Anti-freeze heating cable for internal pipelines: heating cable advantages, heating installation

The formation of ice constipation in water pipes is a serious problem for private owners. Often it negates the efforts of the owners of private households to create a comfortable and cozy life for the household. Passive measures to protect water pipelines in the form of covering them with heat-insulating materials do not always give a positive result. In such situations, the best option is to use a cable for heating pipelines.

Laying pipes below the freezing point of the soil is effective. However, digging trenches in rocky soils, strong elevation changes sometimes turns out to be economically unprofitable. In addition, the places where pipes are brought to the surface (entrance to the house, connection to a water source, wells) remain vulnerable.

Heating cable advantages

The main benefit of using thermal devices to prevent freezing of water in the pipes, it is associated with the ability to regulate the supply of heat to the system. In severe frosts, heating increases. When the temperature rises, it decreases. If the heating of the water pipes is used as a supplement to the thermal insulation, then under certain conditions the artificial heating can be switched off.

In addition, water conduits, unlike sewer and drainage pipes, do not have solids that can stagnate in the system and increase the risk of blockages. Therefore, water pipes are used products with a smaller section. They are technologically advanced, easy to install, practically do not affect the dimensions of the structure, are economical in terms of electricity consumption, and are cheaper than similar products for other pipes. Energy losses in them due to low resistance are minimal.

Heating disadvantages

The disadvantages of heating products are due to the need to pay increased attention to electrical safety. All network elements must be correctly connected, grounded, protected from mechanical damage, included in the automatic shutdown zone. Violation of the rules is fraught with serious consequences, since long sections can be under voltage. Behind all system components should be monitored regularly.

Overheating of technical products that can cause a fire must not be allowed. The danger is increased if thermal insulators are not adequately protected against direct exposure to open flames. A common mistake is overlapping pipe laying. Is the casing not designed to handle double the temperature rise, especially? if natural ventilation is absent or insufficient to remove excess heat.

The main types of thermal cables

For heating water pipes from freezing, they are used several types of thermal cable products. Each model differs from analogs in functional and operational capabilities. Product designers are trying to improve product performance. The most common are three types of cables: resistive, resistive-zonal and self-regulating. The resistive species has the following features:

1. For the production of this type of product, a simplified technology is used.
2. There are no scarce and expensive components in the product. The cable is manufactured in a standard length and has a constant (constant) electrical power.
3. Cannot be cut even at the end pieces. Otherwise, the resistance will decrease, which will lead to overheating of the product. If the reduction of the resistor reaches critical values, then the electrical circuit will be broken. Therefore, when developing an electrical circuit, you should accurately select the length of the cable (available in different sizes).

Connection to the network is carried out through an electrical outlet, provided that the grounding and connection of the residual current device are correct. For other connection schemes, it is necessary to add protective elements, sensors, circuit breakers. Heating regulation is carried out by special equipment, which is manually adjusted at a certain temperature.

Resistive cables are available in single-core and double-core types. The single-core product consists of a heating conductor, inner insulation, braided shield and outer insulation. Feature - the core is connected at both ends on one terminal block. Installation is simple. Available for self-connection by performers with minimal knowledge in the field of electrical engineering.

The two-core product consists of 6 elements: two heating and drainage cores, a foil shield, It fits over the entire length of the pipeline or that part of it that requires additional thermal protection. Two conductors at one end of the product are connected to the electrical supply. The veins of the other end are plugged with a sleeve.

Zone heating of pipes with a cable is a kind of two-wire resistive device. Spiral inserts of the same power are installed between the heating cores at fixed distances. The cable can be cut into pieces according to the spiral marks.

The principle of operation of a self-regulating cable is different from the resistive type. Thanks to the semiconductor matrix placed between the cores, the required heat is generated in the place where the temperature has dropped. A decrease in the temperature value leads to an increase in the resistance of the technical product. The current increases. The heating power is increased. Through selective action the cable is protected from overheating. There is an economical consumption of power, electrical energy. The efficiency of the cable is increased.

Resistive-zone types of cable products refer to modifications of the self-regulating model. Each vein is braided with copper. It provides open spaces. Through them, the pipe surface is heated to the required temperature.

It works economically, but special knowledge is required to calculate the number of exposed areas. The help of a qualified specialist is desirable. The rest of the construction elements remain unchanged.

Installation methods

Thermal cables for water supply are mounted either inside the pipe or outside. Each of the methods has positive and negative sides. For external and internal installation methods, special product models are used. Most of them are not universal in nature, since operated in different conditions. Therefore, indoor cables are not used for outdoor applications.

Inside the pipe

Installing a cable for heating a water pipe using an internal method requires taking into account a number of specific points. When installing a technical device, the following circumstances are taken into account:

1. The product is in constant contact with drinking water. Consequently, a conductive product must not contain, much less emit toxic elements that can harm human health. It is subject to stringent requirements for neutrality to the aquatic environment, oxidation, the formation of harmful and pathogenic microorganisms (mold, fungi, viruses, bacteria).
2. Docking units are sealed in couplings. Control over the safety of the insulation is being carried out. Its breakdown is unacceptable. The RCD must be serviceable and protect a person from electric shock.
3. Internal cable routing is technologically complex. Troubleshooting and troubleshooting is difficult and inconvenient.

The advantage is low material consumption. The cable heats only water. There is no need to increase the temperature of the outside of the piping to allow heat to reach the internal components. Energy consumption and product efficiency increase. It is not necessary to fix the cable inside the pipe.

It is manufactured in a waterproof and anti-corrosion design. Not exposed to aggressive environment and mechanical damage. Does not experience strong physical exertion. He is not afraid of atmospheric influences, except for temperature fluctuations.

Outdoor installation of products

When laying the heating cable in the outdoor version, the device must adhere tightly to the pipe surface over the entire area. This avoids heat losses, and, consequently, reduces non-production costs for heat generation. For the same purposes, before starting the installation, the outer part of the pipe is cleaned of dirt, rust, and the remnants of building materials.

The cable is attached to the pipe with clamps, construction tape. The smaller the pitch, the better. Leaving the cable from the pipe after a certain time after installation will lead to the need to redo all the work. As a rule, the heating device is installed under the thermal insulation, which will have to be dismantled.

There are two styling methods.

• Pulling along the pipe. In this case, the bottom of the structure will be the best place. The temperature is coldest here. The water begins to freeze from this place. The main problem is to fix the cable, which begins to sag under the influence of its weight. Usually, contact with the pipe is ensured by securing the cable with a special tape used in construction. The fixing step should not exceed 30 cm. Continuous wrapping is the preferred option.
• Spiral styling. Installation is simplified. It is necessary to ensure that there are no strong bends in the product. The cable holds on to the pipe more firmly. But the material consumption is large. Extension of the cable allows for better heating of the pipe. But heat losses also increase. The likelihood of mechanical damage to the device increases. It is difficult to find a problem under a layer of thermal insulation.

Much depends on the material of the pipeline. If it is a plastic endowed with dielectric and heat-shielding properties, it will be necessary to increase its thermal conductivity. For this, the pipe is usually wrapped with a conductive metal tape.

With the external arrangement of the cable, it is desirable to install a thermostat, which will save considerable finances on the use of the product. It accurately displays the temperature that has been established inside and on the surface of the pipe. Self-regulating cable often works in conditions where there is no need to heat the pipe.

Use of thermal insulation

When installing the heating cable outside, the use of thermal insulation is mandatory. Otherwise, the device will be forced to work in non-stop mode. This will lead to large financial losses.

Heaters are used in different ways, from proven mineral wool to ultramodern innovative materials. Mineral wool and some other products of this kind are afraid of water. Therefore, after installation, they are covered with a thin water-repellent film. Modern materials such as expanded polystyrene are more preferable.

It can be made with a bend specifically for the pipe. The material has good thermal insulation characteristics. It is moisture resistant, neutral to aggressive environments, withstands strong temperature drops. Endowed with antibacterial properties, rust resistant. Lightweight, technological. It is able not only to retain heat, but also to firmly hold the cable on the pipe surface. It is not subject to deformation due to moisture or moderate mechanical stress. The surface of heat insulators can be covered with liquid rubber.

In some cases, the cable is not used for the entire length of the pipeline. Heating is carried out only in problem areas. These include the point where the pipeline exits to the earth's surface in the area of ​​a well, a well, an entrance to a house. This option is becoming popular in warm regions, where severe frosts rarely occur, and winter lasts only 2-3 months.

Pipes made of polymer composite materials are gaining popularity. They are not only durable, but also retain heat well inside the pipe. Heating with a heating cable inside the pipe gives good results. The heat carrier consumption is minimal. The operational life of the cable exceeds 20 years.