Heating cord: installation of cable for water supply, roofing, underfloor heating

The infrastructure of the water supply system in private houses is often very extensive. Under certain conditions, deep underground laying of communications is impossible. In some areas, the system may be installed in the upper soil layers or above the ground. Because of this, there is a high probability of pipes freezing. To prevent this from happening, a heating cord should be used. Provides for winding the water supply from the outside or laying from the inside.

Heating cable classification

Heating cables are classified according to the principle of heat dissipation. At the moment, there are two main types of such cords on the market: polymer and resistive. Polymer materials do not have an insulating coating. Thanks to their polymer base, they control heat generation during environmental changes. The main advantage of such material for water supply pipes is the absolute absence of the risk of overheating. The cutting length of such a wire is from 0.2 m to 20 m. Resistive heating cables are further subdivided into 2 types: linear and zonal.

Line cord

The Joule-Lenz effect is the principle of operation of a linear thermal installation. The main feature is the almost complete absence of voltage on the cable. It also helps to ensure that none of the cells overheat. As standard, such a wire can be up to 50 meters long. In some cases, extra long heating cables are provided (up to several hundred meters). Has several cores (linear or spiral).

A significant disadvantage of such a wire is the limitation in division into pieces. If a certain cable length is required, then you will have to take into account all the section parameters that must be met during installation. During heating, a decrease in power is observed. This indicator depends on the resistance. There are veins made of special alloys. Among other characteristics, they have high resistance. But most often copper is used in the production of heating wires. This material exhibits power changes during heating.

Zone wire

Such wires have a similar principle of operation with line cables. But the device itself is significantly different. In such wires there are two parallel conductors in insulation. Special windows are provided in the insulation covering every meter. A metal spiral runs outside the cord, which has a high resistance. The spiral is adjacent to the veins in the window area. Thanks to this design, the applied voltage is completely reduced.

Such models can be cut anywhere, just like polymer ones. The length can be up to 200 m. The heating temperature of the cord does not significantly affect the power.

Requirements and principles of work

Some conditions of use require high thermal performance. But for the most part, a 12 watt heating cord is sufficient. During installation, several conditions must be taken into account:

1. You cannot place wires one above the other. This is fraught with fire.
2. If the installation takes place in the winter, then the cable should be connected to electricity for 3-5 minutes. This will give him additional flexibility.
3. Be sure to carefully study the installation and operation instructions.
4. All connections must be carefully sealed to prevent moisture ingress.
5. You need to purchase a specialized cable based on your needs. Otherwise, you can jeopardize the safety of your home or simply spend a lot of money on a useless cord.

A heating wire is a device with which you can provide a comfortable environment using an electric current. These cords heat the insulation, which heats the plumbing, roof, floor, etc.

Heating of water supply and sewerage

Pipes and hydrants can be protected from freezingusing a resistive heating cable. The required power depends entirely on the pipe diameter, the ambient conditions, and the required water temperature. To avoid freezing, you need to keep the temperature at least -3 degrees. You can enhance the effect of the wire if you wrap it around the pipe in a spiral. But this will spend a lot more material, and, accordingly, money.

Fully insulating water pipes helps maximize savings. To select the type and appropriate length of the heating cable, you need to measure the pipe diameter and the required distance. Based on the data obtained, the optimal voltage is calculated. When purchasing a heating element, you need to ask your consultant or manufacturer for the maximum allowable cable temperature.

Heating of concrete slabs

The electric heating cord is placed inside concrete slabs, under plaster or in a screed. This is done to heat residential and industrial premises. Also, a warm floor is mounted from it. Sometimes a heating cable is used when pouring a foundation. This reduces the curing time of the concrete. There are many manufacturers of electric heating wire on the market: Thermon, Nelson, Traceco, Teplolux, etc.

Most manufacturers produce special mats complete with heating wires. They allow you to increase heat transfer. The cord can be used without additional accessories, but this significantly increases the loss of heat and, accordingly, electricity.

Step-by-step instructions for installing wire in concrete:

1. Deepen the cord 4-5 cm into the concrete base.
2. Install safety panels and heating mats.
3. Check cable for breaks (before and during installation).
4. Lay the wire without being connected to the power system.
5. When using a thermostat, it is necessary to connect the capillary tube using the second wire. This will protect the system from mechanical damage.
6. Place the sensitive lamp between the two heating cords.

Methods for installing heating wires in different areas have practically no fundamental differences. When you need to provide a power of 40 W per 1 sq. m., then it is necessary to use special insulators, for example, foam. In such a situation, the maximum step should be no more than 24 cm.

Roof installation

The roof heating system provides for a fairly large number of necessary devices. It is needed to protect the roof from freezing. List of components:

1. Heating wire.
2. Fasteners for the appropriate roof material.
3. Elements for trapping snow. Needed to protect the wire from damage.
4. Heated funnel.
5. Communication lines.
6. Special thermostats and sensors.
7. Automatic control system.

An automatic emergency shutdown shall be provided. If a fault occurs in the insulation, the system will immediately de-energize the heating cord.

Today, different methods of laying heating devices are used. They are selected based on the material of the roof covering, the roof structure and the dimensions of the drainage system. For pitched roofs, the snake method is used. If the covering is made of any profiled material, then the cable must be looped over every last wave.

The width of the snake should be 50 cm. This protects the roof from ice formation. Each wave of the snake should pass at a distance of 10 cm from the previous one. On the edges of the roof, heating threads can be laid horizontally, parallel to the ridge. It is necessary to lay several lines at a distance of 0.1 m. This method of laying is less expensive than installation with a snake.

You also need to provide for the correct heating of the drain. If the pipe diameter is less than 8 cm, then the heating thread is installed in one line. If the diameter of the pipe or gutter is more than 8 cm, you need to lay 2 heaters in parallel.

Fastening principles

The method of fastening the heating thread directly depends on the material of the roof covering. The best fasteners are those that do not damage the roof deck.

The SLT-C clip is quite popular fasteners. It is mounted with a screw or nail. To eliminate the possibility of moisture getting into the hole that came out of the clip, you need to use a silicone sealant. Mastics and fasteners with glue are also used.

Metal roofing (for example, from corrugated board) allows the use of clips that are attached to the edges of the sheets. On a flat roof, you will also need bolts. The cable is attached to the mesh. Then the whole structure is glued onto sheets.

The heating cable is installed to the tile roof using perforated tape. It is glued to the tiles with 7.5 cm under each row.

The heating wire is attached to the soft roof using adhesive aluminum tape. A part of the tape is glued to the roof, and a cord is glued to it. Then the tape is again applied on top of the cable.

If a drainage system is not provided, then icicles will appear during the melting of the snow. You can run the cord along the very edge of the roof. It will cut off the icicles as they form.

Underfloor heating installation

If it was decided to lay a heating cord to create a warm floor, then you will have to perform a certain sequence of actions. Laying is carried out on a concrete base, which is prepared during the overhaul. Installation of underfloor heating involves pouring a cement-sand screed. The thickness should be about three centimeters. In the concrete base, it is necessary to make a channel with diameters of 2 cm. You also need to provide a place for the thermostat.

A heat-reflecting backing must be laid before laying the wire. It will allow you to minimize your electricity bill.

For installation, you need to prepare an even and clean base. On top of the heat-reflecting substrate is a special mounting tape, which is supplied with the cord. If it is not possible to lay the tape, you need to use a reinforcing mesh. The wire is located only where there is no large stationary furniture.

The cable must not be crossed. This will overheat and damage the wire. The turning diameter of the cord must be at least 4 cm. To lay different power on different parts of the floor, you need to change the pitch of the wire.

Prepare the channel for the corrugated pipe in advance. Its diameter should not exceed 16 cm. A temperature sensor must be placed in the pipe. Cutouts must be made on the heat-reflecting substrate, which will be located between the lines of the wire. This ensures good adhesion of the warm floor, screed and concrete base. Thermal insulation should cover about 80% of the entire heated floor.

The last step will be to fill the warm floor with a screed. The thickness should be no more than 5 cm. After the screed is completely dry, the topcoat can be laid.