Raychem TraceTek

Simple and Sure Leak Detection and Location

TraceTek sensing cables are designed to detect the presence of liquid at any point along their length. Because TraceTek cables use a four-wire construction, monitoring the two circuit loops provides a continual and positive verification of system integrity. The presence of liquid creates a circuit between the two sensing wires, and triggers an alarm —with no moving parts or calibration. The four-wire TraceTek circuit also provides uniform sensitivity —even a small amount of liquid will trip the alarm, regardless of where it happens to contact the sensing cable. The elegantly simple TraceTek circuit allows a choice of monitoring approaches. There’s a TraceTek system to fit the application, whether a simple detection system (for a small, isolated area) or a complex, multibranched locating system (to monitor a large area).

TraceTek locating system even pinpoints where liquid contacted the sensing cable.

A quick glance at a map of the system layout (supplied as part of the TraceTek system) makes it easy to quickly locate the leak source.

Technology Comparison

Almost all other leak detection systems sense materials INDIRECTLY. That is, they detect an event caused by a leak instead of the leak itself. A float switch sensor, for example, detects a movement of the component’s electrical contacts which are actuated by movement of the float itself. Movement of the contact, of course, may or may not be a leak. The same is true of capacitance measuring 2-wire cable systems (TDR [Time Domain Reflectometry] technology). These systems detect only a change in capacitance level and then try to evaluate this change with a somewhat sophisticated computer program. However, a change in capacitance can be caused by a re-positioned cable, a change in moisture level, corrosion at a connector, and a host of other factors. The control module is then left with the near impossible task of sorting out a leak or a continuity failure from some other event which causes a capacitance change. The performance and reliability of TraceTek leak detection systems are unequaled in the leak detection industry.

Raychem Heat Tracing

Innovative Technology and Reliability

High Heat Output

When the heating cable is cold, the conductive polymer heating core contracts microscopically, increasing the number of electrically cunductive paths. Electric current flow is higher and heat output is higher…generating heat only when it is needed and precisely where it is needed.

Moderate Heat Output

As the heating core warms and expands microscopically, some of the conductive pathsare opened, reducing the electrical current flow and reducing heat output…eliminating any possibility of over-heating.

Low Heat Output

In areas where the heating cable is warmest, the number of conductive paths through the core is lowest. Current flow through the core is low and little heat is produced…conserving energy during operation.

Raychem’s self-regulating heating cables consist of two parallel conductors embedded in a heating core made of conductive polymer. The core is radiation-crosslinked to ensure long-term reliability. Raychem’s self-regulating heating cables automatically adjust their power output to compensate for temperature changes. The heating cable is sensitive to local temperatures: as they drop, electrical resistance decreases. As a result, current flow between the conductors increases and more heat is generated. Conversely, resistance increases as temperatures rise, reducing heat output. Occuring automatically and independently at each point in the heating cable, self-regulation ensures heat generation only when it is needed, only where it is needed. The benefits are distinct and measurable.

Proven Advantages of Self-Regulating and Parallel Circuits

Through a combination of self-regulating technology and parallel circuit design, our heating systems:

1. Are cut to length, spliced, tee’d, and terminated in the field.
2. Can be safely overlapped without forming hotspots.
3. Adjust heat output continuously along the heater length, minimizing energy consumption and costs.
4. Accommodate site changes, take up little space, and are easy to specify.

All of these features give you:

1. Engineering flexibility
2. Ease of installation
3. Uniform temperatures
4. Reliability
5. Lower installed cost
6. Lower operating costs