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Electric Heat Tracing

The Heat Tracing Specialists

Electric Heat Tracing


Presentation Outline
Heating Cable Product Types

Advantages
Limitations

Product Selection Guidelines

Choosing Cable Based on Application

Codes and Standards

National Electrical Code


IEEE Standard 515-1997

Heat Tracing Product Types


Advantages and Limitations

The Heat Tracing Specialists

Heating Cable Circuit Types


Series

R
Parallel

I
=
R

I
r

Heating Element Types


Graphically Represented

Power

Self-Regulating &
Power- Limiting
Heater Output

Constant Wattage
Heater Output

Temperature

MI Cables
(Series Constant Wattage)
Advantages:

High Exposure Temperature Capabilities


(1,100 F)
High Maintenance Temperature (up to 800 F)
High Watt Densities (up to 80 w/ft.)
Long Circuit Lengths (up to 4,000 ft.)
Rugged
Uniform Power Along Entire Length
Easy to Monitor

MI Cables
(Series Constant Wattage)
Limitations:

Field Measurements Required - Generally


Custom Fabricated Circuits
Cannot be Field Fabricated - Difficult to
Repair
MgO Dielectric Extremely Sensitive to
Moisture
Relatively Inflexible - Difficult to Install
Short Circuit Lengths - May Require
Transformer

Polymer Insulated Cables


(Series Constant Wattage)
Advantages:

Maintain up to 300 F

Withstand Exposure to 500 F

Long Circuit Lengths (up to 5,000 ft.)

Uniform Power Along Entire Length

Easy to Monitor

Can be Field Terminated and Spliced

Flexible - Easy to Install

Polymer Insulated Cables


(Series Constant Wattage)
Limitations:

Overlapping is Not Recommended

Power Output is Circuit-Length Dependent


(Designs Require Pipe Measurements)

Short Circuit Lengths are Not Practical

T-Rating for Hazardous Areas is DesignBased

Zone Heating Cables


(Parallel Constant Wattage)
Advantages:

Maintain up to 150F

Circuit Lengths to 1,500 ft.

High Exposure Temperature (up to 400 F)

Operate at Standard Voltages (Heater


Selection is Easy)

No Start-Up Current

Field Fabrication (Cut-to-Length)

Flexible - Easy to Install

Zone Heating Cables


(Parallel Constant Wattage)
Limitations:

Medium Length Circuits (<1,500 ft.)

Require Some Care During Installation

T-Rating for Hazardous Areas is DesignBased

Self-Regulating Cables
(Parallel PTC)
Advantages:

Field Fabrication (Cut-to-Length)

Operate at Standard Voltages

Flexible - Easy to Install

Adjust Power Output to Surroundings


PTC Heating Element

Cannot Overheat

T-Rating for Hazardous Areas is Independent of


Application

Self-Regulating Cables
(Parallel PTC)
Limitations:

Medium Length Circuits (<1,000 ft.)

Higher Start-Up Currents

Lower Power Densities at Higher


Maintenance Temperatures

Heater Element has Temperature


Exposure Limitations

Self-Regulating Cables
Maintain and Exposure Temperature
Determines Cable Selection
RSX

Uses: Freeze Protection and


Uses: Freeze Protection and
Low to Moderate Temperature
Low to Moderate Temperature
Maintenance
Maintenance
Max. Maintain Temp:
150F
Max. Maintain Temp:
150F
Max. Exposure Temp: 185F
Max. Exposure Temp: 185F
T-Rating:
T6
T-Rating:
T6

TSX

Uses: Process Temperature


Uses: Process Temperature
Maintenance and Freeze
Maintenance and Freeze
Protection
Protection
Max. Maintain Temp:
250F
Max. Maintain Temp:
250F
Max. Exposure Temp: 375F
Max. Exposure Temp: 375F
T-Rating:
T3
T-Rating:
T3

VSX

Uses: Process Temperature


Uses: Process Temperature
Maintenance and Freeze
Maintenance and Freeze
Protection
Protection
Max. Maintain Temp:
300F
Max. Maintain Temp:
300F
Max. Exposure Temp: 450F
Max. Exposure Temp: 450F
T-Rating:
T3
T-Rating:
T3

Power-Limiting Cables
(Parallel PTC)
Advantages:

Maintain up to 300 F

High Exposure Temperature (up to 500 F)

Power Reduces as Temperature Increases


PTC Heating Element

Operate at Standard Voltages

Field Fabrication (Cut-to-Length; Can be


Overlapped)

Flexible - Easy to Install

Available with Class I, Division 1 Approvals

Power-Limiting Cables
(Parallel PTC)
Limitations:

Medium Length Circuits (<1,000 ft.)

Require Some Care During Installation

T-Rating for Hazardous Areas is DesignBased

Some Start-Up Current

Skin Effect Current Tracing


Advantages:

Very Long Circuit Lengths (up to 7.5 Miles)

Fewer Power Connection Points - Reduced


Costs

High Maintenance Temperature (300 F)

High Power Densities (up to 50 w/ft.)

High Exposure Temperature (500 F)

Very Rugged - High Durability

Skin Effect Current Tracing


Limitations:

Special Transformer Required

Factory Design Necessary

Not Practical for Nonmetallic Pipe

Not Practical for Complex Piping

Heat Tracing Product Types


Summary:

MI Heating Cables
Polymer Insulated Heating Cables
Zone Heating Cables
Self-Regulating Heating Cables
Power-Limiting Heating Cables
Skin Effect Heating System

Product Selection
Guidelines

The Heat Tracing Specialists

Identify the Application

In-Plant Complex Piping


Interconnecting Piping
Product Transfer
Pipelines
High Temperature
Applications

In-Plant Complex Piping


Typically Consists of:

Piping Runs Less Than 500


Multiple Pipe Diameters
Numerous Inline Equipment
Valves
Pumps
Strainers

Complex Piping
Self-Regulating Heating Cable

Infinitely Cut-to-Length
Cannot Overheat
Ideally Suited for Complex Piping Arrangements
Pumps
Valves
Inline Equipment
Numerous Pipe Supports

Interconnecting Piping
Typically Consists of:

Pipe Runs 500 to 5,000

Minimal Inline Equipment

Consistent Heat Loss


Along Entire Length

Interconnecting Piping
Parallel Constant Wattage Heating Cables

Cut-to-Length Circuitry
500 to 1,500 Circuit Lengths Common
Oversizing of Power Distribution Not Necessary
Easy to Monitor
Reduction in Amperage
Loss of Voltage

Series Constant Wattage Heating Cables

1,500 to 5,000 Circuits Common


Single Phase
Three Phase

Uniform Power Along Entire Circuit Length


Oversizing of Power Distribution Not Necessary
Easy to Monitor

Product Transfer Piping


Typically Consists of:

Pipe Runs 1,000 to


Several Miles
Minimal Inline
Equipment
Consistent Heat Loss
Along Entire Length
Power Availability Only
at Ends

Product Transfer Piping


Skin Effect Heating Systems

Circuit Lengths up to 7.5 Miles


Extremely Rugged and Durable
High Thermal Outputs Possible
Ideally Suited for Preinsulated Pipe

High Maintain Temperatures

Typically Consists of:

Process or Byproduct
Lines
Short to Moderate
Runs
High Watt Per Foot
Requirements

High Maintain or Exposure


Temperatures
Power-Limiting Heating Cables

Maintain up to 300F
Cut-to-Length Circuitry
Minimal Inrush Current

Mineral Insulated (MI) Heating Cables

Maintain up to 800F
Can Supply up to 80 w/ft.

Electric Heat Tracing

The Heat Tracing Specialists

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