Information on BlueTrace electric heating controllers

Power control saves time and money in heating circuit design

BlueTrace makes it easy to use the best and cheapest heating cables on the market: standard resistance cables. Power control increases tolerance to circuit length limits and reduces the need to use multiple types of heating cables in a single project. You may need to purchase only two types of heating cables instead of several types, allowing for volume discounts on cable ordering. For changes in circuit length, simply changing the settings is sufficient. In addition, the BlueTrace has its own heating circuit power meter to which it is fed, the phase voltage, the heating cable length, the resistance, the phases, and the desired power / cable meter. Based on that data, BlueTrace calculates the control percentage and the effective current. BluePID control makes management even easier. BluePID control can be started when the desired temperature and maximum allowable current have been set. BlueTrace takes care of power control during use.

BT-TL600 ATEX circuit temperature limiter

Heating circuits in potentially explosive atmospheres can be designed in two ways. Either by limiting the maximum temperature of the heating cable sheath by designing it so that the heating cable cannot overheat, or by using a separate temperature sensor for the heating cable sheath and an ATEX-approved limiter that shuts off the circuit if the heating cable overheats. The BlueTrace has an optional BT-TL600 ATEX temperature limiter for potentially explosive atmospheres. The BT-TL600 can be connected to an external contactor that shuts off the circuit in the event of overheating. You can also use an extended BlueTrace case that allows a safety contactor to be installed inside the BlueTrace.

Energy saving action

Electric heating consumes a lot of energy. With thousands of heating sites, even the slightest reduction in energy consumption means a lot. How much does electric heating consume per day? What about a year? BlueTrace stores total energy consumption for statistics and includes functions to save electricity. With BlueTrace, you can keep track of the kilowatts you use and see the impact of your savings.

Examples of how BlueTrace helps reduce electricity consumption:

The BluePID control algorithm closely monitors the temperature and automatically maintains the required power level correct during the cold seasons and at a minimum during the warm seasons.

The temperature control window mode is ideal for heating tiles and gutters. It adjusts the power linearly over the selected temperature range according to the outdoor temperature. It is not always advisable to heat a large concrete slab if the environment is too cold.

Programmable voltage inputs and software allow the temperature setpoint to be reduced or the circuit to be shut down in the following cases:

• Flow sensors or an automation system detect flow in the pipe
• The liquid level in the tank drops
• The process is stopped for maintenance
• When handling materials that require a lower temperature point

Preventive and easy maintenance

Heating circuits are not usually used in the summer, and any damage can go unnoticed. When the weather starts to cool down and when important circuits need to be started, unpleasant surprises can come. During downtime, BlueTrace performs automatic test cycles to ensure proper operation and to report any faults. Measuring load currents and leakage current brings peace of mind, as the device notifies you when the condition of the heating circuit begins to deteriorate. BlueTrace can be set to give an alarm to indicate too high or low load or leakage current. When servicing a multi-channel system, multiple circuits often need to be shut down. Thanks to BlueTrace, only the circuit to be serviced has to be shut down. If the BlueTrace electric heating controller needs to be replaced, the settings will be copied to the new device using the software and the new BlueTrace will be installed in place of the old one, after which the circuit can be turned on. Fast, easy and economical.

Unit controller or system, why not both!

The BlueTrace operates as a separate unit and is perfectly suited for single heating circuit applications. However, BlueTrace is also a true team player. Multiple BlueTrace units can be mounted on racks, combining the racks into a larger unit and building a system that controls up to hundreds of heating circuits.

BlueTrace devices within a group can share data connections and temperature data, reducing installation costs. A single BlueTrace device can act as a gateway to forward data over an Ethernet bus. Other units in the BlueTrace group can use, for example, the cheaper RS-485 technology.

BlueTrace groups take up less space than conventional cabinet-style control panels. In addition, the cooling fins on the BlueTrace case keep the solid state relays cool because they are not in a closed metal cabinet. BlueTrace is the perfect solution for both single and multiple heating applications. With the BlueTrace electric heating controller, planning the constructions is very easy.