Thermon TraceNet TCM18 Installation manual
TraceNet™ TC
Series Control System
TCM18 Panel Installation, Start-Up,
and Maintenance Guide
Thermon Manufacturing Company
TraceNet™is a registered trademark of Thermon Manufacturing Company.
PN 50312
TCM18 Panel Installation and Start-Up Guide
©2013 Thermon Manufacturing Company. All Rights Reserved.
This guide, as well as the firmware described in it, is furnished under license and may only be used or
copied in accordance with the terms of such license. The information in this guide is furnished for infor-
mational use only, is subject to change without notice, and should not be construed as a commitment by
Thermon Manufacturing Company. Thermon Manufacturing Company assumes no responsibility or liabil-
ity for any errors or inaccuracies that may appear in this guide.
This documentation is considered proprietary and is protected by copyright. This document may not, in
whole or in part, be copied, photocopied, reproduced, translated, or reduced to any electronic medium or
machine-readable form without prior consent in writing from Thermon Manufacturing Company.
This information is subject to change without notice. It is recommended that a quick check of the current
revision status be done at www.Thermon.com prior to proceeding.
This guide is written and designed at Thermon Manufacturing Company, 100 Thermon Drive, San Marcos,
TX 78667-0609, USA.
Copyright ©2013 Thermon Manufacturing Company. All Rights Reserved.
PRODUCT WARRANTY INFORMATION
The seller warrants all equipment manufactured by it to be free from defects in workmanship or material
under normal use and service. If any part of the equipment proves to be defective in workmanship or
material and if such part is, within 12 months of the date of shipment from sellers factory, and if the same
is found by the seller to be defective in workmanship or material, it will be replaced or repaired, free of
charge, F.O.B. the seller’s factory. The seller assumes no liability for the use or misuse by the buyer, his
employees, or others. A defect within the meaning of this warranty in any part of any piece of equipment
shall not, when such part is capable of being renewed, repaired, or replaced, operate to condemn such
piece of equipment. This warranty is in lieu of all other warranties (including without limiting the generality
of the foregoing warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose), guarantees, obligations,
or liabilities expressed or implied by the seller or its representatives and by statue or rule of the law.
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Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction
.............................................................................................. 1
Chapter 2: Panel Specifications
.............................................................................................. 3
Chapter 3: Module Connections
.............................................................................................. 5
Chapter 4: Field and Panel Wiring
.............................................................................................. 9
Chapter 5: The User Interface
.............................................................................................. 13
Chapter 6: Heat Trace Control
.............................................................................................. 21
Chapter 7: System Start-Up
.............................................................................................. 23
Chapter 8: Maintenance
.............................................................................................. 24
Chapter 9: Notes
.............................................................................................. 29
Chapter 10: More Information
.............................................................................................. 30
Appendix A:
.............................................................................................. 31
Appendix B:
.............................................................................................. 43
Appendix C:
.............................................................................................. 44
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1Introduction
The following serves as a general guide and overview on the installation and startup of
a TraceNet TC Series heat tracing control panel. This guide shall be used in conjunc-
tion with the project specific control system drawings and any other standard installation
instructions/guides provided. In the unlikely event that a conflict or uncertainty arises,
contact the Thermon engineering support personnel assigned to this project to clarify.
All installation personnel should be properly trained and qualified to safely install, service,
and program this TraceNet heat tracing control panel as well as to operate the associated
heat tracing system.
THE PANEL LOCATION
A wide variety of TraceNet TC Series panel configurations are possible. The TraceNet
modules are designed to operate in ambients ranging from -40◦F (-40◦C) to 140◦F (60◦C)
and higher. The TraceNet panels can be located in site locations having electrical clas-
sifications ranging from ordinary to hazardous. The actual panel markings provided with
the panel will detail the design intended specific location requirements.
INITIAL INSPECTION AND HANDLING
Upon receiving the TraceNet TC Series panel, it is important to confirm that the contents
of the shipping containers agree with the shipping documents and with the purchase or-
der. Also, it is important to check the shipped container exterior and packing materials
for any possible freight damage. Where damage is observed, take photos and notify the
carrier as well as your nearest Thermon engineering support center before proceeding
further.
After carefully removing the panel from its shipping container, move the panel to its se-
lected location utilizing the pallet base and the securement strapping provided using a
lift truck/fork lift. Where lifting eyes are provided on the panel, they should be used when
handling.
Where the panel has external heat sinks to dissipate the heat generated by solid state
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relay switching, it is recommended that a minimum of 6” (150 mm) of space be allowed
between sinks and walls or other panels to minimize heat buildup at the heat sinks.
Where heat sinks are present on adjacent panels, allow 12” (300 mm) spacing between
heat sinks for sufficient natural air movement.
Adequate door clearance for service work entry and conduit panel entries should be
anticipated when establishing the exact panel location. When the panel is located out-
doors, a concrete base pad of sufficient height to avoid potential standing water should
be constructed.
Once the panel has been properly located, refer to the project specific installation details
for the recommended floor mounting as well as wall mounting details.
Once bolted in place, the panel is ready for final configuration, wiring, and site required
assembly. Note that the TCM18 control and monitoring module is normally shipped in a
separate container to minimize any undue impact stress during shipment. It should be
removed from its shipping container again being attentive to any shipping damage that
may have occurred during its transit. The TCM18 mounting details are likewise provided
in the project specific drawing details.
Note: For installation requirements specific to purged panels, please see Appendix B.
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2Specifications
The general TraceNet TC Series panel specifications are as given below.
Interior panel operating ambient range -40◦F to 140◦F (-40◦C to 60◦C)
Exterior panel operating ambient range -40◦F to 131◦F (-40◦C to 55◦C)
Ambient storage range -40◦F to 158◦F (-40◦C to 70◦C)
Relative humidity range 0 to 90% Non Condensing
Nominal instrument control voltage 100 to 240 Vac, 50/60 Hz
Temperature sensor types 100 Ohm 3 Wire Platinum RTD
Control temperature range -200◦F to 1112◦F (-129◦C to 600◦C)
Maximum power consumption of TCM18 module 70 Watts
Current ratings in hazardous (classified) locations based on TraceNet TC Series panels
for up to 72 circuits are as follows1:
Maximum Panel Exterior
Ambient (◦C)
For: 1 - 36 Circuits For: 37 - 72 Circuits
Maximum Allowable Average Amps per Relay
(Calculated for each side of enclosure)2
40 22.2 18.0
45 21.0 16.8
50 19.7 15.6
55 18.3 14.3
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Current ratings in nonhazardous (ordinary) location based on TraceNet TC Series panels
for up to 72 circuits are as follows1:
Maximum Panel Exterior
Ambient (◦C)
For: 1 - 36 Circuits For: 37 - 72 Circuits
Maximum Allowable Average Amps per Relay
(Calculated for each side of enclosure)2
20 27.0 22.7
25 25.8 21.6
30 24.7 20.4
35 23.5 19.2
40 22.2 18.0
45 21.0 16.8
50 19.7 15.6
55 18.3 14.3
Note 1: Contact the manufacturer for the maximum allowable amps per relay for custom enclosure sizes.
Note 2: Based on factory panel wiring rated for 105◦C.
TCM18 LCD heated display 1-3/4” ( 44 mm) x 4.875” (124 mm)
TCM18 touchpad tactile feel, stainless steel dome keys
TCM18 communication 2 RS485 ports
TCM18 operating temperature range -40◦F (-40◦C) to 140◦F (60◦C)
TCM18 alarm relay outputs -U Option Three, sealed dry contacts rated @
0.4 Amp, 24 Vdc
-A Option Three, sealed dry contacts rated 100-
240 Vac @ 0.5A
Entries into panels must meet IP54 and/or NEMA-4 ingress protection levels to maintain
the environmental rating of the panel.
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3Module Connections
Due to its flexible architecture, a variety of TraceNet TC Series panel configurations are
available. The specific project drawings should be followed when installing the power
supply and field distribution wiring into the TraceNet panel as well as when installing the
data highway interface wiring. As an overview and to provide a more general under-
standing of the inner workings of this panel, the following general connection diagrams
are provided.
The TCM18 Connections
The TCM18 is the TraceNet interface to the outside world. It monitors the condition of
the heat tracing circuits as well as the heat traced piping temperatures and allows inter-
rogation of heat trace status, alerts the operator to alarm and trip events, and allows the
changing of the operating parameters and system configuration.
The connections for the TCM18 are described in Figure 1 which follows.
Figure 1: Wiring and Connection Details on the TCM18
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The RTB6 Module Connections
The RTB6 module allows the connection of six 3-wire 100 Ohm platinum RTD inputs to
the TraceNet control system. The RTB6 circuit board is a passive device which commu-
nicates the discrete temperature inputs into a 26 pin bundled ribbon cable which then
interconnects to a TCM18 module.
The connections within a TraceNet panel for the RTB6 are shown in the illustration which
follows.
Figure 2: RTB6 Wiring and Connections
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The PM6 Connections
The PM6 serves as the heat trace power solid state switching module for a TraceNet
TCM18 controller. It includes the heater and ground current measurement transformers,
solid state heat trace control relays, and the heat dissipating heat sink. This module in-
cludes a ground leakage functional test circuit. In addition, alarm and trip output capabil-
ity to indicating lights on the panel front door are also provided.The module connections
for the PM6 are as detailed in the following illustration.
Figure 3: PM6 Wiring and Connections
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