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Phone: 970-887-2980 Fax: 970-887-3190 hotline@rkymtnhi.com Po Box 1999 Granby, CO 80446-1999 United States |
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Phone: 970-887-2980 Fax: 970-887-3190 hotline@rkymtnhi.com Po Box 1999 Granby, CO 80446-1999 United States |
The design of the “HotLine” presents a much safer alternative to the traditional mineral filled in pipe heating elements that operate from 120 or 240 Volts (V) of Alternating Current (AC).
Instead, the “HotLine” heating element operates from a low voltage of 6, 12, 24, or 30 Volts AC depending upon the length of the selected heating element.
The “HotLine” heating element consists of heavy gauge wire of a modern resistance alloy encased in a ¼ inch diameter copper or plastic tube. At a design power of 3 watts/foot and element lengths from 6 feet to 100 feet, the shortest “HotLine” dissipates approximately 18 watts while the longest dissipates approximately 300 watts.
Note that these are the same voltage and power levels used by the most common model railroad trains.
At 3 watts/foot in free air, the temperature of the heating element rises to approximately 100 degree F. Note that this is only 1.4 degrees higher than normal human body temperature.
Depending upon the length of the heating element, the “HotLine” power center provides Class 1 Power-Limited Circuits of 25 Volt Amps (VA) to 500 VA for the selected “HotLine” heating element per the definitions and requirements of Article 725, Section B, Paragraph 725-111(a) and 725-11(a) (1) of the National Electric Code (NEC).
The power center consists of an Underwriters Laboratory (UL) approved metal enclosed transformer unit with its 120 Volt primary protected by a UL recognized fuse holder and fuse. The fusing for each of the different transformers is per the 125% and 167% rules of NEC Article 450, Section A, Paragraph 450-3(b)(1) and Exception No. 1 to that paragraph.
The cord with which the “HotLine” power center connects to the 120 VAC line voltage is at least a #18 American Wire Gauge (AWG) UL approved/recognized cord with an integrally molded National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) type 5-15P grounded plug which plugs into a standard grounding outlet. Per NEC Article 400, Table 400-5(A) this cord is rated for 10 Amps, more than twice the maximum fuse size for the largest (300 VA) transformer.
The cord which connects the “HotLine” heating element to the “HotLine” power center is a UL approved/recognized cord which is sized per NEC Article 400, Table 400-5(A) to have a current carrying capacity at least 20% larger than the transformers maximum rated output current.
The connection between the Class 1 Power-Limited Circuit cord and the “HotLine” heating element is enclosed within a straight PVC “Conduit Body”. This configuration prevents the possibility of an accidental short circuit across the transformers output.