What on earth is heat tracing?

Hi elkangorito,

Heat tracing is copper tubing (steam as heat source) or heating tape wrapped around pipes that need to be kept hot, such as if they are transporting something that is solid at ambient temperatures. The term is, I agree, not very descriptive.

Mike

Thanks for that Mike but I still have no idea what the OP should do. If in doubt, segregate (electrically speaking).

I really have no idea either - more information from OP would help.

Elec heat tracing of lines is an essential service in some processes. So the elec supply system in such a case should have back up facility of emergency supply. Otherwise it can be fed by lighting board by separate feeder. The heating circuit needs sectionalisation of power supply depending on operating system. Local elec codes should also be seen if the use of Lighting Distribution Board is allowed for other purposes.

lighting usually have in-built electronic componets which could cause unwanted harmonics and nuisance tripping problems, this could adversely impact steady power to your (critical) heating circuits if connected from same distribution board.

Yes, depending in the details. If it is simple freeze protection for a small water piping possibly not.

Many chemicals and mixtures require accurate temperature control while left in pipe, equipment or tanks.

There are many chemicals and mixtures that will separate or solidify near room temperature, and vaporize, polymerize or decompose (violently and loudly) at a slightly higher a temperature.

These will require a power supply, and some diagnostics to alarm, go to failsafe or troubleshoot when conditions are not right. These usually get a panel for the controls and indicators.

You might get a better answer with a more detailed question.

Hello shock007,

I hope your 'electrical knowledge' is not linked to your user name? ;-)

From my knowledge I think you will find all lighting is separated on the circuit board.

Lighting needs relatively little power and so often has a separate 'fuse' section, to the rest of the 'high-draw', power intensive power lines.

If they were not separate, and with the lighting having so 'drops' to the lighting and the lighting switches, a single 'bad' connection at a switch would prevent you testing any high-power circuits, as there could always be a 'short'? Where as any power cable for a specific large Machine or group of Machines, can be traced back to its nearest CB and then back to the electrical power supply into the Factory on just a single wire or cable.

I do not recall the 'technical name' for it for I will call it a short here, in ref' to the lighting system only OK?

The separate distribution board for the heat tracing I would presume may mean the heat tracer on any pipes and or containers is going to tack a large power supply? It also makes things a whole lot easier when tracing possible 'burn-outs' or electrical faults! :-)

Hope this helps and does actually refer to your situation correctly?

You can always put a more detailed question in if you wish but I think you will find an answer somewhere on this site!