ProLine Adds Advanced IoT Controller to its Growing List of Product Offerings

Professional builders throughout North America have come to rely on ProLine Radiant for all their radiant snow melting and heat trace needs. Unlike other wholesale providers, ProLine not only offers a wide selection of industry-leading products, but backs those products with unmatched customer support services. ProLine’s customer services include free installation training, technical support, and comprehensive system design and layout.

As an established leader, ProLine constantly develops and researches the latest technologies and products. Consistently offering customers a large selection of the most proven and advanced products, coupled with industry-leading services is why ProLine is the trusted wholesale provider of radiant snow melting, home heating, and roof de-icing systems.

In keeping with ProLine’s commitment to offer its customers a large selection of the industry’s latest premium quality products, ProLine recently added the EcoTrace IC controller to its line of snow melting and de-icing system controls. The advanced device is a single-circuit IoT heat trace controller for use in snow melting, freeze protection and temperature maintenance applications.

What is IoT?

The term “IoT” refers to the Internet of Things. This new technology happens to be one of the most important advancements of this century. The Internet of Things (IoT) technology allows us to connect everyday objects such as cars, kitchen appliances, roofs, and other inanimate objects to the Internet via embedded devices. The devices (or sensors) can be used to measure performance or environmental parameters. The data is then transmitted through a communications network, making it possible to have seamless communication between people, processes, and things. The technology has proven to be highly beneficial and can be used to optimize the efficiency and performance of a variety of objects.

How does the EcoTrace IC Controller Use “Iot” Technology

The EcoTrace IC controller allows the user to choose from a selection of weather-based control algorithms, which include, roof de-icing, gutter or pipe heat tracing, and driveway snow melting systems. The smart controller uses its proprietary algorithms to process weather data and then adjusts the system’s power output according to the conditions brought on by the weather event. In addition to activating the heating system, the controller’s “smart” snow melting capability includes optional preheating, the ability to ignore light storms, and dynamic heating after the storm, all to improve overall system performance and reduce energy use and operating cost.

Pipe Heat Trace

For pipe trace applications, the EcoTrace IC controller can be used for efficient freeze protection and temperature maintenance. A temperature sensor can be connected, whereby ambient or pipe sensing modes can be used to prevent pipes from freezing. Hybrid freeze protection combines weather forecast data with the local sensor data to control freeze protection systems up to 40 percent more efficiently. The temperature sensor can also be used for process temperature maintenance, grease waste lines, and hot water maintenance lines (HWM).  

Heat trace failures can result in small leaks, pipes that freeze and rupture, and damage to critical equipment. With the comprehensive 24/7 system monitoring and automated fault notification, you can rest easy knowing your systems are working. The device’s cloud platform allows you to manage all of your heat tracing systems in one place, even if you are somewhere else.

Connect from Anywhere

The advanced IoT controller connects to the Frio Cloud via Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or Cellular. When connected to the Cloud, the controller uploads system status and receives operational commands. Multiple devices can be joined together in the Cloud platform, which allows the user to have centralized control of multiple heat tracing systems. When accessed via the Cloud, the user can check status, activate the system, or run a diagnostic test. There’s no longer any need to physically check the heat trace control system.

Technical Details

A controller with Modbus and BACnet connectivity is available, as well as one without, which accepts a thermistor only. Both controller models support Wi-Fi and Ethernet connections. The devices are designed to use 802.11n Wi-Fi operating in the 2.4GHz band or the 5GHz band. Both units are compatible with older 2.4GHz 802.11b, 802.11g, and 802.11a networks. The ethernet connection supports 10Mbps and 100Mbps operation. See the user manual for firewall information.

The controller can drive up to a 30A resistive load to control electric heat trace systems operating between 110 VAC and 277 VAC. The IC (Internet Controller) comes in an outdoor-rated enclosure, tested to IP67 standard.

The controller also allows for the user to manually activate the device for a set period of time. Manual override can be set from the device’s Cloud platform, or through Modbus for BMS connected systems.

_{ProLine Radiant is a leading wholesale provider of radiant heat solutions. For more information about radiant snow melting systems, roof de-icing and heat trace solutions, or floor heating systems, call a friendly ProLine representative today, at 866-676-9276.}