By TEBAOFLEX Jyen. Originally published on January 31, 2026.
Leak detection and fire-survival wiring solve different problems
A distributed sensing cable detects a liquid that reaches its active surface. Mineral-insulated metal-sheathed wiring carries electrical power or signals and may form part of a qualified fire-resisting circuit. Neither substitutes for the other. Select the sensing system around the actual spill and the fire-survival system around its specified circuit duty and installation approval.
TT1000, TT3000 and TT5000 are application-specific examples
TraceTek and the TT product designations refer to the RAYCHEM manufacturer’s system; they are not TEBAOFLEX model names. Manufacturer documentation distinguishes water/water-glycol sensing, conductive aqueous chemical sensing and hydrocarbon-fuel sensing. A generic conductive-polymer description does not establish interchangeability or the same approvals.
- TT1000 is described for water and water/glycol leaks on surfaces such as floors and trays. Plan the cable where the liquid will actually travel.
- TT3000 is described for conductive liquids including aqueous chemical leaks. Confirm the exact chemical, concentration, temperature and exposure duration; a published resistance test is not permission for every acid or solvent.
- TT5000 variants target hydrocarbon fuels. The TT5000-HUV datasheet describes water non-response and aboveground use. Do not transfer its construction or ratings to every TT5000 variant or to another manufacturer’s cable.
Design the whole detection circuit
Choose the compatible alarm module, leader cable, connectors, end terminations and any permitted branches as a system. Establish circuit length limits from that module’s documentation. Mark the installed routing and test points on a system map so that an alarm distance can be translated into a physical location.
Detection depends on contact with the fluid, not merely proximity. Slope, absorbent contamination, pipe insulation and drainage can delay contact. Locate sensing cable below likely leak points and protect it from foot traffic, pulling and maintenance damage. Assess nuisance water exposure when selecting a hydrocarbon sensor versus a conductive-liquid sensor.
Published locating accuracy belongs to the specified cable-and-controller arrangement. It is not established by assuming a constant current and dividing a measured voltage by an invented resistance per metre. Hazardous-area use also requires the applicable system certificate, approved monitoring equipment and barriers where specified.
Commissioning, contamination and recovery
Use only the manufacturer’s approved continuity, alarm and locating tests. Do not apply a general power-cable insulation test voltage to a sensing circuit or connected electronics. Record the dry baseline and controlled functional-test locations. Follow the documented isolation procedure before testing or maintenance.
After a spill, first manage the chemical and electrical hazards. Whether a sensor may be cleaned, dried and reused or must be replaced depends on its type and exposure. Do not assume hydrocarbon-sensing cable resets like a water sensor, or that rinsing a chemically contaminated cable is safe. Confirm recovery with the manufacturer’s procedure and verify the complete circuit before returning it to service.
Mineral-insulated wiring: construction is not the complete approval
Copper conductors, compacted magnesium oxide and a metal sheath can provide an inorganic wiring construction. Fire resistance nevertheless belongs to a tested cable/system and its permitted supports, joints and terminations. A material melting point does not establish a circuit’s operating temperature or a fire-test classification.
Magnesium oxide absorbs moisture if exposed through damaged or unsealed ends; termination workmanship and sheath integrity therefore matter. Select corrosion protection and gland/termination approvals for the location. Obtain the relevant fire-test certificate and installation instructions instead of assuming unlimited life, universal chemical resistance or a generic hazardous-area approval.
Sources and application documentation
Discuss the application
Send the application duty, installation drawing and required acceptance criteria to TEBAOFLEX. WhatsApp: +86 185 9591 3361. Request the applicable product documentation before ordering.