Heat Trace Cable

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Heat trace cable typically is used for freeze protection on pipes and to make up for heat lost due to insulation limitations on a piece of process equipment such as a holding tank. Also, heat trace sometimes is used to preheat part of a fluid system prior to initial startup or after a primary heating system shutdown. Although heat trace may appear relatively simple, there is a good deal of complexity to both the cable and its application. If the cable system is undersized, costs due to frozen pipes or high fluid viscosity can be overwhelming. If the cable system is oversized, money is wasted in the initial cable purchase and in electric power consumption costs every day. Some of the same problems can occur if the heat trace system is not properly controlled. Selecting the proper heat trace cable involves the following steps: • Calculate pipe or tank dimensions. • Specify insulation type, thickness and K factor. • Specify pertinent temperatures (ambient, startup, maintenance, etc.). • Describe the operating/ambient environment. • Calculate heat loss from the pipe or tank. • Select the appropriate cable type and output rating. • Specify the cable length needed. • Specify/verify controller and electrical power distribution specifications. • Complete the bill of materials with electrical connection and mechanical attachment hardware. A closer look at each of these steps will help you specify the right heat tracing cable for your system. Pipe/Tank Dimensions. Pipe and tank dimensions are used both to calculate heat loss and to determine the length of cable needed. For pipes, you must purchase enough for the pipe run, plus additional length to go around inline components. For the surface area of a tank, use one of the following equations: To compensate for heat losses and to maintain a minimum temperature (i.e. to prevent freezing), an electric

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