Can I use heat trace on plastic pipes?
Yes, when using trace heating on plastic pipes ensure that ATE- 180 aluminium tape is used to help disperse the heat around the pipe.
Can you design a full surface heating system for me?
Yes, utilising our in-house design facilities, we can design your complete trace heating requirement.
Do I have to allow extra heat for pumps and valves?
If the surface area of the pump is substantially greater than that of the adjoining pipework then extra heating cable may need to be considered (depending on wattage of cable installed). Pumps and valves may be heat traced with extra heating tape to allow removal of the valve or pump.
Do I have to spiral the trace heating onto the pipe?
Most applications can simply be straight traced, reducing costs of materials and installation time without compromising on operational requirements.
Do I need to use thermal insulation?
Yes, thermal insulation is required on all heat trace applications. Without insulation, surface heat losses can increase approximately 4-5 times.
Does my trace heating system require maintenance?
Generally, no maintenance of our trace heating systems is required but it is recommended that the system is checked for operational and electrical integrity periodically or prior to the winter or production run, depending on application.
How do I terminate the heating cable?
Full termination instructions are provided with all our heating tapes
How do I test my trace heating system is working properly?
System checks depend on the system installed, constant wattage systems can be fully checked for insulation resistance and continuity. Self regulating systems can only be checked for insulation resistance. For assistance on system testing please contact our dedicated staff.
What is heat tape for water pipes?
When water pipes are exposed to cold temperatures either outdoors, underground or in small spaces, you can protect them from freezing by wrapping them with heat tape. Heating tape is actually a cord or heat cable with encased electrical wire that when plugged in regulates the temperature around plastic or metal pipes.
What is Heat Trace?
This is used for a pipe freeze protection application.
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.
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 the electrical conductivity of the semi-conductive core increases causing the tape to increase heat output. As the pipe temperature increases the conductivity reduces and heat output decreases.
