CDN NEWS | 
US NEWS 
Industry: Natural Gas Pipeline Distribution
Product: ONE SERIES FIELD SAFETY SYSTEM for Remote Heater Control
The Challenge: Preventing Freezing in High-Pressure Natural Gas Pipelines
Natural gas pipelines play a critical role in delivering energy to homes, businesses, and industries. However, maintaining safe and efficient operations requires overcoming environmental challenges like freezing temperatures.
National Grid, a key player in natural gas distribution, operates city gate stations that regulate high-pressure gas—often exceeding 1,000 PSI—down to safer delivery pressures below 100 PSI. A major operational challenge stems from the Joule-Thomson effect, which causes a sharp temperature drop when gas expands through pressure-reducing valves. When paired with cold ambient conditions, this process can cause ice formation, potentially freezing critical components and leading to dangerous overpressure situations.
To address these risks, National Grid needed a reliable, safety-certified heating system to maintain uninterrupted gas flow and comply with corporate safety standards.
The Solution: UEC One Series SIL 2 Safety System for Heat Tracing
To mitigate freezing risks, National Grid implemented the One Series Field Safety System from Westech Industrial—a robust, Class I, Div. 1 system engineered for hazardous environments. This cutting-edge safety system offers:
- ✅ Loop-Powered 4–20 mA Output – Provides continuous real-time monitoring
- ✅ High-Capacity Safety Relay – Enables immediate response to freezing threats
- ✅ Embedded Programmable Logic – Delivers automated heater control
- ✅ SIL 2 Certification – Ensures compliance with industry safety standards
This all-in-one device integrates temperature sensing, control logic, and alarm notifications within a compact, explosion-proof enclosure. When pipeline temperatures approach the critical 40°F threshold, the system automatically alerts remote control centers, allowing operators to take immediate action and prevent freezing.
The Results: Safer, More Efficient Gas Distribution
By installing the One Series Safety System, National Grid achieved significant operational improvements:
🔹 Streamlined Heating System Design – Replaced three separate devices (temperature transmitter, process switch, and gauge) with a single unit.
🔹 Cost-Effective Installation – Reduced wiring, hardware, and system integration costs.
🔹 Improved Reliability – Enhanced heater performance and minimized downtime.
🔹 Regulatory Compliance – Met corporate and industry safety standards with SIL 2-certified equipment.
Following the successful implementation, National Grid standardized the One Series Safety System across its pipeline network to maintain safe and reliable heating in critical gas distribution applications.
Optimize Your Pipeline Safety with Westech Industrial
Westech Industrial specializes in providing innovative safety solutions for Canada’s natural gas industry. Our team can help you integrate SIL-certified heat tracing systems to enhance pipeline performance and protect critical infrastructure from freezing hazards.
📞 Call us today at 1-800-912-9262 or visit our website to learn more about the One Series SIL 2 Field Safety System and other advanced safety technologies.
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