Freeze Protection
Pipe systems designed to transport water or other liquids are often exposed to cold weather. They may be directly exposed to outdoor conditions or may be in an unheated area of a building. If the ambient conditions are cold enough, the contents of the pipes may thicken and resist flow (viscosity) or even worse they may freeze and expand causing pipes to burst. The damage, repair cost, and downtime can be extensive and costly.
Self-Regulating Heating Cable is the perfect solution to protect pipes from freezing. The cable is semi-flexible and can be straight-traced or spiral-wrapped around pipe for long runs or long lengths on a single circuit. Self-regulating cable is specifically designed for freeze protection because the temperature never rises to a level that would damage pipes or a heated system. It will automatically adjust its heat output based upon ambient conditions and never exceed a specific rated temperature, most commonly 150°F (65°C). Higher temperature self-regulating heating cable can reach 250°F (120°C). Self-regulating cable is grounded for safe worry-free operation. A protective outer shell resists moisture and chemicals for worry-free use in outdoor and wash-down environments.
Self-regulating heating cable is used to protect large tanks, vessels, and even small household pipes from freezing conditions. The table below will explain, with more detail, the differences in each type of heating cable.
Self-Regulating / Self-Limiting Heating Cable
· Ideal for freeze protection and low-temperature process maintenance up to 149°F (65°C)
· Continuous Maintenance Temperature: 149°F (65°C)
· Intermittent Exposure Temperature (min. to max.): -40°F to 185°F (-40°C to 85°C )
· Automatically adjusts heat output based upon surface temperature and ambient conditions
· Moisture, chemical, and flame resistant
· Can be cut-to-length and terminated in the field
· No temperature controller is required
· If a specific process temperature is required, a temperature controller is necessary
· Safe for indoor and outdoor use, safe to overlap, safe to insulate
· Outer Cover Options:
· Tinned Copper Metal Braid - for dry environments
· Tinned Copper Metal Braid with Fluoropolymer Overjacket - for wet or harsh chemical environments
· Tinned Copper Metal Braid with Thermoplastic Overjacket - for wet or weak chemical environments
· Bus wire gauge: 16 AWG
· Braid resistance: Tinned copper 0.0055 ohms/ft (0.0182 ohms/m)
· Output Wattages: 3, 5, 8, 10, 12 Watts Per Foot (9.8, 16.4, 26.2, 32.8, 39.4 Watts Per Meter)
· Supply Voltages: 110-120 VAC, or 208-277 VAC
Self-Regulating / Self-Limiting Heating Cable
· Ideal for freeze protection and low-temperature process maintenance up to 230°F (110°C)
· Continuous Maintenance Temperature: 230°F (110°C)
· Intermittent Exposure Temperature (min. to max.): -22°F to 275°F (-30°C to 135°C )
· Automatically adjusts heat output based upon surface temperature and ambient conditions
· Moisture, chemical, and flame resistant
· Can be cut-to-length and terminated in the field
· No temperature controller is required
· If a specific process temperature is required, a temperature controller is necessary
· Safe for indoor and outdoor use, safe to overlap, safe to insulate
· Outer Cover Options:
· Tinned Copper Metal Braid - for dry environments
· Tinned Copper Metal Braid with Fluoropolymer Overjacket - for wet or harsh chemical environments
· Tinned Copper Metal Braid with Thermoplastic Overjacket - for wet or weak chemical environments
· Bus wire gauge: 16 AWG
· Braid resistance: Tinned copper 0.0055 ohms/ft (0.0182 ohms/m)
· Output Wattages: 5, 10, 15, 20 Watts Per Foot (16.4, 32.8, 49.2, 65.6 Watts Per Meter)
· Supply Voltages: 110-120 VAC, or 208-277 VAC
Self-Regulating / Self-Limiting Heating Cable
· Ideal for freeze protection and low-temperature process maintenance up to 248°F (120°C)
· Continuous Maintenance Temperature: 248°F (120°C)
· Intermittent Exposure Temperature (min. to max.): -22°F to 392°F (-30°C to 200°C )
· Automatically adjusts heat output based upon surface temperature and ambient conditions
· Moisture, chemical, and flame resistant
· Can be cut-to-length and terminated in the field
· No temperature controller is required
· If a specific process temperature is required, a temperature controller is necessary
· Safe for indoor and outdoor use, safe to overlap, safe to insulate
· Outer Cover Options:
· Tinned Copper Metal Braid - for dry environments
· Tinned Copper Metal Braid with Fluoropolymer Overjacket - for wet or harsh chemical environments
· Bus wire gauge: 16 AWG
· Braid resistance: Tinned copper 0.0055 ohms/ft (0.0182 ohms/m)
· Output Wattages: 5, 10, 15, 20 Watts Per Foot (16.4, 32.8, 49.2, 65.6 Watts Per Meter)
· Supply Voltages: 110-120 VAC, or 208-277 VAC
FM and CSA-Approved Low and Mid-Temperature Self-Regulating Heating Cable for use in Ordinary and Hazardous-Area Locations
· Ideal for freeze protection and low-temperature process maintenance up to 150°F (65°C)
· Continuous Maintenance Temperature: 150°F (65°C)
· Intermittent Exposure Temperature (min. to max.): -20°F to 185°F (-29°C to 85°C )
· Automatically adjusts heat output based upon surface temperature and ambient conditions
· Safe to overlap and insulate / moisture, chemical, and flame resistant
· Can be cut-to-length and terminated in the field
· No temperature controller is required
· If a specific process temperature is required, a temperature controller is necessary
· Outer Cover Options:
· Tinned Copper Metal Braid - for dry environments
· Stainless Steel Metal Braid - for dry environments where enhanced corrosion resistance is needed
· Tinned Copper Metal Braid with Fluoropolymer Overjacket - for wet or harsh chemical environments
· Tinned Copper Metal Braid with Thermoplastic Overjacket - for wet or weak chemical environments
· Output Wattages: 3, 5, 8, 10 Watts Per Foot (9.8, 16.4, 26.2, 32.8 Watts Per Meter)
· Supply Voltages: 110-120 VAC, or 208-277 VAC
FM and CSA-Approved Low and Mid-Temperature Self-Regulating Heating Cable for use in Ordinary and Hazardous-Area Locations
· Ideal for freeze protection and low-temperature process maintenance up to 250°F (120°C)
· Continuous Maintenance Temperature: 250°F (120°C)
· Intermittent Exposure Temperature (min. to max.): -40°F to 366°F (-40°C to 185°C )
· Automatically adjusts heat output based upon surface temperature and ambient conditions
· Safe to overlap and insulate / moisture, chemical, and flame resistant
· Can be cut-to-length and terminated in the field
· No temperature controller is required
· If a specific process temperature is required, a temperature controller is necessary
· Outer Cover Options:
· Tinned Copper Metal Braid - for dry environments
· Tinned Copper Metal Braid with Fluoropolymer Overjacket - for wet or harsh chemical environments
· Output Wattages: 5, 10, 15 Watts Per Foot (16.4, 32.8, 49.2 Watts Per Meter)
· Supply Voltages: 110-120 VAC, or 208-277 VAC
· The semi-conductive core material contains a graphite network, which allows electricity to flow from one bus wire to the other. When the core is dense and colder, there are many paths for electricity to take through the graphite network, producing more heat.
· Since the core material expands as it heats, the graphite network is elongated, disrupting some of the paths. More and more paths are disrupted as heating continues until the system reaches self-controlled thermal stability. When the core material cools, it contracts, reconnecting some of the electrical paths in the graphite network, and more equivalent heat is produced.
· This temperature response occurs independently at each point along the heater. If an externally produced high temperature occurs next to a low temperature in the cable, each section of heating cable will adjust its own heat output in relation to its own local requirements.
Tanks and vessels are often exposed to cold weather. Some are kept outdoors and exposed to the elements, while others may be indoors but in an unheated area of a building. If the conditions are cold enough, the contents of the tanks may freeze, solidify, or become too thick to flow properly causing production stoppages or even damage equipment. Additionally, some liquids may suffer irreversible physical changes which could cause them to become useless or ruined. Downtime and replacement costs can be extremely costly.
BriskHeat’s SLCAB self-regulating heating cable is a safe and efficient heat source used to prevent freezing conditions on and around natural gas well pads. FM and CSA agency approvals for Class I, Division 1 locations ensure SLCAB heating cable is safe for use in the industry’s stringent explosion-proof environments. The unique construction of the heating cable self-regulates its heat output to provide an energy-efficient heater that delivers heat only when and where it is needed. By heat-tracing critical systems, the occurrence of freeze-offs is greatly reduced, ensuring a reliable supply of natural gas through the production process. SLCAB self-regulating heating cable can safely be spiral wrapped, loosely fit, or even crossed over itself without risk of failure or overheating, making it an easy-to-install and safe-to-use heater. Because of the rugged environment, an extremely durable fluoropolymer cover protects the heating cable for long life and reliable performance.
