Self-regulating heating cable: overview of types and features of use

Low winter temperatures can bring a lot of trouble if you do not take care of the insulation of drainage and sewer pipes, roofing elements and soil in the greenhouse in time. Frozen water turns into meter plugs from ice and destroys the hydrogen-water system, and ice on the roof is completely life-threatening.

A self-regulating heating cable laid through pipes, roofs and trays helps to change an unpleasant situation.

In this material we will tell in detail how to choose the right heating cable, describe its design features and the principle of operation. In addition, the article provides two options for installing self-regulating systems.

Design differences of self-regulating systems

Samregs (in abbreviated form) should not be confused with resistive analogues - the first modifications of heating cables.

In short, the disadvantages of the resistive type, due to which it is used less and less, are as follows:

• a certain length, the inability to build up or shorten;
• constant resistance along the entire length, which makes it impossible to adjust the temperature in individual areas;
• connection from both ends, causing installation difficulties;
• risk of overheating at intersections;
• lack of repair as such, the whole system has to be changed.

A positive feature of the resistive type is its low cost, so it is used where small protected areas need heating.

The resistive single-core cable diagram contains four main elements: a copper core, which combines the functions of heating and heat transfer, internal and external protection, a reinforcing braid

The design of the self-regulating heating cable has fundamental differences:

• Two copper conductors with a high degree of resistance. The greater the resistance, the higher the ability to adjust the temperature.
• Semiconductor matrix. This is a significant element of the cable, which makes it self-regulating. The matrix is ​​sensitive to ambient temperature. As soon as the temperature drops, the resistance of the material rises and it begins to generate more heat.
• Internal insulation. Quality material is characterized by a uniform structure and maximum thermal conductivity.
• Shielding braid. Most often, it is a copper mesh or aluminum screen. To protect the cable, the power must be connected via an RCD.
• Outdoor insulation. Its function is to protect all cable elements. The life of the product depends on the characteristics of the external insulation.

The ability of a samreg to change its own resistance (and therefore power) from temperature fluctuations frees up the purchase of additional equipment - various thermostats with sensors.

Samreg scheme. The main distinguishing element is a semiconductor matrix located between two copper conductors. It is she who regulates the level of heat dissipation

The cable can be cut, and the length of the finished product, if necessary, shorten or increase.

If two cable branches accidentally intersect, overheating or system failure will not occur. At any time, you can cut or replace a fragment without compromising the entire heating structure

But the main advantage of the samreg is its “selectivity”. The matrix independently determines the cold areas and brings their temperature to the optimum value.

In sufficiently heated areas, it simply supports the necessary parameters (usually + 3-5 ºС). This is very convenient when it is necessary to protect the cable against freezing, throughout which has different heating conditions (for example, it passes through a heated room and through cold soil).

At the end of the cold season, there is no need to heat pipes, soil or roof, so the cable is disconnected from the power supply. When there is a possibility of severe night frosts, you can use the thermostat that automatically connects the system.

Where do they use heating systems?

The scope of heating cables for pipes (and not only) is quite large. They are mounted in places where adjustable heating of adjacent (surrounding) surfaces or materials is required.

Some types of cable are specifically designed for the equipment of "warm floor" systems. They are laid under ceramic tile, board, laminate, carpet, and sometimes poured with concrete screed.

The last option is the least effective, since the screed “steals” heat, and only part of it passes through the finish coating.

The layout of the heating cable in the bathroom according to the "warm floor" system. The wire has a "snake" throughout the room so that the two ends are in opposite corners

Cable heating is common in plumbing and sewage systems. Communications buried in the ground or passing above the ground in the northern regions of Russia are at risk of complete freezing for six months - from October to April.

If the pipeline is laid above the level of soil freezing and is not sufficiently insulated, it will quickly lose its performance. Therefore, we recommend that you learn more about the types of heating cable for water heating.

Replace the insulating "cocoon" will help heating cable, fixed on the pipe. There are different installation methods, the most common are linear and spiral. The second covers a large area of ​​the pipe

If the pipes are already buried in trenches and dismantling is impossible or undesirable, the cable is installed inside the water supply (sewer) pipe through a tee embedded in the most convenient place.

The next application of the self-regulating cable is roof heating systems and gutters.

The wires are fixed in a special way on the edges of the roof, in trays and gutters, in drainpipes.They prevent the formation of ice, which destroys drainage systems

Under the influence of high temperature, snow and ice gradually turn into water, which flows down through trays and pipes. Roofs become safe for people and vehicles located in the yard.

The practical use of heating cables for those who do not like fogged glasses and mirrors is the fastening of the samreg on the back of the mirror, after which the condensate will no longer bother.

In production and during construction work, heating is often necessary as an aid to the "maturing" of concrete mortars.

In order for the characteristics of the finished material to meet the standards, it is necessary to create a special temperature regime. For this purpose, in the place where the solution will be poured, self-regulating cables are evenly placed, and fittings are used to fix them. After solidification, they remain inside the structure

A similar situation is with liquids, to maintain a certain temperature which also use samregs. Instead of heating the tank with the process fluid in the traditional way, lower the cable into it, as a result, the characteristics of chemical or food solutions do not change for some time.

Heating systems did not bypass the agricultural industry. The cable is placed directly in the ground, under the upper nutrient layer, which protects the roots of crops from freezing.

What characteristics should I look for?

Before purchasing a cable, it is necessary to clarify the conditions in which it will be used. It is important to correctly calculate the power, set the length, take temperature readings, determine the installation method - internal or external.

Characteristics that will be required when choosing

Power. Power / resistance and heat transfer parameters are interconnected. Also, the properties of the cable depend on the cross section of the core. It should also be guided by it when choosing a length. Suppose a cable system with a cross section of 1.1 mm² and a power of 25 W should not be longer than 80 m.

The average power of samregs that can be found on sale is from 5 W / m to 25 W / m. Systems with a minimum value are suitable for internal heating of pipes laid in the ground. For the same pipes, but with external heating, the cable should be slightly more powerful - 10 W / m. The most severe conditions are above the ground, therefore, for overhead placement, the maximum power is suitable - from 25 W / m.

Temperature. It should be remembered that not all types of pipes tolerate heat equally well. Suppose plastic products (especially sewer and for cold water) are not designed for strong heating.

To heat the fluid in polypropylene water pipes, it is recommended to use low-temperature systems having a maximum operating temperature of + 65 ºС

In production, there are cables that heat up to + 190 ºС (at a power of up to 90 W / m), however, in everyday life there is no use for them.

The presence of grounding braid. This security element is equally important for the system and for people - it guarantees the safety of installation. For the braid to function, it is connected through RCD. However, on sale you can find options without grounding - in some cases, their use is understandable.

External insulation material. Various types of polymers act as an external insulating material. Some of them are thinner and more elastic, others are bending stiff. All types, without exception, protect the internal parts of the cable from damage, aggressive environments, humidity.

Table of technical characteristics of various types of cables. Among other things, they differ in the material of the outer protective shell: polyolefin and fluoroplastic

External insulation affects the use of the cable. Polyolefin protection (the most common material) is not suitable for all installation methods.

For example, for installation on a roof, a cable with insulation from fluoropolymers (with protection against UV rays) is used, and for indoor installation - systems with fluoroplastic insulation.

Self-adjusting cable installation instructions

There are many cable management options - the choice depends on the location and installation conditions. When arranging home autonomous communications, it is most often necessary to insulate the pipes, so we will dwell in more detail on the description of the processes of internal and external cable installation in the pipeline.

Option # 1 - Internal Installation

Installation of a heating cable inside a water or sewer pipe is carried out for various reasons. The main one is the impossibility of fixing due to the fact that the pipeline already lies in the trench and is closed by a layer of soil.

Of course, this type of installation has some disadvantages:

• the use of an additional part - a tee;
• reduction in cable properties due to plaque that appears after some time (depends on the characteristics of the water);
• reducing the diameter of the pipe, an additional obstacle to the movement of water;
• limited length and preferred use in straight sections.

An important point: Samreg is started only through a special tee, it is forbidden to use shut-off valves when connecting heating systems!

It is easy to repair or replace the cable, all actions are performed through the same tee. The main plus is that, when installed internally, the contact of the cable with the liquid directly leads to an increase in the heating force - hence direct savings

Instructions for use of the ready-made kit:

• connection to the cable of all functionally important details (terminal design, power cable connection);
• Tie-in with a free cable outlet;
• cable winding inside the pipe for a certain length;
• sealing the assembly with bushings or union nuts.

It is not recommended to insert samreg into a pipe with a cross section of less than 40 mm - this will affect the speed and volume of the fluid being transported.

How to prepare the cable and put on the end sleeve can be seen in the following instructions:

Now the cable is completely ready for installation inside the water supply system or sewer pipe.

Option # 2 - outdoor installation

It is not recommended to insert more than one cable inside a pipe, especially a narrow section, and from the outside you can place from 1 to 4 self-regulating cables. One is usually enough for a pipe of small diameter (40-50 mm), and from 2 to 4 pieces are used for large pipes located in low-temperature zones.

For communications placed in the ground, they often use the “golden mean” - two cables running in parallel along opposite sides.

For fixing use aluminum tape, designed to increase heat transfer and simultaneous protection. However, sometimes a stronger attachment is required - on the couplers. If direct rays of the sun fall on a pipe fragment, it is recommended to use black UV-resistant screeds.

The type of installation is chosen depending on the required degree of heating - spiral or linear. For spiral mounting one cable is enough

The spiral method covers the maximum surface area of ​​the pipe.The smaller the step between the turns of the cable, the more efficient the heating. The average interval is 5-6 cm. The spiral is longer in length than a linearly laid cable, about 1.7-1.8 times. Mounting tape is used as fasteners.

Installation Instructions:

1. The location of the cable along the entire length of the pipe section that requires heating, linear or spiral way.
2. Winding during installation of connecting nodes, valves and other valves.
3. Fixing with mounting tape (aluminum tape, screeds).
4. Thermal insulation "in a sleeve".

The last item is mandatory. Thanks to the insulation, the heat generated by the cable is stored in the pipeline zone. The type and thickness of thermal insulation is chosen, focusing on the type of pipeline and environmental conditions.

Suppose, for laying a water pipe in a trench, in addition to a heating cable, insulation of 25-30 mm in thickness will be required - foam "shell", extruded polystyrene foam or basalt wool.

The nuances of roof heating

To create favorable conditions for the constant thawing of snow and ice on the roof and gutter system, the heating cable is mounted in the following places:

• on the edge of the roof (preferably around the perimeter);
• in the gutters under the ramps;
• in drainpipes;
• in the endows.

There are various options for installing a heating system: from a single cable stretched along the most critical place to a network of cables with a thermostat and sensors.

In open places, the cable is fixed with clamps and brackets, in pipes - suspended on a cable or chain.

Variant of the anti-ice system device:

The final stage is held indoors. We install an electric control cabinet and connect the heating system. Then we turn on the thermostat and check how the system works.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

How to choose and mount a heating system, prompt the following videos.

How to fix samreg on a sewer pipe with a diameter of 110 mm:

Installation of the Deviflex cable system for heating gutters and roofs:

What does cable insulation look like in a concrete structure:

For the proper functioning of pipes or drains, samregs are often used, which create the most suitable temperature conditions. Installation requirements are reasonable if the cable is correctly selected.

Pay attention to the brands Raychem, Heat Trace, Nelson, Lavita and clearly follow the instructions that came with the cable. If you have any difficulties - contact the company representatives, they will certainly help you.

Please write comments in the block below. Perhaps you have practical skills in laying a self-regulating heating cable and you can give valuable advice to visitors to our site? Or there were questions about the topic of the article - ask them in the comments section, and we will try to respond to them promptly.