Spreadsheet assumptions are hard to audit
Critical basis inputs get buried across tabs, comments and copied worksheets.
Engineering decision-support for electric heat tracing
From thermal duty to cable suitability — in one auditable workflow
Heat tracing design software for engineering teams.
TraceSpec helps engineers easily and confidently convert design basis to deterministic calculation, viable cable comparison and report-ready outputs.
Deterministic thermal calculation, structured cable library, transparent suitability ranking and audit-ready reports for review and project submission.
Project / Line Item
North Sea Platform — Area A / P-104B
Required output
35 W/m
Ambient temp
-20 C
Viable options
5 cables
Results Rankings
Viable cable candidates
Suitability score
94
Manufacturer A SR-10
Top MatchScore
94
ElectricalFeasible
Review flagsNo Review Flags
Manufacturer B HT-12
Score
87
ElectricalFeasible
Review flagsMax length review
Manufacturer C LT-30
Score
79
ElectricalFeasible
Review flagsOversizing review
Selected Cable
Selected Cable content, review flags and report readiness stay connected to the project context.
Manufacturer data represented in-platform
Cable families from leading manufacturers, structured for technical comparison and traceability.
The problem
Heat tracing design is still trapped in disconnected tools.
When assumptions, technical specification details and report outputs live in separate tools, workload increases, information can fall through the cracks and critical inconsistencies become harder to catch.
Cable table lookups are still manual
Engineers still cross-check scattered manufacturer data line by line.
Candidate comparisons are difficult to analyse
Thermal Design Fit, electrical feasibility, constraints and Review Flags are rarely visible together in one place.
Report outputs are rebuilt from fragments
Final packages are often reconstructed manually from calculations performed elsewhere.
Product workflow
From design basis to report in four clear stages.
You provide the project basis. TraceSpec handles deterministic calculation, candidate screening and structured comparison so you can review, select and report with confidence.
Stage 1
Set the design basis
Create the project and Line Items, then enter the engineering basis in a structured workflow — using project defaults or CSV where useful.
- Structured inputs
- Project defaults
- CSV import
Stage 2
TraceSpec calculates & screens
Deterministic thermal calculations apply source-backed cable data, mandatory engineering constraints and electrical feasibility.
- Deterministic calculation
- Source-backed constraints
- Feasibility first
Stage 3
Compare & select
Review viable candidates, suitability ranking, electrical configuration and Review Flags side by side. Final selection stays with the engineer.
- Cross-manufacturer comparison
- Transparent ranking
- Engineering review
Stage 4
Report & trace
Carry the selected cable, calculation basis, assumptions and review evidence into report/PDF outputs and historical traceability.
- Report-ready
- PDF output
- Audit trail
Candidate ranking
Transparent candidate ranking — not black-box recommendations.
TraceSpec first applies the engineering constraints that determine whether a cable candidate can satisfy the project design basis. Viable candidates are then ranked using proprietary, deterministic, physics-based engineering logic — helping engineers distinguish stronger thermal design fits without hiding feasibility checks or review requirements inside the score.
Decision-support boundary
TraceSpec supports engineering decision-making through deterministic calculations, suitability ranking and reporting workflows. Final validation remains with qualified engineers.
How suitability scoring works
TraceSpec's Overall Suitability Score reflects Thermal Design Fit — how well a feasible cable configuration matches the required thermal duty and distributes heat across the traced surface. Capacity and distribution are evaluated using a deterministic, physics-based methodology. Electrical configuration is a mandatory feasibility check rather than a source of scoring points, and Review Flags remain visible separately from the score.
Results Rankings
P-104B candidate comparison
Top Match
Candidate 01
Ranked highest on Thermal Design Fit after satisfying the applicable engineering and electrical feasibility checks.
Suitability score
94
Review flags
No significant constraints
Check maximum circuit length
Flags surface constraints for qualified engineering review; they remain separate from the score.
| Rank | Cable candidate | Suitability score | Electrical | Review flags |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Candidate 01Top Match | 94 | Feasible | No significant constraints |
| 2 | Candidate 02 | 87 | Feasible | Max length review |
| 3 | Candidate 03 | 79 | Feasible | Oversized |
Why TraceSpec
Why engineering teams choose TraceSpec
TraceSpec connects calculation, candidate comparison and report outputs in one auditable workflow — without locking engineers into a single manufacturer tool or fragmented spreadsheet process.
TraceSpec brings spreadsheet flexibility, structured cable data and engineering workflow control into one technical design environment.
| Capability | TraceSpec | Manual / spreadsheetsManual methods / spreadsheets | Manufacturer toolsManufacturer tools |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multi-manufacturer comparison | |||
| Transparent assumptions | |||
| Deterministic engineering-grade calculations | |||
| Ranked viable candidates | |||
| Project-level report workflow | |||
| Cable data traceability | |||
| Review flags / audit trail | |||
| Hazardous-area filtering | |||
| Structured workflow from input to report |
Check = full supportPartial icon = partial supportCross = limited support
TRUSTED BY ENGINEERS
Deterministic by design. Explainable by default.
TraceSpec combines heat tracing technical detail with structured engineering logic, helping teams automate calculations, evaluate suitability, surface source data and keep review points visible — getting you to project design and specification faster.
Inputsassumptionssource referencesconstraintsreview flagsselected-cable rationale
Deterministic thermal calculation
Calculation outputs are generated from explicit engineering logic and stored design inputs, not black-box prompts.
Transparent suitability scoring
Candidate rankings explain Thermal Design Fit, while electrical feasibility, constraints and Review Flags remain explicit alongside the score.
Structured manufacturer cable data
Cable families and variants are represented as structured data for comparison and traceability.
Review flags and audit trail
Constraints, assumptions and review points remain visible as designs move toward report output.
Cable library
Structured cable data, visible and traceable.
TraceSpec brings manufacturer cable data into one structured reference library, helping engineers compare candidate families, approvals, source references and coverage status in context.
Library entries keep source references, approval fields and coverage status visible where available, so candidate evaluation is easier to review and defend.
Built on a growing library of manufacturer cable families and technical data.
Technical reference library, not a ranking marketplace.
Cable Library
Cable family records and source references
| Manufacturer | Cable family | Cable type | Variants | Approvals | Source references | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raychem | BTV | Self-regulating | 18 | ATEX, IECEx | Datasheet rev 2025 | Structured |
| Thermon | BSX | Self-regulating | 12 | FM, CSA | Catalogue table | Structured |
| Chromalox | SRL | Self-regulating | 9 | UL, CSA | Manufacturer data | In review |
Source references
Datasheet and catalogue references stay attached to library rows.
Approvals
Approval fields are represented for project-specific filtering and review.
Data coverage
Coverage status is visible before candidate evaluation.
Approval-aware design workflows
Built for projects where hazardous-area approvals, harsh environments, constraints and engineering review matter. Filter cables against project approval requirements and keep review context visible.
DESIGN REPORTS
Move from calculation outputs to coherent project design reports.
Easily and quickly turn calculation outputs into coherent project design reports without manually rebuilding the narrative. Keep Line Items, Selected Cable content, Thermal Calculation rows and Review Notes together.
Versioned exportsPDF-ready reportsReview flags retained
Report Preview / Report Export
North Sea Platform — Area A
Area A heat tracing package · Ref NS-HT-042
Report status
Preview ready
Included Line Items
12
Selected Cable rows
9
Review Flags
3
| Line Item | Service | Thermal Calculation | Selected Cable | Review Flags |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P-104B | Produced water transfer | Maintain 5 °C · 35 W/m · 1.42 kW | Candidate A SR-10 | No significant constraints |
| GAS-LIFT-07 | Gas lift manifold | Maintain 10 °C · 42 W/m · 2.18 kW | Candidate B HT-12 | Max circuit length review |
| MEG-SKID-02 | MEG injection skid | Maintain 15 °C · 28 W/m · 0.86 kW | Not selected | Thermal calculation only |
| SEA-WATER-STR-01 | Seawater strainer drain | Freeze protection · 31 W/m · 1.05 kW | Candidate C LT-30 | Spacing review |
Audit trail and review context
Report Export keeps assumptions, source calculation rows, Review Notes and Selected Cable rationale tied to each Line Item for engineering review.
Built for technical teams
Designed for technical teams who need credible design outputs.
TraceSpec is built for the professionals who need to move from design basis to defensible engineering outputs without losing transparency.
Design Engineers
Create heat tracing designs with clearer design basis, transparent calculations and multi-manufacturer candidate review.
EPC / Project Engineers / Procurement
Coordinate packages more consistently across Line Items, reporting and review workflows.
Consultants and Specifiers
Produce more defensible design logic and clearer report-ready documentation.
Technical Sales Teams
Support customers with faster, more transparent technical evaluations.
TraceSpec Engineer
Join the next generation of heat tracing design software.
TraceSpec is available to engineers, specialist consultants and technical sales and procurement teams who want faster heat tracing design workflows without losing engineering excellence and expertise.