September 2011

Process Industry Practices

Electrical

PIP ELSHT01
Self-Regulated Electric Heat Trace System
Specification

PURPOSE AND USE OF PROCESS INDUSTRY PRACTICES

In an effort to minimize the cost of process industry facilities, this Practice has
been prepared from the technical requirements in the existing standards of major
industrial users, contractors, or standards organizations. By harmonizing these technical
requirements into a single set of Practices, administrative, application, and engineering
costs to both the purchaser and the manufacturer should be reduced. While this Practice
is expected to incorporate the majority of requirements of most users, individual
applications may involve requirements that will be appended to and take precedence
over this Practice. Determinations concerning fitness for purpose and particular matters
or application of the Practice to particular project or engineering situations should not
be made solely on information contained in these materials. The use of trade names
from time to time should not be viewed as an expression of preference but rather
recognized as normal usage in the trade. Other brands having the same specifications
are equally correct and may be substituted for those named. All Practices or guidelines
are intended to be consistent with applicable laws and regulations including OSHA
requirements. To the extent these Practices or guidelines should conflict with OSHA or
other applicable laws or regulations, such laws or regulations must be followed.
Consult an appropriate professional before applying or acting on any material
contained in or suggested by the Practice.
This Practice is subject to revision at any time.
Process Industry Practices (PIP), Construction Industry Institute, The University of
Texas at Austin, 3925 West Braker Lane (R4500), Austin, Texas 78759. PIP Member
Companies and Subscribers may copy this Practice for their internal use. Changes or
modifications of any kind are not permitted within any PIP Practice without the express
written authorization of PIP. Authorized Users may attach addenda or overlays to clearly
indicate modifications or exceptions to specific sections of PIP Practices. Authorized
Users may provide their clients, suppliers and contractors with copies of the Practice
solely for Authorized Users purposes. These purposes include but are not limited to the
procurement process (e.g., as attachments to requests for quotation/ purchase orders or
requests for proposals/contracts) and preparation and issue of design engineering
deliverables for use on a specific project by Authorized Users client. PIPs copyright
notices must be clearly indicated and unequivocally incorporated in documents where an
Authorized User desires to provide any third party with copies of the Practice.
PUBLISHING HISTORY
September 2011
Issued
Not printed with State funds

September 2011

Process Industry Practices

Electrical

PIP ELSHT01
Self-Regulated Electric Heat Trace System
Specification
Table of Contents
1. Introduction..................................2
1.1 Purpose
1.2 Scope 2

2. References...................................2
2.1 Process Industry Practices
2
2.2 Industry Codes and Standards 2

3. Definitions....................................2
4. Requirements..............................3
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
4.5
4.6
4.7
4.8
4.9
4.10
4.11
4.12
4.13

General
3
Heating Cable 3
Control Panels 3
Space Heaters 4
Accessories 5
Controls
5
Special Requirements 6
Design Criteria 7
Nameplates 7
Inspection and Testing 7
Shipping
7
Documentation7
Conflict Resolution
8

Data Form
ELSHT01-R Self-Regulated Electric Heat Trace System Specification Documentation
Requirements Sheet

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PIP ELSHT01
September 2011
Self-Regulated Electric Heat Trace System Specification

1.

Introduction
1.1

Purpose
This Practice provides requirements for the design and purchase of self-regulated electric
heat trace systems.

1.2

Scope
This Practice describes the requirements for equipment, materials, and design services for
electrical heat trace systems that use parallel-trace self-regulating type heat trace cable
with ground braid. This Practice includes requirements for heat trace cable, monitorcontrol panel, junction boxes, and temperature sensors.
The following are not included in this Practice:
a. Series-resistance, mineral-insulated, inductance type, and impedance type heat
tracing systems
b. Panelboards, circuit breakers, and field wiring of heat tracing system components
c. Installation of the equipment and materials provided
d. Insulation materials or installation

2.

References
Applicable parts of the following Practices, industry codes and standards, and references shall be
considered an integral part of this Practice. The edition in effect on the date of contract award
shall be used, except as otherwise noted. Short titles are used herein where appropriate.
2.1

Process Industry Practices (PIP)

PIP ELSHT01D - Data Sheet for Electric Heat Trace Specification

2.2

Industry Codes and Standards

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)

IEEE 515 - Standard for the Testing, Design, Installation, and Maintenance of
Electrical Resistance Heat Tracing for Industrial Applications

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

NFPA 70 - National Electrical Code (NEC)

3.

Definitions
owner: The party who owns the facility wherein the electric heat tracing system will be used
purchaser: The party who awards the contract to the supplier. The purchaser may be the owner or
the owners authorized agent.
supplier: The party responsible for supplying the electric heat tracing system components

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PIP ELSHT01
September 2011
Self-Regulated Electric Heat Trace System Specification

4.

Requirements
4.1

4.2

4.3

General
4.1.1

Electric heat trace systems shall be designed and tested in accordance with
purchasers PIP ELSHT01D Data Sheet, IEEE 515, and applicable requirements
of the NEC.

4.1.2

See purchasers PIP ELSHT01D Data Sheet for site conditions, available power
supply, and related information.

4.1.3

Heat trace cable and associated components necessary for field installation of a
complete operating system shall be provided.

4.1.4

All equipment and components shall be certified and labeled by a third party
Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory.

Heating Cable
4.2.1

Heating cable shall be suitable for the area classification and service
temperatures specified on purchasers PIP ELSHT01D Data Sheet.

4.2.2

Self-regulating heating cable shall be designed for a useful life of 20 years

minimum with power on continuously, based on the useful life criteria of
retention of at least 75% of rated power after 20 years of operation at the
maximum published continuous exposure (i.e., maintain) temperature.

4.2.3

Cables shall be covered by metallic braid of tinned or nickel plated copper that
provides nominal coverage of 80% and exhibits resistance of 0.005 ohm/ft
maximum (0.016 ohm/meter).

4.2.4

Unless otherwise specified on purchasers PIP ELSHT01D Data Sheet, braid

shall be covered with corrosion resistant fluoropolymer overjacket.

4.2.5

Cables for lines entering buildings shall include sufficient length to heat trace the
line two feet into the building interior.

4.2.6

Spiral wrapping of lines shall not be permitted.

4.2.7

Manufacturers supplied and approved junction boxes for termination of the

heating cable shall be used, in accordance with the manufacturers installation
instructions. Enclosures for power junction boxes shall be in accordance with
purchasers PIP ELSHT01D Data Sheet.

4.2.8

Cable shall be designed to permit being crossed over itself and cut to length in
the field.

4.2.9

Unless otherwise specified on purchasers PIP ELSHT01D Data Sheet, tees shall
not be permitted in heating cable.

Control Panels
4.3.1

Enclosures for electronic controllers shall be as specified on the purchasers

PIP ELSHT01D Data Sheet.

4.3.2

Control panels shall have a front window for viewing control devices.

4.3.3

Wiring
4.3.3.1

Process Industry Practices

Controller terminals shall be factory-wired to terminal blocks for

incoming and exiting control wiring.

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PIP ELSHT01
September 2011
Self-Regulated Electric Heat Trace System Specification

4.3.3.2

Terminal blocks for exiting RTD wiring shall be provided in a

segregated area.

4.3.3.3

All wiring shall be marked on each end with permanently printed wire
markers, either heat-shrinkable or slip-on type. Adhesive-type wire
labels shall not be permitted.

4.3.3.4

All wires, terminals, and devices shall be numbered and tagged in

accordance with the power and control wiring diagrams.

4.3.3.5

All wiring shall be continuous from terminal to terminal without

splicing.

4.3.3.6

Unless otherwise specified on purchasers PIP ELSHT01D Data Sheet,

wiring shall be stranded copper conductor with manufacturer standard
flame-retardant, 600-volt, 75C rated insulation.

4.3.3.7

Minimum conductor sizes shall be as follows:

a. Power wiring, 12 AWG
b. Control wiring, 14 AWG
c. Signal wiring, 16 AWG

4.3.3.8

Terminal blocks shall be conveniently located and clearly marked.

4.3.3.9

Terminal blocks for control wire shall be screw type and accommodate
the following:
a. Pre-insulated crimp-type ring-tongue and locking fork wire lugs
b. Maximum size 12 AWG wires
c. Minimum of 10% spare control terminal points

4.3.3.10 Terminal blocks for power wiring terminations shall be designed for
compression-type wire lugs.
4.4

Space Heaters
4.4.1

Unless otherwise specified on purchasers PIP ELSHT01D Data Sheet, the heat
tracing control panel shall be provided with space heaters to minimize
condensation.

4.4.2

Space heaters shall be powered as shown on purchasers wiring diagrams.

4.4.3

The heat tracing control panel shall be provided with a space heater rated at 240
volts.

4.4.4

Space heaters shall be sized to provide the required heat output operating on a
120 volt system.

4.4.5

Space heaters shall be provided with high temperature wiring within 6 inches
(150 mm) of the heater terminals.

4.4.6

Space heaters shall be mounted on a stand-off insulator and provided with

personnel protection from thermal burns.

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PIP ELSHT01
September 2011
Self-Regulated Electric Heat Trace System Specification

4.4.7

If space heaters are powered by a separate external supply, a caution nameplate,

as shown below, shall be provided on the door of each cubicle that contains space
heaters.

OBSERVE CAUTION EXTERNAL POWER SOURCE

4.5

4.4.8

An over-current protection and disconnect for each space heater circuit shall be
provided in each heat tracing control panel.

4.4.9

If specified on purchasers PIP ELSHT01D Data Sheet, each space heater in the
heat tracing control panel shall be controlled by a humidistat or thermostat. If
specified on purchasers PIP ELSHT01D Data Sheet, the humidistat or
thermostat shall be equipped with an ammeter and bypass switch.

Accessories
Manufacturers heat tracing cable end kits, splice kits, tee kits, caution signs, attachment
tape, and so forth as required for a complete operating system shall be provided.

4.6

Controls
4.6.1

Application Type
4.6.1.1 Electrical heat tracing application type shall be in accordance with
purchasers PIP ELSHT01D Data Sheet.
4.6.1.2 Systems for applications designated as Freeze Protection on the
purchasers PIP ELSHT01D Data Sheet shall be designed to maintain
temperature above the minimum point specified on the purchasers
PIP ELSHT01D Data Sheet.
4.6.1.3 Systems for applications designated as Process Maintenance on the
purchasers PIP ELSHT01D Data Sheet shall be designed to maintain
temperature within the band specified in the purchasers PIP ELSHT01D
Data Sheet.

4.6.2

Configurations
4.6.2.1 Controls shall be provided as specified on the purchasers
PIP ELSHT01D Data Sheet.
4.6.2.2 Ambient temperature-sensing thermostats for freeze protection shall have
adjustable setpoint, NEMA 4X enclosure, and single-pole double-throw
contact rated at 20A minimum at 120VAC.
4.6.2.3 RTDs shall be line-sensing type, 3-wire, 100-ohm platinum, with NEMA
4X weather head with terminal blocks and stainless steel mounting
hardware.
4.6.2.4 Electronic temperature controllers shall be capable of accepting multiple
RTD inputs, and shall include the following features:
a. Enclosure as specified on the purchasers PIP ELSHT01D Data Sheet.
b. Front panel indications: Power on, Central Processing Unit running,
heat-trace alarm, low battery.

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PIP ELSHT01
September 2011
Self-Regulated Electric Heat Trace System Specification

c. LED display: Minimum 40 character display to indicate system status

alarm and temperatures from all temperature transmitters.
d. Automatic display of all alarm messages.
e. Integral ground-fault protection.
f. Dry contact for general alarm output; one for each circuit controlled.
g. On/Off and PID control modes.
h. Communication capability as specified on the purchasers
PIP ELSHT01D Data Sheet.
4.6.2.5 Enclosures in hazardous locations shall also meet NEC requirements for
locations as indicated on the purchasers PIP ELSHT01D Data Sheet.
4.6.3

Alarm Conditions
Dry contacts for general alarm outputs from electronic controllers shall actuate
upon any of the following alarm conditions:
a. High and low temperatures
b. High and low heater current
c. Ground leakage current
d. Damaged RTD sensor

4.6.4

Grouping
4.6.4.1 Unless otherwise specified on the purchasers PIP ELSHT01D Data
Sheet, an individual line sensing RTD shall be provided for each line.
4.6.4.2 If two or more pipes join to form optional flow paths, each pipe shall be
controlled independently.
4.6.4.3 If lines with a common service and common use are specified on the
purchasers PIP ELSHT01D Data Sheet in the comments section of the
line listing, the lines may be grouped together for control from a
common RTD.
4.6.4.4 If located in the same general geographic area, closed bypasses and dead
end legs may be combined on a common controller.

4.7

4.8

Special Requirements
4.7.1

Piping systems conveying various fluids may be adversely affected by high

temperatures. See purchasers PIP ELSHT01D Data Sheet in the comments
section of the line listing for special requirements for maximum temperature
permitted for a piping system.

4.7.2

If specified on the purchasers PIP ELSHT01D Data Sheet, an end of line

indicating light shall be provided for each heat trace circuit.

Design Criteria
Design criteria shall be as specified on purchasers PIP ELSHT01D Data Sheet.

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PIP ELSHT01
September 2011
Self-Regulated Electric Heat Trace System Specification

4.9

4.10

Nameplates
4.9.1

Nameplates shall be provided on the outside of the enclosure identifying the

service and equipment number in accordance with purchasers nameplate
schedule.

4.9.2

Unless otherwise specified on purchasers PIP ELSHT01D Data Sheet,

nameplates shall be of an acrylic resin material and machine engraved, displaying
black letters on a white background. Letter height shall be 1/4 inch (6.4 mm)
minimum.

4.9.3

Unless otherwise specified on purchasers PIP ELSHT01D Data Sheet,

nameplates shall be attached to enclosures with stainless steel screws.

Inspection and Testing

Factory inspections and tests for self-regulating heater cables shall be performed in
accordance with IEEE 515 test section and applicable manufacturers standards.

4.11

Shipping
4.11.1 Unless otherwise specified in the purchase order documents, preparation for
shipment of equipment shall be in accordance with suppliers standards.
4.11.2 The supplier shall be solely responsible for the adequacy of the shipment
preparations, and ensure that materials handled by commercial carrier systems
are received in excellent working condition.
4.11.3 Instructions for storage of equipment shall be attached to the equipment.
4.11.4 Removable elements or items shipped separately from the main equipment shall
be clearly identified with proper description and location of installation.
4.11.5 Equipment shipped in more than one section or container shall have each section
or container clearly identified with equipment description and section number.
4.11.6 Equipment shall be protected from weather elements and vibration during
shipping and storage.
4.11.7 Removable elements or items shipped separately shall be shipped in weathertight packaging, suitable for outdoor storage.

4.12

Documentation
4.12.1 General
4.12.1.1 Unless otherwise specified on the purchasers PIP ELSHT01D Data
Sheet, one electronic set of documents, including operating manuals, in
Adobe PDF format shall be provided.
4.12.1.2 Unless otherwise specified on the purchasers PIP ELSHT01D Data
Sheet, final certified and as-built drawings shall be submitted in
Autocad .DWG format and Adobe PDF format.
4.12.1.3 Each document shall show the purchase order number, job number,
plant area number, and all necessary references, notes, etc.
4.12.1.4 Purchaser will furnish drawing border CAD files and final drawing
number assignments.
4.12.1.5 Purchaser will provide CAD plot plans, equipment layouts, piping and
conduit/cable tray plans for the existing facilities as required.

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PIP ELSHT01
September 2011
Self-Regulated Electric Heat Trace System Specification

4.12.1.6 Drawings, based on the information furnished by the purchaser, shall be

provided for new conduits/trays, wiring, and installation details related
to the heat tracing installation.
4.12.1.7 A complete list of exceptions taken to the contract documents including
specific paragraph numbers shall be provided with the quotation. If a
list of exceptions is not provided, the quotation shall be considered in
full compliance with the contract documents.
4.13

Conflict Resolution
Any conflicts between the reference documents shall be identified in writing to the
purchaser for resolution. If resolving conflicts, the following order of precedence shall
apply:
a. Purchase order
b. PIP ELSHT01D Data Sheet
c. This Practice, PIP ELSHT01
d. Referenced standards

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