Heating cable for water supply

To ensure a special care for the pipeline system, which lies deep in the ground, a heating cable is used for the water supply.

It will maintain the temperature necessary for the normal circulation of the liquid and protect it from freezing.

Additional maintenance is required by pipes through which hot water flows during winter time.

Very low temperatures can cause excessive formation of condensation and frost, destroying not only metal, but also modern plastic products.

What does the market offer?

Before you buy a heating cable assembly for a water pipe, you need to decide on the offers on the market.

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It is produced in two versions:

1. Self-adjusting;
2. Resistive.

Widely distributed self-regulating heating cable for water pipe, which is based on a semiconductor matrix.

When the ambient temperature changes, the matrix changes its current conductivity characteristics, which contributes to a change in the heating temperature.

The self-regulating cable has two copper conductors that surround the polymer resistor on both sides.

When the voltage is applied, the latter heats up to a certain temperature.

The resistor increases in size and reduces the load current, reducing the power and the cable cools.

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This cycle recreates the self-regulating effect.

Since the load along the entire length varies depending on the conditions around the pipe, at each site a certain temperature is maintained, which is necessary at the moment.

No less popular resistive heating cable for water supply, working on a completely different principle.

It will be warmed constantly when electricity is supplied to it and does not regulate its temperature, depending on the environmental conditions.

By passing a resistive cable through the pipeline, it requires care and monitoring of its condition.

It is necessary to familiarize yourself with the characteristics of the product when buying, paying attention to its nominal capacity.

If you need a heating internal cable for water, preference is given exclusively to resistive products.

Thus, that the power does not exceed 10 Vm / m. For outdoor installation, it is recommended to purchase a cable with a power of 15-17 W / m.

The models offered by the market are very expensive.

To find a replacement, you can use a self-made heating cable for a water pipe, which will require the following:

• Metal tube;
• Heating element( cable that will carry current);
• Aluminum scotch, with which the wire is attached to the pipe;
• Thermal insulator.

In order to automate the process, a thermal relay is installed.

The actuator uses a triac( proximity switch) that can withstand loads of up to 10 kW with a radiator and up to 2.2 kW without it.

The manufacture of a heating piping cable is a serious activity requiring knowledge of electrical engineering and compliance with all safety rules.

Any mistake will cost more than buying a factory kit.

Assembly instruction

There are two ways to organize the installation of the heating cable for the water supply:

1. Inside the pipe;
2. Outside the pipe.

The heating cable must be drawn through a large pipeline within a large pipeline by a wizard capable of correctly calculating the parameters required for heating the equipment system.

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The power cable runs through the water, making it an increased source of danger.

In private and country houses, where pipe sections rarely exceed 2-3 meters, it is possible to carry out an independent internal installation of the cable.

During work, a number of rules must be observed:

• In places where the cable is inserted into the pipe, the adapter and tee are mounted, observing the sealing standards;
• Special cutting is screwed into the adapter, and only then a cable is laid inside it;
• Do not route the cable in the shut-off valve, and place a warning sign at the point of entry.

External installation of the heating cable for the water supply system is safer if the working element is protected from influences from outside.

There are several different ways of laying:

• One cable is straight along the pipe;
• Multiple cables along a straight line along the pipe;
• Wavy laying;
• Spiral styling.

Over the entire length of the cable, it must be as close as possible to the heated product.

It can be fastened with aluminum tape every 25-30 cm( plastic tapes are prohibited).

The adhesive tape is then applied over the entire length to prevent contact with the thermal insulator.

If the cable is wound around a plastic pipe, its surface is also wrapped with an adhesive tape on an aluminum base.

Along the pipe fittings, the cable must be routed so as not to obstruct access to it.

Purchasing a working set, it always has an instruction for a heating cable for a water pipe with a description of the parameters of the product and its other features.

Before starting work, it must be studied.

If the cable is wound with a wave or a spiral, make sure that the distances between the segments are the same.

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This will ensure a uniform heating of the pipeline along its entire length, increasing its efficiency.

In accordance with the instructions in the instruction, the heating cable for the water supply is connected to the network.

It can be performed with the help of ready-made adapters on the market or with the help of terminals.

Where to buy and how much is it?

It is easy to buy a heating cable for water supply with a variety of parameters.

It is freely sold in the construction markets or in sanitary ware shops.

Today, more than a dozen manufacturers offer their products.

The products of Nelson Limitrace and Thermopads, a domestic HBS brand, were most widely used.

Today, the price of a heating cable for a water pipe depends not on the capacity, but on the firm, the parameters of the manufacturer and the model of the proposed product.

For example, the cable Nelson Limitrace of the CLT series with capacity from 9 to 26 W / m costs from 440 to 500 rubles per meter.

In turn Thermopads FPC SR with a power of 10 W / m can be purchased for a modest 250 rubles.

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In general, the cost is as follows:

• Without braid - from 70 rubles;
• With a braid - from 120 rubles.

The warranty on products is 20 years.