water pipe heating cable

Frequently Asked Questions
 
1. What is trace heating (heat trace)?
Electric trace heating (heat trace) is the application of a compensating heat source to a pipe, surface or vessel, to maintain a specified temperature.
 
2. How does trace heating work?
Electric heat trace / surface heating replaces the losses of heat from a surface, to allow temperature maintenance of the product, which thermal insulation alone can not maintain.
 
3. What is constant wattage heating tape?
Constant wattage heating tape exist in various forms, of which the more recent zonal parallel circuit devices are the most convenient, since these may be 'cut to length', within practical limits, on site. The output of constant wattage tape is virtually constant along the tape length, due to the consistent nature of the wire element.
 
4. What is self regulating heating tape?
Self limiting / self regulating heating tape adjusts heat output to equal the heat loss from the pipe work. As pipe temperature falls under no-flow conditions or due to the decreases in external or internal temperature the electrical conductivity of the semi-conductive polymer core increases causing the tape to increase output. As the pipe temperature increases under flow conditions or as a result of increasing external or internal temperature the conductivity reduces and output decreases.
  
5. Do I need to use thermal insulation?
Thermal insulation is recommended on all heat trace applications. Without Insulation surface heat losses can increase approx 4-5 times.

Attention!
 
Do not cut the pipe tracing heating cable!
 
Do not install where it can be damaged by game animals.-protect against biting.
 
Basically do not use tie wrap by installation