Electric heat trace, or surface heating, is the application of heat to an external surface that compensates for heat lost due to changes in temperature in ambient surroundings. In cold or freezing conditions, heat tracing systems help stabilize surface temperatures of pipes or vessels via electric trace heaters to protect the flow of liquids inside and reduce the risk of equipment damage. Electric trace heaters also maintain process temperatures for substances that can solidify or become overly viscous within a system such that it impedes the progress of critical processes. Freeze protection and temperature maintenance are the most common applications for electric trace heating. This versatile and powerful thermal technology is used in renewable energy systems, oil and gas processing, petrochemical/chemical processing, power generation, transportation, food and beverage production, environmental monitoring and more.