Pipe Applications

Self-Regulating Heating Cables: The ideal solution to freeze protection and process-temperature maintenance applications!

Our Raychem brand cables consist of two parallel conductors embedded in a heating core made of conductive polymer. The core is radiation-crosslinked to ensure long-term reliability. Each cables are available in a wide range of watt outputs and voltages to accommodate project specifications.

How Self-Regulating Heating Cables Work
Heat is generated as electric current passes through the conductive polymer core between the cable’s conductors. As the ambient temperature drops, the number of electrical paths through the core increases and more heat is produced. Conversely, as the temperature rises, the core has fewer electrical paths and less heat is produced.
Raychem’s self-regulating heating cable technology is available in a range of products suitable for use in the home, in construction for larger buildings, and for industrial-based applications.

Industrial Products:

BTV: The BTV family of Raychem self-regulating heating cables provides the solution to freeze-protection and process-temperature maintenance applications. BTV heating cables maintain process temperatures up to 150°F and can withstand intermittent exposure to temperatures up to 185°F. The heating cables are configured for use in non-hazardous and hazardous (classified) locations, including areas where corrosives may be present.

QTVR: The QTVR family of Raychem self-regulating heating cables is designed for pipe heat tracing in industrial applications. QTVR heating cables can provide process-temperature maintenance up to 225°F and can also be used for freeze protection in systems having high heat loss. The heating cables are configured for use in non-hazardous and hazardous (classified) locations, including areas where corrosives may be present.

XTVR: The XTV family of Raychem self-regulating heating cables provides solutions for industrial freeze protection and process-temperature maintenance applications requiring high power output. XTVR heating cables can withstand temperatures up to 482°F and provide process temperature maintenance to 302°F. The heating cables are configured for use in non-hazardous and hazardous (classified) locations, including areas where corrosives may be present.

Commercial Products:

XL-Trace Edge: This system provides freeze protection of metal and plastic pipes and flow maintenance of grease disposal and fuel lines. It’s designed to maintain water temperature at a minimum of 40ºF to prevent freezing. Commercial pipe freeze protection applications include cooling towers, parking garages, coolers, freezers, and sprinkler systems.
For flow maintenance, the XL-Trace Edge system maintains grease disposal and fuel lines above the temperature at which the viscosity inhibits fluid flow. Grease disposal lines are pipes used for the disposal of waste oils and fats created in the cooking process. Fuel lines are those carrying #2 fuel oil which includes diesel fuel and home heating oil.

Non-Self Regulating Cables:

Variable Power Limiting (VPL) Heating Cables

VPL cables are used for applications requiring high power output or that exceed the temperature ranges of self-regulating cables. This cable can be used for freeze protection and process-temperature maintenance requiring high power output and/or high temperature exposure. VPL provides process-temperature maintenance up to 455°F and can withstand routine steam purges and temperature excursions to 500°F with power off. VPL cables are approved for use in non-hazardous and hazardous locations.

Raychem® MI Cable
XMI-A (Alloy, 825) electric heat trace cable is a metal sheathed, mineral insulated (MI) cable designed to provide heat tracing solutions for a variety of industrial applications. MI heat trace cable is often used where high power output, high exposure temperatures, or extreme resistance to environmental corrosives is needed. Typical applications include: Pipe Freeze Protection, Process Temperature Maintenance, Longline Heating. Raychem XMI-A electric heat trace cables can provide up to 61 watts per foot (200 watts per meter) of power output with area classification and design approvals. The maximum maintain temperature for MI heat trace cable is 1022°F (550°C) and the maximum exposure temperature for the heating cable is 1200°F (650°C).

   >> Watch a step by step Raychem Industrial Heat Trace installation video