Preventive maintenance can help ensure your heat tracing system is up and running.

1. Maintain installation and maintenance records. Complete installation and maintenance records will allow you to verify completed system tests, original electrical values and identify performance changes.

2. Check your insulation. Insulation plays a critical role in the overall heat tracing system.

3. Check heat  tracing components. Damaged components can result in water ingress, corrosion, or the loosening of electrical connections.

4. Perform an insulation resistance test on all heat tracing circuits.

5. Check your power distribution panel and secondary wire and conduit. Visually inspect the conduit distribution system for openings in the conduit, and for damaged or missing components and low-point drains.

6. Test all ground-fault breakers. All ground-fault breakers should be tested according to the manufacturers’ instructions.

7. Check your thermostat or control system. They allow you to run automatic tests and capture alarm and fault information, which is useful if troubleshooting your heat tracing system becomes necessary.

8. Energizing each heat trace circuit is necessary to make sure no short circuit or ground faults exist and RTDs are functioning properly.

9. Stock critical spare components and cable. If your system still fails after all your checks, stocking spare components and cable will allow for timely repairs or replacements.

10. Don’t wait until winter to check your electric heat tracing system.

Links

• Related Article: 10 Ways to Use Electric Heat Tracing to Keep Industrial Fluids Flowing in Winter
• Tyco Thermal Controls