Electric Trace Heating For Pipes.
Created Nov 24 2008 by W., M.
Electric Trace Heating or Electric Heat Tracing just like
any Electric Surface Heating, is a system designed and used to maintain or raise
the temperature of pipes, gutters, containers and other vessels. Trace heating
takes the form of a electrical like 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.
Electric Heat Tracing, Trace Heating or Surface Heating is
typically a system to protect pipes such as water pipes, gutters for:
Because every pipe and vessel is subject to heat loss when
their temperature is greater than ambient temperature, both the insulationand
heating cables are used. Insulation is used to reduces the rate of heat loss but
does not eliminate it therefore trace heating is used to replace the heat that
is lost despite the insulation. A special thermostat or similar
proprietary controller is often used to control the trace heating to maintain a
set minimum temperature.
Maintaining a pipe's temperature above 31°F (0°C) will prevent
it from freezing and consequently from potentially serious damage.
The combination of trace heating and the correct amount and
type of thermal insulation for the operating ambient temperature maintains a
thermal balance.
