Data center pipe freeze protection
Heat-tracing specialist E&S Tech, led by CEO Yoo Bong-hwan, participated in Data Center Korea 2026 and showcased thermal management solutions to prevent freezing and freeze damage in data center piping.
As the expansion of AI data centers increases the importance of reliable power and cooling infrastructure, preventing freeze damage in cooling-water and fire protection pipes exposed to outdoor air or installed in low-temperature environments is also considered a key facility management task.
At the exhibition, E&S Tech introduced heating cable systems, metal heater systems and silicone nano heater systems for freeze protection and temperature maintenance, presenting applications suited to site conditions.
Heating cables and sheet heaters
A principal exhibit was a self-regulating positive temperature coefficient, or PTC, heating cable that automatically adjusts its heat output according to the surrounding temperature. Its heating element, made from conductive material and polymer, has the characteristic that electrical resistance increases as temperature rises, reducing heat output. This can prevent pipes from freezing while reducing unnecessary electricity consumption and the risk of overheating, making it suitable for data center cooling-water and fire protection piping.
A parallel circuit structure and flexible materials also allow the cable to be cut and connected to suit site conditions and installed to fit pipes and structures of various shapes. These characteristics make it suitable not only for pipe freeze protection and process temperature maintenance but also for snow melting on roofs and roads and for floor heating.
The silicone nano heater is a flexible sheet heater composed of a metal heating element and silicone insulation. Attached to a pipe, it prevents freeze damage by transferring heat through conduction to the fluid inside. The heat resistance, electrical insulation and flexibility of silicone allow it to accommodate a range of installation environments.
Certifications and company background
E&S Tech's heating cable system obtained KS C IEC 60800 certification in March this year, a first in South Korea's heating cable industry. It also received FM certification for a system configuration including heating cables and connection kits.
A company representative said, “For AI data centers, the reliability of power and cooling infrastructure directly determines uptime. Building on KS certification and FM system certification, we will supply reliable thermal management solutions that reduce risks at sites.”
Established in 1996, E&S Tech is a thermal management specialist supplying heating cables, metal heaters and silicone nano heaters. With international certifications including UL, CE and IECEx, it provides thermal management products and solutions to industrial sites in South Korea and overseas.
Original Korean article: hvacrj.co.kr
English brief by Korea Wind Intelligence, koreawindintel.com
