IEEE Std 515-1989, IEEE Recommended Practice for the Testing, Design, Installation, and Maintenance of Electrical Resistance Heat Tracing for Industrial Application, provides the specific test requirements for qualifying electrical resistance heating cables for industrial service, and provides the basis for electrical and thermal design. Heater characteristics are addressed, and installation and maintenance requirements are detailed. Recommendations and requirements are made for unclassified, Class I, Division 2, and Class I, Division 1 heating cable applications.

The specific test requirements for qualifying electrical resistance heating cables for industrial service are provided, as well as the basis for electrical and thermal design. Heating device characteristics are addressed, and installation and maintenance requirements are detailed. Heating cable and surface heating device application recommendations and requirements are made for ordinary (unclassified) and hazardous (classified) potentially flammable atmospheres and locations.

The provisions of this recommended practice should ensure that process, fluid, or material temperatures are maintained and provide electrical, thermal, and mechanical durability to the heat-tracing system, such that in normal use its performance is reliable and poses no danger to the user or surroundings. This recommended practice is a supplement to those provisions outlined in ANSI/NFPA 70-1990 [3] l, Article 427.