Spiral Wrap Heaters UK | Flexible Pipe & Tube Heaters

Flexible industrial heating for pipes, tubes and irregular surfaces

Soloheat spiral wrap heaters provide a flexible and versatile method of applying heat to cylindrical, curved and irregularly shaped surfaces where conventional rigid heating elements may not be suitable.

Their spiral construction allows the heater to wrap around the component being heated, providing distributed surface heating while accommodating a range of diameters and shapes.

Available in a range of standard lengths and power ratings, spiral wrap heaters are suitable for industrial applications including pipework, tubes, valves, vessels and process equipment.

Need help selecting a spiral wrap heater? Contact Soloheat with your application dimensions, operating temperature and required voltage and our team can help determine a suitable heating solution.

Need a fast quotation? Send us your drawing, survey sheet or existing heater reference for a same-day technical review.

Soloheat spiral wrap heater range — *Soloheat Spiral Wrap Heater Range*

What is a Spiral Wrap Heater?

A spiral wrap heater is a flexible electrical heating element designed to be wound around the outside of a component requiring heat.

Unlike a conventional rigid heater, the spiral construction enables the heating element to follow straight or curved small-diameter pipework and other cylindrical surfaces, making it particularly useful where conventional rigid heaters may not be suitable.

The amount of surface coverage can be adjusted by altering the spacing between the turns of the heater. The Soloheat standard range provides approximately 80% surface coverage at nominal length or 60% surface coverage when extended.

Construction & Materials

Spiral wrap heaters are constructed using a spiral resistance-wire heating element supported on fibreglass cord and encased within silicone rubber and glass-fibre layers. This produces a thin, flexible and robust heater that can wrap closely around pipework for effective surface heating.

The standard construction is approximately 2.2 mm thick. Manufacturer technical data specifies a temperature range of −60°C to +200°C, power densities of approximately 0.26–0.30 W/cm² and thermal conductivity of 0.22 W/m·K.

Suitable for Straight & Curved Pipework

The flexible spiral construction makes these heaters particularly suitable for small-diameter straight or curved pipes. They can be supplied as individual stand-alone heaters or with parallel connection options.

Benefits of Spiral Wrap Heaters

Flexible installation – The spiral construction allows the heater to conform to cylindrical, curved and irregular surfaces.

Distributed surface heating – Heat can be applied over a relatively large area rather than being concentrated at a single point.

Adjustable coverage – Install at nominal length for approximately 80% surface coverage or extend for approximately 60% coverage.

Compact construction – Suitable where there may be insufficient space for conventional band, cast or rigid heating elements.

Additional options – Parallel connecting leads and integrated temperature sensors can be supplied. Sensor options can include Type J, Type K or Type T thermocouples, PT100 sensors and thermistors, depending on the application and control requirements.

Standard ¼″ / 6.35 mm Diameter Spiral Wrap Heater Range

Nominal Length	Extended Length	Voltage	Power	Power Density
205 mm	250 mm	120 V	11 W	0.26 W/cm²
375 mm	440 mm	240 V	19.5 W	0.27 W/cm²
475 mm	550 mm	240 V	25 W	0.27 W/cm²
612.5 mm	720 mm	240 V	33 W	0.28 W/cm²
780 mm	900 mm	240 V	45 W	0.30 W/cm²
1020 mm	1150 mm	240 V	52 W	0.27 W/cm²

Manufacturing parameters: Spiral wrap heaters can currently be manufactured to suit tube diameters from a minimum of 6 mm to a maximum of 18 mm. All heaters available from stock are designed to fit ¼″ / 6.35 mm outside-diameter tube.

Nominal length gives approximately 80% surface coverage; extended length approximately 60%. Standard spiral wrap heaters are supplied with 0.5 metre sleeved leads. Parallel connecting leads and temperature-sensor options are also available.

Typical Spiral Wrap Heater Applications

Typical applications include fluid and gas delivery lines, semiconductor processing equipment, frost protection, anti-condensation heating, pipe temperature maintenance, heat-loss compensation and general industrial small-bore pipe heating.

The flexible construction makes spiral wrap heaters particularly useful where heat needs to follow straight or curved pipework and where conventional rigid heating elements may not be suitable.

Environmental Resistance

Spiral wrap heaters have good resistance to weathering and ageing, fungus and bacteria, together with resistance to a range of substances including acetone, alcohol, formic acid, acetic acid, greases, dilute hydrochloric acid, dilute sulphuric acid, waxes and plasticisers.

The heater construction also provides good steam resistance, with manufacturer data specifying resistance up to 130°C at 2.5 bar.

Temperature Control and Integrated Sensor Options

Spiral wrap heaters can be manufactured with an integrated temperature sensor, providing temperature feedback from the heated application when connected to a suitable external temperature controller. Available sensor options can include Type J, Type K or Type T thermocouples, PT100 sensors and thermistors.

Soloheat can also supply associated thermocouples, plugs and cables, temperature-control equipment and connecting lead arrangements.

Choosing the Correct Spiral Wrap Heater

When enquiring, provide component dimensions, required operating temperature, supply voltage, heated length, environmental conditions and whether temperature sensing or control is required. Soloheat can then discuss a suitable heating arrangement for the application.

Why Choose Soloheat?

Since 1980, Soloheat has specialised in industrial electric heating solutions for OEM machine builders, maintenance contractors and end users throughout the UK and overseas.

Our product range includes cartridge heaters, cast aluminium and aluminium bronze heaters, ceramic band heaters, mica band heaters, nozzle heaters, tubular and immersion heaters, thermocouples, insulation jackets and associated temperature-control equipment.

Spiral Wrap Heater FAQs

What is a spiral wrap heater?

A flexible electrical heating element designed to wrap around pipes, tubes and other cylindrical or irregular surfaces.

Can spiral wrap heaters be stretched?

The standard range has nominal and extended lengths. Nominal length corresponds to approximately 80% surface coverage and the specified extended length to approximately 60% coverage.

What voltages and wattages are available?

The current standard range includes 120 V and 240 V heaters from 11 W to 52 W, depending on heater size.

Can a thermocouple be incorporated into the spiral wrap heater?

Yes. Spiral wrap heaters can be manufactured with an integrated temperature sensor. Options can include Type J, Type K or Type T thermocouples, PT100 sensors and thermistors, allowing temperature feedback to a suitable external temperature controller.

What leads are supplied?

Standard spiral wrap heaters are specified with 0.5 metre sleeved leads. Parallel connecting leads are available as an option.

Enquire About Spiral Wrap Heaters

Looking for a flexible heater for a pipe, tube or difficult-to-heat component? Send Soloheat your component dimensions, required temperature, voltage, heated length and quantity. Our team can then discuss a suitable heater and temperature-control arrangement for your application.

Contact Soloheat for technical advice and a quotation.

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