With this month’s blog we are going back to basics,
explaining exactly what Trace Heating
is and what it is used for. As we are specialists in Trace Heating systems, we
automatically assume that everyone knows exactly what it is and how is works,
which is obviously not the case. So what is Trace Heating? Read on to find out...
What is Trace Heating?
Trace heating, known as Electric
heat tracing, heat tape or surface heating, is a system used to maintain or
raise the temperature of pipes and vessels. Trace heating takes the form of an
electrical heating element run in physical contact along the length of a pipe.
The pipe must then be covered with thermal insulation to retain heat losses
from the pipe. Heat generated by the element then maintains the temperature of
the pipe. Trace heating is used for many applications from protecting pipes
from freezing, to maintaining a constant flow temperature in hot water systems,
or to maintain process temperatures for piping that must transport substances
that solidify at ambient temperatures.
When did Trace Heating come
about?
Electric trace heating began in the 1930s but to begin with
no dedicated equipment was available. Mineral insulated cables were run at high
current densities to produce heat, and control equipment was adapted from other
applications. Mineral-insulated resistance heating cables were introduced in
the 1950s, and then parallel-type heating cables that could be cut to length in
the field became available. Self-limiting thermoplastic cables were marketed in
1971.
So what is Trace Heating used
for?
The most widespread pipe trace heating applications include:
Here at Cross Electrical, we’ve been controlling the
temperature for industries for over 40 years, so why compromise? Call us today
on -01159722050
