Raychem 5BTV2-CR Self-Regulating Heating Cable, 200-277 V

5BTV2-CR is the 5 W/ft class, 200-277 Vac version of the Raychem BTV self-regulating heating cable with the flame-retardant modified polyolefin outer jacket (-CR). It is a cut-to-length parallel heating cable for low-temperature process maintenance and freeze protection on metal and plastic pipes, and the datasheet lists it under part number 414809-000.

A cut-to-length heating cable for maintaining pipes up to 65 C

Reading the code from the datasheet: 5 is the nominal power rating class, BTV is the cable family, 2 is the supply-voltage group (BTV1 100-130 Vac, BTV2 200-277 Vac) and -CR is the flame-retardant modified polyolefin outer jacket. The -CT alternative has a fluoropolymer jacket for organic chemicals and corrosives.

Inside, a self-regulating conductive core sits between two nickel-plated copper bus wires. As the pipe warms, the core raises its electrical resistance and the cable output falls; as the pipe cools, output rises again. A tinned-copper braid under the outer jacket provides the grounded metallic covering.

Features stated in the datasheet

• Maintain or continuous exposure up to 150 F (65 C) power on or off; intermittent exposure to 185 F (85 C) with a 1000 hour cumulative limit.
• Configured for nonhazardous and hazardous locations, including corrosive atmospheres when the correct jacket is used.
• Suitable for metal and plastic traced surfaces.

Technical specification

Specification of 5BTV2-CR

Maximum circuit length of 5BTV-CR at 240 V, 20 A breaker (metres derived, feet divided by 3.28)

Choosing between the BTV ratings, voltages and jackets

The datasheet offers 3, 5, 8 and 10 W classes at both 120 V and 240 V in both jackets, which gives eight 240 V orderable codes: 3BTV2-CR 914279-000, 5BTV2-CR 414809-000, 8BTV2-CR 479821-000, 10BTV2-CR 677245-000, and the same four with -CT (469145-000, 487509-000, 008633-000, 567513-000). Pick the rating from a heat-loss calculation with TraceCalc Pro or Design Guide H56882.

Note how the circuit length shrinks as the output class rises: at 240 V and a 20 A breaker, 3BTV runs 530 ft at start-up of 0 F while 5BTV runs 380 ft and 10BTV only 215 ft (datasheet values).

Installation and commissioning points from the maintenance manual

The installation manual H57274 asks for the cable to be strapped with GT-66 or GS-54 glass tape (or AT-180 aluminium tape on plastic pipes) at about every foot, ideally at the 4 and 8 o clock positions, with extra cable looped at valves, flanges and supports. Metal pipe straps and tie wire are not allowed; minimum bend radius is half an inch.

Run an insulation resistance test with a megohmmeter at 500, 1000 and 2500 Vdc between bus wires and braid and between braid and pipe; every reading should exceed 1000 megohms. Each branch circuit needs ground-fault equipment protection, and every power connection, splice and end seal must use Raychem connection kits.

Where a 65 C maintain cable fits in Gulf plants and buildings

General engineering note: in Oman and the wider Gulf, freeze protection is limited to cold stores, chilled and refrigerated lines and high-altitude or desert-night exposure, so most BTV demand is process temperature maintenance. Typical uses are keeping caustic, glycol and water-based chemical lines above the temperature at which they thicken or crystallise.

The 65 C ceiling is a hard design limit: hotter lines belong with QTVR, XTVR, HTV or VPL cables.

Related Raychem items

Cable families that take over above 65 C are the QTVR (110 C maintain), XTVR (150 C) and HTV (205 C) self-regulating cables and the VPL power-limiting cable. Control can be done with an Elexant 4010i, Elexant 3500i or a Raystat controller, and the heating-cable compatibility list on the 3500i datasheet names BTV-CR and BTV-CT.

Frequently asked questions

What does the 5 in 5BTV2-CR mean?

It is the nominal power rating class of the cable; 3, 5, 8 and 10 classes are listed in the datasheet. The actual output depends on pipe temperature and voltage.

What voltage does 5BTV2-CR run on?

It belongs to the BTV2 group for 200-277 Vac. BTV1 is the 100-130 Vac group. Output and circuit length change at 208 V and 277 V by the adjustment factors printed.

What is the maximum maintain temperature?

150 F (65 C) with power on or off, and intermittent exposure to 185 F (85 C) for up to 1000 cumulative hours.

Can the cable be used on plastic pipes?

The datasheet lists metal and plastic traced surfaces. For aluminium tape and design details on plastic, follow the installation manual and TraceCalc Pro.

Is Seven Star LLC a Raychem distributor?

No. Seven Star LLC is an independent supplier in Muscat that sources Raychem products on request.

Documents and quotation

The official Raychem datasheet and user manual for 5BTV2-CR are hosted on this page for download. Seven Star LLC is an independent supplier in Muscat; send your quantity and delivery location through the quotation form and we will quote this item. Please confirm the exact order code, supply voltage and output options against the documents before ordering. More related products: product category.