How Self-Regulating Heating Cable Technology Works: Heat-Line Advanced Heating Cable Systems

All Heat-Line (www.heatline.com) heating cable systems employ self-regulating heating cable technology (heatline.com/energy-saving-tips) . The benefit of self-regulating heating cable technology is that unlike constant wattage heat tape, resistance wires or zone heaters there is no worry about under heating or overheating water pipes. More importantly self-regulating heating cable technology when properly installed is more energy efficient and provides a longer lasting heating cable system. Self-regulating heating cables automatically adjust their heat (energy) output at each point (microscopically) along their length. As the surrounding temperature (water or air) increases, Heat-Line heat trace systems automatically decrease their heat (energy) output, and vice versa. Heat is safely and efficiently supplied more in the colder areas when/ as required. The overall result is cost-effective operation and long-term product reliability which reduces the need for costly maintenance of your heat trace systems.
With Heat-Line self-regulating heating cables, thermostats (heatline.com/thermostats) are not a requirement but simply an accessory to increase energy efficiency. Heat trace controls and thermostats are optional because Heat-Line systems can never over heat or pipe a melt. However, just because a heat trace control or thermostat is not a requirement does not mean one should be over looked. It is important to understand that while self-regulating heating cable technology is very efficient; the heating cable can never completely turn off and as a result is always a consumer of energy when powered (turned on or plugged in directly). A heat tracing controller and or thermostat can be added to the system in order to duty cycle the product ON and OFF to maintain a certain pipe temperature. Heat-Line thermostats are pre-set to maintain the pipe at 50°F (10°C) as this setting keeps the heating cable operating in its most efficient state with a proper safety differential of 18°F or 10°C to the freezing point.
One extremely important feature of self-regulating heating cables is the fact they can be thermally insulated (heatline.com/insulation) without fear of overheating. The use of insulation immensely reduces the required amount of heat (energy) required to keep a pipe from freezing. A thermally insulated pipe is not as susceptible to freezing and erratic changes in the environments temperature. The insulation creates greater thermal consistency throughout the pipe and increases the efficiency of all Heat-Line heat trace systems. Remember how self-regulating heating cables work? The heating cable has the ability to vary its power output in response to temperature at every point along its circuit. As the temperature (water or air) gets colder, the heating cable automatically increases heat (energy) output in that area. As the water or air warms, the heat cable automatically reduces heat (energy) output. Now imagine insulation on your pipes. The insulation will help retain the heat inside the pipe so the heating cable will draw less energy to maintain that section of pipe from freezing. Would you put the best heat furnace in the world in your home and then not insulate the exterior walls? The answer is no. So why wouldn’t you insulate your pipes if you have the option?