Recommended practice for electrical resistance heat tracing

RP515, IEEE Recommended Practice for the Testing Design, Installation, and Maintenance of Electrical Resistance Heat Tracing for Industrial Applications, was published in 1983. Compared to other US and worldwide standards, RP515 provided a comprehensive set of guidelines for heat tracing in industrial applications. However, during the first year after publication, it was requested that RP515 be revised in order to include recommendations for Class I, Division 1 (CID1) applications and to update product testing in view of new technologies and constructions. The IEEE Standards Board granted its approval for the revised RP515 in August 1989. Publication was completed in early 1990. Revised RP515 provides a basis for the successful application of heat tracing in unclassified, Class I, Division 2 (CID2) and CiD1 areas. Background to and an overview of RP515 are provided, with special emphasis on the revised portions.<>