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Design Guide

Tank Heating Systems

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Contents

Introduction
Design Guide Overview 1
Appropriate Applications 1
Design Guide vs. TankCalc Plus 1
Approvals 1
Preliminary Steps 1
Caution 1

Part I: Heat Loss Calculations

Surface Areas 2
Step 1. Calculate the surface area of the tank. 3
Cylinder Surface Area 3
Truncated Cone Surface Area 4
Step 2. Calculate the QV (heat loss through the insulated body). 4
Step 3. Calculate the QS (heat loss through the base support). 6
Concrete Slab or Earth Foundation 6
Legs 7
Concrete Saddles 8
Uninsulated Skirt 9
Step 4. Calculate the QA (heat loss through the accessories). 10
Manholes 10
Handholds 10
Step 5. Calculate the tank QT (overall heat loss) 11
Step 6. Calculate the final-design heat loss 11
Illustrative Example 12

Part II: Heater Selection and Sizing

System Selection 13
Plastic Tank Considerations 14
RHS Model and Size Selection 15
Illustrative Example 15
RHS Tank Heater Dimensions 16

Part III: Heater Design

Thermostatic Control of Tank Heaters 17
Location, Spacing, and Arrangement of Heaters 17
Questions 18

Specifications/Approvals 19

Design Worksheet 20

Notes 22
Introduction

Design Guide Overview

This design guide has three basic parts:

• Part I provides heat-loss information based on various tank configurations
and temperatures and helps you calculate tank heat loss.
• Part II helps you determine which Raychem Heating System—the Raychem
Heating System (RHS) tank heater or self-regulating heating cables—is right
for you. If you choose an RHS tank heater, Part II helps you select the right
system model and size. If you choose a heat-tracing cable system, Part II
will refer you to the right source.
• Part III contains design instructions for both systems.

Appropriate Applications

This design guide is appropriate for the following conditions:

• Fully insulated tanks
• Vertical and horizontal tanks
• Low (water) and medium (light oils) viscosity fluids
• Ordinary areas
• Standard freeze protection and process temperature maintenance

Contact Raychem for designing systems that meet the following conditions:
• Hazardous locations
• High viscosity fluids (heavy oils)
• Tanks smaller than 4 feet in diameter
• Other unusual applications

Design Guide vs. TankCalc Plus

This guide presents a general approach to designing a heat-tracing system for

a tank or vessel. The guide’s design and heat-loss assumptions are based on
those in Raychem’s TankCalc Plus software. The heat loss calculations made
using this guide will be higher than the identical calculation in TankCalc due to
engineering assumptions made in this guide. See your Raychem representative
for a copy of TankCalc.

Approvals

RHS tank heaters are approved for ordinary areas and Class I Division 2, Class
II, and III, Division 1 and 2 hazardous locations by Factory Mutual (FM) and the
Canadian Standards Association (CSA).

Preliminary Steps

Before proceeding with your tank heating system's design, you should obtain
the information requested in the Design Worksheet at the end of this design
guide and record the necessary information there.

1
 Part I: Heat Loss Calculations

Surface Areas
The overall heat loss (Q T) of an insulated tank can be expressed as:

QT = QV + QS + QA

where:

Q V = Heat loss through the insulated body of the tank

Q S = Heat loss through the slab, legs, saddle, or other base support
Q A = Heat loss through accessories such as manholes, handholds, ladders, or
handrails

Calculation of the tank’s overall heat loss (Q T) requires six simple steps:

Step 1. Calculate the surface area of the tank.

Step 2. Calculate Q V (heat loss through the insulated body of the tank).
Step 3. Calculate Q S (heat loss through the base support).
Step 4. Calculate Q A (heat loss through the accessories).
Step 5. Calculate Q T (overall heat loss).
Step 6. Calculate the final-design heat loss.

The heat-loss rates for insulated tank bodies (Table 2 and Chart 2 on page 5) are
based on the following IEEE 515 provisions:
• Fiberglass insulation
• Tank located outdoors in winds greater than 20-mph
• No insulating airspace between tank surface and insulation

The tank body heat-loss rates in Table 2 and Chart 2 assume a tank that is com-
pletely full and insulated with a minimum of 1 inch of fiberglass. However, Table 3
provides insulation factors for adjusting the tank-body heat loss to insulations
other than fiberglass.

2
 STEP 1. Calculate the surface area of the tank.
Cylinder Surface Area

The surface area of the cylindrical tank (Figure 1) is equal to the area of the body
(Abody) plus the area of both ends of the tank (Aend), or, in the case of a vertical
cylinder resting on a slab, the area of the tank body (Abody) plus the area of the top
(Aend). If the tank is a vertical cylinder resting on a slab, do not add in the bottom
area at this point.

H
D

H D

Figure 1. Cylinder surface areas

To calculate the total surface area (AV) of the tank cylinder:

• Calculate the surface area of the body:

(Abody) = πDH

• Calculate the surface area of one or both ends:

(Aend) = πD (Aend) = πD x 2
2 2
or
4 4

• Add the results.

For your convenience, Table 1 below provides both the end and body areas of
cylindrical tanks 6 to 20 feet in diameter and 8 to 25 feet high.

Table 1. Cylindrical Tank Surface Areas

Abody (ft2)
H (ft)
D (ft) Aend (ft2) 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25

6 29 151 170 189 208 227 245 264 283 302 321 340 359 311 396 415 434 453 471
7 39 176 198 220 242 264 286 308 330 352 374 396 418 440 462 484 506 528 550
8 51 202 227 252 277 302 327 352 377 403 427 452 478 503 528 553 579 604 629
9 64 227 255 283 311 340 368 396 425 453 481 509 538 566 594 622 650 679 707
10 79 252 283 315 346 377 409 440 472 503 535 565 597 629 660 692 723 754 786
11 95 277 311 346 381 415 450 484 519 553 588 622 657 692 726 761 795 830 864
12 114 302 340 377 415 453 491 528 566 604 641 679 717 754 792 830 868 905 943
13 133 327 368 409 450 491 531 572 613 654 695 736 776 817 858 899 940 981 1021
14 154 352 396 440 484 528 572 616 660 704 748 792 836 880 924 968 1012 1055 1100
15 177 377 425 472 519 566 613 660 707 754 802 849 896 943 990 1037 1084 1131 1179
16 202 403 453 503 553 604 654 704 754 805 855 905 955 1006 1056 1106 1157 1207 1257
17 227 427 481 535 588 641 695 748 802 855 908 962 1015 1069 1121 1175 1229 1282 1336
18 255 452 509 565 622 679 736 792 849 905 962 1018 1075 1131 1188 1244 1301 1357 1414
19 284 478 538 597 657 717 776 836 896 955 1015 1075 1135 1194 1254 1314 1373 1433 1493
20 315 503 566 629 692 754 817 880 943 1006 1069 1131 1194 1257 1320 1383 1446 1508 1571

Note: For area of horizontal tank, add area of both ends.

3
 Truncated Cone Surface Area

The total surface area (Av) of a truncated cone tank (Figure 2) is calculated as follows:

(Av) = (Abody) + (Atop) + (Abottom)*

* Do not include (Abottom) if tank bottom is resting on a slab.

D Abody = π (D+d) S
2
π (D+d) (D+d)2
= + H2
2 4
H S π D2
Atop =
4
π d2
Abottom =
4

Figure 2. Truncated Cone Surface Areas

STEP 2. Calculate the QV (heat loss through the insulated tank body).

Calculating the QV requires the following tank information:

• Maintain temperature (TM)
• Minimum ambient temperature (TA)
• Insulation thickness

You use the maintain and minimum ambient temperatures to arrive at the ∆ tem-
perature. With the ∆T and the insulation thickness you calculate the QV.

To calculate the QV :

• Obtain the ∆T by subtracting the minimum ambient temperature (TA) from the
maintain temperature (TM):

∆T = (TM) – (TA)

• Determine the heat loss rate for the application. (Table 2 and Chart 2 on page
5 show the heat-loss rates per square foot for typical ∆ temperatures and insu-
lation thicknesses.)

• Determine the insulation factor. (Table 3 on page 5 provides insulation factors

for the most commonly used tank insulations.)

• Calculate the total heat loss through the tank body:

QV = AV x Heat loss rate x Insulation factor

4
Table 2. Heat Loss Rate per Square Foot (watts/ft2)

Insulation Thickness
∆T 1" 1 1/2" 2" 3" 4"
50°F 3.4 2.3 1.7 1.2 0.9
100°F 7.1 4.8 3.6 2.4 1.8
150°F 11.0 7.5 5.6 3.7 2.8
200°F 15.3 10.3 7.7 5.2 3.9
250°F 20.0 13.5 10.2 6.8 5.1
300°F 24.9 16.8 12.7 8.5 6.5

30

25 1" of insulation
Heat Loss (watts/ft2)

20
1 1⁄2"
15
2"
10
3"
4"
5

0
50° 100° 150° 200° 250° 300°
∆T (°F)

Chart 2. Heat Loss Rate per Square Foot (watts/ft2)

Table 3. Insulation Factors for Typical Insulations

Insulation types Insulation Factor k Factor*

Fiberglass 1.00 0.270
Cellular glass 1.46 0.395
Calcium silicate (Type 1) 1.48 0.400
Expanded perlite 1.85 0.499
Flexible elastomer 1.15 0.311
Mineral fiber blanket 1.26 0.340
Polyisocyanurate 0.67 0.180
Rigid polyurethane, preform 0.60 0.161
Rigid polyurethane, spray 0.60 0.161
Rock wool/mineral wool 1.06 0.287

* Based on a 50°F mean temperature with units BTU/hr–°F–ft2/in.

5
 STEP 3. Calculate the QS (heat loss through the base support).
The following heat-loss tables and accompanying charts (3A–3D) provide typical
base-support heat losses (QS) through the following types of base support:

• Concrete slab or earth foundation

• Legs
• Concrete saddles
• Uninsulated skirt

Concrete Slab or Earth Foundation

Based on the ∆T and tank diameter, select the QS from the table or chart below.

Table 3A. Heat Loss for a Concrete Slab or Earth Foundation

Tank ∆T (°F)
Diameter (ft) 50° 100° 150° 200° 250° 300°
5 137 278 451 566 711 857
10 283 573 864 1154 1452 1703
20 566 1163 1760 2325 2922 3488
30 848 1767 2616 3535 4383 5231
40 1131 2388 3518 4649 5906 7037
50 1374 2945 4320 5891 7265 8836

10000

9000 D = 50 feet

8000

7000 D = 40 feet
Heat Loss (W)

6000

D = 30 feet
5000

4000
D = 20 feet
3000

2000
D = 10 feet

1000
D = 5 feet

0
50° 100° 150° 200° 250° 300°
∆T (°F)

Chart 3A. Heat loss for a concrete slab or earth foundation.

6
Legs

Determine the heat loss for legs (QS) as follows:

• Based on the ∆T and tank diameter, select the heat loss from the table or
chart below.

• The heat loss is on a per leg basis; therefore, multiply the heat loss by the
number of legs.

Table 3B. Heat Loss for a Leg Support

Tank ∆T (°F)
Diameter (ft) 50° 100° 150° 200° 250° 300°
5 26 52 77 103 129 155
10 and above 85 169 351 336 420 505

600

500 D = 10 feet
and up
400
Heat Loss (W)

300

200
D = 5 feet
100

0
50° 100° 150° 200° 250° 300°
∆T (°F)

Chart 3B. Heat loss for a leg support.

7
 Concrete Saddles

Determine the heat loss for saddles (QS) as follows:

• Based on the ∆T and tank diameter, select the heat loss (QS) from the table or
chart below.

• Multiply the heat loss you select by the number of saddle supports.

Chart 3C. Heat Loss for a Concrete Saddle

Tank ∆T (°F)
Diameter (ft) 50° 100° 150° 200° 250° 300°
5 93 186 275 368 461 553
10 145 290 430 576 721 866
15 198 395 586 783 981 1179
20 250 500 741 991 1241 1491

1600

D = 20 feet
1400

1200 D =15 feet

1000
Heat Loss (W)

D = 10 feet
800

600
D = 5 feet

400

200

0
50° 100° 150° 200° 250° 300°
∆T (°F)

Table 3C. Heat loss for a concrete saddle.

8
Uninsulated Skirt

Based on the ∆T and tank diameter, select the QS from the table or chart below.

Table 3D. Heat Loss for an Uninsulated Skirt

Tank ∆T (°F)
Diameter (ft) 50° 100° 150° 200° 250° 300°
5 402 805 1193 1595 1998 2400
10 806 1612 2389 3195 4000 4806
15 1209 2419 3585 4794 6003 7212
20 1613 3225 4780 6393 8006 9619

10000
D = 20 feet
9000

8000

D = 15 feet
7000

6000
Heat Loss (W)

5000 D = 10 feet

4000

3000
D = 5 feet
2000

1000

0
50° 100° 150° 200° 250° 300°
∆T (°F)

Chart 3D. Heat loss for an uninsulated skirt.

9
 STEP 4. Calculate the QA (heat loss through the accessories).
The following heat-loss tables and accompanying charts (4A–4D) provide typical
accessory heat losses (QS) through the following types of accessories:
• Manholes
• Handholds
• Ladders
• Handrails

Manholes

Select the heat loss for a manhole from the table or chart below. The heat loss is
based on a 2-foot-diameter cover and a 1-foot-tall base. The base and cover are
uninsulated.

Table 4A. Manhole Heat Losses

∆T (°F)
50° 100° 150° 200° 250° 300°
Heat Loss (W) 564 1120 1680 2237 2807 3401

3500
3000
2500
Heat Loss (W)

2000
1500
1000
500
0
50° 100° 150° 200° 250° 300°
∆T (°F)

Chart 4A. Manhole heat losses.

Handholds

Calculate the heat loss for handholds as follows:

• Select the heat loss from the table or chart below based on the ∆ temperature.
Heat loss from the table or chart is based on a 0.5-foot-diameter, uninsulated
surface.

• Multiply the heat loss you select by the number of handholds.

Table 4B. Heat Loss for a Handhold

∆T (°F)
50° 100° 150° 200° 250° 300°
Heat Loss (W) 90 178 265 351 437 526

10
 600

500

Heat Loss (W)

400

300

200

100

0
50° 100° 150° 200° 250° 300°
∆T (°F)

Chart 4B. Heat loss for a handhold.

STEP 5. Calculate the tank QT (overall heat loss).

Add the heat loss rates (QV, QS, and QA) from Steps 2, 3, and 4.

Outdoor application
QT = QV + QS + QA

Indoor application
QT = 0.9 x (QV + QS + QA)

STEP 6. Calculate final-design heat loss.

Raychem recommends that the final-design heat loss should include a 20 per-
cent safety factor, to satisfy IEEE 515 and manufacturing tolerances.

Final design heat loss = QT x 1.20

Note that this same heat-loss calculation approach is appropriate for insulated
polypropylene and fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) tanks.

11
 Illustrative Example

Tank Checklist

Maintenance temperature 110°F

Minimum ambient temperature –10°F
Tank material Metal
Tank shape Vertical cylinder
Tank dimensions 10-foot diameter; 12 feet high
Insulation type Fiberglass
Insulation thickness 2 inches
Tank support type Concrete slab
Tank accessories 1 manhole
Tank location Outdoors

STEP 1. From Chart 1, the area (AV) of the tank sides and top is
377 + 79 = 456 square feet

STEP 2. ∆T = 110°F – (–10°F) = 120°F

For 2 inches of insulation and 120°F ∆T, the surface heat loss rate is
4.4 watts/square foot. The insulation factor for fiberglass is 1.0.

QV = AV x Heat Loss Rate x Insulation Factor

Interpolation on the graph is needed to determine the heat loss rate.

( )
Heat loss rate = 3.6 + 120°F - 100°F (5.6 - 3.6)
150°F - 100°F
Heat loss rate = 4.4 w/ft

For this example

QV = 456 x 4.4 x 1.0 = 2007 watts

STEP 3. Using the graph in Step 3 to determine the heat loss (QS) through the
concrete slab for a tank diameter of 10 feet and a ∆T of 120°F:

QS = 689 watts

STEP 4. For a ∆T of 120°F, the manhole heat loss can be determined from
Step 4:

QA = 1344 watts

STEP 5. QT = QV + QS + QA

QT = 2007 + 689 + 1344 = 4040 watts

STEP 6. Calculate final-design heat loss, which includes a safety factor of 20

percent.

Design heat loss = 4040 watts x 1.20 = 4848 watts

12
Part II: Heater Selection and Sizing

System Selection
To select the appropriate Raychem heater for a tank, many factors have to be
considered. Use following guidelines to determine the best product for your appli-
cation, but if you have any questions, contact your Raychem sales representative.

RHS Tank Heaters

Choose an RHS tank heater for the following special applications:
• A space constrained tank
• A heat-loss application requiring fluid heat-up
• Tanks with high heat loss

If you choose an RHS tank heater, proceed to “RHS Model and Size Selection” on
page 15.

Self-regulating Heating Cables

Choose a self-regulating heating cable for the following special applications:

• A tank containing temperature-sensitive fluids
• Tank materials such as PVC and polyethylene
• Applications requiring:
— Shut-off at a specific temperature
— Uniform heating
• An application in a Class I Division 1 hazardous area (refer to the Raychem
Factory Mutual Approved Auto-Trace Heat Tracing Systems for Division 1
Locations Application and Installation Guide, H53622)

If you choose self-regulating heating cables, please consult one of the following
design guides for model and size selection and for additional design information:
• Auto-Trace Heat Tracing Systems for Ordinary and Division 2 Areas Design
Guide, H51149
• Factory Mutual Approved Auto-Trace Heat Tracing Systems for Division 1
Locations Application and Installation Guide, H53622.

13
 Plastic Tank Considerations
When designing heating systems for plastic tanks, the user must be careful to
keep the wall temperature below the recommended maximum material tempera-
ture. The following steps will quickly help you determine if your specific application
is appropriate for the tank material.

STEP 1. Determine the power density of the -L heater, Qa.

a) Qa = 295 Btu/ft2-hr for nominal voltages of 120 Vac and 240 Vac
b) For voltages other than 120 Vac and 240 Vac,
(Qa) adjusted = (Qa) * (V/ Vnominal)2

STEP 2. Determine the maximum fluid maintain temperature, Tf.

STEP 3. Determine the fluid gradient, ∆Tf. The fluid gradient will depend on fluid
type and temperature. For applications not involving temperature sensi-
tive fluids, the following values may be used for simplicity.
∆Tf = 10°F for fluids similar to water
∆Tf = 30°F for fluids similar to warm light oils
∆Tf = 100°F for fluids similar to warm heavy oils

STEP 4. Calculate the tank wall gradient, ∆Tw. The gradient depends on wall
thickness, t and material conductivity, k. ∆Tw = Qa * t / k

Wall thickness is expressed in inches. Typical conductivity values for

high temperature plastics are:
k = 1.7 Btu-in/hr-ft2 -°F for polypropylene
k = 2.1 Btu-in/hr-ft2-°F for fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP)

STEP 5. Calculate the maximum outer wall temperature, Tout-max.

Tout-max = Tf + ∆Tf + ∆Tw

The user should contact the tank manufacturer to determine the type and
temperature capability of the tank material. The maximum temperature for
polypropylene and FRP is typically 220°F. Other plastics like PVC and
polyethylene have much lower temperature capabilities and are more suit-
able for use with Raychem's self-regulating heating cable product line.

Illustrative Example
Tank Checklist
Fluid Water Maintenance temp. 50°F
Tank material FRP Tank wall thickness 1⁄2”
RHS heater RHS-L-XXX Voltage 277 Vac
Area Classification Ordinary

STEP 1. Calculate adjusted heater power density ,

(Qa) adjusted = (295) * (277/ 240)2 = 393

STEP 2. Determine fluid maintain temperature, Tf = 50°F

STEP 3. Determine fluid gradient for water, ∆Tf = 10°F

STEP 4. Calculate wall gradient for a FRP tank with 1⁄2” wall thickness,
∆Tw = (393 * 0.5) / 2.1 = 94°F

STEP 5. Calculate maximum outer wall temperature,

Tout-max = 50°F + 10°F + 94°F = 154°F

Maximum material temperature for FRP is approximately 220°F. Therefore, the

application is compatible with the tank material.

14
RHS Model and Size Selection
Tank material and power density determine which RHS tank heater series to select.

The number of heaters you will need depends on the amount of heat distribution
the application requires. A large number of low-powered heaters will disperse the
heat better than fewer high-powered heaters. Raychem recommends distributing
the heat over as much wall surface as is economically feasible. If you have any
questions, contact your Raychem sales representative.

Metal Tanks

RHS-H series heaters are used for metal tanks. RHS-H heaters have a power den-
sity of 1.9 watt/in2 at specified voltage with integrated thermostatic overtemperature
protection.

The table below lists the RHS-H configurations available. To determine the number
of heaters required, divide the final-design heat loss for the tank by the heater's
power output as shown in the table.

Catalog Number Dimensions Voltage (Vac) Power Output (W)

RHS-H-500-1 14" x 24" 120 500
RHS-H-1000-1 24" x 26" 120 1000
RHS-H-1400-1 24" x 36" 120 1400
RHS-H-500-2 14" x 24" 240 500
RHS-H-1000-2 24" x 26" 240 1000
RHS-H-1400-2 24" x 36" 240 1400

Polypropylene, FRP and Metal Tanks

RHS-L series heaters are for plastic or metal tanks. RHS-L heaters have a power
density of 0.6 watt/in2 at specified voltage with integrated thermostatic overtemper-
ature protection. The following RHS-L configurations are available:

Catalog Number Dimensions Voltage (Vac) Power Output (W)

RHS-L-150-1 14" x 24" 120 150
RHS-L-300-1 24" x 26" 120 300
RHS-L-420-1 24" x 36" 120 420
RHS-L-150-2 14" x 24" 240 150
RHS-L-300-2 24" x 26" 240 300
RHS-L-420-2 24" x 36" 240 420

Power Adjustment Factors

For all heaters with the -2 option, power output is calculated at 240 Vac. If the
source voltage is either 208 Vac or 277 Vac, the following power output correction
factors should be used.

208 Vac: Power output factor = 0.75

277 Vac: Power output factor = 1.33

15
 RHS Tank Heater Dimensions

D
C

E
F

Dimensions (inches)
RHS Model A B C D E F

RHS-L-150-W 14 24 4.875 8.875 4 5.125

RHS-H-500-W

RHS-L-300-W 24 26 9.95 13.75 4 5.125

RHS-H-1000-W

RHS-L-420-W 24 36 9.75 13.75 4 5.125

RHS-H-1400-W

16
Part III: Heater Design

Thermostatic Control of Tank Heaters

RHS Tank Heaters

Thermostatic control is required with RHS tank heaters.

There are two kinds of sensors for indicating temperature: “in-fluid” and “on-surface”
sensors.

The “in-fluid” approach uses a thermowell protruding through the tank wall and into
the fluid. Control of the heater is achieved by using a solid-state control device that
receives its input from an RTD inside the thermowell.

The “on-surface” approach uses bulb and capillary thermostats to control tank
heaters by sensing temperatures on the outside surface of the tank wall. The
Raychem BCK-35 clamp kit is used to attach the bulb sensor to the wall. Also use
AT-180 aluminum tape over the bulb. Primary thermostats should be located midway
between RHS heaters. If your application has high-heat-loss supports or acces-
sories, place the primary thermostat midway between the RHS heater and the sup-
port or accessory. The primary thermostat bulb should be placed horizontally on the
tank.

RHS tank heaters have integrated, resettable thermostats that provide overtemperature
protection in the event of a primary thermostat failure. The RHS integrated thermo-
stat should not be used as the primary means of temperature control.

17
 Location, Spacing, and Arrangement of Heaters
For vertical tanks, locate the heater on the lower one-third of the tank wall. Spiral
self-regulating heating cables around the tank as indicated on Figure 3. Optimum
spacing between spirals is 6 inches and minimum spacing is 3 inches. Use
AT-180 to attach self-regulating heating cable to the tank. Arrange heaters on hor-
izontal tanks and vertical cones as shown in Figures 4 and 5, respectively.

A B

Primary
Primary thermostat
thermostat bulb
bulb

Figure 3: Vertical tanks with RHS (Figure A) and self-regulating heating cables
(Figure B) heaters.

A B

Figure 4: Horizontal tanks with RHS (Figure A) and self-regulating heating cables
(Figure B) heaters.

A B

Figure 5: Truncated cones with RHS (Figure A) and self-regulating heating cables
(Figure B) heaters.

Questions
For more detailed answers to specific application problems, contact your local
Raychem representative.

18
Specifications/Approvals

RHS Tank Heaters

Description
The RHS family of tank heaters consists of constant-wattage heating pads suitable for
installation on metal and plastic tanks. The heaters come with power outputs up to
1400 watts. Contact Raychem for customizing RHS heaters for special applications.

Voltage 120–277 Vac

Watt density 0.6 and 1.9 W/in2 at rated voltage.
Corrosion resistance Stainless steel and silicone rubber construction
T-ratings T2C (446°F/230°C) for -H series heaters
T4A (248°F/120°C) for -L series heaters
Maximum exposure temperature 366°F (166°C)
Maximum maintain temperature Up to 200°F (93°C) for -H series heaters
Up to 120°F (49°C) for -L series heaters

For use on metal tanks only

Power Voltage Nominal Overall
Catalog Number Density (W/in2) (Vac) Output (W) Dimensions

RHS-H-500-1 1.9 120 500 14" x 24"

RHS-H-1000-1 1.9 120 1000 24" x 26"
RHS-H-1400-1 1.9 120 1400 24" x 36"
RHS-H-500-2 1.9 240 500 14" x 24"
RHS-H-1000-2 1.9 240 1000 24" x 26"
RHS-H-1400-2 1.9 240 1400 24" x 36"

For use on polypropylene, FRP, and metal tanks

Power Voltage Nominal Overall
Catalog Number Density (W/in2) (Vac) Output (W) Dimensions

RHS-L-150-1 0.6 120 150 14" x 24"

RHS-L-300-1 0.6 120 300 24" x 26"
RHS-L-420-1 0.6 120 420 24" x 36"
RHS-L-150-2 0.6 240 150 14" x 24"
RHS-L-300-2 0.6 240 300 24" x 26"
RHS-L-420-2 0.6 240 420 24" x 36"

RHS Installation Kit

Description
The RHS Installation Kit (P/N 844869) is FM Approved and CSA Certified for use
with RHS tank heaters. The RHS Installation Kit contains a caulking gun, two RTV
adhesive tubes, a wedge, one 30-foot roll of AT-180 tape, and a trowel for mount-
ing up to two RHS tank heaters.

Approvals Ordinary and Hazardous Locations

Class I, Div. 2, Groups B, C, D
Class II, Div. 1 & 2, Groups E, F, G
FM ® Class III
APPROVED All hazardous location applications must be engineered by Raychem.
T-ratings:
Low-watt heaters: T4A
High-watt heaters (Class I): T2C
High-watt heaters (Class II & III): Contact Raychem

19
 Design Worksheet

Tank Information

Tank reference

Maintenance temperature (°F/°C)

Minimum ambient temperature (°F/°C)

Maximum ambient temperature (°F/°C)

Max. heater exposure temp. (power off) (°F/°C)

(must be less than 366°F (166°C)

Process maintenance (°F/°C)

operating temperature (power off)

Start-up temperature (°F/°C)

Insulation type and thickness

Tank wall material ❏ Metal ❏ Plastic

Tank location ❏ Outdoors ❏ Indoors

Maximum circuit breaker load Amps

Supply voltage Vac

Chemical exposure ❏ None ❏ Mild inorganic ❏ Organic/corrosive

Tank location ❏ Indoors ❏ Outdoors

Required approvals ❏ FM ❏ CSA

Area classification ❏ Nonhazardous ❏ Hazardous

If hazardous:
Class ____________ Div. ____________ Group ____________

Flammable substance(s) ____________

T-rating(s) ____________

Ignition temperature(s) ____________ (°F/°C)

____________ (°F/°C

20
Tank Top/Ends
(Select one)

❏ Flat
❏ Half dome
❏ Full dome
❏ Cone Height (ft/m)

Tank Body
(Select one)

❏ Vertical cylinder Diameter (ft/m) Height (ft/m)

❏ Horizontal cylinder Diameter (ft/m) Length (ft/m)

❏ Rectangular Length (ft/m) Width (ft/m) Height (ft/m)

❏ Spherical Diameter (ft/m)

Tank Bottom/Ends
(Select one)

❏ Flat
❏ Half dome
❏ Truncated cone Height (ft/m) Diameter (ft/m)

❏ Truncated pyramid Height (ft/m) Length (ft/m) Width (ft/m)

Supports
(Select one)

❏ Legs Quantity Cross sect. (in2/cm2) Perimeter (in/cm)

❏ Open skirt Cross sect. (in2/cm2) Perimeter (in/cm)

❏ Saddle Quantity Cross sect. (in2/cm2) Perimeter (in/cm)

❏ Slab

Accessories
(Select all that apply)

❏ Manholes Quantity Diameter (ft/m) Height (ft/m)

Insulated sides: ❏ Yes ❏ No
Insulated top: ❏ Yes ❏ No

❏ Handholds Quantity Diameter (ft/m) Height (ft/m)

Insulated sides: ❏ Yes ❏ No
Insulated top: ❏ Yes ❏ No

❏ Ladders Contact pts Cross sect. (in2/cm2) Perimeter (in/cm)

❏ Hand rails Contact pts Cross sect. (in2/cm2) Perimeter (in/cm)

21
 Notes

22

Raychem Corporation
Chemelex Division
Industrial Products Group
300 Constitution Drive
Menlo Park, California 94025-1164
Tel (800) 545-6258
Fax (415) 361-6711
All information, including illustrations, is believed to be reliable. Users, however, should
independently evaluate the suitability of each product for their application. Raychem makes
no warranties as to the accuracy or completeness of the information, and disclaims any lia-
bility regarding its use. Raychem’s only obligations are those in the Standard Terms and
Conditions of Sale for this product, and in no case will Raychem be liable for any incidental,
indirect, or consequential damages arising from the sale, resale, use, or misuse of the
©1995 Raychem Corporation Printed in USA H55208 12/95
product. Specifications are subject to change without notice. In addition, Raychem reserves
the right to make changes—without notification to the Buyer—to materials or processing
that do not affect compliance with any applicable specification.
Chemelex, Raychem, and TankCalc are trademarks of Raychem Corporation.
Raychem Canada, Ltd. Raychem S.A.I.C.
6303 Airport Road, Ste 101 Carlos Pellegrini 1363, Piso 8
Mississauga, Ontario 1011 Capital Federal
Canada L4V 1R8 Buenos Aires, Argentina
Tel (800) 387-3993 Tel (54) 1/394-5150
Tel (905) 671-1680 Fax (54) 1/326-9985
Fax (905) 671-0972