In potentially explosive atmospheres, certified electrical heat tracing solutions
… ensure greater safety and reliability!
In large plants within the chemical and petrochemical industries, the oil and gas sector, or in recycling and waste treatment facilities, processes often need to be maintained at a temperature above ambient – frequently right in the middle of a potentially explosive atmosphere. This is precisely where a particular challenge arises for electrical heat tracing systems: unlike most other explosion-proof components, such as electric motors, distribution boxes or lighting, self-heating is expressly required – with pinpoint accuracy and without exceeding the permissible temperature class of the respective zone. Anyone designing a heat tracing system for hazardous areas therefore faces a clear requirement: to provide sufficient heating capacity for the process whilst reliably remaining below the permissible temperature class – throughout the entire operating period and under all relevant operating conditions.
Our electrical heat tracing system is the tried-and-tested solution,
… when explosion protection and process safety are crucial.
Depending on how frequently and for how long an explosive atmosphere is present, the Ex area is divided into zones – Zone 0, 1 or 2 for gases and vapours, and Zone 20, 21 or 22 for combustible dusts. For each zone, a specific equipment category or Equipment Protection Level (EPL) is prescribed, with which the heat tracing system used must also comply. Unlike most other Ex-approved equipment, self-heating in a heat tracing system is technically intentional: The real challenge lies in reliably and consistently maintaining the permissible temperature class (T1 to T6) or the maximum surface temperature without falling below the required heating output.
At eltherm, we meet this requirement using two system approaches: self-regulating heating cables limit their power consumption purely through physical principles – the resistance of the heating core increases with temperature, meaning that the cable adheres to a defined temperature limit by design without the need for additional control technology. Controlled or stabilised systems, such as those using mineral-insulated or serial heating cables, on the other hand, require temperature monitoring and limitation via appropriate control and safety technology. Both designs are manufactured in accordance with the requirements of the relevant heat tracing standards – in particular IEC/EN 60079-30-1 for design and manufacture, and IEC/EN 60079-30-2 for design, installation and maintenance – are designed, installed and operated.
All explosion-proof products are officially certified in accordance with ATEX and IECEx guidelines. Many products are also approved, certified and tested to comply with further national and regional standards, e.g. for the USA, Canada, Brazil, Russia (EAC), China or South Africa. As members of relevant international standardisation bodies for electrical heat tracing, the experts at eltherm also help shape future safety requirements. If a certificate contains specific conditions for safe use (an ‘X’ mark following the certificate number), we clearly indicate these in the documentation so that they can be taken into account directly during planning and installation.
Our explosion-proof products therefore meet all the formal requirements for safe use in potentially explosive atmospheres:
- design in accordance with the requirements of the applicable standards (“product certificate”)
- approval as a “system” rather than as individual components
- supplied with comprehensive installation instructions
- for ATEX/UKEx applications:
supplied with a current EU Declaration of Conformity - within the ATEX scope of application:
compliance with the provisions of the ATEX Guidelines, Ed. 6, §253 - continuous quality monitoring of the manufacturing process by independent testing bodies
Service and Support – going beyond product selection
Using eltherm’s own software, the ‘eltherm designer’, you can easily and reliably select the heat tracing products best suited to your application yourself. As well as product recommendations, you’ll also receive all the relevant information on operating conditions and installation instructions. Alternatively, you can contact our experienced application engineers for assistance with the design of your explosion-proof heat tracing system.
On request, we are also happy to conduct the relevant product training sessions at your premises, which will qualify you to install and commission electrical heat tracing systems in potentially explosive atmospheres yourself. The installation and the prescribed, regular maintenance of electrical heat tracing systems in hazardous areas can, of course, also be carried out and documented professionally by our own service team.
Still not quite sure?
You can find some initial guidance on whether your application may take place in a potentially explosive atmosphere and what the various characteristics of such an environment are on our ‘Products for Potentially Explosive Atmospheres’ page.
