Cable for heating water pipe: Secrets of the choice and installation

If the insulation is not sufficient to prevent freezing water supply system, It is necessary to ensure a safe temperature. This is done using a set of devices discussed in this article. The main functions of the heating cable water pipe. Its proper selection and application will help to solve the problem without the expense and difficulty.

How to use a special cable for heating water pipe

Such solutions are used when it is impossible to obtain the desired result with the help of passive protection against the penetration of cold. Usually lack of accommodation pipeline at a depth below the freezing of the soil in a particular area. But the danger of ice jams occur at the connection to the centralized systems.

This figure shows a diagram of a standard battery water supply system. Extreme fluctuations in temperature are recorded in modern times often. In severe frost is not excluded freezing of the soil below the normal level. Especially dangerous is the exit portion of the land and the building entrance. There's even presented on the drawing quality modern insulation can not fulfill its function.

Sometimes on the way to the water source there are huge boulders, remnants of concrete structures, other obstacles. In these cases it is necessary to raise the road above the safe level. not used basements, Ground floor also too expensive to heat all winter.

Related article:

Camoreguliruyuschy heating cable for water. The article we will look at where the cable is used, how it works, the types, the average cost, advantages and disadvantages. How to calculate the length of the cable and the power for heating the pipes and mounting secrets.

resistive cable

In devices of this type use wires of alloys with high electric resistance. With the passage of electric current therethrough is formed in the heat radiation infrared range. Similar principles are used in TENah electric kettles, washing machines. But in this case, flexibility is needed. Therefore, the heating element is composed of a plurality of wires which preserve the integrity of the track when cornering.

Important! Should follow official instructions cable manufacturers in the course of project creation. Typically, the normalized minimum permissible bending radius.

Produce different modifications of products of this type, therefore, not difficult to choose the option that is suitable for specific operating conditions. Polymer membranes provide good electrical insulation and prevent moisture ingress, mechanical impacts damp. The braid of copper wires prevents the penetration of electromagnetic noise, and is also used to connect grounding.

With two-core cable is easier to work as an electrical contact in it was created at the end portion. Some products of this type only one conductor for heat.

The main advantage of such heaters is their relatively low cost. But there are also disadvantages, should know about the future user:

• Resistive heating cable water pipe You should definitely supplement the control device. Thermostat using a special sensor detects a temperature decrease below a certain level, turns on and off the system.
• Heating is performed over the entire length of the conductor, regardless of different levels of cooling of hotel sites pipe. It is not economical.
• Selected specific resistance, providing the desired heat at a supply voltage of 220 V. Therefore, an arbitrary change length impossible.

Self-regulating heater

This title is no exaggeration. Engineers really managed to create a product that does not require the use of external control.

The diagram denoted by the usual elements: copper conductors, shielding, resistant to high temperatures PTFE insulation. But here the main useful function is performed by a special matrix. Its conductivity is changed with increasing / decreasing temperature. At the same time there is a reduction / increase in heating.

These products are more expensive than resistive counterparts. However, they are much more economical to operate. In their application temperature will rise only where it is really necessary.

Creation of a heating system

The plans will be easier if you divide the entire project into stages:

• Preparation of drawings and a list of accessories, tools, expendable materials.
• Connecting wires of the heating elements to the power supply.
• Mounting inside (outside) pipeline.
• Additional activities.

A compound of the heater and the power supply cable: User

The following is a sequence of actions and features that will be useful in practice:

Picture	Instructions
	Purchase a special set designed for repairing self-regulating cables. It includes metal sleeves that create electrical connections. come in handy Heat-shrink tubing within the adhesive composition. When heated, they contract, provide the necessary insulation, air tightness.
	The cable is cut to size. With the end of an attached protective sheath is removed over a length of 40-50 mm. Semiconductor matrix neatly separated by the midline.
	These different portions wear tube and heated them hairdryer. This will allow then to spread the junction to improve the insulating properties.
	Guides free of the outer layers of 9-11 mm.
	They are inserted into the sleeve and rigidly fixed with wire cutters.
	Preparation of this portion of the structure is completed by putting a larger diameter tube (heat them until necessary).
	Similarly, prepare the power cord. Remove the insulation. Don shrink tubing of suitable size.
	Carried out gradually, taking into account the different lengths, is inserted into the sleeve, the locking clip.
	Successively shifting the tubes and is heated to obtain a multilayer protection.
	Then proceed to the isolation of the other end. Note that the conductors therein are not connected, as the current passes only through the matrix. To completely eliminate the possibility of contact of the cable are cut "step."
	Shrink sleeve top wear and heat it. As a result - will be created about this product.

Mounting outside the pipe

In such an embodiment, the heater power required for the placement of an exemplary calculation using the following table:

For more specific actions can be used free calculator programWhich are offered on the official websites of cable products sellers. While taking into account specific operating conditions, the liquid temperature, mounting features. Does not recommend installing heaters with a capacity of more than 17 W per 1 m. Length on plastic tubes. But in reality, it is necessary to take into account the heat resistance of a certain type of polymer. With respect to metal products such restrictions do not apply.

It is better for such an option suitable flat cables. They are well fitting to the surface, easy fixed.

The cable is fixed with clamps, resistant to high temperatures. Step is chosen to eliminate sagging. Above the insulation layer of porous material is installed protective cover which prevents mechanical damage.

If you need more heat is added the required number of cables. It is desirable to place them in the bottom of the tube, since that is where start unwanted processes icing.

Note! In some places it is possible to reduce the winding pitch to do a reverse turn to increase the heating area.

Installation of the heating cable within the pipes for plumbing

This embodiment seems preferable. Inside the pipe the product is well protected against mechanical impacts. The heater is located inside the liquid, so performs its functions with maximum efficiency. This is confirmed by the figures. To maintain a positive temperature enough 8-10 watts per 1 m of the track. This figure is almost two times smaller as compared with the previous (outer) installation method.

But this technology can be applied only on the straights, where there is no shut-off valves.

In designing the pipeline should provide presence rotated 90 ° and the tee assembly with suitable dimensions for the lip seal assembly.

temperature control

For the automation of work processes used thermostat. The device itself is installed in the electrical panel. The temperature sensor is fixed to the pipe at the reference point. It should be remembered that this element can come out eventually fail, so it is set in a convenient location for maintenance services.

Important! The disadvantage is the lack of compact thermostats and adjust the distance from the work area.

Connection to the mains supply heating pipeline heating cable

The total capacity of the heating system can turn out pretty. Therefore, it is connected to the network 220 V through a separate machine. It is also recommended to install specialized in this circuit protection device (RCD). It constantly measures the current. When fixing losses caused by insulation breakdown or touching the exposed wires, a rapid disconnection of the heater.

thermal insulation

This operation is necessary. It prevents heat loss and prevent the penetration of cold. Best insulator is air, however used porous materials resistant to moisture.

Pipings installed in a special channel, which is formed from plates Penoplex.

How much is the installation of the heating cable for water outside of the tube: the project price

To calculate the overall costs, consider the following items:

• Acquisition of a heater and a power supply cable, thermostat, electric protection devices.
• Preparation and installation of the product, the connection to the power supply.
• Installation of insulation and mechanical protection.
• Buying and solder solderingAnd other consumables, as necessary tools.

Conclusions and more tips

Such a project can be implemented without assistance, if used in this article provided information. To accelerate - purchase ready-made kit with cable for heating water pipe. To save money and to solve non-standard problems will have to create the heater with certain parameters. Remember to follow safety rules and do not skimp on the overly protective devices.