vbk-system vbk-s

This component is an electrical device that must be installed correctly to ensure proper operation and to prevent shock or fire. Read these important warnings and carefully follow all of the installation instructions.• To minimize the danger of fire from sustained electrical arcing

if the heating cable is damaged or improperly installed, and to comply with the requirements of nVent, agency certifications, and National Electrical Codes, ground-fault equipment protection must be used. Arcing may not be stopped by conventional circuit breakers.

• Component approvals and performance are based on the use of nVent-specified parts only. Do not use substitute parts or vinyl electrical tape.

• The black heating cable core is conductive and can short. It must be properly insulated and kept dry.

• Damaged bus wires can overheat or short. Do not break bus wire strands when scoring the jacket or fibers.

• Keep components and heating cable ends dry before and during installation.

• Heat damaged components can short. Use a heat gun or a torch with a soft, yellow, low heat flame, not a blue focused flame. Keep the flame moving to avoid overheating, blistering, or charring the heat-shrinkable tubes. Avoid heating other components. Replace any damaged parts.

HEALTH HAZARD: Overheating heat-shrinkable tubes will produce fumes that may cause irritation. Use adequate ventilation and avoid charring or burning. Consult MSDS RAY3122 for further information.Uncured sealant can irritate eyes, nose and throat. Read warnings on tube. Consult MSDS VEN0044 for additional information.

CHEMTREC 24-hour emergency telephone: (800) 424-9300

Non-emergency health and safety information: (800) 545-6258.

WARNING: CAUTION:

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DESCRIPTIONThe nVent RAYCHEM VBK-SYSTEM Kit and VBK-S Splice Kit are for use with RAYCHEM VLBTV2 heating cables connected to three-phase power. Materials for installing one system or one splice are included in each kit. The VL system is an engineered system that must be designed by nVent.For additional information contact your nVent representative or call (800) 545-6258.

TOOLS REQUIRED• Phillips screwdriver, no. 2 • Wire strippers• Diagonal cutters • Cabinet-tip screwdriver, 4.5 mm• Utility knife • Needle nose pliers• Heat gun or mini-torch • Channel-lock pliers, 12 inch

ADDITIONAL MATERIALS REQUIRED• Pipe straps

APPLICATION INFORMATIONThe minimum installation temperature for the VBK-SYSTEM and the VBK-S Splice Kit is –40˚F (–40˚C). Kits are designed for above-ground use only.

ORIENTATION OF SYSTEMThe diagrams below show correct (A) and incorrect (B, C and D) system orientations as follows:• A shows properly installed components. Note equal lengths and

correct orientation of each kit.• B shows Kit P2 rotated incorrectly.• C shows Kits P2 and P3 reversed incorrectly.• D shows unequal lengths between Kits P1, P2, P3 and E.Note: The splice kit is the only kit that may be placed at any distance between the other kits. The splice box is the only box that may be oriented in either direction.

Total circuit Length (L)

A)

B)

C)

D)

Correct

Incorrect

Incorrect

Incorrect

1/3 1/3 1/3

L? L? L?

KIT CONTENTS

VBK-SYSTEM Kit Contents

Qty Description

1 P1 Power Connection Kit1 P2 Phase Jumper Kit1 P3 Phase Jumper Kit1 E End Termination Kit

VBK-S Kit Contents

Qty Description

1 Splice Connection Kit

APPROVALS

-WS

Class I, Div. 2, Groups B, C, DClass II, Div. 2, Groups F, GClass III

Class I, Div. 2, Groups A, B, C, DClass II, Div. 2, Groups F, GClass III

Hazardous and Nonhazardous Locations

IMPORTANT: The VBK system and splice must be installed exactly as described in the sequence of instructions. The junction boxes and terminal blocks must be located and oriented correctly for the system to function properly.

VBK-SYSTEM VBK-SVLBTV Long-Line Connection System & Splice Kit Installation Instructions

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A

B

Typical System Layout(with P2 box exploded for illustration)

Typical Wiring Diagrams for 480 V and 600 V Systems(600 V Systems in United States only)

Conduit drain is recommended but not shown.

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C

D

Heating Cable Type:VLBTV2-CRVLBTV2-CT

Heating cable construction

Wiring Diagram

IMPORTANT: Refer to wiring naming conventions when connecting the heating cable leads to the terminal rail assemblies.

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1

3

2

• Slide cap, compression washer, and grommet onto heating cable in order and orientation shown.

•

• Lightly score completely around and down outer jacket.• Bend heating cable to break jacket at score, then peel off

outer jacket and clear Mylar wrap.

• Push braid back.

• Use Needle nose pliers to pull heating cable out of braid.

• Gently spread apart braid as shown.

• Straighten the braid and twist into a “pigtail”.

• Make bend in heating cable at opening in braid.

Do not damage heating cable

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4

5

• On each side of heating-cable section, lightly score across then down inner jacket as shown. Do not score completely around heating cable.

• Use diagonal cutters to trim away jacket on each side of heating cable.

• Bend heating cable to break jacket at score, then peel back inner jacket.

• Remove 1/2 in of insulation from end of white, red, and black wires.

Do not cut wire strands.

Do not cut wires.

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6

7

8

• Trim braid and bus wires.

• Score core between bus wires 3/4 in from inner jacket.• Bend core to break at score.

• Twist back and peel bus wire from core.

• Notch core at the end.

• Slide on heat-shrinkable tubes. Place red tube on bus wire next to red wire, black tube on bus wire next to black wire, and yellow/green tube on the braid. Use a heat gun or minitorch with a soft yellow flame to shrink the tubes completely.

• Peel core and any remaining material from bus wires.

Do not cut bus wires.

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Cover exposed core

1/2”

Clear yellowtube 1” long

RTV

Silicone R

ubber

Adhesive

Sealant

D1"

D

D = 3" for P1 KitD = 1" for P2, P3, E and S Kits

Total circuit Length (L)

A)

B)

C)

D)

Correct

Incorrect

Incorrect

Incorrect

1/3 1/3 1/3

L? L? L?

9

10

11

• Center clear yellow tube over end of core.• Heat tube until it shrinks completely and adhesive flows

out ends.• While adhesive is still hot, pinch between bus wires and

hold for 5 seconds to create a seal.

• Wrap black cloth tape tightly around heating cable to cover exposed conductive core.

• Position grommet as indicated for “D” above. Then slide the grommet one inch further in direction away from end of heating cable as shown. Apply silicone adhesive to the 1 in zone around the heater.

• Slide the grommet back to the “D” location. Apply additional RTV silicone to fill voids for a watertight seal.

For P2, P3, and S Kits repeat Steps 1 through 10 for second heating cable.

ORIENTATION OF SYSTEMThe diagrams show correct (A) and incorrect (B, C and D) system orientations as follows:• A shows properly installed components. Note equal lengths

and correct orientation of each kit.• B shows Kit P2 rotated incorrectly.• C shows Kits P2 and P3 reversed incorrectly.• D shows unequal lengths between Kits P1, P2, P3 and E.Note: The VBK-S Splice Kit is the only kit that may be placed at any distance between the other kits. The splice box is the only box that may be oriented in either direction.

IMPORTANT: For best adhesion, keep the cable warm. The tape will not adhere well at temperatures approaching -20°F (-29°C).

CAUTION: Health Hazard Uncured sealant can irritate eyes, nose and throat. Refer to Material Safety Data Sheet VEN0044 for more information.

IMPORTANT: The VL System P1, P2, P3 and E Kits must be installed as shown in diagram at right. The connection boxes and terminal blocks must be located and oriented correctly for the system to function properly.

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13

For VBK-P1 Kit

For VBK-P1 Kit

• Wiring diagram in box will have VL-P1 KIT printed on the upper right corner. Make sure diagram matches kit to be installed.

• Connect supply conductors (following usual practices) to terminals identified on the box wiring diagram. Also refer to diagram “D” in Step 11. Use a 4.5 mm cabinet-tip screwdriver to tighten terminal block screws.

• Connect bus wires identified as HEATER RED and HEATER BLACK and the RED, WHITE, and BLACK wires to terminals identified on box wiring diagram. Connect the pigtailed braid to the BRAID terminal as shown on the diagram.

• Use a conduit drain to prevent condensation and water build-up inside the VBK-P1 Kit.• Go to Step 22 to complete the VBK-P1 installation.

• Mount legs to junction box using fasteners provided.• Slide compression washer up to grommet. Locate

compression washer slot over grommet.• Thread cap on elbow assembly. Use 12 in channel-lock

pliers to tighten cap securely in place. Important: Do not allow heating cable to rotate when tightening cap and do not cross the threads.

• Secure box assembly to pipe using a steel strap. Check Step 11 for correct location and orientation of VBK-P1 Kit on pipe.

• Feed prepared heating cable through 90° elbow assembly. Position grommet in hub attached to elbow.

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14

15

For VBK-P2 Kit

For VBK-P2 Kit


• Connect bus wires identified as HEATER RED and HEATER BLACK and the RED, WHITE, and BLACK wires to terminals identified on box wiring diagram. Connect the pigtailed braid to the BRAID terminal as shown on the diagram. Use a 4.5 mm cabinet-tip screwdriver to tighten terminal block screws.

• Go to Step 22 to complete the VBK-P2 installation.

• Mount low-profile bracket to junction box using fasteners provided.

• Feed prepared heating cable through hub. Position grommet in hub. Slide compression washer up to grommet. Locate compression washer slot over grommet.

• Thread cap on hub. Use 12 in channel-lock pliers to tighten cap securely in place. Important: Do not rotate heating cable when tightening cap and do not cross the threads.

• Repeat for the second heating cable.• Secure box assembly to pipe using a steel strap.

Check Step 11 for correct location and orientation of VBK-P2 Kit on pipe.

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16

17

For VBK-P3 Kit

For VBK-P3 Kit



• Go to Step 22 to complete the VBK-P3 installation.





Check Step 11 for correct location and orientation of VBK-P3 Kit on pipe.

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18

19

For VBK-E Kit

For VBK-E Kit

• Wiring diagram in box will have VL-E KIT printed on the upper right corner. Make sure diagram matches kit to be installed.


• Go to Step 22 to complete the VBK-E installation.




• Secure box assembly to pipe using a steel strap. Check Step 11 for correct location and orientation of VBK-E Kit on pipe.

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20

21

For VBK-S Kit

For VBK-S Kit

• Wiring diagram in box will have VL-S KIT printed on the upper right corner. Make sure diagram matches kit to be installed.


• Go to Step 22 to complete the VBK-S installation.





Check Step 11 for correct location and orientation of VBK-S Kit on pipe.

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22 For all kits

To ensure correct installation:• Inspect all wiring and tighten terminals using a 4.5-mm cabinet-

tip screwdriver.• Check to be sure that:

– No connections have been made to terminals marked “open.”– Heating cable bus wires identified as “Heater Red” and

“Heater Black” are connected to the corresponding “HEATER RED” and “HEATER BLACK” locations on the terminal block. Also check that power supply conductors and white, red, and black wires are connected to the correct terminals.

• Check elbow and hubs. There must be a tight seal between connection box, sealing gasket, and fittings. If fittings are loose, tighten with a wrench or channel-lock pliers. Make sure fitting and heating cable do not rotate when the locknut is tightened.

• Leave installation instructions with end user for future reference.

• Place cover on connection box and tighten screws.

IMPORTANT: The VBK System will not function if installed incorrectly.

North America Tel +1.800.545.6258Fax [email protected]

Europe, Middle East, AfricaTel +32.16.213.511Fax [email protected]

Asia PacificTel +86.21.2412.1688Fax [email protected]

Latin AmericaTel +1.713.868.4800Fax [email protected]

©2018 nVent. All nVent marks and logos are owned or licensed by nVent Services GmbH or its affiliates. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. nVent reserves the right to change specifications without notice.

Raychem-IM-H55230-VBKsystem-EN-1805 PN 566607-000

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