by wfcadmin wfcadmin

How to Tell If Your Heat Trace System Is Ready for Winter

The Midwest doesn’t ease into winter — it arrives. One week of mild temperatures can turn into a hard freeze overnight, and by the time ice forms in a process line or water sits frozen in a pipe, the damage is already done. For facilities that rely on heat trace to protect critical infrastructure, the real question isn’t whether winter is coming. It’s whether your system is actually ready for it.

At RELCON, we’ve spent four generations helping commercial, industrial, and utility facilities across the Midwest answer that question before the temperature drops — not after. Here’s how to know whether your heat trace system will hold up, and what to do if you’re not sure.

Why Heat Trace Readiness Matters

Heat trace cable is easy to forget about — it’s tucked under insulation, running along pipe racks, or buried inside equipment enclosures most of the year. But when a burst pipe, a frozen instrument line, or a failed fire sprinkler system shuts down operations, the cost is rarely just repairs. It’s downtime, safety exposure, and in some cases regulatory consequences. A system that worked fine last winter isn’t guaranteed to work this winter — cable degrades, connections loosen, and controllers drift out of calibration. Readiness has to be checked, not assumed.

Warning Signs Your System Isn't Ready

Before the first freeze, walk your facility — or have a professional walk it with you — and watch for these red flags:

  • Cable age or visible damage: cracked, brittle, or discolored heat trace cable, especially anything installed more than 10–15 years ago.
  • Nuisance breaker trips or GFEPD faults: a sign of insulation breakdown or moisture intrusion in the cable or connection kits.
  • Controllers that won’t hold a setpoint: electronic controllers or thermostats that cycle erratically, or that no one on site has verified in over a year.
  • Missing or damaged insulation: exposed, wet, or crushed insulation around traced piping and equipment lets heat escape faster than the cable can replace it.
  • No documentation or recent audit: if you can’t point to a report on your system’s condition, energy performance, and compliance status, you don’t actually know where you stand.
  • Unaddressed findings from last year: any issue flagged in a prior inspection that was never resolved will still be there when the cold hits.

The RELCON Readiness Checklist

A quick self-check before you call in a professional:

  • Has the heat trace cable been visually inspected for damage this year?
  • Do all circuits show proper continuity and current draw at the panel?
  • Are controllers and sensors calibrated and cycling as expected?
  • Is insulation intact, dry, and properly sealed along all traced lines?
  • Do you have an up-to-date audit report covering energy efficiency, equipment performance, and safety compliance?

If you answered “no” or “not sure” to any of these, it’s time for a professional assessment — not a guess.

What a Professional Heat Trace Audit Covers

A RELCON Complete System Audit goes beyond a visual check. Our team evaluates your system across four areas and delivers a detailed report with findings, observations, and recommendations:


Audit AreaWhat We Check
Energy EfficiencyIdentifying excess energy use and opportunities to reduce operating cost.
Equipment PerformanceVerifying cable, controllers, and components are functioning as designed.
Compliance & SafetyConfirming your system meets applicable codes and safety standards.
Maintenance PracticesReviewing current upkeep against best practices to extend system life.

Why Facilities Trust RELCON

RELCON specializes in engineered winterization for commercial, industrial, and utility facilities — not residential plumbing. That focus matters when the stakes are process integrity, fire sprinkler safety, and regulatory compliance rather than a single frozen faucet.

  • Manufacturer-backed expertise: as a primary partner for Chemelex (Raychem) self-regulating heat trace cable, connection kits, and electronic controls, we design and troubleshoot systems built on proven, industry-standard components.
  • Full-system perspective: from process winterization and floor warming to equipment enclosures and instrument tubing bundles, we look at how every piece of your thermal management system works together.
  • Hands-on support: on-site training, start-up and commissioning assistance, and troubleshooting for panel and intelligent controller programming — so your team isn’t left guessing after we leave.
  • Four generations of experience: engineered around real Midwest weather data, not generic assumptions.

Take Action Today

Our calendar is filling quickly as facilities across the Midwest prepare for the season ahead. Don’t wait for the first hard freeze to find out your system wasn’t ready. Contact RELCON today and let four generations of thermal expertise protect your facility this winter.

Schedule Your Assessment Now

by wfcadmin wfcadmin

Meet the Elexant 3500i: Smart Control for Heat Tracing

Keeping pipes, tanks and process lines at the right temperature shouldn’t require a tangle of components, a clipboard of manual checks, or a trip to the field every time a setpoint needs adjusting. RELCON has been at the forefront of heat tracing for decades, and we’re excited to introduce the newest innovation in heat trace control: the Raychem Elexant 3500i Electronic Thermostat.

The Elexant 3500i is a family of compact, full-featured electronic thermostats designed for heat tracing control and monitoring in both freeze protection and process temperature maintenance applications. It’s built to install faster, adapt to your needs, and keep you informed about your system around the clock.

One Platform, Five Variants, Two Mounting Options

Designed from a common hardware platform, the Elexant 3500i offers five variants and two enclosure types (wall mount and pipe mount), giving you the flexibility to tailor the control solution to your exact heat tracing requirements. Whether you need a simple local thermostat with an indicator light or a fully connected controller with load sensing and ground fault detection, there’s a configuration that fits.

Available features include an alarm relay, RS-485 and Bluetooth connections, load sensing, ground fault detection, an automated heat trace system check, and a mobile app for wireless configuration. The Elexant 3500i is suitable for both hazardous and non-hazardous locations.

Why the Elexant 3500i Stands Out

Fast Installation with Minimal Components

  • Quick connect terminals deliver fast and secure cable connections.
  • Power connection and thermostat in one, supporting up to two heating cables from a single unit.
  • Robust wall-mounted or pipe stand enclosures minimize the components and tools required on site.
  • Approved to 32 A and 277 Vac, allowing longer heating cable lengths and fewer circuits overall.

Flexible Design. Reliable Performance.

  • Five electronic module variants to match your needs, from a local indication light to remote communication, current sensing and ground fault sensing.
  • Interchangeable electronic modules make upgrades hassle-free. Start with what you need today and step up later without replacing the enclosure.
  • Globally approved for hazardous areas in extreme environments from –55°C to +60°C (–67°F to +140°F).
  • A hybrid switching relay (SSR + EMR) rated to 250,000 power cycles for superior product life (IEC 60079).

Interchangeable electronic modules and quick connect terminals simplify installation and upgrades

Connected Operation. Automated Monitoring.

  • Bluetooth configuration from a mobile device or tablet using the Elexant Connect App.
  • DCS connectivity for remote control and monitoring. Be in full control, anywhere, anytime.
  • A 24-hour auto-test provides early warnings and supports predictive maintenance.
  • The “Find Me” feature uses Bluetooth to quickly identify and locate a specific Elexant 3500i thermostat in the field.

Make Your Smart Choice in Three Steps

Selecting the right Elexant 3500i is straightforward:

  • Choose your enclosure. Select a wall mount or pipe mount model, both built on the same standard modular design.
  • Choose your variant. Pick the feature set that matches your application, from Standard through Ground Fault Detecting.
  • Upgrade when needed. Swap in a more capable electronic module as your monitoring and control requirements grow.
FeatureStandard (-ST)Alarm (-AR)Communi- cating (-C)Current Sensing (-I)Ground Fault Detecting (-GF)
Modular Design✓✓✓✓✓
Quick Connect✓✓✓✓✓
Local Indicator Light✓✓✓✓✓
Alarm Relay✓✓✓✓
Temperature Sensors11123
Secured Configuration✓✓✓
Central Communication✓✓✓
Programmable as a Temperature Limiter✓✓✓
Auto Test✓✓
Load Sensing✓✓
Ground Fault Protection✓

Key Specifications at a Glance

Supply Voltage100–277 Vac, ±10%, 50–60 Hz
Maximum Current32 A @ 40°C (104°F), linearly derated to 24 A @ 60°C (140°F)
Ambient Operating Temperature–55°C to +60°C (–67°F to +140°F)
Control Temperature RangeUp to +550°C (+1022°F); down to –55°C (–67°F) on -C, -I and -GF variants
Enclosure ProtectionType 4X, IP66
MountingWall mount or pipe mount (pipe temperatures up to 205°C / 401°F)
Hazardous Area ApprovalClass I, Div. 2, Groups A, B, C, D T5; Class II, Div. 2, Groups F, G
CommunicationsRS-485 Modbus RTU (up to 247 thermostats per network); Bluetooth BLE 5.1, encrypted and password protected
Ground FaultGF Alarm or GF Trip at 30 mA or 50 mA, UL 1053 compliant (-GF variant)
SwitchingHybrid relay (SSR + EMR) rated to 250,000 power cycles
Heating Cable CompatibilityBTV-CR, BTV-CT, QTVR-CT, XTV-CT, XTVR-CT, KTV-CT, HTV-CT, VPL-CT, 2SC-30/40/50

Specifications per the Raychem Elexant 3500i datasheet (RAYCHEM-DS-N00406). Refer to the full datasheet for complete details and ordering information.

Part of a Bigger Heat Tracing Picture

The Elexant 3500i doesn’t work in isolation. It can be connected with other Raychem controllers, Raychem Supervisor software, and your central DCS, giving you a complete view of heat tracing across your facility:

  • Field controllers and panels: configuration and monitoring via the local user interface or tablet, with integration to your DCS or Raychem Supervisor.
  • Data analytics and monitoring: secure data collection and analysis combined with remote monitoring and configuration of heat tracing circuits.
  • Connectivity: wired or wireless connection of all components for full heat trace visibility over your entire facility.
  • Life cycle services: minimize operational downtime with audits, field support, remote or embedded services, and annual service programs.

Why Partner with RELCON

With over 65 years of continuous family leadership, RELCON brings uninterrupted technical excellence to every heat tracing project. Our goal is to deliver effective solutions to our customers while ensuring dependable service after the sale. Customer service is a priority, and we stand behind both the products we offer and the customers who rely on them.

Ready to upgrade your heat trace control?

Our team can help you select the right Elexant 3500i variant and mounting option, confirm heating cable compatibility, and plan integration with your existing control system.

Talk to our team today.

by wfcadmin wfcadmin

Common Heat Tracing Problems During Cold Weather

When temperatures drop across the Midwest, your heat tracing system carries the full weight of keeping pipelines, instrumentation, and critical infrastructure running safely. Most failures don’t happen because heat trace “doesn’t work” — they happen because a small, preventable issue was left unchecked until the cold made it a big one. Below, the RELCON team breaks down the most common heat tracing problems we see every winter, why they happen, and how proactive maintenance keeps your facility protected.

Nuisance Ground-Fault (GFEPD) Trips

One of the most frequent service calls we get during the first hard freeze is for circuits that keep tripping their ground-fault equipment protection device (GFEPD). While a genuine ground fault should always be investigated, nuisance trips are often caused by:

  • Moisture intrusion at splices, end seals, or power connection kits that were not properly sealed
  • Damaged cable jacketing from installation abrasion, wildlife, or UV degradation over multiple seasons
  • Aging cable that has reached the end of its serviceable life and is leaking current as insulation resistance drops

A repeat trip is a warning sign, not an inconvenience — it means the circuit is telling you something before it fails outright.

Moisture Intrusion at Terminations and Splices

Every point where heat trace cable is cut, spliced, or terminated is a potential entry point for water. Once moisture works its way past a compromised seal, it can freeze, expand, and destroy the connection from the inside. This is one of the top reasons RELCON recommends Chemelex (Raychem) connection kits and factory-trained installation — a properly sealed splice or end termination is the difference between a system that lasts decades and one that fails its first hard winter.

Undersized or Poorly Designed Systems

Heat tracing is an engineering exercise, not a one-size-fits-all product. Problems show up when a system was designed around rough assumptions instead of accurate heat-loss calculations. Common design gaps include:

  • Pipe insulation that was undersized, damaged, or omitted after installation
  • Circuit lengths that exceed the cable’s maximum run for the available voltage
  • Failure to account for wind exposure, elevation, or true regional design temperatures

A system engineered for “average” Midwest winters will struggle the moment temperatures drop below design assumptions — which is exactly when you can least afford a failure.

Controller and Sensor Malfunctions

Modern heat trace systems rely on electronic controllers and temperature sensors to cycle power efficiently and safely. When these components drift out of calibration, fail, or are programmed incorrectly, the results range from wasted energy to unprotected pipe. Watch for:

  • Sensors placed too far from the pipe surface, causing inaccurate temperature readings
  • Controllers left on outdated setpoints from a prior season or a different process
  • Communication faults in networked or SCADA-integrated control systems

Panel and intelligent controller programming is one of the most requested services on our troubleshooting calls — and often one of the fastest fixes once the root cause is identified.

Voltage Drop and Circuit Overload

Self-regulating heat trace cable draws more current as ambient temperatures fall, which means circuits that were fine in October can be pushed to their limits in January. Long circuit runs, undersized breakers, or shared loads on the same panel can all lead to voltage drop severe enough to leave the far end of a pipe run under-protected.

Damaged or Deteriorated Insulation

Heat trace cable is only as effective as the insulation covering it. Torn, wet, or missing insulation — often the result of contractor foot traffic, wildlife, or age — lets heat escape faster than the cable can replace it. This is one of the easiest problems to miss visually and one of the most common findings during a RELCON system audit.

Deferred Maintenance

The single biggest driver behind cold-weather heat trace failures is simple: systems that haven’t been inspected since they were installed. Heat tracing is largely out of sight, out of mind — until a frozen line shuts down production or triggers a fire sprinkler failure. An annual pre-season inspection catches degraded connections, nuisance-trip patterns, and controller drift before the first freeze, not after.

How RELCON Keeps Your System Winter-Ready

RELCON Inc. has spent four generations engineering commercial, industrial, and utility freeze protection — not guessing at it. As a strategic partner of Raychem and a Honeywell Diamond Channel Partner, our team offers:

Don't Wait for the First Hard Freeze

The problems above rarely announce themselves until a pipe is already frozen. A short inspection now can prevent a costly shutdown later.

TAKE ACTION TODAY – SCHEDULE YOUR ASSESSMENT HERE

Our calendar is filling quickly. Secure your assessment by calling or reaching out online — your facility deserves the protection that only comes from four generations of thermal expertise.

by wfcadmin wfcadmin

RELCON Acquires Geneva Engineering & Design LLC

RELCON is excited to announce the acquisition of Geneva Engineering & Design LLC, a full-service mechanical engineering and design firm specializing in hydraulic systems, rotating machinery, and mechanical design. This acquisition strengthens RELCON’s in-house engineering bench and extends the range of technical services we can offer our clients — from concept through certified, stamped deliverables.

About Geneva Engineering & Design

Geneva Engineering & Design LLC was founded in 2021, growing from a side project into a full-time engineering practice by August 2024. The firm takes its name from the Geneva mechanism — a mechanical linkage famous for translating continuous rotation into precise, intermittent motion — and has built its reputation on the same principles of punctuality, repeatability, and simplicity in every project it delivers.

The firm is led by James “Robby” Marschand, P.E., a Purdue University–trained mechanical engineer with eight years of professional engineering experience and over a decade of CAD design work. Robby earned his Indiana Professional Engineer licensure in 2024 after passing the Mechanical – Machine Design and Materials PE exam, joining an estimated 206 other machine-design-focused PEs in the state of Indiana. His technical publication record includes multiple papers on digitally actuated radial piston pump and pump-motor design — work that reflects deep, hands-on expertise in hydraulic component innovation.

What This Means for RELCON Clients

With Geneva Engineering & Design now part of the RELCON family, clients gain direct access to a broader and deeper set of engineering capabilities, including:

  • 2D & 3D CAD Modeling — Full-capability modeling in Solidworks 2023, with output ready for 3D printing or CNC laser/plasma cutting.
  • Technical Documentation — Professionally drafted engineering specifications and technical sales literature.
  • Troubleshooting & Repair Consulting — Expert review of damaged or underperforming equipment, with practical, viable repair recommendations.
  • Technical Drawings — Machining, fabrication, and assembly drawings tailored to project-specific requirements.
  • Load Analysis (FEA) — Finite Element Analysis to validate reliability while minimizing material and manufacturing cost.
  • Component Selection & System Design — Complete design of hydraulic, pneumatic, and mechanical systems, or expert selection of replacement components.

Why This Acquisition Matters

This acquisition isn’t just about adding services — it’s about adding proven, specialized expertise. Robby’s PE licensure means RELCON can now offer clients engineering documents backed by a licensed Professional Engineer’s stamp, a critical requirement for many regulated or high-liability projects. His research background in digital pump technology and hydraulic actuation brings cutting-edge insight to any project involving fluid power or rotating machinery. And Geneva’s established CAD portfolio, built entirely in Solidworks, means new projects can move quickly from concept to accurate, manufacturable models.

For clients, the result is simple: faster turnaround, tighter integration between design and engineering validation, and one more trusted partner behind every deliverable RELCON produces.

Looking Ahead

RELCON is thrilled to welcome Robby Marschand and the Geneva Engineering & Design team aboard. We look forward to combining Geneva’s precision engineering pedigree with RELCON’s existing capabilities to deliver even greater value to our clients.

Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to grow our team and expand what we can offer.

Interested in learning more about our expanded mechanical engineering and design services? Reach out to the RELCON team today.

by wfcadmin wfcadmin

Winterize Now: Why Bruest Catalytic Heaters Are the Safe, Flameless Choice for Cold-Weather Gas Operations

Every winter brings the same risks to natural gas utilities, industrial facilities, and field operations: frozen piping, instruments that drift or fail in the cold, condensation inside measurement equipment, and crews working in punishing conditions. Each of those problems can lead to unplanned downtime, costly repairs, and safety concerns at exactly the time of year when reliable service matters most.

The good news is that winter problems are largely preventable. With the right heating solution in place before temperatures drop, your sites can keep running safely all season long. That’s why Relcon partners with Bruest Catalytic Heaters, a trusted manufacturer of flameless infrared heating built specifically for hazardous, cold-weather, and sensitive-equipment applications.

What Makes a Catalytic Heater Different?

Conventional gas heaters rely on combustion. Natural gas ignites in air at approximately 1,260°F, producing an open flame that heats the surrounding air. In a hazardous location where gas may be present, that flame is a serious liability.

Catalytic heaters work on a fundamentally different principle. Bruest heaters use a platinum catalyst that triggers an oxidation-reduction reaction at a temperature below the auto-ignition point of the fuel. The energy in the gas is released as infrared energy, carbon dioxide, and water vapor, with no flame and no spark.

The result is radiant heat that behaves much like light. Just as a light bulb floods a room with light, a catalytic heater floods its surroundings with thermal energy. That radiant energy passes through the air as an electromagnetic wave and heats only the solid or liquid surfaces it reaches, such as instruments, piping, and people, rather than wasting fuel warming the air. This makes catalytic heat especially effective in drafty or open environments where conventional convective heat quickly escapes.

How a Bruest Catalytic Heater Works

Operation is straightforward and designed with safety in mind:

  • Warm-up: An enclosed electric heating element preheats the catalytic pad. Typical warm-up time is about 15 to 20 minutes.
  • Gas introduction: Once the pad is warm, gas is introduced through the safety valve, if so equipped, to begin the catalytic heating process.
  • Dispersion: Gas enters through the dispersion tube assembly and is spread evenly by the dispersion screen.
  • Catalytic conversion: The gas diffuses through the insulation, contacts the catalyst, and is converted into steady, flameless infrared heat.

Where Bruest Catalytic Heaters Protect Your Operation

Bruest heaters are suitable for a wide range of heating applications. Four of the most common are especially important heading into winter.

Instrument Heating
Gas measurement and control instruments are sensitive to cold and moisture. Bruest heaters protect this equipment from cold-weather failure and condensation, helping keep readings accurate and systems online.

Freeze Protection
A single frozen line can shut down a site. Catalytic heat prevents pipe freeze-ups and costly shutdowns without introducing a flame or ignition source into the area.

Building & Enclosure Heat
Bruest heaters efficiently warm metering stations, valve houses, and portable structures, keeping the equipment inside protected and serviceable throughout the season.

Personnel & Portable Heating
Crews in the field need warmth too. Portable Bruest units provide safe, flameless heat for crew shelters and temporary work sites.

Why Choose Bruest Catalytic Heaters?

Flameless safety: Bruest heaters operate below the auto-ignition temperature of natural gas, with no open flame and no spark risk. All Bruest heaters are available for installation in Class I, Division 1 or 2, Group D locations, and ATEX certifications are available for applicable hazardous areas.

Infrared efficiency: Because radiant heat warms surfaces directly instead of the surrounding air, it can be up to 40% more efficient than convective heating, with faster warm-up and lower fuel consumption.

Cold-weather ready: After a 15 to 20 minute warm-up, the catalytic pad delivers consistent heat, even in sub-zero environments where conventional heaters struggle.

Versatile sizing: Bruest heaters come in multiple sizes, BTU ratings, and configurations, from portable personnel units to full enclosure heating systems.

The Relcon Advantage

Choosing the right heater is about more than picking a model from a catalog. The correct solution depends on what you’re protecting, the hazardous-area classification at your site, ambient temperature and wind exposure, required BTU output, available fuel and supply pressure, and how the heater will be mounted.

That’s where Relcon comes in. Backed by more than 65 years of engineered sales and service expertise, our team helps you specify, install, and troubleshoot the right Bruest catalytic heater for your application. We’ll walk through your site conditions and compliance requirements with you, so the heater you install is the heater you actually need.

Don’t Wait for the First Freeze

Lead times increase and schedules fill up quickly once cold weather arrives. The best time to winterize is before the first freeze, not after an instrument fails or a line freezes. Let Relcon help you assess your sites, specify the right heater and configuration, and get everything in place ahead of the season, so you can avoid downtime, protect your equipment, and keep your crews safe.

Ready to get started? Contact the Relcon team to schedule your winterization planning session, or learn more about Bruest Catalytic Heaters.

by wfcadmin wfcadmin

Winter Checklist for Your Facility: Protecting Your Operations from the Cold

Winter weather can be tough on industrial, commercial, and utility facilities. Freezing temperatures, snow, and ice don’t just create safety hazards—they can also disrupt operations, damage equipment, and lead to costly downtime if your systems aren’t prepared.

At RELCON, we’ve spent over 60 years helping facilities across the Midwest maintain safe, reliable operations through the coldest months of the year. To help you get ahead of the season, here’s a practical winter readiness checklist for your facility.

Inspect and Protect Piping Systems

Pipes are among the most vulnerable components in cold weather. A single frozen or burst pipe can cause extensive damage and downtime.

Start by inspecting all exposed piping for cracks, leaks, or insulation gaps, and make sure your insulation is intact and rated for your climate. If your facility relies on heat tracing, verify that the system is operational and that valves and drains remain accessible.

💡 RELCON tip: A quick pre-season audit of your heat trace system can prevent freeze-related failures all winter long.

Verify Your Heat Tracing and Thermal Systems

Your heat tracing system is the first line of defense against freeze-related interruptions. Even the best system can fail without inspection and testing.

Pre-winter steps:

  • Perform a functional test of all heat tracing circuits.
  • Inspect for damaged cables, loose connections, or missing labels.
  • Confirm that control panels, thermostats, and alarms are functioning.
  • Schedule a thermal system audit if you haven’t done one in the last year.

Prepare Your Roofs, Gutters, and Drains

Ice buildup on roofs and in gutters can lead to leaks, structural strain, and safety hazards around your facility. Before winter arrives, clear any leaves, dirt, and debris from gutters and downspouts, and make sure flat roof drains can handle melting snow. If you already have roof heat tracing installed, test it to confirm everything is in working order.

A little attention now can prevent heavy ice dams and unexpected water damage later in the season.

Review Snow and Ice Management Plans

Slips, trips, and falls are among the most common winter incidents, and snow can block access to loading docks, doors, and emergency exits.

Double-check your snow removal plans and confirm that vendors, staff, and schedules are all in place before the first storm hits. This is also the time to mark curbs and walkways, stock de-icing materials, and test snow-melting or de-icing systems so they’re ready when you need them.

Protect Critical Instruments and Equipment

Cold weather can compromise both the accuracy and functionality of sensitive instruments. Before temperatures drop, inspect existing enclosures for damage or drafts and verify that any climate control or heat tracing inside those enclosures is fully operational. For outdoor instruments without adequate protection, consider modular or portable enclosures.

Taking the time to winterize your instrumentation now can prevent costly downtime and protect your most critical measurements all season long.

Prepare for Emergency Scenarios

Even with the best planning, winter weather can create unexpected challenges. Make sure your team and facility are ready to respond quickly.

Key items:

  • Review and update your emergency response plan.
  • Ensure backup power sources are operational and fueled.
  • Train staff on freeze protection procedures and emergency contacts.
  • Keep critical spare parts, fuses, and heaters on hand.

Stay Ahead of Winter with a Proactive Plan

Winterizing your facility isn’t just about preventing problems—it’s about ensuring reliability, safety, and peace of mind. A thorough winter checklist helps you avoid costly downtime and keeps your operations running smoothly no matter how cold it gets.

At RELCON, we help industrial, commercial, and utility sites prepare for winter with:

Want a professional winter readiness assessment? Schedule a consultation and we’ll help you check every box before the first freeze hits.

by wfcadmin wfcadmin

RELCON Receives Honeywell Visionary Award for Gas Measurement Innovation

RELCON is proud to share that we have received Honeywell’s prestigious Visionary Award, a recognition that celebrates outstanding achievement, innovation, and impact in the gas measurement industry.
This award reflects the dedication of our team and the trust our customers place in us to support critical natural gas measurement and utility modernization projects.

For more than 65 years, RELCON has helped industrial, commercial, and natural gas facilities improve the safety, reliability, and performance of their operations through engineered solutions, trusted products, and long-term service support.

Recognized for Innovation and Impact

The Honeywell Visionary Award recognizes partners who demonstrate excellence in project execution, technical innovation, business impact, and the ability to support large-scale, complex deployments.

RELCON earned this recognition through a multiyear utility modernization initiative focused on replacing legacy meter reading technology across a large operational footprint. The project required careful planning, technical coordination, field support, and hands-on training to ensure a successful deployment.

Through this initiative, RELCON helped the customer modernize critical gas measurement infrastructure while delivering measurable results, including approximately 117% year-over-year growth within a strategic account.

Supporting the Future of Gas Measurement

Natural gas utilities rely on accurate, dependable measurement systems to manage performance, improve visibility, and make informed operational decisions. As older systems become harder to support, modernization becomes essential.

For this project, our team helped deploy advanced volume correction technology designed to improve measurement accuracy and create a scalable platform for future applications. Rather than treating the project as a one-time upgrade, our team helped establish a standardized foundation that can support additional capabilities over time.

That forward-thinking approach is already creating new opportunities, including expanded pressure monitoring applications that build on the original deployment.

What This Means for Our Customers

This recognition reinforces what RELCON truly strives to deliver on every project: practical expertise, reliable technology, and long-term value.

Our team supports natural gas customers with solutions such as:

⦁ Gas measurement and volume correction
⦁ Pressure monitoring
⦁ Communication assemblies
⦁ Data collection and alarm handling
⦁ RTU and remote monitoring integration
⦁ Field service, startup, and training
⦁ Long-term troubleshooting and support

By combining proven Honeywell technology with our field experience and customer-first approach, we help utilities and industrial facilities modernize their systems with confidence.

A Proud Moment for the RELCON Team

We are grateful to Honeywell for this recognition and to our customers for trusting us with projects of this size and importance. Most importantly, we are proud of the RELCON team whose technical knowledge, dedication, and commitment to service made this achievement possible.

The Honeywell Visionary Award is a meaningful milestone, but it also points to what comes next. As the natural gas industry continues to evolve, RELCON remains committed to helping customers implement smarter, more reliable measurement and monitoring solutions built for long-term performance.

If your organization is evaluating gas measurement modernization, pressure monitoring, data collection, or communication system upgrades, our team is ready to help.

Contact RELCON today to discuss your next natural gas measurement or utility modernization project.

by wfcadmin wfcadmin

Why Winterization Planning Should Start Before Temperatures Drop

In the Midwest, winter doesn’t announce itself politely. One week you’re finishing up fall maintenance, and the next you’re watching the forecast for the season’s first hard freeze. For facilities that depend on continuous flow — pipelines, process water, fire sprinkler systems — that gap between “we should get to that” and “it’s already frozen” is where most winterization failures happen.

At RELCON, we specialize in engineered winterization for commercial, industrial, and utility infrastructure. Our team designs and services the thermal management systems that keep critical operations running safely through extreme Midwest winter conditions. And the single biggest factor in whether those systems perform when it matters isn’t the equipment itself — it’s when planning begins.

The Cost of Waiting Until It’s Cold

Heat trace cable, freeze protection controls, and de-icing systems all require design work, cable audits, and installation time. Once temperatures drop and demand for these services spikes across the region, lead times stretch, install crews get booked out, and facilities that waited are left reacting to a freeze event instead of preventing one.

Winterization done under pressure also tends to be winterization done incompletely. A rushed install skips the cable audit that would have caught a failing circuit. A late-season assessment misses an enclosure that needed replacing. Planning early isn’t just about convenience — it’s about giving your systems the same level of engineering rigor that keeps them reliable for years, not just for one season.

What Comprehensive Winterization Planning Covers

Effective planning looks at the whole facility, not just the pipes people worry about first. RELCON’s core winterization services include:

  • Process Winterization: Pipe freeze/fire sprinkler protection, Control & Monitoring Assessment, and Turn-key heat trace installations
  • Surface Snow/Ice Melting: Design and commissioning of pavement, sidewalk, roof, and gutter de-icing systems using self-regulating heating cable for ramps, walkways, stairs, and concealed roof-and-gutter applications.
  • Equipment & Instrumentation Enclosures: Weather-tight enclosures and heated modular supports that protect critical transmitters, valves, manifolds, SCADA and control equipment from freeze damage.
  • Project Design Support: Custom installation drawings and off-site modular skids engineered around local Midwest weather data, so systems are sized correctly before the first cold snap — not after.

Each of these areas takes time to design and schedule correctly. Starting the conversation in late summer or early fall gives our team room to assess your facility, size the right solution, and install it before it’s under winter’s full workload.

Backed by Industry-Leading Partners

RELCON’s planning process is built on relationships with manufacturers who set the standard in freeze protection and thermal management, including Chemelex (Raychem) for heat trace cable and controls, Hubbell Water Heaters for commercial and industrial water heating, OGI Quickwater (TERI) for station water bath heaters, O’Brien Corporation for heated instrument enclosures and impulse-transport tubing, Shelter Works for custom fiberglass equipment shelters, and Bruest Catalytic Heaters for flameless infrared heating solutions. We also hold Diamond Channel Partner status with Honeywell, the highest level of partnership, for process automation and control system design.

That network matters most during the planning stage, when the right combination of equipment — not just the first thing that’s available — determines how well a system performs in January.

Planning Also Means Knowing What You Already Have

Winterization planning isn’t only about new installations. It’s also the right time for a Complete System Audit — a review of your existing freeze protection covering energy efficiency, equipment performance, compliance and safety, and maintenance practices. RELCON provides a detailed report of findings and recommendations, so you know exactly where your facility stands before winter puts it to the test.

If you already have heat trace in place, early planning is also the window to address heat trace troubleshooting, panel and controller programming, and optimization of existing systems — work that’s far easier to schedule in September than in the middle of a January cold snap.

Start the Conversation Now

Every winterization project — whether it’s a full process heat trace install, a roof de-icing system, or a facility-wide audit — benefits from lead time. The facilities that come through winter without freeze events are, almost without exception, the ones that started planning while the weather still gave them room to do it right.

Our calendar fills quickly as temperatures start to fall. Secure your assessment now and give your facility the protection that comes from four generations of thermal expertise.

TAKE ACTION TODAY — SCHEDULE YOUR ASSESSMENT NOW

Contact RELCON to reserve your winterization assessment before the season’s demand peaks.

by wfcadmin wfcadmin

RELCON Earns Honeywell Diamond Partner Status

We are proud to announce that RELCON has achieved Honeywell Diamond Partner status — the highest tier of commitment in the Honeywell Channel Partner Program — reflecting our team’s dedication to technical excellence, customer outcomes, and continuous investment in Honeywell solutions.

Diamond status is not simply a designation; it is the culmination of a rigorous, multi-dimensional certification process. Honeywell’s partner program evaluates organizations across product expertise, certified staff, business development activity, and joint strategic planning. Reaching this tier places RELCON among a select group of partners who have demonstrated the deepest level of alignment with Honeywell’s technology ecosystem.

 

What It Means to Be a Diamond Partner

Honeywell’s partner tiers are designed to distinguish organizations that go beyond reselling — those who invest strategically in training, solutions integration, and market development. Diamond status represents the apex of that framework, requiring partners to standardize across multiple Honeywell product lines and participate in joint business planning, quarterly performance reviews, and co-funded marketing programs.

Achieving and maintaining this tier demands that a defined percentage of both technical and sales staff carry current Honeywell certifications. For RELCON, this was not a box-checking exercise. Our team pursued this training because we believe that deep product knowledge translates directly into better solutions for our clients.

“Diamond status is the result of our team showing up, year after year, committed to doing the work right.”
— RELCON Leadership

 

The Benefits We Now Bring to Our Customers

Diamond partnership unlocks access to resources and support structures that directly benefit RELCON customers. These are practical advantages that improve the speed, accuracy, and cost-efficiency of projects involving Honeywell technology.

Priority Technical Support
Dedicated access to Honeywell engineers and expedited issue resolution channels		Project Registration Pricing
Special early-engagement pricing structures that help RELCON deliver more competitive project bids.
Dedicated Account Management
A named Regional Sales Manager and Channel Account Manager for direct Honeywell collaboration.		Marketing Development Funds
Co-funded marketing investments to expand awareness of Honeywell-powered solutions in our market

 

How We Got Here

Earning Diamond status required RELCON to fulfill the full scope of Honeywell’s program requirements: completing an annual Joint Business Plan aligned to defined revenue and growth targets, maintaining consistent sell-out reporting, building out our certified technical team, and participating in quarterly business reviews that hold us accountable to measurable KPIs.

This structure is demanding by design. Honeywell’s Diamond tier is built to ensure its highest-level partners are not just capable of selling and installing their technology — but genuinely embedded in the ecosystem, up to date on product advancements, and committed to the joint success of every engagement. RELCON embraced that framework because it aligns with how we already operate.

 

What This Means Going Forward

For current and future RELCON customers, this certification provides assurance. When you work with us on Honeywell-based systems — whether for building automation, fire safety, security, or industrial controls — you are working with a partner that Honeywell itself has evaluated and endorsed at the highest level.

For RELCON, it is a milestone we are proud of and a standard we intend to exceed. Diamond status comes with annual re-evaluation, and we welcome that accountability. Our goal is to remain not just certified, but genuinely best-in-class in how we deploy, service, and support Honeywell solutions for our clients.

Ready to Work with a Honeywell Diamond Partner?

Connect with the RELCON team to discuss your next project and experience what Diamond-level expertise means in practice.

 

by wfcadmin wfcadmin

What Every Facility Manager Needs To Know…

Every facilities manager knows the feeling: a predawn call, a frozen line, and a production floor that’s suddenly standing still. Winter failures don’t announce themselves. They arrive without warning, turning a manageable maintenance budget into an emergency capital expenditure and a routine shift into a crisis. The question isn’t whether thermal protection matters—it’s whether your facility is managing it proactively or waiting for the cold to expose the gaps.

 

The financial stakes are substantial. Yet the more pressing issue is that most facilities only discover their thermal protection gaps mid-crisis—not during a scheduled review, and certainly not at a time when a measured response is still possible. Understanding where your vulnerabilities are before winter sets in is the difference between controlled operations and costly, reactive damage control.

 

The Evolving Landscape of Industrial Thermal Management

The industrial heating landscape has transformed dramatically over the past decade. Today’s facilities require far more than basic freeze protection. They demand intelligent thermal management systems capable of maintaining precise process temperatures, protecting sensitive instrumentation, and preventing costly failures before they occur.

 

What’s driving this change? Three critical industry shifts are reshaping how forward-thinking facility managers approach heat tracing:

 

Integration Complexity

Modern facilities now have three times more instrumentation requiring thermal protection compared to a decade ago. This exponential growth in complexity means that what worked in the past simply won’t cut it anymore. Each additional sensor, valve, and process line represents a potential point of failure without proper thermal management.

 

Energy Accountability

Thermal systems now account for 15-20% of total facility energy costs. In an era of tight margins and sustainability commitments, inefficient heating systems are no longer just a maintenance issue—they’re a bottom-line problem. Facility managers are under increasing pressure to optimize energy consumption while maintaining operational reliability.

 

Regulatory Pressure

Safety compliance requirements continue to tighten across pharmaceutical, chemical, and food processing sectors. Regulatory bodies are demanding more robust documentation, preventive maintenance protocols, and fail-safe systems. Non-compliance isn’t just risky, It can be catastrophic for business continuity and reputation.

Conclusion

The decision to modernize your thermal management systems isn’t simply a maintenance call—it’s a strategic one. Facilities that treat heat tracing as a compliance checkbox are one cold snap away from a six-figure disruption. Those that treat it as an integrated part of their operational infrastructure are building resilience into the foundation of everything they do. The technology exists to protect your assets, reduce your energy spend, and keep your team in front of regulators rather than scrambling behind them. The only variable is when you act on it.

 

Your facility’s thermal vulnerabilities exist whether or not you’ve identified them. A proactive audit—conducted now, not in the middle of the next weather event—gives you the information and the time to address them on your terms.

 

Contact us to discuss your specific application requirements and learn how proper specifications can reduce total project costs while providing safe, reliable, and efficient system performance.