Heat Tracing
Why Heat Tracing is needed?
Every pipe or vessel is subject to heat loss when its temperature is greater than the ambient temperature. Thermal
insulation reduces the rate of heat loss but does not eliminate it. Heat
Tracing maintains the temperature above freezing by balancing heat lost with
heat supplied.
Heat Trace is an electrical system used to maintain or raise the temperature of pipes and vessels using heat tracing cables. Heat Tracing takes the form of an electrical heating element run in physical contact along the length of a pipe. The pipe is usually covered with thermal insulation to retain heat losses from the pipe. The electric heating is achieved by utilizing a resistant element that is run alongside the piping or vessel. Heat tracing technology utilizes a self-regulating polymer that controls the wattage of the element. When the ambient temperature drops, the polymer creates conductive pathways that allow current to flow and heat to be produced. When the ambient temperature increases, the conductive pathways begin to separate, allowing less current to pass. Heat tracing maintains the temperature above freezing by balancing heat loss with heat supplied. Normally, a thermostat is used to energies when it measures temperature falling below a set temperature value - usually between 3°c and 5°c and often referred to as the 'setpoint'. The thermostat will de-energies the heat tracing when it measures temperature rising past another set temperature value usually 2°c higher than the setpoint value.
Application:
- Freeze protection
- Temperature maintenance
- Snow melting on driveways
- Ramp and stair snow/ice protection
- Roof snow/ice protection
- Window de-misting
- Anti-condensation
- Soil warming
- Pond freeze protection
- Reducing condensation on windows