Industrial Electric Heat Tracing Systems
Electrical Heat Tracing
Electric heat tracing compensates for heat loss from piping, tanks, vessels and process equipment. It prevents freezing, maintains defined process temperatures and can provide controlled heat-up. Pro Therm engineers, supplies and installs industrial electric heat tracing systems worldwide.
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How electric heat tracing works
An electric heating cable is installed in thermal contact with the component to be heated. The generated heat compensates for losses to the environment. Required power …
An electric heating cable is installed in thermal contact with the component to be heated. The generated heat compensates for losses to the environment. Required power depends on maintain temperature, minimum ambient temperature, dimensions, material, thermal insulation, environmental conditions and, where applicable, the required heat-up time.
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The complete system matters
A reliable system consists of more than heating cable. Depending on scope it includes power connections, end terminations, junction boxes, fixing materials, sensors, …
A reliable system consists of more than heating cable. Depending on scope it includes power connections, end terminations, junction boxes, fixing materials, sensors, controllers, protection devices, control panels, documentation and professional installation. A useful enquiry includes pipe and vessel schedules, temperature requirements, insulation data, installation location, available voltage and existing plant drawings. These inputs support a traceable circuit, connection, control and test concept.
A working cable alone does not confirm that the heat tracing system is suitable. Heat must reach the required locations, and insulation must be dry and complete. Design, installation, sensor location and insulation are assessed together. Clear circuit identifiers connect the installation with its test and operating records.
Additional services can be coordinated with the system boundaries. We offer thermal insulation with partner companies and also carry out cabling from our control panels to the power-feed and control boxes where cable routes are already available. Heating, connections and insulation can therefore be requested as a coordinated scope.
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Hazardous area heat tracing
In hazardous locations, the heater, connection components, temperature limitation, protection concept and installation must match the area classification and …
In hazardous locations, the heater, connection components, temperature limitation, protection concept and installation must match the area classification and application. Project-specific ATEX and IECEx requirements can be integrated from the engineering stage.
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Compare heating technologies on a common basis
A useful comparison starts with the same duty: maintain and exposure temperatures, heated geometry, heat loss, available supply and permitted operating conditions. …
A useful comparison starts with the same duty: maintain and exposure temperatures, heated geometry, heat loss, available supply and permitted operating conditions. Self-regulating, parallel or series resistance systems and MI assemblies can then be compared. A low price per metre says little about power connections, terminations, controls and installation effort.
Pro Therm discusses suitable alternatives with you. Technical suitability, spare-parts strategy, maintenance access and preferred brands all influence the decision. The comparison therefore covers the agreed system scope as well as the cable.
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Frequently asked questions
What is electric heat tracing used for? Typical duties include freeze protection, process temperature maintenance, viscosity control, condensation prevention and heat-up …
What is electric heat tracing used for?
Typical duties include freeze protection, process temperature maintenance, viscosity control, condensation prevention and heat-up on pipes, tanks and process equipment.
How is heat tracing power calculated?
Power is derived from the thermal conditions, including geometry, temperatures, insulation and environment. Heat-up duties also require the energy needed to raise the product temperature.
Can electric heat tracing be used in hazardous areas?
Yes, provided that the heater technology, components, temperature limitation and installation are suitable for the specific hazardous-area requirements.
Which manufacturers does Pro Therm use?
We select suitable components independently, including the Pro Therm brand and products from eltherm, BARTEC, RAYCHEM/Chemelex or Thermon. Technical suitability, customer preference and budget guide the decision.
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Related topics
Worldwide installation → Engineering and design → Pipe heat tracing → Tank and vessel heating → Hazardous-area heat tracing → Self-regulating cables → Finished soldered …
02
Freeze protection, temperature maintenance and heat-up
Freeze protection maintains a safe minimum temperature. Process temperature maintenance preserves viscosity, pumpability or product properties. Heat-up duties require …
Freeze protection maintains a safe minimum temperature. Process temperature maintenance preserves viscosity, pumpability or product properties. Heat-up duties require additional energy beyond steady-state heat loss to raise the product or equipment to a target temperature within a defined time.
Independent manufacturer selection: we take account of your technical specification, preferred manufacturers and budget. Suitable materials may come from Pro Therm's own range or from eltherm, BARTEC, RAYCHEM/Chemelex and Thermon. We agree the construction, scope and budget with you transparently.
Design starts with the temperature task: preventing freezing, keeping a product pumpable or achieving a specified temperature rise require different heat outputs, control concepts and power supplies. Shutdown, empty pipes and restart conditions are part of the assessment.
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Heating cable technologies
Self-regulating cables cover many freeze protection and maintenance duties. Resistance heating cables enable engineered circuits for higher process requirements. Mineral …
Self-regulating cables cover many freeze protection and maintenance duties. Resistance heating cables enable engineered circuits for higher process requirements. Mineral insulated cables are particularly suitable for high temperatures, high power density and robust industrial service.
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Where to find the right information
Start with the duty: prevent freezing, maintain a process temperature or heat a product up. The pipe and tank pages address installation geometry. Technology pages …
Start with the duty: prevent freezing, maintain a process temperature or heat a product up. The pipe and tank pages address installation geometry. Technology pages explain the characteristics of the different heating cables. Engineering, installation and maintenance describe the services required during a project. This separates the heating task from the equipment and the delivery scope, helping you explore the relevant question before selecting a cable.
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Standards and technical basis
Our knowledge section explains how the standards relate to the heating task, product selection and project design. Open the standards overview →
Our knowledge section explains how the standards relate to the heating task, product selection and project design.
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Heat tracing for your plant
Tell us the application, fluid, temperature target and site. Drawings, isometrics or a circuit schedule help us assess the heat demand, technology and required supply or …
Tell us the application, fluid, temperature target and site. Drawings, isometrics or a circuit schedule help us assess the heat demand, technology and required supply or installation scope.
Request heat tracing support →
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References & projects
Explore our project reports for electric heat tracing and frost heave protection. View references & projects →
Explore our project reports for electric heat tracing and frost heave protection.
Freeze protection, temperature maintenance and heat-up
Freeze protection maintains a safe minimum temperature. Process temperature maintenance preserves viscosity, pumpability or product properties. Heat-up duties require additional energy beyond steady-state heat loss to raise the product or equipment to a target temperature within a defined time.
Independent manufacturer selection: we take account of your technical specification, preferred manufacturers and budget. Suitable materials may come from Pro Therm's own range or from eltherm, BARTEC, RAYCHEM/Chemelex and Thermon. We agree the construction, scope and budget with you transparently.
Design starts with the temperature task: preventing freezing, keeping a product pumpable or achieving a specified temperature rise require different heat outputs, control concepts and power supplies. Shutdown, empty pipes and restart conditions are part of the assessment.
The complete system matters
A reliable system consists of more than heating cable. Depending on scope it includes power connections, end terminations, junction boxes, fixing materials, sensors, controllers, protection devices, control panels, documentation and professional installation. A useful enquiry includes pipe and vessel schedules, temperature requirements, insulation data, installation location, available voltage and existing plant drawings. These inputs support a traceable circuit, connection, control and test concept.
A working cable alone does not confirm that the heat tracing system is suitable. Heat must reach the required locations, and insulation must be dry and complete. Design, installation, sensor location and insulation are assessed together. Clear circuit identifiers connect the installation with its test and operating records.
Additional services can be coordinated with the system boundaries. We offer thermal insulation with partner companies and also carry out cabling from our control panels to the power-feed and control boxes where cable routes are already available. Heating, connections and insulation can therefore be requested as a coordinated scope.
Standards reference (checked 14 October 2026): IEC/IEEE 62395-1:2024 and IEC/IEEE 62395-2:2024 are international references for industrial resistance trace heating outside hazardous areas. The project's standards basis is selected for its country, application and agreed scope. DIN EN 60519-10:2014-01 remains the current German standard for safety of industrial and commercial resistance trace heating. Its application is coordinated with the selected heating system and electrical-installation requirements.
Heating cable technologies
Self-regulating cables cover many freeze protection and maintenance duties. Resistance heating cables enable engineered circuits for higher process requirements. Mineral insulated cables are particularly suitable for high temperatures, high power density and robust industrial service.
Hazardous area heat tracing
In hazardous locations, the heater, connection components, temperature limitation, protection concept and installation must match the area classification and application. Project-specific ATEX and IECEx requirements can be integrated from the engineering stage.
Standards reference (checked 14 October 2026): IEC/IEEE 60079-30-1:2025 and IEC/IEEE 60079-30-2:2025 are international references for resistance trace heating in hazardous areas. Germany still lists DIN EN 60079-30-1:2018-04 and DIN EN 60079-30-2:2018-04 as current national editions. Equipment group, permitted EPL, protection concept and evidence for the actual assembly determine suitability.
Where to find the right information
Start with the duty: prevent freezing, maintain a process temperature or heat a product up. The pipe and tank pages address installation geometry. Technology pages explain the characteristics of the different heating cables. Engineering, installation and maintenance describe the services required during a project. This separates the heating task from the equipment and the delivery scope, helping you explore the relevant question before selecting a cable.