Heat tape and heating cable

As a global provider of electrical heat tracing solutions, eltherm offers a wide range of heating tapes, heating cables and trace heaters for various industrial applications. In most cases these are actually for freeze prevention or temperature maintenance. Due to the different designs of the outer jackets, we can cover temperatures of up to 900 °C* with our heaters. 

Which insulation covers which temperature range?

  • FEP (Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene) up to 200 °C
  • PFA / PTFE (Perfluoroalkoxy Alkane / Polytetrafluoroethylene) up to 260 °C
  • E-glass (E-Gglass fibre) up to 450 °C
  • Quartz glass (Quartz glass fibre) up to 900 °C*

*For high-temperature applications, let our application engineers advise you without obligation.

Check out our products from north-america.

Benefits

Series Resistance Heating Cables, fluoropolymer-insulated

  • Highly flexible
  • Small bending radius
  • High operation temperatures
  • High chemical resistance
  • Moisture proof

Constant wattage heating cables with resistance wire

  • Single end power input
  • Can be cut off the roll
  • Constant power output per meter
  • High chemical resistance (ELP-PFA and ELP-FEP)
  • UV resistance (ELP-PFA and ELP-FEP)

Products in the field of Heating Cables and Heating Tapes

For high-temperature applications, let our application engineers advise you without obligation. Contact us now.

ELKM-AG-E

This versatile heating cable is used for frost protection and temperature maintenance, even under highly corrosive…

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The heating cable ELKM-AG-N for frost protection and temperature maintenance, even under highly corrosive environmental conditions.

ELKM-AG-N

This versatile heating cable is used for frost protection and temperature maintenance, even under highly corrosive…

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The heating cable ELKM-AG-L for frost protection and temperature maintenance, even under highly corrosive environmental conditions

ELKM-AG-L

This versatile, factory terminated, heating cable is used for frost protection and temperature maintenance, even under…

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ELKM-AG

This versatile heating cable is used for frost protection and temperature maintenance, even under highly corrosive…

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The heating cable ELKM-A for apparatus, vessels, pipes, valves, etc.

ELKM-A

Use on apparatus, vessels, pipes, valves, etc., in which low bending radii also allow compact tracing on small…

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The heating cable ELKM-AS for apparatus, vessels, pipes, valves, etc..

ELKM-AS

Use on apparatus, vessels, pipes, valves, etc., in which low bending radii also allow compact tracing on small…

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The heating cable ELKM-AE apparatus, vessels, pipes, valves, etc.

ELKM-AE

Use on apparatus, vessels, pipes, valves, etc., in which low bending radii also allow compact tracing on small…

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The heating cable ELP/Si is highly flexible and moisture proof.

ELP/Si

The installation of this heating cable is highly cost-efficient with any kind of heat tracing application thanks to the…

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The heating cable ELP/Si-F is suitable for maintaining temperatures of up to +150 °C.

ELP/Si-F

These heating cables are particularly suitable for maintaining temperatures of up to +150 °C. Its great flexibility down…

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The parallel trace heaters ELP/PFA can be cut to length and provide constant wattage power output.

ELP/PFA

Parallel trace heaters with resistance wire offer enormous flexibility, because they can be cut to length and provide…

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The parallel heating cable ELP/FEP valves, pumps, pipelines, silos, vessels and tanks.

ELP/FEP

These parallel heating cables offer tremendous flexibility in use, as they can easily be cut to the required length off…

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The EL-Rail is a flat cable, combining six Fluoropolymer insulated series heating conductors in a silicone over-jacket.

EL-Rail

The eltherm EL-Rail is a flat cable, combining six Fluoropolymer insulated series heating conductors in a silicone…

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How does a heat tape work?

The heat is generated by allowing an electric current to flow through a specifically adapted conductive material with high electrical resistance, which is then heated up. According to Ohm's law, the heat performance depends on the resistance level (as a function of the specific resistance of the material, its cross section and length) as well as the electrical current flow and thus on the voltage applied. The electrical current flow must not be so high that the melting temperature of the conductor material or the limit temperature of the insulating carrier is reached. For power output regulation purposes, several resistances can be connected in parallel or in series.

Constant wattage heating cable with parallel resistance wires, serial heating cable or heating tape?

Parallel heat cable

Parallel constant wattage heating cables with resistance wire (for example ELP/Si) consist of 2 supply conductors embedded in a first insulation. Wrapped around with the heating conductor, which is surrounded by a second insulation. The corresponding protective braid and the outer jacket provides maximum safety. For example: Typical applications are food industry for heating various pipes, vessels or valves as freeze prevention or temperature maintenance. The required nominal power output is calculated on the basis of various specifications, such as supply voltage, minimum and maximum ambient temperature and maintain temperature. Feel free to contact us!

Serial resistance heating cable

Serial resistance heating cables can be cut to length (e.g. ELKM-AG-L). The design of this heat cable type is based on a stranded or spirally wrapped heat conductor which is covered by the insulation. On top of this this insulation is a protective braid (e.g. ELKM-AE). To ensure a higher mechanical protection, there are variants with an additional outer jacket available (e.g. ELKM AG-L). 

Heating tapes

Heating tapes are mainly used for applications that require high flexibility and power output. The design is similar to the series resistance cable, with the difference that they are placed double inside an additional insulation and can therefore also provide more power output. Due to their design, heating tapes are more resistant and optimally protected while at the same time being particularly flexible. They are often used for electrical trace heating on tanks and vessels.

In general, each heating cable and heating tape is operated with appropriate measuring and control technology. As an alternative without temperature control, we can also offer various self-regulating heating cables. We will be happy to advise you in order to find the best solution for your application!

What (among other things) must be taken into account when assembling and installing heating cables and heating tapes?

  • Remove any sharp irregularities (burrs etc.) from the surface to be heated and clean and degrease the surface.
  • Installation of the heating circuit should be carried out with original eltherm accessories. The trace heaters should be attached to the surface by means of self adhesive aluminium tape (approx. one patch every 300 mm).
  • Attach heater to pumps, valves and other components in a way that these components are still accessible for maintenance or exchange without major mechanical stress to the heater.
  • The given max. operating temperature of the components to be heated as well as the maximum trace heater temperatures must not be exceeded.

Approvals

ABS
ATEX
INMETRO

KTL
Ukraine
VDE
IECEx
EAC
3D rendering of heating cables and heating tapes in hazardous areas.

Pipe Mounting Fitting

Temperature Controller

Ex-Box

Insulation Bushing

Warning Sign

Splice Connecter

Kits Ex-Con

Temperature Sensors

ELTF-PTEx

read more

Self-adhesive tape and foil

Temperature Controller

Ex-Box

  1. Pipe Mounting Fitting
  2. Temperature Controller:

    Ex-Box

  3. Insulation Bushing
  4. Warning Sign
  5. Splice Connecter:

    Kits Ex-Con

  6. Temperature Sensors:

    ELTF-PTEx

    read more

  7. Self-adhesive tape and foil
  8. Temperature Controller:

    Ex-Box

Visiting from the US or Canada?

Engineering your Advantage

Your Processes in Expert Hands

We develop complete solutions for processes in production, storage, handling, and transport. Our engineers are committed to understanding your exact technical requirements.  Their pride is to develop the best possible heat tracing solution. 

eltherm designer 2.01

eltherm designer provides the tools to calculate, select and plan EHT systems and solutions for vessels and tanks. Selecting the appropriate eltherm trace heater, picking the associated accessories, and calculating key elements of EHT design have never been easier. This software is provided free-of-charge.

This software is provided free-of-charge.

Download now

FAQ

Shortening of fixed resistance heating cables is not allowed. In the case of self-regulating heating cables, however, the situation is different. Because of their characteristics, shortening is not a problem with these cables.

A heating tape (pipe heat tracing) is a flat, insulated electrical resistance that heats up under electric voltage. Inside, the heating tape consists of an electrically conductive material surrounded by insulating materials.

Self-regulating heating cables are composed of two parallel supply conductors embedded in a cross-linked resistance heating element doped with carbon particles. As the temperature rises, the distances between these carbon particles increase due to molecular expansion. As the resistance increases, the performance decreases and vice versa. Due to this process, heat is regulated and overheating of the heat tracing is prevented. Parallel heating cables with resistance wire consist of two supply conductors which are embedded in a first insulation. The heating conductor (heating resistor) is wrap around it, which in turn is surrounded by a second insulation. The corresponding protective braid and outer sheath provide maximum safety. Serial heating cables consist of a heating conductor resistor, which is surrounded by an insulation. Other configurations are also available, depending on the application. For all heating cable types the following principle applies:  by applying voltage, heat is generated via the respective resistor (Ohm's law).

There are many different IP protection classes, which are composed of two identification numbers. These IP protection classes are precisely regulated according to ISO 20653 and DIN EN 60529, among others.

We are here for you

Contact Person

Heike Ritter

eltherm GmbH (Headquarters)
Ernst-Heinkel-Straße 6-10
57299 Burbach
Germany

Phone: +49 2736 4413-8281

Cristina Talia

eltherm GmbH (Headquarters)
Ernst-Heinkel-Straße 6-10
57299 Burbach
Germany

Phone: +49 2736 4413-8284

On the move globally
always within reach

Phone: +49 (0) 27 36 / 44 13-0

Fax: +49 (0) 27 36 / 44 13-50

E-mail: info@eltherm.com

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