Heat Tracing Wrapping Factor

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When heat loss from pipe or tube is higher than the capacity of the heat trace cable, the cable must be spiral-wrapped around the pipe or tube.

The "heat loss - cable output" ratio can be calculated as

HR = Q_hl / Q_t         (1)

HR = "heat loss - cable output" ratio

Q_hl  = heat loss from the insulated pipe or tube (W/m, Btu/h ft)

Q_t = heat output from the heat trace (W/m, Btu/h ft)

If the "heat loss - cable output" ratio - HR - is larger than one, the cable must be wrapped. The pitch - distance between spirals - can be estimated with the diagram below.  

Example - Heat Tracing

The heat loss from a 4" pipe is estimated to be three times (HR = 3) the heat output capacity of the tracing cable. The pitch - the distance between each spiral - can be estimated as indicated in the table below to 5 - 6 inches (125 - 150 mm).

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Related Topics

• Insulation - Heat transfer and heat loss from buildings and technical applications - insulation methods and coefficients to reduce energy consumption

Related Documents

• Heat Loss Diagrams of Insulated Pipes - Heat loss (W/m) diagrams for insulated pipes - ranging 1/2 - 6 inches - insulation thickness 10 - 80 mm - temperature differences 20 - 180 deg C
• Heat Loss Diagrams of Insulated Pipes - Heat loss (W/ft) diagrams for insulated pipes - ranging 1/2 - 6 inches - insulation thickness 0.5 - 4 inches - temperature difference 50 - 350 deg F