Electrical Heat Tracing for freeze protection and temperature maintenance
What is electrical Heat Tracing (eHT)?
Wherever freeze protection or temperature maintenance is needed, electrical heat tracing can be used. It is operated with electricity and the heat is generated by the conversion. There is a wide range of applications of trace heating, most common in industrial and public areas.
Such heating ensures process-safe transport, appropriate storage or processing of e.g. various foodstuffs, greases, oils, adhesives, but also paints, lubricants or quite simply water. There is a wide range of specific applications.
Areas of application of electric heat tracing
How an electric heat tracing system works
Different applications also have different requirements. There are various types of heating cables for Ex and non-Ex areas. Self-regulating heating cables (also called self-limiting heating cables) offer the advantage to be operated with or without additional regulation. The temperature regulates itself by molecular expansion. Two parallel bus wires are embedded in a heating matrix doped with carbon particles. The resistance increases and output drops. MI cables (mineral insulated), parallel or series resistance heating cables are always operated with the appropriate measurement and control technology.
Design of eHT
The requirements differ depending on the application and are always based on customized specifications. Thus, the focus is not on the individual product, but much more on the individual design of an entire system. That means: each electric heat tracing system is a tailor-made solution according to your application. The overview drawing illustrates which components can be used, for pipe heating (e.g. with ELSR).
Planning and design
Preparation is everything. There are different ways to design an electrical trace heating system. In order to develop the right solution for your application, it requires some key data, such as the maintain temperature, minimum and maximum ambient temperature or supply voltage. These key data can be used to plan a design with self-regulating heating cables or constant heating power. For this purpose, you will find individual questionnaires that make it easier for you to submit an inquiry. For your own planning, you can also easily download our design software.
What about applications in potentially explosive atmospheres?
Many applications are located in hazardous areas, where a mixture of dusts, gases or vapors is formed. These can ignite under certain circumstances. Therefore: safety is a key requirement.
We offer ATEX and IECEx certified and approved products to ensure this safety. In addition to national requirements, we meet other international standards including those for the USA, Canada, Russia, China and South Africa. We are also members of relevant committees for international electrical trace heating standardization such as IEC 60079-30-1 and -2, IEC 62395-1 and IEEE 515 (US).
Installation on a pipe
- It should only be installed after every other task has been completed.
- The connection should be carried out by appropriately trained personnel in order to ensure a professional installation.
- Only exact and correct installation can guarantee optimum heat distribution.
FAQ
Each electrical heat tracing system is a customized solution that is based on the customer's specific requirements and varies depending on the application. To develop the optimal solution for the specific application, it needs some key data like e.g.: Holding temperature, supply voltage or minimum and maximum ambient temperature. Based on these data, a specific configuration with self-regulating heating cables or constant heating power can then be planned.
Electrical heat tracing is used wherever pipes, pumps and valves need to be protected against frost. Predominantly, eltherm's piping systems are used in industrial facilities such as water and sanitary piping, chemical and petrochemical industries, oil and gas industry and food industry. Furthermore, electric trace heating systems also find applications on tanks, silos, tank containers or open areas.
A pipe heat tracing system essentially consists of several components: Heating cable, connection set, junction box, installation accessories (e.g., fastening, insulating feed-through, warning sign), temperature controller.
It is possible to install an electrical trace heating system inside a pipe. For this purpose, special heating cables are used.
Basically, the heat tracing is an electrical resistance heating tape. By applying voltage, heat is generated through the effects of resistance (Ohm's law). This heat will be used to protect media from freezing, or to compensate for temperature losses in pipes and vessels. In this way, process-safe transport, appropriate storage or processing of food and groceries, fats, oils, adhesives, paints or water is ensured.
The heat tracing system is installed by skilled personnel only after all other works on the pipeline have been completed. In most cases, it is installed alongside the pipe on the external side.
Products used
eltherm Designer
eltherm designer provides the tools to calculate, select and plan EHT systems and solutions for vessels and tanks.
Downloads
Here you will find all download documents on the subject of electrical heat tracing. Brochures, technical data sheets, etc.
Inquiry form
You already know the important key data of your application? Then you are exactly right with our inquiry forms.
Productfinder
Our product finder helps you to find the right products easily. As a result, you will receive an overview of the suitable products.
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