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Your Heat Tracer Will Help You Maintain The Required Temperature Of Piping And Tanks

Author: Shanti Nath
by Shanti Nath
Posted: Jul 15, 2016

Electric heat tracing cables are used for freeze protection or temperature maintenance of piping, tanks and instrumentation. Heat tracing cables may be installed in ordinary (non-classified) and hazardous (classified) locations depending on the specific cable options and approvals. A complete electric heat tracing system typically includescomponents like electric heat tracing cable; (self-regulating, power-limiting, parallel constant watt or series constant watt); power connection kit; RTD sensor or control thermostat; in-line/T-splice kit (permits two or three cables to be spliced together); cable end termination; attachment tape (use on 12" intervals or as required by code or specification); "Electric Heat Tracing" label (peel-and-stick label attaches to insulation vapour barrier on 10’ intervals or as required by code or specification); thermal insulation4 and vapour barrier (by others). The absence of any of these items can cause a system to malfunction or represent a safety hazard.

Before installing electric heat tracing cables, it is important to ensure that all piping and equipment to be traced is completely installed and pressure tested. Surface areas where heat tracing is to be installed must be reasonably clean. Remove dirt, rust and scale with a wire brush and oil and grease films with a suitable solvent. During initial phase of installation, locate the cable on the lower quadrant of the pipe at the 4 or 8 o’clock position. If accessibility is a problem the cable may be installed at the 10 or 2 o’clock position. Temperature sensor should be located at least 90° from all heating cables. Begin temporary installation at the proposed end-of-circuit location and lay out heating circuit on the pipe, allowing extra cable for the power connection and for any splice locations. Make heating cable allowances for valves, flanges, elbows and supports as per technical drawings. Upon receiving heating cable, check to make sure the proper type and output have been received. All flexible cables have the catalogue number, voltage rating and watt output printed on the jacket. Visually inspect cable for any damage incurred during shipment. The heating cable should be tested to ensure electrical integrity with at least a 500 Vdcmegger between the heating cable bus wires and the heating cable metallic braid. It is recommended that the test voltage for polymer insulated heating cables be 2500 Vdc. Minimum resistance should be 20 megohms. Connect the positive lead of the megger to the cable bus wires and the negative lead to the metallic braid and then store in dry location.

This is just an overview of how the heat tracing cable is installed. For more details on other heat tracer equipment and buy one, it is best to log in at selected sites.

About the Author

I am author of this article shantinnathseles.We provide all type blanket like Throw blanket,Drum heater,Mirror defogger and Electric blanket.

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Author: Shanti Nath

Shanti Nath

Member since: Jul 14, 2016
Published articles: 4

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