کابل هیت تریس ال‌ترم ELK-MI VA

ELK-MI VA Mineral-Insulated Heating Cable

Manufacturer: eltherm GmbH, Germany

High-Temperature Mineral-Insulated Trace Heating Cable with Clean Laser Seal (CLS) Technology

1. Product Overview

The ELK-MI VA is a high-performance mineral-insulated (MI) electric trace heating cable manufactured by eltherm GmbH, Germany. Designed for demanding industrial heating applications, it provides temperature maintenance and freeze protection for pipelines, tanks, vessels, silos, and process equipment operating under high-temperature conditions.

The ELK-MI VA is available in single-conductor and twin-conductor configurations. It features a mineral-insulated heating element, a stainless-steel outer sheath, and a precision laser-sealed connection to the mineral-insulated cold leads. eltherm's Clean Laser Seal (CLS) technology is designed to provide a reliable connection for demanding industrial environments.

With a nominal temperature rating of up to 700 °C, a maximum heating output of up to 250 W/m, and a nominal voltage of up to 500 V AC, the ELK-MI VA is suitable for evaluation in a wide range of specialized industrial heat-tracing applications.

The cable is factory-assembled and supplied ready for installation. Each unit is provided with a nameplate containing relevant technical information and product markings.

2. Applications

The ELK-MI VA mineral-insulated heating cable is designed for a variety of industrial applications, including:

• Temperature Maintenance: Maintaining the required temperature of pipelines and process equipment.
• Freeze Protection: Preventing the freezing of fluids in pipelines and associated equipment.
• Industrial Pipelines: Electric heat tracing for process lines.
• Silos, Vessels, and Tanks: Maintaining process temperatures in storage and processing equipment.
• Chemical and Petrochemical Industries: Heating applications requiring high-temperature performance and suitable material compatibility.
• Oil and Gas Industry: Temperature maintenance for industrial equipment and process systems.
• High-Temperature Processes: Applications requiring elevated operating temperatures.
• Mobile Processing Facilities: Heating solutions for selected mobile process installations.
• Vacuum Processes: Applications in suitable vacuum process systems, subject to design requirements.

3. Key Features and Benefits

• Mineral-insulated construction for demanding high-temperature industrial applications.
• Nominal temperature rating of up to 700 °C, subject to the selected configuration and operating limits.
• Single-conductor and twin-conductor configurations.
• Stainless-steel outer sheath made from grade 1.4541 (AISI 321).
• Magnesium oxide (MgO) mineral insulation.
• Clean Laser Seal (CLS) connection technology.
• Maximum specified heating output of up to 250 W/m, depending on configuration.
• Nominal voltage of up to 500 V AC.
• Factory-prefabricated construction for installation according to the manufacturer's instructions.
• Different electrical resistance options for application-specific heating designs.
• Designed for temperature maintenance and freeze protection in suitable industrial systems.
• Suitable for evaluation in chemical, petrochemical, oil and gas, and high-temperature process applications.
• Stainless-steel connection components and sealed cable ends for suitable industrial environments.
• Manufacturer-specified quality checks and testing procedures.
• Certified hazardous-area configurations available for specified systems, subject to applicable certificate requirements.

4. Technical Specifications

The following values describe the ELK-MI VA product family. The exact specifications and permitted operating conditions must be verified against the current official datasheet and nameplate for the selected cable configuration.

5. Cable Construction and Main Components

5.1. Heating Conductor

The heating conductor converts electrical energy into heat. Depending on the cable design and electrical requirements, conductor materials may include:

• Nichrome R
• KP
• Constantan
• Alloy 60
• Copper

The conductor material and electrical resistance are selected according to the required heating output, supply voltage, operating temperature, and application design.

5.2. Mineral Insulation

The cable uses magnesium oxide (MgO) as its mineral insulation material. MgO is associated with ASTM E1652 and provides electrical insulation suitable for high-temperature applications.

5.3. Stainless-Steel Outer Sheath

The outer sheath is manufactured from stainless steel grade 1.4541 (AISI 321). It protects the internal heating components and provides mechanical protection in suitable industrial environments.

Chemical compatibility must be evaluated according to the specific chemical, concentration, temperature, and exposure conditions.

5.4. Mineral-Insulated Cold Leads and Power Connections

The heating section is connected to mineral-insulated cold leads by means of a precision laser-sealed connection. The copper conductors of the cold leads are available in cross-sections of 2.0, 2.5, 3.3, and 5.0 mm².

The free end of each cold lead is sealed and connected to a flexible power supply cable. An additional protective earth conductor with a cross-section of 1.5 mm² is provided.

5.5. Cable Gland and End Seal

Each cold lead is fitted with a compression-ring cable gland made from stainless steel grade 1.4404 (AISI 316L), with an M20 × 1.5 or M25 × 1.5 thread depending on the selected configuration.

A molded end seal helps prevent the gland from becoming detached. The final gland specification must be verified against the selected cable configuration and installation requirements.

5.6. Clean Laser Seal (CLS) Technology

Clean Laser Seal (CLS) is a key feature of the ELK-MI VA heating cable. This technology uses precision laser welding and a pressed connection to join the heating section to the cold-lead assembly.

According to eltherm, CLS is designed to enhance connection reliability and provide protection against stress corrosion cracking, particularly in demanding chemical environments involving substances such as leachable chlorides or sulfur-containing compounds.

Actual corrosion resistance depends on the operating environment, material compatibility, and installation conditions.

6. How Does ELK-MI VA Work?

The ELK-MI VA operates by passing electrical current through a resistive heating conductor. Electrical energy is converted into thermal energy, which is transferred to the pipeline, vessel, or equipment being heated.

The mineral insulation electrically separates the conductor from the metal sheath while supporting operation at elevated temperatures. The stainless-steel outer sheath provides mechanical protection for the cable assembly.

The cable resistance, supply voltage, installed length, and circuit arrangement determine the electrical power generated. Correct engineering calculations are required to establish the appropriate cable design and operating conditions.

A suitable temperature-control system may be incorporated where required by the process design. The control method and protection devices should be selected according to the cable characteristics, process temperature, and applicable safety requirements.

7. Approvals and Hazardous-Area Applications

The ELK-MI VA product family has approvals and certification documentation for specified systems and configurations, including ATEX, IECEx, FM Approved, ABS, EAC Ex, and CML / UKEX.

Certificate references identified for relevant configurations include:

• FM15ATEX0046X
• FM18US0191X
• FM18CA0089X
• IECEx FME 15.0009X
• 21UKEX1954X for the applicable system

The hazardous-area classifications specified for applicable configurations include:

• Gas atmosphere: II 2 G Ex 60079-30-1 db eb IIC Gb
• Dust atmosphere: II 2 D Ex 60079-30-1 tb IIIC Db

These markings relate to specified gas and dust hazardous-area applications. The exact certificate, temperature limits, equipment group, zone classification, and system installation requirements must be verified before selecting the cable for a hazardous location.

The availability of a certificate for one product configuration does not mean that every version of the ELK-MI VA is approved for all hazardous environments. The applicable documentation for the exact cable and complete heating system must be consulted.

8. Compatible Accessories

The following junction boxes are listed as compatible accessory options for relevant ELK-MI heating system configurations:

• ELAK-Ex 2.00
• ELAK-Ex 4.21
• ELAK-Ex 4.22
• ELAK-Ex 4.23
• ELAK-3-SP
• ELAK-6-SP

The appropriate junction box should be selected according to the cable configuration, number of connections, enclosure requirements, installation environment, and applicable hazardous-area certification.

8.1. Cold-Lead and Power Supply Cables

The manufacturer identifies VA single-conductor power supply cable options including:

• 500 V, 2.5 mm² conductor cross-section, approximately 5.3 mm overall diameter.
• 500 V, 6 mm² conductor cross-section, approximately 6.4 mm overall diameter.

The correct cold-lead and power connection arrangement must be verified for the selected heating cable. Available factory-assembled connections and accessory options depend on the specific product configuration.

9. Nameplate and Installation Information

Each ELK-MI VA heating cable is supplied with a nameplate containing the relevant technical information and product markings.

The maximum permissible holding temperature is determined from the maximum sheath temperature specified by eltherm and is indicated on the cable nameplate.

Before installation and commissioning, the nameplate, product datasheet, electrical design, and applicable installation instructions should be checked to confirm compatibility with the intended application.

Installation must follow the manufacturer's instructions, including the minimum bending radius, electrical protection requirements, protective earthing, connection arrangements, and applicable industrial safety standards.

10. Installation and Commissioning

The ELK-MI VA is supplied prefabricated and ready for installation. Correct handling and installation are essential to maintain the integrity of the mineral insulation, outer sheath, and connection assemblies.

A typical installation and commissioning process includes:

1. Reviewing the cable datasheet and nameplate before installation.
2. Confirming the required heating output and cable configuration through thermal and electrical calculations.
3. Inspecting the cable, cold leads, glands, and connection assemblies for visible damage.
4. Planning the cable route and observing the specified minimum bending radius.
5. Installing compatible connection boxes and accessories where required.
6. Providing appropriate electrical protection and protective earthing.
7. Carrying out the electrical tests specified by the manufacturer and applicable standards.
8. Verifying the temperature-control arrangements and circuit protection before commissioning.
9. Recording relevant inspection and commissioning results.

Cable routing, thermal insulation, connection methods, and control arrangements must be suitable for the actual process conditions. Installation and electrical testing should be performed by suitably qualified personnel.

11. Selection and Engineering Considerations

To select the appropriate ELK-MI VA configuration, the following parameters should be evaluated:

• Required process temperature and maximum permissible sheath temperature.
• Pipeline length, vessel dimensions, or equipment surface area.
• Calculated heat losses and thermal insulation requirements.
• Required heating output in watts per metre.
• Supply voltage, electrical resistance, circuit current, and voltage drop.
• Single-conductor or twin-conductor configuration.
• Ambient conditions, moisture exposure, and chemical compatibility.
• Hazardous-area classification and applicable certification.
• Junction boxes, cable glands, and power connection requirements.
• Temperature control, overcurrent protection, and other required protective devices.
• Installation layout and minimum bending radius.
• Verification of the specific product datasheet, nameplate, ordering code, and installation instructions.

The final cable selection should be based on project-specific calculations rather than the maximum ratings alone. Electrical resistance, installed length, supply voltage, thermal losses, and the required process temperature must all be considered.

12. Conclusion

The eltherm ELK-MI VA mineral-insulated trace heating cable is designed for industrial temperature maintenance and freeze protection applications requiring a robust heating solution. Its magnesium oxide insulation, stainless-steel outer sheath, and Clean Laser Seal connection technology make it suitable for evaluation in demanding industrial heating systems.

With a nominal temperature rating of up to 700 °C, a maximum nominal heating output of up to 250 W/m, and a nominal voltage of up to 500 V AC, the ELK-MI VA offers configuration options for industrial process heating applications.

Its prefabricated construction, range of electrical resistance options, manufacturer quality-control procedures, and availability of certified system configurations support its use in appropriately engineered industrial installations.

Final product selection must be based on actual heat-loss calculations, electrical design, operating conditions, installation requirements, and applicable certifications. The specific single-conductor or twin-conductor datasheet should be consulted before ordering or installation.