Description
Electrically Heated Instrument Tubing with BSX™ Self-Regulating Heat Tracing
Thermon TubeTrace® with BSX™ is an electrically heated tubing-bundle system designed to provide freeze protection and temperature maintenance for process and instrument tubing where steam-out of the tubing is not required or possible.
The system combines process tube(s), BSX self-regulating heat tracing, heat-reflective tape, non-hygroscopic glass-fiber insulation and a protective polymer outer jacket into one integrated assembly.
The BSX heating cable is cut-to-length and automatically adjusts its heat output in response to surrounding temperature conditions along the circuit. This helps reduce the risk of overheating the tubing or process product while minimizing installation waste.
Key Features
- BSX™ self-regulating heat tracing
- Cut-to-length heating cable
- Freeze protection and temperature maintenance
- Tube temperature range from 5°C to 65°C (40°F to 150°F)
- Maximum continuous exposure temperature of 85°C (185°F) with power off
- T6 temperature rating
- Available for ordinary and hazardous areas
- Single-tube and multiple-tube configurations
- Non-hygroscopic glass-fiber insulation
- Heat-reflective tape
- ATP or TPU polymer outer jacket
- Multiple watt-density options
- 110–120 VAC and 208–277 VAC configurations.
What Is TubeTrace with BSX?
TubeTrace with BSX is a factory-assembled electrically heated tubing bundle.
Instead of installing the process tubing, heat tracing and insulation separately in the field, these components are integrated into a single assembly.
The basic construction is:
Process Tube(s)
↓
BSX Self-Regulating Heat Tracing
↓
Heat-Reflective Tape
↓
Non-Hygroscopic Glass-Fiber Insulation
↓
Polymer Outer Jacket
Thermon identifies these five components as the basic TubeTrace BSX construction.
BSX™ Self-Regulating Heat Tracing
The main heating component is BSX™ self-regulating heat tracing.
Unlike a conventional constant-watt heating cable, BSX varies its heat output according to the surrounding conditions along the circuit.
This provides several advantages:
- Heat output responds to ambient conditions.
- Lower risk of overheating the tube or product.
- Cut-to-length installation.
- Easier end connections.
- Minimal heating-cable waste.
- Suitable for ordinary and hazardous areas.
This makes BSX particularly suitable for instrument tubing where the required heat is primarily intended for freeze protection and moderate temperature maintenance.
Temperature Maintenance
Thermon specifies TubeTrace with BSX for temperature maintenance from:
5°C to 65°C (40°F to 150°F)
The BSX heating cable can withstand a maximum continuous exposure temperature of:
85°C (185°F)
with a T6 temperature rating.
Therefore, TubeTrace with BSX should be considered a solution for low-to-moderate temperature maintenance, rather than a high-temperature heated tubing system.
Freeze Protection
One of the primary applications of TubeTrace with BSX is freeze protection.
Instrument and process tubing installed outdoors may be exposed to low ambient temperatures. Without sufficient heat tracing, water or other process fluids can freeze inside the tube.
Freezing can result in:
- Blocked tubing
- Instrument malfunction
- Incorrect measurements
- Process interruption
- Damage to tubing or components
- Increased maintenance
TubeTrace with BSX compensates for heat loss and helps maintain the tubing above the required freeze-protection temperature.
Cut-to-Length BSX Design
A major advantage of BSX is its cut-to-length construction.
The heating cable can be cut to the required circuit length, allowing the TubeTrace assembly to be adapted to the actual tubing route.
Benefits include:
- Reduced cable waste
- Easier termination
- Simplified installation
- More flexible project engineering
- Lower installation cost
Thermon specifically states that the cut-to-length BSX design makes end connections easier while minimizing waste.
Single-Tube and Multiple-Tube Configurations
TubeTrace with BSX is available in configurations for:
- SE – Single Tube
- ME – Multiple Tubes
Multiple-tube configurations are useful when several instrument or process lines need to run together along the same route.
This allows multiple tubing circuits to share the same protective insulation and outer jacket.
Available Watt Densities
Thermon specifies the following BSX watt-density options:
| Watt Density | Metric Equivalent |
|---|---|
| 3 W/ft | 10 W/m |
| 5 W/ft | 16 W/m |
| 8 W/ft | 26 W/m |
| 10 W/ft | 33 W/m |
The ratings are specified at approximately 50°F / 10°C.
The correct watt density depends on factors such as:
- Required maintenance temperature
- Minimum ambient temperature
- Tube size
- Tube material
- Insulation
- Bundle length
- Installation environment.
Supply Voltage
TubeTrace with BSX is available for:
- 110–120 VAC
- 208–277 VAC
The available voltage should be confirmed when specifying the complete tubing-bundle assembly.
TubeTrace BSX Construction
| Component | Function |
|---|---|
| Process Tube(s) | Transports process fluid or instrument medium |
| BSX Heat Tracing | Provides electrical heating |
| Heat-Reflective Tape | Helps distribute heat around the tube |
| Glass-Fiber Insulation | Reduces heat loss |
| ATP / TPU Outer Jacket | Provides mechanical and environmental protection |
This integrated construction provides a compact and protected heated tubing system.
Process Tube Materials
TubeTrace systems can be configured with different process-tube materials according to the application.
Thermon’s TubeTrace overview identifies options including:
- 316L stainless steel
- 316Ti stainless steel
- 304 stainless steel
- Copper
- PFA Teflon
- Monel
- Titanium
- Other material options.
The actual tube material should be selected based on:
- Process medium
- Chemical compatibility
- Operating temperature
- Operating pressure
- Required tube flexibility
- Project specifications.
Insulation
TubeTrace with BSX uses non-hygroscopic glass-fiber insulation.
The insulation helps reduce heat loss from the process tube and allows the BSX heating cable to maintain the required tube temperature more efficiently.
Because the insulation is non-hygroscopic, it is designed to avoid absorbing moisture that could negatively affect the thermal performance of the bundle.
Outer Jacket
The TubeTrace BSX assembly uses a polymer outer jacket.
Thermon identifies:
- ATP
- TPU
as available outer-jacket materials.
The outer jacket provides additional protection against environmental exposure and mechanical damage.
Hazardous Area Applications
TubeTrace with BSX can be used in both:
Ordinary Areas
Non-classified industrial areas.
Hazardous / Classified Areas
Thermon identifies BSX as approved for use in ordinary and hazardous classified areas.
The TubeTrace BSX product documentation also identifies hazardous-area approvals and certification options for the BSX heat-tracing system. Thermon’s tubing-bundle brochure lists FM Approvals, IEC certification and ATEX, along with additional BSX approvals including DNV and Lloyd’s.
The exact certification must be confirmed for the complete selected configuration, including heating cable, termination and connection components.
Instrument Tubing Applications
TubeTrace with BSX is particularly suitable for instrument tubing that needs protection from freezing or requires moderate temperature maintenance.
Typical applications include:
- Instrument impulse lines
- Instrument tubing
- Process tubing
- Sampling tubing
- Outdoor instrumentation
- Analyzer tubing
- Process measurement systems.
Thermon positions TubeTrace as a solution for freeze protection and temperature maintenance in process industries.
Process Analyzer Applications
TubeTrace with BSX can also be used for process analyzer tubing where the required temperature falls within the BSX temperature range.
Maintaining the tubing temperature can help prevent:
- Freezing
- Condensation
- Unstable sample conditions
- Instrument blockage
For applications requiring significantly higher sample temperatures, Thermon provides other TubeTrace configurations such as HPT, HTSX and MIQ, which should be evaluated according to the required temperature and application conditions.
TubeTrace BSX vs. TubeTrace HTSX
Since both products use self-regulating heat tracing, the main distinction is their temperature capability.
| Feature | TubeTrace with BSX | TubeTrace with HTSX |
|---|---|---|
| Heat tracing | BSX self-regulating | HTSX self-regulating |
| Tube temperature | 5–65°C | 5–150°C |
| Max. continuous exposure | 85°C | 250°C |
| Freeze protection | Yes | Yes |
| Cut-to-length | Yes | Yes |
| Hazardous areas | Available | Available |
| Typical application | Freeze protection / moderate temperature maintenance | Higher-temperature temperature maintenance |
Therefore, BSX is the more suitable choice when the required maintenance temperature is relatively low, while HTSX is intended for applications requiring substantially higher temperature capability.
Typical Applications
Oil & Gas
- Instrument tubing
- Outdoor process instrumentation
- Sampling lines
Chemical Processing
- Process tubing
- Instrument lines
- Freeze protection
Power Generation
- Instrument impulse lines
- Outdoor tubing
- Measurement systems
Industrial Plants
- Process instrumentation
- Analyzer tubing
- Freeze protection systems
Tube bundles are commonly used across process industries where exposed tubing requires temperature maintenance and environmental protection.
Technical Specifications
| Attribute | Specification |
|---|---|
| Brand | Thermon |
| Product | TubeTrace® with BSX™ |
| Product Type | Electrically Heated Tubing Bundle |
| Bundle Type | SE / ME |
| Heat Tracing | BSX Self-Regulating |
| Temperature Range | 5–65°C (40–150°F) |
| Maximum Continuous Exposure | 85°C (185°F) |
| T-Rating | T6 |
| Watt Density | 3 / 5 / 8 / 10 W/ft |
| Metric Watt Density | 10 / 16 / 26 / 33 W/m |
| Supply Voltage | 110–120 / 208–277 VAC |
| Insulation | Non-Hygroscopic Glass Fiber |
| Heat Reflective Tape | Yes |
| Outer Jacket | ATP / TPU |
| Heat Tracing | Cut-to-Length |
| Hazardous Area | Available |
| Main Application | Freeze Protection / Temperature Maintenance |
| Tube Configuration | Single / Multiple Tube |
Specifications are based on Thermon’s TubeTrace BSX product page and BSX product specification.
Why Choose Thermon TubeTrace with BSX?
Thermon TubeTrace® with BSX™ provides an integrated solution for freeze protection and moderate-temperature maintenance of process and instrument tubing.
Its combination of self-regulating BSX heat tracing, cut-to-length construction, glass-fiber insulation, protective outer jacket and hazardous-area approvals makes it suitable for industrial instrumentation and process applications.
For applications where the required tube temperature is within 5–65°C, BSX offers a practical and economical heated tubing-bundle solution. For higher-temperature requirements, other Thermon heat-tracing technologies should be considered.
