From the inventor of self-regulating technology and with installed base output exceeding 500,000 km, Supermec introduces a self-regulating systems granting a proven and most reliable solution.
Operating to voltages up to 277 V, the wide range of self-regulating cable products can provide:
- Temperature maintenance up to 150°C
- Exposure temperature up to 215°C
- Circuit lengths up to 245 m
The most forgiving of all existing heat-tracing technologies, self-regulating heating cables incorporate a heating element made of polymers mixed with conductive carbon black. This special blend of materials extruded between the conductors creates electrical resistive paths. The number of electrical paths changes in response to temperature fluctuations.
|
product | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temperature Rating | Max Maintain Temperature | Max Intermittent Exposure Temperature* | Minimum Installation Temperature | Pipe Material | ||
 |
BTV | T6 | 65°C | 85°C | -40°C | plastic / metal |
| QTV | T4 | 110°C | 110°C | -40°C | plastic / metal only | |
| XTV | T2 to T3 | 121°C | 215°C | -40°C | metal only | |
| KTV | T2 | 150°C | 250°C | -40°C | metal only | |
* 1000 hours (power on/power off)
How it works
As the temperature surrounding the cable decreases, the conductive core contracts on a microscopical level, decreasing the electrical resistance and creating numerous electrical paths between the conductors.
Current flows along these paths to warm the core.
As the temperature rises, the core expands on a microscopical level, increasing electrical resistance and decreasing the number of electrical paths.
As a result, the heating cable can be overlapped several times without risk of degradation, since the power is greatly reduced at high temperatures.
Benefits
1. Easy installation
Self-regulating heating cables may be cut-to-length on-site and can be overlapped multiple times at valves, flanges and instruments without the risk of local overheating.
2. More uniform temperatures
Because the heater senses and responds to actual conditions along the pipe, the system accommodates variations due to static fluid and differing elevations.
3. Predicted maximum generated temperatures
Our self-regulating heating cables offer unconditional T-ratings as specified by European norm EN 60079-30-1 (no requirement for sheath temperature calculations/controls).
When designed properly, the process medium won’t exceed a certain temperature even when temperature controls fail.
Applications
Any process in pipes, tanks or vessels for freeze protection, temperature maintenance, viscosity control, or anti-condensation. Typical industries include:
- Oil and gas (exploration, production, refining, distribution)
- Chemical and petrochemical;
- Pharmaceutical and healthcare;
- Power (bio-diesel, solar, hydro...);
- General industries
The most forgiving of all existing heat-tracing technologies, self-regulating heating cables incorporate a heating element made of polymers mixed with conductive carbon black. This special blend of materials extruded between the conductors creates electrical resistive paths. The number of electrical paths changes in response to temperature fluctuations.
BTV
The BTV range of self-regulating heating cables is mainly used for frost protection of pipes and vessels but can also be used to maintain processes up to 65°C. These heating cables are available in two different outer jacket materials. The polyolefin outer jackets (-CR) are suitable for use in areas where the cables will only be exposed to mild inorganic solutions whereas the fluoropolymer outer jackets (-CT) offer a high general chemical resistance.
The products are approved for use in hazardous areas Zone 1, Zone 2 (Gas), Zone 21 and Zone 22 (Dust) and have an absolute temperature classification of T6 in accordance with European Standard EN 60079-30-1.
QTVR
The QTVR range of self-regulating heating cables is mainly used for frost protection of pipes and vessels requiring a higher power output than the BTV heating cables can supply. They can also be used to maintain processes up to 110°C. These heating cables all have fluoropolymer outer jackets offering a high chemical resistance.
The products are approved for use in hazardous areas Zone 1, Zone 2 (Gas), Zone 21 and Zone 22 (Dust) and have an absolute temperature classification of T4 in accordance with European Standard EN 60079-30-1.
XTV
The XTV range of self-regulating heating cables is used for frost protection of pipes and vessels that require steam cleaning. They can also be used to maintain processes up to 120°C. These heating cables all have fluoropolymer outer jackets offering a high chemical resistance.
The products are approved for use in hazardous areas Zone 1, Zone 2 (Gas), Zone 21 and Zone 22 (Dust) and have an absolute temperature classification of T3 (except 20XTV2-CT-T2) in accordance with European standard EN 60079-30-1.
KTV
The KTV range of self-regulating heating cables is mainly used for frost protection of pipes and vessels that require steam cleaning. They can also be used to maintain processes up to 150°C. These heating cables all have fluoropolymer outer jackets offering a high chemical resistance.
The products are approved for use in hazardous areas Zone 1, Zone 2 (Gas), Zone 21 and Zone 22 (Dust) and have an absolute temperature classification of T2 in accordance with European Standard EN 60079-30-1.
VPL
The VPL range of power-limiting heating cables is mainly used for temperature maintenance of processes and offers the advantage of a high power output at high temperatures which can reduce the number of heating cables required. They can also be used for frost protection of pipes and vessels that require steam cleaning. These heating cables all have fluoropolymer outer jackets offering a high chemical resistance.
The VPL products are available in various voltages, 110 Vac, 230 Vac and 480 Vac. The 480 V version offers the further advantage of long circuit lengths potentially reducing the number of supply points required.
The products are approved for use in hazardous areas Zone 1, Zone 2 (Gas), Zone 21 and Zone 22 (Dust). Unlike the self-regulating heating cables the T-classification for these products has to be calculated and will depend on the design conditions, this may also result in the need to use a safety temperature limiter.