Does the electric tracing belt have to be insulated?

　　With the development of science and technology, electric heat tracing system has been widely used in various industries. Electric heat tracing system plays an important role in petroleum, chemical industry, electric power, light industry, food and other fields. However, in practical application, many users will have a question: does the electric tracing belt have to have an insulation layer? This paper will discuss this problem from many angles.

　　First, the principle of electric heat tracing system

　　# Electric heat tracing system # converts electric energy into heat energy to compensate the heat loss in the pipeline or equipment and keep it within a reasonable temperature range. This system is mainly used to prevent the medium in the pipeline or equipment from freezing, solidification or high viscosity, so as to ensure the smooth progress of the production process.

　　Second, the role of insulation layer

　　1. Reduce heat loss

　　If the heat generated by the electric tracing belt is directly exposed to the external environment, it will be quickly dissipated. Especially in cold winter, without insulation layer, the heat of electric tracing belt can hardly meet the set temperature requirements. Therefore, the existence of insulation layer can effectively reduce the heat loss and improve the efficiency of electric heat tracing system.

　　2. Protect the electric tracing belt

　　The insulation layer can not only reduce the heat loss, but also protect the electric tracing belt. It can prevent the electric tracing belt from being damaged by external force and prolong its service life. In addition, the insulation layer can also prevent the electric tracing belt from being damaged due to contact with moisture or other harmful substances.

　　3. Improve energy efficiency

　　Without insulation layer, the heat of electric tracing belt will be greatly lost, which will lead to the waste of energy. With the insulation layer, heat can be supplied to pipelines or equipment more intensively, which improves the utilization rate of energy and reduces the operating cost.

　　Third, the actual case analysis

　　For example, in Daxing Line of Beijing Metro, electric heat tracing technology has been successfully applied in the fire water supply pipeline of Daxing Line of Beijing Metro. By installing electric tracing tape and insulation layer outside the pipeline, the freezing problem of the pipeline in low temperature environment is effectively prevented, and the normal operation of the fire fighting system is ensured.

　　Fourth, the choice of insulation layer

　　1. Material type

　　There are many kinds of insulation materials, such as rubber and plastic, PEF, glass wool and rock wool. Different materials have different performance characteristics, and users can choose suitable insulation materials according to the actual situation.

　　2. Thickness and specifications

　　The thickness and specification of insulation layer should be selected according to the requirements of design drawings. Generally speaking, the greater the thickness of the insulation layer, the better the insulation effect. However, in practical application, factors such as pipeline diameter and ambient temperature need to be considered.

　　3. Waterproof performance

　　The waterproof performance of insulation layer is particularly important when installing electric tracing belt outdoors or in humid environment. If the insulation layer absorbs water, the insulation effect will be greatly reduced, and even the normal operation of the electric heat tracing system will be affected. Therefore, it is very necessary to choose thermal insulation materials with good waterproof performance.

　　V. Precautions for Installation

　　1. Construction environment

　　When installing the electric heat tracing system, the temperature of the construction environment should not be lower than MINUS 5 degrees Celsius. In addition, during the installation process, the electric tracing belt should be prevented from being hard folded or dragged to prevent damage.

　　2. Insulation test

　　After the construction of thermal insulation layer is completed, the insulation test should be carried out for the electric tracing belt to ensure its normal operation. If it is found that the insulation resistance does not meet the requirements, it should be handled in time.

　　3. Label identification

　　Warning labels should be affixed outside the insulation layer, and the positions of all accessories should be indicated. In this way, in the later maintenance and overhaul, it is convenient for the staff to find the relevant parts quickly.

　　To sum up, the electric tracing belt must have an insulation layer. Insulation layer can not only reduce heat loss and improve the efficiency of electric tracing system, but also protect the electric tracing belt and prolong its service life. In practical application, users should choose suitable insulation materials and thickness according to specific conditions, and carry out construction in strict accordance with installation specifications to ensure the normal operation of electric heat tracing system.