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WarmTrace
TM
Systems for Hot Water Temperature Maintenance
Introduction . . .
A WarmTrace system replaces heat lost through the thermal
insulation on hot water supply piping to maintain the water at
desired nominal temperatures without the need for costly insu-
lated recirculation lines, pumps and balancing valves. Prevent-
ing the hot water from cooling also ensures readily available
hot water when needed.
Like many other systems installed in a facility, the successful
installation of a heat tracing system for maintaining
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hot water
requires coordination among the various trades involved. Me-
chanical, electrical and insulation contractors must be made
aware of the specific requirements each must provide.
The information contained in this design guide will take the
reader through a step-by-step procedure
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to:
· Identifythepipingwhichrequiresheattracing.
· Determinethemaintaintemperatureandmaketheproper
cable selection.
· Specifytheelectricalcircuitbreakerrequirementsbased
on the estimated heat tracing circuit lengths.
· Specifythethermalinsulationtypeandthicknesstocom-
plete the thermal design.
· Incorporatethedesigninformationprovidedintoacom-
plete package for a facility.
To further facilitate this interaction, an additional installation,
operation and start-up guide has been prepared to provide
troublefree installation of the heating cable and accessories.
Product Description . . .
HSX
®
2100 self-regulating heating cables utilize a specifically
formulated carbon matrix heating element which responds to
temperature changes. Whenever the temperature in the heat-
traced piping begins to rise, the cable automatically reduces its
heat output. Conversely, when the water temperature begins
to drop, the cable reacts by increasing its heat output. This self-
regulating feature occurs along the entire length of a heat trac-
ing circuit to ensure each point receives the required amount
of heat necessary to maintain thermal equilibrium.
Because the natural layout of a facility requires plumbing to be
spread throughout the building, the footage of hot water sup-
ply lines and heat tracing requirements can be extensive. To
meet these requirements, HSX 2100 is manufactured with 14
AWG bus wires. These larger voltage supply wires (larger than
any other system currently available) allow longer heat tracing
circuit lengths. These longer lengths mean fewer heat tracing
circuits and fewer power supply branch circuit breakers.
HSX 2100 is designed to be installed without thermostatic con-
trol to maintain 105°F, 120°F or 140°F (41°C, 49°C or
60°C) water temperatures. Projects with more than one main-
tain temperature can be traced without confusion since HSX
2100 is color-coded for easy identification of each temperature
range.
For ease of installation, HSX 2100 is a cut-to-length cable and
requires no detailed dimensions of the piping. Taped directly to
the hot water supply piping, HSX 2100 requires only ordinary
hand tools for installation. Circuit fabrication, in-line splicing
and T-splicing kits have been designed specifically for the ap-
plication to complete a WarmTrace system.
notes . . .
1. An electrical heat tracing system is not a substitute for a complete, efficient domestic
hot water system; it does not replace the need for an efficient water heater.
2. The examples and descriptions contained in this guide are based on copper water
pipe with fiberglass thermal insulation (ASTM Std C-547) and other design condi-
tions typical of most applications. Should design conditions vary from those shown,
contact Thermon.