The necessity of waterproofing of electric heat tracing system

　　The electric heat tracing system is widely used in petroleum, chemical, food and other industries through the conversion of electric energy into thermal energy to provide heat preservation or anti-freezing protection for pipelines, storage tanks and other equipment. However, in outdoor, humid or easy to accumulate water environment, moisture penetration may lead to electric trace heat tape damage, and even cause safety accidents. Therefore, the waterproof measure is the key link that cannot be neglected in the design, installation and maintenance of electric trace heating system. This paper systematically analyses the influence of moisture on the electric trace heat system, explains the necessity of waterproof measures, and puts forward the specific waterproof technology scheme, in order to improve the safety and reliability of the system.

　　First, the harm of moisture to the electric accompanying heat system

　　1. Risk of electrical short circuit

　　Once the insulation layer of electric trace heat tape is broken or sealed poorly, moisture may penetrate into the wire, resulting in short circuit. This problem is especially prominent in humid or waterlogged environment, which may cause tripping, equipment damage or even fire.

　　2. Deterioration of insulation performance

　　Most of the insulating materials of electric heating tape (such as polyolefin, fluorine plastic) may absorb water in a long-term humid environment, resulting in reduced insulation resistance, affecting the normal operation of the system, and increase the risk of leakage.

　　3. Accelerate the corrosion of metal parts

　　The electric accompanies the tropical metal weaving layer, the terminal and so on the component in the humid environment is easy to happen the electrochemical corrosion, especially is the salt fog, the acid rain and so on the bad condition, the corrosion speed is faster, may cause the joint to loosen, the poor contact and so on the problem.

　　4. Reduces the accompanying heat efficiency

　　The moisture enters between the electric accompanies the heat tape and the pipeline, may form the heat conduction bad layer, causes the heat to be unable to transfer effectively, reduces accompanies the heat efficiency, increases the energy consumption.

　　Second, the electric accompanies the hot system waterproof key technology

　　1. Selects the electric accompanies the heat tape which conforms to the protection grade.

　　The protection grade (IP grade) of electric accompanying heat tape directly affects its waterproof ability:

　　IP65: anti-spray water, suitable for outdoor or splash environment.

　　IP67: anti-short-term immersion, applicable to areas where water may accumulate.

　　IP68: Long-term underwater operation, suitable for underground or underwater pipelines.

　　2. Waterproof connector and terminal sealing

　　Use special waterproof junction box to ensure the power connection is well sealed.

　　Use heat-shrinkable tubing, waterproof tape or epoxy resin to seal the terminals to prevent water penetration.

　　3. Installation Optimisation

　　Avoid installing the electric heating tape at the lowest place of the pipeline to prevent water from soaking.

　　In humid environment, waterproof sheath or metal armour layer can be added to improve mechanical protection and waterproof performance.

　　4. Regular inspection and maintenance

　　Regularly measure insulation resistance, and promptly troubleshoot any abnormalities found.

　　Check the joints, terminals and other parts susceptible to water seepage to ensure that the seal is intact.

　　Typical Application Scenario Analysis

　　1. Coastal petrochemical enterprises

　　High humidity, salt fog environment on the electric accompanying heat system corrosion is serious, need to use IP67 or above protection level, and regularly clean salt deposition.

　　2. food processing industry

　　Cleaning operation is frequent, electric accompanied by the tropical need to have waterproof, oil-proof characteristics, usually choose food-grade silicone sheath accompanied by the tropical.

　　3. Underground pipeline heat tracing

　　Long-term in the humid environment, must use IP68 waterproof grade, and with waterproof thermostat.

　　The waterproof measures of electric heat tracing system are crucial to its safety and reliability. Moisture intrusion may lead to electrical failure, insulation failure, corrosion aggravation and other problems, so it is necessary to implement waterproof strategy from selection, installation to maintenance. In the future, with the development of new material technology, higher protection level, longer life electric heat tracing products will further enhance the adaptability of the system in harsh environments.

　　Translated with DeepL.com (free version)