Heat Trace.

[S.P.A.R.K.Y]

Is self regulating or self limiting heat trace wire supposed to have continuity between the 2 parallel wires?... a lot of people saying it should and a lot saying it shouldn't....

 

[LarryFine]

Welcome to the forum.

It would have to for current to flow, wouldn't it?

 

[ptonsparky]

Is self regulating or self limiting heat trace wire supposed to have continuity between the 2 parallel wires?... a lot of people saying it should and a lot saying it shouldn't....

Define continuity.

Is it working?

 

[S.P.A.R.K.Y]

Continuity when not connected to anything...we are using a JBS-100-ECP-A box and followed all diagram termination points 100% and as soon as the power from the lines coming in(30 amp single pole breaker from PDP) kicks in the box starts smoking from the two line terminations, the one coming in from main power and the one for the heat trace.

 

[Krusscher]

What did you use for your termination? did you check how much it is drawing when you turn it on?

 

[don_resqcapt19]

It will have continuity between the "bus" conductors, but based on the temperature of the trace and the voltage of your meter, it may be difficult to read.

 

[Dsg319]

It will have a different value of ohms between the conductors dependent on length and tempature.

 

[don_resqcapt19]

Continuity when not connected to anything...we are using a JBS-100-ECP-A box and followed all diagram termination points 100% and as soon as the power from the lines coming in(30 amp single pole breaker from PDP) kicks in the box starts smoking from the two line terminations, the one coming in from main power and the one for the heat trace.

Did you megger the cable as suggested in the installation instructions prior to putting power to it? Assuming that the power supply has GFP as required by the code, it sounds like you have not correctly made the termination at the far end of the trace and have a short between the bus wires.

 

[S.P.A.R.K.Y]

Thanks everybody for your help, I finally got it figured out...I had to talk with the manufacturer and it turns out it was a defective digital box controller, everything is working fine now.

 

[kwired]

Did you megger the cable as suggested in the installation instructions prior to putting power to it? Assuming that the power supply has GFP as required by the code, it sounds like you have not correctly made the termination at the far end of the trace and have a short between the bus wires.

The controller that was smoking probably has the GFP protection in it.