Electric Heat Tracing for Pipes, Tanks, and Vessels

Electric heat tracing is a process used to maintain or raise the temperature of pipes, tanks, and vessels in industrial and commercial facilities. It is often used to prevent the formation of frost or ice, to maintain the temperature of viscous materials, or to keep materials at a certain temperature for processing or storage.

There are several types of electric heat tracing systems, including self-regulating, power limiting, and constant wattage. Self-regulating systems adjust the amount of heat they produce based on the temperature of the pipe or vessel, while power limiting systems have a fixed heat output. Constant wattage systems have a fixed heat output that is not influenced by the temperature of the pipe or vessel.

Heat tracing is necessary in industrial and commercial facilities for a number of reasons. In cold climates, it is used to prevent pipes from freezing, which can lead to costly repairs and downtime. In processing and storage facilities, it is used to maintain the temperature of viscous materials, such as oil, to keep them flowing smoothly. It is also used to keep materials at a certain temperature for processing, such as in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

Heat tracing systems can be designed and installed by specialized contractors and are typically controlled by thermostats and other temperature-sensing devices. They can be powered by electricity, steam, or hot water, and are usually equipped with alarms and other safety features to prevent overheating or other hazards.

M.S. Jacobs
https://msjacobs.com
800-348-0089

Fast and Easy Freeze Protection with Pre-Assembled Self-Regulating Heating Cable

Heat tracing a pipe, from start to finish can be time consuming. Selecting the various components, starting with the heating cable itself, extends through termination kits, controllers, mounting hardware and other electrical hardware needed to put the heating system in operation. BriskHeat has a product that, for many applications, offers a very simple and quick solution.

Pre-assembled self regulating heat cable is available in two voltage ranges, two watt densities, and prefabricated lengths up to 150 feet. Each cable is terminated at each end, saving the installer time. The cable is flexible enough for a spiral installation or to wrap around valves in the piping system. The self regulating aspect of the cable negates the need for a controller and power switching devices. Assemblies targeted for 120 volt applications are provided with a factory installed plug. The 208-277 volt cables will arrive with bare wire leads for installation of a customer provided connector. The cable can be easily installed using fiberglass or aluminum tape. Suitable insulation applied over the finished work will improve the performance of the heating system.

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DOWNLOAD THE BRISKHEAT SPEEDTRACE CUT SHEET FROM THE M.S. JACOBS WEB SITE HERE

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For more information about freeze protecting pipes, valves, tanks, or vessels contact M.S. Jacobs. Call them at 800-348-0089 or visit their web site at https://msjacobs.com.

Self-Regulating Heat Trace for Freeze Protection

Example of self-regulating heating cable
Courtesy BriskHeat

Freeze protection is probably the most obvious application range for heat trace tape and cable. The applications are vast in number throughout the geographic region where real winter comes every year. Pipes, valves, tanks, vessels, conveyors and other equipment are all vulnerable to excessively cold conditions. Properly configured heating cable, blankets, or other shapes can reduce the risk of freezing liquids and keep protected items at safe operating temperatures.

Though freeze protection heating equipment and materials are available in many shapes, forms, and materials, this article will focus on self-regulating heating cable.

There are two basic types of heating cable. 

Constant wattage cable provides continuous full output whenever energized. It's application requires some means of limiting the temperature of the heated object. This can be a thermostat, or some other temperature controller and sensor combination. This simple on/off control is effective in many cases. More sophisticated arrangements can be accomplished with heater power controllers and a closed loop control system. The objective is to apply only as much heat (and energy) as necessary to prevent freezing or other cold induced undesirable conditions.

Self-regulating cable is designed and fabricated in a manner that reduces the heat output of the cable as its temperature increases, providing a built-in means of limiting applied heat without the need for any other means of control. Properly selected and installed heat cable of the self-regulating type will apply only the heat energy needed to maintain the desired condition. No other devices are required.

There are many heating solutions available for freeze protection to suit any application. Share your process heating and freeze protection challenges with product application specialists, combining your process knowledge and experience with their product application expertise to develop effective solutions.

Application of Self Regulating Heat Trace in Wastewater Treatment Plant from MSJacobs-Cali