What are the different types of heat trace?

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.

What are the two most common types of heat tracing?

Heat-tracing systems can be divided into two broad categories, fluid and electric. Fluid heat-tracing systems utilize heating media at elevated temperatures to transfer heat to a pipeline. The fluid is usually contained in a tube or a small pipe attached to the pipe being traced.

What is electrical heat tracing system?

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.

Can you use electrical tape on heat trace?

You can use any tape with a minimum temperature rating of 176º F, with fiberglass cloth tape being the most common. Standard tape, including electrical tape and duct tape, lose their adhesion when exposed to the heat generated by pipe trace heat cables over time.

What is heat traced piping?

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.

Where is heat trace 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 electrical tracing in piping?

Electric heat tracing uses cable designed to provide constant wattage per unit of length, in order to have uniform heating along pipes. Insulation is applied on all sides except the direction of the pipe, to concentrate the heat output towards the fluid inside.

What is the purpose of electrical heat tracing?

Does heat tape stay on all the time?

A Safety Alert on Heat Tapes. Heat tapes look like electrical extension cords. But unlike all other wiring that can become hazardous if it gets hot, these tapes are specifically designed to produce heat. Those tapes do not draw electricity all the time, even though they remain plugged in.

Can heat tape cause a fire?

But according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), heat tapes are the cause of approximately 2,000 fires, 10 deaths and 100 injuries every year. A cycle of repetitive heating and cooling is one of several factors that can lead to fires.

What are the different types of heat tracing cables?

There are three types of heat tracing cables available: constant power cables, constant wattage cables, and self-regulating cables.

Can a Trace heat cable be earthed?

Yes – but with care. The power output of heat trace cable should be checked to ensure it will not damage the plastic pipe; typically around 12W. Earthing is also important, so ensure the trace heat cable is properly earthed. The following pages on Control and Instrumentation.com provide more background on topics relevant to heat tracing:

What do you mean by 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. In simple terms, the application of a compensating heat source.

How is heat tracing used in an instrument?