What is self regulating heating cable?
Self-regulating / self-limiting heating cable, often called heat trace cable or heating tape, automatically adjusts heat output based on surface temperature. Ideal for freeze protection and low temperature process maintenance such as water pipe heating and roof & gutter freeze protection.
Does self regulating heat trace need a controller?
Does self-regulating heat trace need a thermostat? Although it’s called “self-regulating,” the cable will not turn itself completely on or off. So, we do recommend that a controller or thermostat of some sort to be used with this type of heating wire.
Is heating cable safe?
Today’s heating cables are safe, energy-efficient solutions to taking off winter’s chill. Heating cables are commonly referred to as heat trace cables, heat tracing, or heat tape, while the most advanced cable design, self-regulating heating cables, are also known as self-limiting cables.
Can you Megger heat trace?
If an electric heat tracing circuit is suspected to be damaged, a dielectric insulation resistance (megger) test should be performed using a 2500 Vdc megohmmeter for polymer-insulated heating cables or 1000 Vdc for MI cable.
How long does heat cable last?
Most heat cable doesn’t even last long to begin with; the average life of heat cable seems to be around 3-5 years.
Which is better heat tape or heat cable?
Heat trace cable is somewhat stiff, but it’s pliable enough to wrap it around your pipes, and it does not shrink; Heating tape is extremely flexible, therefore it’s better for tight contours and oddly shaped pipes. It needs to be wrapped perfectly and tight around each pipe.
How hot does self regulating heat cable get?
150°F.
Standard-temperature self-regulating cable ranges up to 150°F. It’s available with nominal heat outputs of 3 W/ft, 5 W/ft, 8 W/ft, and 10 W/ft.
When should heat cables be turned on?
They turn on when temperatures drop below 38 °F and turn off when they rise above 50 °F, so I turn them on prior to the first freeze and will keep them on until night time temperatures stay above 45 °F for a while. It takes time for them to warm up and the units I have were fixed-temperature, with no adjustment.