What is the essence of the system?
Anti-icing of drains is a system that prevents the formation of ice in the cold seasons on roof edges and gutters. Such a system not only protects passers-by from possible injuries, but also reduces the cost of repairing buildings. Anti-icing consists of the following elements:
- Heating cable;
- Energy distribution system;
- Automatic control program;
- Fasteners.
The heating cable melts all sediments from solid to liquid. This process occurs until the moment of their complete withdrawal from the drain. The power distribution system, in turn, is used to connect the cable and control system. It includes power cables, fasteners and a junction box. Automatic control system is a cabinet containing protective start-up equipment, regulators with temperature, precipitation and water sensors.
Important! If you have weak machines in the electrical network, you may have to replace them.
Heating of downpipes of various roofs
As you know, there are two types of roof: cold and warm. Depending on the type, the anti-icing system of the drainpipes is selected. Cold roofs include roofs with a loft temperature close to the outside temperature, and roofs with insulated coating. The problem with the appearance of icicles for her is actual in thaw. To protect the system from icing, the heating cable is installed in the roof pipes and gutter. The design capacity should be about 30-50 W / meter of pipe length. This capacity is quite enough for the warming of the drain.
A warm roof is a roof with poor thermal insulation, which, when heat is lost, causes positive temperatures in the attic when the roof is covered with a layer of snow. With such thermal insulation, melted snow falls into the drain and freezes there. Therefore, for this type of roof, it is additionally necessary to mount the heating cable along the edge for its heating. Also, such an additional cable is installed in regions where there are heavy precipitations, which give serious loads on the roof.
Note! From the type of the roof will depend on the way of heating the drainage, so it is better in this matter to consult with a specialist.
anti-icing systems Depending on the specific tasks that are put before the system, various heating cables are also used. There are two types: resistive and self-regulating. Resistive cable can be single- and double-core and has high strength and comparative cheapness. With its help heating of drainpipes, flat roofs and concrete drainage trays is done.
In such cables, the heating element is a vein. The disadvantages of this method of heating the drainage is a fixed length of the cable, which can make it difficult to design and install. Self-regulating cable differs in that it changes the heat release depending on the conditions. The source of heat in it is a matrix that generates heat.
This matrix is located between two conductors conducting current. The energy consumption of such a system varies depending on the amount of precipitation and air temperature. The advantage of the cable is the ability to design an anti-icing system for drains, since it can be cut freely to the required length. They do not overheat and are not afraid of dirt and moisture.
Note! The self-regulating cable can be installed in both warm and cold roofs.
