heat trace system for a specific process application by selecting the right type of cables for the traces.
What is heat tracing used for?
Pipe Tracing (a.k.a heat tracing) is commonly used to ensure that process, fluid, or material temperatures within pipes and piping systems are maintained above ambient temperatures during static flow conditions along with providing supplemental freeze protection in certain applications.
How does a heat trace wire work?
0:311:48What is a Heat Trace System And How does it work? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSystem heating cable is attached to the surface of the pipe. Using high temperature heat trace tapeMoreSystem heating cable is attached to the surface of the pipe. Using high temperature heat trace tape the cable is connected to its power source through either a power connection.
Does heat trace need to be on emergency power?
Heat tracing operation should be monitored and alarmed, and powered from an emergency power source.
What are the two most common types of heat tracing?
Common Applications There are two general categories of Electrical Heat Trace Cable: Constant Wattage and Self-Limiting/Self-Regulating cable. Each style of heat trace cable serves different applications.
How do you install heat tracing?
Begin attaching the heat tracing cable to the pipe on the lower half of the pipe at a 45° angle (looking at the pipe straight on, attach a single cable at 4 o'clock and if using an additional cable, at 8 o'clock). Attach the cable using heat or fiberglass tape every 6” to 1' back toward the power source.
How far can you run heat trace?
HWM will maintain temperatures between 90˚F and 140˚F for these applications with service voltages between 120 and 277 volts, Circuit lengths up to 500 feet are available.
Can heat trace touch itself?
Constant wattage heat trace and MI cable cannot cross or touch itself. When a constant wattage heat trace is crossed over itself, the heat only increases. When applying constant wattage heat cables to your pipes or other surfaces, ensure that they do not cross and are spaced sufficiently.
How do you check a heat trace?
1:152:00Heat Trace Megger Testing Procedure - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe insulation resistance test for one minute after one minute check the rating. You are looking forMoreThe insulation resistance test for one minute after one minute check the rating. You are looking for a minimum of twenty Meg ohms at receipt of material. 5 Meg ohms after installed on the pipe.
What causes heat trace failure?
Here are some of the most common causes of failure in electric heat trace operations: Compromised insulation. Improper reinstallation after temporary removal of insulation for servicing. Errors in termination.
Does heat trace have to be on GFCI?
The NEC requires all heat tracing to be protected against ground faults with a couple of exceptions noted in Sec. 427.22. There is big a difference between the ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) that are used for personnel and equipment protection.
Does heat trace require GFCI?
The installation instructions for constant wattage heat cable state that it must be plugged into a GFCI protected outlet. This kind of cable does not have the same electrical draw as self-regulating cable, and it is not really considered heavy electrical equipment.
What is heat trace insulation?
Heat tracing, also known as trace heating, offers a solution to controlling pipe temperatures. The system involves running an electric heating element along the length of a pipe, often coupled with insulation, to facilitate even heating.
Can heat trace touch itself?
Constant wattage heat trace and MI cable cannot cross or touch itself. When a constant wattage heat trace is crossed over itself, the heat only increases. When applying constant wattage heat cables to your pipes or other surfaces, ensure that they do not cross and are spaced sufficiently.
What is a heat trace panel?
Heat Trace Control Panels LED lights provide indication of power to the unit, heater power on and alarm status. The alarm consists of a dry contact that closes in the event of an alarm, and are wired to a terminal strip for local or remote use.
What is steam tracing?
Steam tracing consists of small bore piping connected to the steam header and that is wrapped around the piping that it is protecting. The steam tubing can be connected to the pipe either with straps or by special heat-conducting cement. The steam condenses as it flows along and is collected in a steam trap.
What is electrical trace heating?
Electrical trace heating, or as it is often called heat tracing, refers to the process of maintaining or raising the temperature of instrument impulse lines, pipes, and even vessels through specially designed cables.
Why do we use trace heating?
In cold weather this is especially prevalent in dead legs or when there is little or no flow of a fluid susceptible to freezing in a line. Pipes and impulse lines that freeze can rupture therefore trace heating can prevent this. To maintain the temperature of a liquid system. Trace heating is often used in hot water systems.
What is the control of heat supplied?
Control of the heat supplied can be from a simple on-off thermostat, e.g. the thermostat energizing the heat tracing when the temperature falls below the setpoint and de-energizes when the temperature is a couple of degrees above the setpoint or increasingly common control is supplied from microprocessor-based control and monitoring systems – either stand-alone or within the plant control system.
What are the disadvantages of constant power trace heating cables?
Disadvantages of constant power trace heating cables include: They are supplied in specific lengths and cannot be shortened in the field, A break or failure anywhere along the length of a constant power cable will cause the entire cable to fail,
How is a notch created in a cable?
A notch is created in the insulation on the opposing sides of the conductors and a small heating circuit is then produced by fusing the heating element to the exposed conductor wire and this is repeated throughout the entire cable producing the power zones .
How many types of heat tracing cables are there?
There are three types of heat tracing cables available:
Is electrical heating used?
Electrical heating is widely used. When heating elements are selected, care should be exercised to ensure that they are not potential sources of ignition. Several types of cable are available (for example, mineral insulated and self-limiting).
Electrical Heat Trace Technology Keeps Your Industrial Processes Safe
Freeze protection is essential to plant safety and to maintain fluid systems, particularly in lines with little or no flow. During the year, media temperatures need to be kept as liquids move throughout the plant.
How Does Heat Trace Technology Work?
The temperature of liquids in pipes and vessels can fluctuate, especially during winter and summer months when the temperature climbs or dips into the extremes. Heat trace technology describes electrical systems that maintain or raise the temperature of the pipe or vessel holding or transporting the liquids.
Do You Rely on Insulation or Jacketing to Maintain Your Temperature?
Pioneer Industrial offers a full line of thermal process management solutions from AMETEK-O’Brien, to protect your pipes during harsh, cold weather months. O’Brien TRACEPAK tubing bundles from Pioneer Industrial consists of a small diameter tube or group of tubes packaged in an insulated, weatherproofed jacket.
What is electric heat trace?
The Basics of Electric Heat Trace Technology. The temperature of liquid media in piping can be critical to a plant’s operation. In the winter months, freeze protection becomes essential, particularly in lines with little or no flow. Throughout the year media temperatures may need to be maintained as they are stored or travel throughout the plant.
What temperature can a heat trace cable reach?
These lower temperature cables (PSB and HSB) are capable of reaching maximum temperatures of 392F. For higher temperatures, most manufacturers offer a Mineral Insulated (MI) Cable that can exceed 1200F. The MI cable is made to order and cannot be cut-to-length in the field.
How does electric heating work?
The electric heating is achieved by utilizing a resistant element that is run alongside the piping or vessel. Current heat trace technology utilizes a self-regulating polymer that controls the wattage of the element.
How many feet of heat trace cable per foot?
Cables are available in various wattage outputs, voltages, and jacket materials. The cables are typically designed to run alongside the piping, 1 foot of cable per 1 foot of pipe.
What happens to the conductive pathways when the temperature drops?
When the ambient temperature drops, the polymer creates conductive pathways that allow current to flow and heat to be produced. When the ambient temperature increases, the conductive pathways begin to separate, allowing less current to pass.
Can bartec heat trace be cut to length?
The MI cable is made to order and cannot be cut-to-length in the field. Bartec, the premier heat trace manufacturer in Europe who is now entering the US market, also offers a medium temperature AHT cable that is capable of reaching 797F.
When is heat tracing used?
When Heat tracing is used to ensure that the system functions from a process standpoint regardless of climate conditions it is known as Process Control Tracing. Again when Heat tracing is used to prevent freeze-up due to climatic conditions only it is known as Winterization Tracing.
What is electrical tracing?
2) of the piping system, an electrical heating element transfers heat into the process fluid while running in physical contact along the pipe length. Heat is normally generated in an electrically resistive element. However, other effects like impedance, induction, skin conduction, ...
What is heat tracing in piping?
Pipe Heat Tracing is a generalized term relating to the application of radiant heat input to piping systems from tubing attached to the outside of the pipe. Heat tracing is a process requirement. Pipes carrying higher fluid temperatures than the ambient temperature will lose temperature to the surrounding. Insulation is a way to reduce this loss. But insulation is not 100% foolproof. So to make up that heat loss, small-bore steam pipes or electrical wires (known as heat tracers) are attached to the parent pipe. This system is called the heat tracing of piping. Heat tracing serves various other purposes like:
What is winterizing by steam tracing?
Winterizing by steam tracing is the preferred method when winterizing by circulation and draining is impracticable. Winterizing by electric tracing is utilized when precise temperature control is required or where steam tracing is not practical.
What are the characteristics of a heat tracing tape?
Heating tapes should provide intimate contact with the pipe material for higher efficiency of heat transfer. Heat tracing tapes should be fast in heating up.
What is the maximum pocket depth for a steam tracer?
The maximum tracer total pocket depth shall be equal to 40 percent of tracing steam gage pressure expressed in meters.
How long can a heat tracing panel be?
They can be used up to 82,000 feet (25 km) of length and their rated temperature is up to 250°C. Controlling heat tracing temperature for electrical tracing is very important. Various control panels are used for heat tracing temperature control.
What is heat trace heating?
A heat trace system protects pipes and tanks from freeze damage ...
How does heat trace work?
An electrical element or heat trace cable (see pictures below) is fitted along the length of a pipe. This heat trace cable generates heat to maintain or increase the temperature of the pipe’s surface , and when installed with a good insulation system, you have a great solution.
What is Self-Regulating Heat Trace?
An important distinction to understand is the difference between constant wattage heat trace and self-regulating heat trace. In a constant wattage heat trace system, uniform and unchanging heat is delivered throughout the entire system. No matter the ambient temperature, the same amount of heat will be produced.
How hot does heat trace get?
Just how hot does heat trace get? MI Cable can maintain close to 1000 F, while constant wattage cables can normally maintain temperatures over 400F. Self regulating cable will normally have 2 different offerings, ranging from 150 F to over 400 F maintain temperatures.
How long do heat cables last?
While the life expectancy of heat trace cables depends mostly on the amount of usage, 3-5 years is a fairly common lifespan. Heat trace may continue to put out heat, but that heat output can reduce over time, leaving you exposed to potential failure.
Why are heat trace pipes used?
Heat trace is most commonly used to protect pipes from freeze damage during winter conditions. These systems are most often used to keep water from freezing, as water in any process or facility is critical.
What is the difference between a hotter surface and a colder surface?
A hotter surface will reduce the wattage output, a colder surface will allow more wattage to be produced. While the difference is simple, an understanding of each is important in determining which heat trace system is right for you. Another advantage of self regulating cable is that it can be overlapped on top of itself.
How does heat tracing work?
Electric heat tracing, heat tape or surface heating, is a system used to maintain or raise the temperature of pipes and vessels using heat tracing cables . Trace heating takes the form of an electrical heating element run in physical contact along the length of a pipe. The pipe is usually covered with thermal insulation to retain heat losses from the pipe. Heat generated by the element then maintains the temperature of the pipe. Trace heating may be used to protect pipes from freezing, to maintain a constant flow temperature in hot water systems, or to maintain process temperatures for piping that must transport substances that solidify at ambient temperatures. Electric trace heating cables are an alternative to steam trace heating where steam is unavailable or unwanted.
When did electric trace heating start?
Electric trace heating began in the 1930s but initially no dedicated equipment was available. Mineral insulated cables ran at high current densities to produce heat, and control equipment was adapted from other applications. Mineral-insulated resistance heating cable was introduced in the 1950s, and parallel-type heating cables that could be cut to length in the field became available. Self-limiting thermoplastic cables were marketed in 1971.
How does thermal insulation reduce heat loss?
Every pipe or vessel is subject to heat loss when its temperature is greater than ambient temperature. Thermal insulation reduces the rate of heat loss but does not eliminate it. Trace heating maintains the temperature above freezing by balancing heat lost with heat supplied. Normally, a thermostat is used to energise when it measures temperature falling below a set temperature value - usually between 3 °C and 5 °C and often referred to as the 'setpoint'. The thermostat will de-energise the trace heating when it measures temperature rising past another set temperature value - usually 2 °C higher than the setpoint value.
What is series heating cable?
A series heating cable is made of a run of high-resistance wire, insulated and often enclosed in a protective jacket. It is powered at a specific voltage and the resistance heat of the wire creates heat.
What is a hit temperature trace heating element?
Hit-temperature trace heating elements can prevent blockage of pipes. Industrial applications for trace heating range from chemical industry, oil refineries, nuclear power plants, food factories. For example, wax is a material which starts to solidify below 70 °C which is usually far above the temperature of the surrounding air.
What are the international standards for trace heating?
International standards applied in the design and installation of electric trace heating systems include IEEE standards 515 and 622, British standard BS 6351, and IEC standard 60208.
Why use heat trace cable on roof?
Placement of heat trace cable on roofs or in gutters to melt ice during winter months. When used in gutters the cable is not meant to keep the gutters free of ice or snow, but only to provide a free path for the melted water to get off the roof and down the downspout or drain piping.
