Electric Heat Tracing

The Heat Tracing Specialists

Electric Heat Tracing

Presentation Outline
Heating Cable Product Types
x x

Advantages Limitations Choosing Cable Based on Application National Electrical Code IEEE Standard 515-1997

Product Selection Guidelines

x

Codes and Standards

x x

Heat Tracing Product Types Advantages and Limitations

The Heat Tracing Specialists

Heating Cable Circuit Types

Series
V

R
Parallel
V r r r r r

I = R

I r

Heating Element Types

Graphically Represented
Self-Regulating & Power- Limiting Heater Output

r e wo P

Constant Wattage Heater Output

Temperature

MI Cables
(Series Constant Wattage)
Advantages:
x

x x x x x x

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:
x

x x

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:
x x x x x x x

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:
x x

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

x x

Zone Heating Cables

(Parallel Constant Wattage)
Advantages:
x x x x

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

x x x

Zone Heating Cables

(Parallel Constant Wattage)
Limitations:
x x x

Medium Length Circuits (<1,500 ft.) Require Some Care During Installation T-Rating for Hazardous Areas is DesignBased

Self-Regulating Cables
(Parallel PTC)
Advantages:
x x x x

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

x x

Self-Regulating Cables
(Parallel PTC)
Limitations:
x x x

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 TSX VSX

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

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

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

Power-Limiting Cables
(Parallel PTC)
Advantages:
x x x

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

x x

x x

Power-Limiting Cables
(Parallel PTC)
Limitations:
x x x

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:
x x

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

x x x x

Skin Effect Current Tracing

Limitations:
x x x x

Special Transformer Required Factory Design Necessary Not Practical for Nonmetallic Pipe Not Practical for Complex Piping

Heat Tracing Product Types

Summary:
x x x x x x

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

x x x

In-Plant Complex Piping Interconnecting Piping Product Transfer Pipelines High Temperature Applications

In-Plant Complex Piping

Typically Consists of:
x x x

Piping Runs Less Than 500 Multiple Pipe Diameters Numerous Inline Equipment
Valves Pumps Strainers

Complex Piping
Self-Regulating Heating Cable
x x x

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

Interconnecting Piping
Typically Consists of:
x x x

Pipe Runs 500 to 5,000 Minimal Inline Equipment Consistent Heat Loss Along Entire Length

Interconnecting Piping
Parallel Constant Wattage Heating Cables
x x x x

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

x

1,500 to 5,000 Circuits Common

Single Phase Three Phase

x x x

Uniform Power Along Entire Circuit Length Oversizing of Power Distribution Not Necessary Easy to Monitor

Product Transfer Piping

Typically Consists of:
x

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
x x x x

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:

x

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

High Maintain or Exposure Temperatures

Power-Limiting Heating Cables
x x x

Maintain up to 300F Cut-to-Length Circuitry Minimal Inrush Current Maintain up to 800F Can Supply up to 80 w/ft.

Mineral Insulated (MI) Heating Cables

x x

Electric Heat Tracing

The Heat Tracing Specialists