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Industrial heating & heat-tracing cables5VPL / 10VPL / 15VPL / 20VPL120 V · 240 V · 480 V ACMaintain +235 °C · Exp +260 °C

VPL Power-Limiting Heating Cable120–480 Vac coiled-resistor PTC alloy power-limiting heating cable, +260 °C

Q: How does a VPL coiled-resistor alloy power-limiting cable differ from conductive-polymer self-regulating cable?

Conductive-polymer self-regulating cables rely on carbon-loaded polymer matrices that lose most of their thermal output above +120 to +150 °C and cannot exceed +215 °C exposure. VPL uses a solid metallic alloy heating element with a strong positive temperature coefficient (PTC) coiled around 12 AWG fluoropolymer-insulated bus wires, delivering high watt density up to +235 °C and withstanding continuous +260 °C power-off exposure.

Q: Why is VPL preferred over constant-wattage heating cables on high-temperature valves and flanges?

Standard constant-wattage cables use a flat-resistance NiCr wire that keeps pumping full wattage into hot spots and will burn out if overlapped. Because the VPL heating coil is made from a high-PTC metallic resistor alloy, local resistance rises sharply as temperature increases, limiting hot-spot sheath temperature, permitting single overlaps on valves, and enabling unconditionally stabilised T2/T3/T4 hazardous-area ratings.

Q: Why does VPL use 3.3 mm² (12 AWG) bus wires and offer a 480 Vac (-4CT) voltage option?

Heavy 3.3 mm² (12 AWG) nickel-plated copper bus wires cut linear bus voltage drop by more than half compared with 1.25–1.5 mm² polymer self-regulating tapes. Combined with the 400–480 Vac VPL4 series, a single parallel cut-to-length circuit can run up to 215–440 m from one power supply point.

Q: Can VPL power-limiting heating cable withstand continuous high-pressure steam purging?

Yes. Both the primary bus insulation and the outer -CT jacket are extruded from high-temperature fluoropolymers rated for +260 °C continuous power-off exposure, allowing VPL cables to remain permanently strapped to process lines purged with 300 psig saturated steam without thermal degradation.

High-temperature coiled-resistor PTC alloy power-limiting heat tracing cable (5VPL–20VPL, 120–480 V) to IEC/IEEE 60079-30-1 and IEEE 515 with 3.3 mm² (12 AWG) NiCu bus wires and fluoropolymer jackets for +235 °C maintain and +260 °C.

Flame-retardant

Oil-resistant

Outdoor & humid

Approved

Preview configuration

Order designation: 15VPL2-CT · 240 V
Output @10°C: 49 W/m
Output @150°C: 30 W/m
Max maintain: 200 °C
Max circuit: 130 m

All sizes (12)

Request a quote Datasheet WhatsApp

Engineering reply in 2 business hoursCut-to-length export drumsEN 10204 3.1 certificate per drum

Linear output: 15–65 W/m @10°C
Maintain temp.: Up to +235 °C
Max. exposure T: +260 °C cont.
Supply voltage: 120 / 240 / 480V
Bus conductors: 2 × 3.3 mm²
Min. bend radius: 20 mm @ −60 °C

Typical values for this cable type, based on IEC/IEEE 60079-30-1 & IEEE 515 — confirmed in the datasheet and quotation for your order.

Application fit

Is VPL Power-Limiting Heating Cable right for your machine?

Coiled-resistor PTC metallic alloy power-limiting heat tracing cable bridging the gap between conductive-polymer self-regulating tapes and mineral-insulated cables for +150 °C to +235 °C maintenance and +260 °C steam purging.

Fixed installation

Suitable

Primary duty — high-temperature process piping, distillation columns, valves and vessels up to +235 °C.

Offshore platform & shipboard deck trays

Suitable

High-temperature fluoropolymer (-CT) inner and outer jackets resist hydrocarbons, sour gas, acids and 300 psig steam purge.

Immersion & wet locations

Suitable

Non-hygroscopic extruded fluoropolymer sheath over tinned/nickel-copper braid passes IEC 60079-30-1 water immersion.

Furnace, kiln & high-temp zone

Not suitable

Fluoropolymer VPL sheath is rated to +260 °C continuous exposure; use Alloy 825 MI cable above +260 °C.

Use MI Heating Cable

Motorised monospiral reel

Not suitable

Fixed trace heating cable with nodal weld zones; never install on dynamic cable reels.

Use (N)SHTÖU Reeling

Typical machinesRefinery vacuum residue, bitumen & asphalt pipingHigh-pressure steam-purged process lines (up to +260 °C)Chemical & petrochemical monomer, polymer & acid headersSulphur recovery, molten phthalic anhydride & pitch linesLong-circuit 400–480 V tank-farm & pipe-rack tracingLNG / gas-processing amine regeneration & flare knockout drums

Construction

Layer by layer

Two parallel 3.3 mm² (12 AWG) stranded nickel-plated copper bus wires are individually insulated with high-temperature fluoropolymer. A metallic heating element with a strong positive temperature coefficient (PTC) is helically coiled around the insulated bus pair and welded to alternating bus conductors every 0.45–1.1 m, then enclosed in a fluoropolymer inner jacket, tinned/nickel-plated copper braid and fluoropolymer (-CT) outer jacket.

Schematic, not to scale — generated from the layer data

#	Layer	Material & reference
1	12 AWG (3.3 mm²) nickel-plated copper bus wires	2 × 3.3 mm² (12 AWG) stranded nickel-plated copper bus conductors for low voltage drop and long circuit runs up to 480 VacASTM B355 / IEC 60228
2	High-temperature fluoropolymer bus insulation	Melt-extruded high-temperature fluoropolymer (PFA/FEP) primary bus dielectric with staggered nodal contact windowsIEC 60079-30-1 / IEEE 515
3	Coiled PTC metallic resistor heating element	Positive-temperature-coefficient (PTC) metallic alloy heating wire coiled around the bus cores to reduce output as temperature risesIEC 60079-30-1 / IEEE 515
4	Fluoropolymer inner dielectric barrier jacket	Extruded high-temperature fluoropolymer inner jacket isolating the coiled PTC alloy heating zones from the metallic braidIEC 60079-30-1
5	Tinned / nickel-plated copper protective braid	Closely woven tinned or nickel-plated copper braid (≥ 70 % coverage, < 10 Ω/km) providing continuous earth path and mechanical armourIEC 60079-30-1 Clause 4.4
6	High-temperature fluoropolymer (-CT) outer jacket	Extruded PFA/fluoropolymer outer overjacket rated for +260 °C continuous power-off exposure and corrosive chemical serviceIEC 60079-30-1 / IEEE 515

VPL1-CT · 120 Vac Service (5VPL1, 10VPL1, 15VPL1, 20VPL1)

100–130 Vac · 15 to 65 W/m @ 10 °C · Maintain up to +235 °C · Exposure +260 °C · 12 AWG NiCu bus + coiled PTC alloy + fluoropolymer jacket

VPL2-CT · 240 Vac Service (5VPL2, 10VPL2, 15VPL2, 20VPL2)

200–277 Vac · 15 to 65 W/m @ 10 °C · Maintain up to +235 °C · Exposure +260 °C · Standard industrial 230/240 V high-temp power-limiting series

VPL4-CT · 480 Vac Service (5VPL4, 10VPL4, 15VPL4, 20VPL4)

380–480 Vac · 15 to 65 W/m @ 10 °C · Maintain up to +235 °C · Exposure +260 °C · Extended circuit lengths up to 440 m on 400/480 V distribution

Technical data

Ratings & operating limits

Typical values: Typical values for this cable type, based on IEC/IEEE 60079-30-1 & IEEE 515. Values for your order are confirmed in the datasheet and quotation.

Electrical

Rated supply voltage: 120 Vac (-1), 208–277 Vac (-2), 480 Vac (-4)
Nominal output @ 10 °C: 15, 33, 49 & 65 W/m (5, 10, 15 & 20 W/ft)
PTC alloy power taper: Metallic PTC resistor lowers W/m as T rises
Dielectric withstand: 2.5 kV AC RMS for 1 min (bus to earth braid)

Thermal

Max. maintain temp.: Up to +235 °C (5VPL) · +175 °C (20VPL)
Max. exposure temp.: +260 °C continuous (power off / steam purge)
Min. installation T: −60 °C (fluoropolymer inner & outer jackets)
Temperature class: T4 (+135 °C), T3 (+200 °C) & T2 (+300 °C)

Mechanical

Bus wire cross-section: 2 × 3.3 mm² (12 AWG) nickel-plated copper
Heating zone length: 0.45 m to 1.1 m between nodal bus contacts
Min. bending radius: 20 mm at −60 °C (do not bend on contact node)
Single-overlap safety: PTC alloy coil permits single valve overlap

Resistance

Flame retardance: IEC 60332-1-2 & IEEE 515 vertical flame
Chemical & oil resistance: -CT fluoropolymer resists acids, bases & oils
Steam-purge endurance: Withstands 300 psig (+215 to +260 °C) steam
Moisture & UV: IP66/IP67 sealed system; UV-immune PFA sheath

Reference standards

Applicable standards: IEC/IEEE 60079-30-1, IEC 62395-1 & IEEE 515
Conductor standard: ASTM B355 Class 2/27 nickel-plated copper
Earth fault device: 30 mA RCD / GFPD required per IEC 60079-30-2
RoHS & REACH: RoHS 2011/65/EU & REACH compliant materials

Identification

Sheath colour code: Red-orange high-temp fluoropolymer (-CT)
Nodal contact marks: Printed / indented node marks every 0.45–1.1m
Surface legend: TEBAOFLEX · [5–20VPL] · [Vac] · +260°C · T2/T3
Customs tariff (HS): 8544.49 (or 8516.80 electric heating cables)

Sizes

12 VPL power-limiting configurations across 5VPL, 10VPL, 15VPL & 20VPL (120 V, 240 V & 480 V AC)

Nominal linear output at +10 °C and +150 °C, maximum maintain and exposure temperatures, zone spacing, max circuit length and dimensions.

Power output, thermal ratings, zone length & dimensions
VPL model designation	Rated Vac	Output @10°C W/m	Output @150°C W/m	Max maintain °C	Max exposure °C	T-class (IEC)	Zone pitch m	Max circuit m	Width × Thick. mm	Mass ≈ kg/km
5VPL1-CT · 120 V	120 Vac	15	10	235	260	T3 / T2	0.60	115	11.7 × 7.6	210
10VPL1-CT · 120 V	120 Vac	33	21	220	260	T3 / T2	0.50	80	11.7 × 7.6	212
15VPL1-CT · 120 V	120 Vac	49	30	200	260	T3 / T2	0.45	65	11.7 × 7.6	215
20VPL1-CT · 120 V	120 Vac	65	38	175	260	T2	0.45	55	11.7 × 7.6	218
5VPL2-CT · 240 V	240 Vac	15	10	235	260	T3 / T2	0.90	230	11.7 × 7.6	210
10VPL2-CT · 240 V	240 Vac	33	21	220	260	T3 / T2	0.75	160	11.7 × 7.6	212
15VPL2-CT · 240 V	240 Vac	49	30	200	260	T3 / T2	0.65	130	11.7 × 7.6	215
20VPL2-CT · 240 V	240 Vac	65	38	175	260	T2	0.60	110	11.7 × 7.6	218
5VPL4-CT · 480 V	480 Vac	15	10	235	260	T3 / T2	1.10	440	11.7 × 7.6	212
10VPL4-CT · 480 V	480 Vac	33	21	220	260	T3 / T2	1.00	310	11.7 × 7.6	214
15VPL4-CT · 480 V	480 Vac	49	30	200	260	T3 / T2	0.90	250	11.7 × 7.6	216
20VPL4-CT · 480 V	480 Vac	65	38	175	260	T2	0.80	215	11.7 × 7.6	220

Typical values for this cable type; dimensions and weights for your order are confirmed in the quotation.
All VPL cables use 3.3 mm² (12 AWG) nickel-plated copper bus wires; 240 V models operate across 200–277 Vac and 480 V models operate across 380–480 Vac with voltage-adjusted output.

Linear output vs pipe temperature & breaker sizing (240 Vac & 480 Vac)
VPL model	W/m @ +10 °C	W/m @ +100 °C	W/m @ +200 °C	20 A breaker max m	32 A breaker max m	40 A breaker max m
5VPL2-CT (240 V)	15	12	8	195	230	230
10VPL2-CT (240 V)	33	25	17	95	150	160
15VPL2-CT (240 V)	49	36	24	65	105	130
20VPL2-CT (240 V)	65	46	28	50	80	100
10VPL4-CT (480 V)	33	25	17	190	300	310
15VPL4-CT (480 V)	49	36	24	130	210	250
20VPL4-CT (480 V)	65	46	28	100	160	200

Notice how VPL retains 60–65 % of its +10 °C power output at +150 °C (unlike polymeric PTC tapes that taper steeply above +110 °C) while still limiting cold-start inrush and hot-spot temperature.

Quality & approvals

Testing & inspection

Routine tests on every production length, sample and type tests per batch — documented on an EN 10204 3.1 inspection certificate.

ConductorClass 5 stranding
Spark test100 % in-line
Lay-upCores, earth, fillers
SheathingInner, braid / screen, outer
Electrical testsAC voltage, resistance
DimensionsOD, wall thickness
Inspection documents & dispatchDrum & dispatch

Testing & inspection	Test value / reference	Frequency
Routine tests
AC dielectric voltage withstand test	2.5 kV RMS AC for 1 min between 12 AWG bus conductors and metallic earth braid	Every reel
Power-limiting PTC output & zone resistance check	Linear output at +10 °C and PTC resistance slope verified across coiled heating zones	Every reel
Sample tests
−60 °C cold bend, 2 J impact & 1,500 N crush test	20 mm cold mandrel flexing at −60 °C, impact and crush deformation per IEC 60079-30-1	Production lot
260 °C thermal endurance & single-overlap T-class test	Continuous +260 °C oven aging and stabilised sheath temperature test for T2/T3/T4 certification	Type qualification

Inspection certificate

Issued with every drum, listing the routine test results for that length.

Product approvals

5VPL / 10VPL / 15VPL / 20VPLCE · LVDRoHS · REACH

Company certificates

ISO 9001ISO 14001ISO 45001VDE marks approvalUL / cULCE · LVD / EMC

Marking & supply

Ordering & delivery

Sheath marking

TEBAOFLEX · [5VPL–20VPL] · [W/m @ 10°C] · [120V/240V/480V] · MAX EXP +260°C · IEC 60079-30-1 · NODE MARK

Delivery form: Continuous fluoropolymer-jacketed reels or cut circuits
Lengths: Field cut-to-length between nodal connection marks
Certificate: EN 10204 3.1 inspection certificate with every dispatch
Quote response: Engineering specification and quote within 2 business hours

Technical documents

Downloads

PDFVPL Power-Limiting Heating Cable – technical datasheet12 sizes · construction, technical data, approvals XLSXVPL Power-Limiting Heating Cable spec data (Excel)All 12 sizes with dimensions and data, for your BOM or quotation

Revision: 2026-10-20
Updated: 2026-10-20

FAQ

Questions engineers ask first

Not covered here? Send your drawing — an engineer replies within 2 business hours.

How does a VPL coiled-resistor alloy power-limiting cable differ from conductive-polymer self-regulating cable?

Conductive-polymer self-regulating cables rely on carbon-loaded polymer matrices that lose most of their thermal output above +120 to +150 °C and cannot exceed +215 °C exposure. VPL uses a solid metallic alloy heating element with a strong positive temperature coefficient (PTC) coiled around 12 AWG fluoropolymer-insulated bus wires, delivering high watt density up to +235 °C and withstanding continuous +260 °C power-off exposure.

Why is VPL preferred over constant-wattage heating cables on high-temperature valves and flanges?

Standard constant-wattage cables use a flat-resistance NiCr wire that keeps pumping full wattage into hot spots and will burn out if overlapped. Because the VPL heating coil is made from a high-PTC metallic resistor alloy, local resistance rises sharply as temperature increases, limiting hot-spot sheath temperature, permitting single overlaps on valves, and enabling unconditionally stabilised T2/T3/T4 hazardous-area ratings.

Why does VPL use 3.3 mm² (12 AWG) bus wires and offer a 480 Vac (-4CT) voltage option?

Heavy 3.3 mm² (12 AWG) nickel-plated copper bus wires cut linear bus voltage drop by more than half compared with 1.25–1.5 mm² polymer self-regulating tapes. Combined with the 400–480 Vac VPL4 series, a single parallel cut-to-length circuit can run up to 215–440 m from one power supply point.

Can VPL power-limiting heating cable withstand continuous high-pressure steam purging?

Yes. Both the primary bus insulation and the outer -CT jacket are extruded from high-temperature fluoropolymers rated for +260 °C continuous power-off exposure, allowing VPL cables to remain permanently strapped to process lines purged with 300 psig saturated steam without thermal degradation.

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Datasheet Request a quote

VPL Power-Limiting Heating Cable120–480 Vac coiled-resistor PTC alloy power-limiting heating cable, +260 °C

Fixed installation

Offshore platform & shipboard deck trays

Immersion & wet locations

Furnace, kiln & high-temp zone

Motorised monospiral reel

VPL1-CT · 120 Vac Service (5VPL1, 10VPL1, 15VPL1, 20VPL1)

VPL2-CT · 240 Vac Service (5VPL2, 10VPL2, 15VPL2, 20VPL2)

VPL4-CT · 480 Vac Service (5VPL4, 10VPL4, 15VPL4, 20VPL4)

Electrical

Thermal

Mechanical

Resistance

Reference standards

Identification

Inspection certificate

Product approvals

Company certificates

01Selected sizes

02Reel & motion

03Message for our engineers

Self-Regulating Heat Tracing Cable

Parallel Constant-Wattage Heating Cable

Mineral-Insulated Heating Cable

PFA High-Temperature Wire