Heating cable for well installation. Heating of water pipes with cable. Video: installation of a self-regulating heating cable inside a pipe

Water frozen in pipes can tear even the strongest steel, which can not only leave you without water, but will subsequently require significant investment. To avoid such disastrous consequences, there is an excellent solution - a heating cable for the water supply. There are several varieties of such devices, both in design and method of application.

Installation of heating cables

So, heating cables differ in their design and principle of operation and are divided into two types:

• resistive;
• self-regulating.

Structurally, they represent one or more conductors made of copper, nichrome, or other metal that has the property of generating heat when electric current is passed through it, each of which is enclosed in heat-resistant insulation and enclosed in surface insulation made of polyethylene foam. Heating cables have different wattages, which are indicated by manufacturers on the packaging.

Heating cable for water supply - will protect pipes from damage

Resistive heating cables

Resistive cables are single- or double-core cables coated with heat-resistant insulation. Single-core resistive cables have one heating core and therefore require power supply to both ends of the cable, which is not always convenient.

Two-core resistive cables have two cores closed into one system, one is heating, the other is conductive.

Self-regulating heating cables

Self-regulating heating cables are two-core, interconnected along the entire length by a special temperature-regulating matrix, enclosed in heat-resistant insulation.

Self-regulating heating cable design

Such cables are suitable for organizing water supply to a private home or.

Features of installation of various types of heating cables

Heating cables for water supply can be installed both outside and inside pipes. Each method has both its advantages and disadvantages. Internal installation is appropriate if the internal diameter of the pipe allows it, and it is not possible to carry out external installation. For example, the pipe is already filled with a layer of concrete or bitumen.

Single-core resistive cable is not suitable for indoor installation. The most practical is installation outside the pipe. Any type of heating cable is suitable for outdoor installation.

Internal installation of heating cable

Installation is very simple - by inserting the heating working part of the cable into the pipe to the required length. The end for connecting to the electrical network is brought out through a tee screwed into the place where the cable exits.

To achieve tightness, a special coupling is used, which is pressurized using a special device. We put on all the elements of the coupling in the order specified in the instructions.

Installation inside a pipe has several significant limitations. For internal installation, the pipe should not have any mechanical connections, taps, or ready-made rotating elements.

Please note that using a cable inside a pipe reduces the diameter, and therefore its throughput.

Also in small-diameter pipes, it contributes to clogging and clogging due to plaque fouling.

External installation of heating cable

External installation is more practical, since it can be done independently, it does not change the diameter of the pipe and, in case of a problem, it can always be easily replaced.

External installation is very simple. When using a sufficiently powerful cable and when living in an area with a temperate climate, simply wrap the cable tightly along the entire length of the pipe with special tape. To be on the safe side, if you are not sure, you can lay the cable in a “wave”, which will increase its contact area and, as a result, thermal transfer. Then cover the cable and pipe with thermal insulation.

If you live in an area with a harsh climate, the best option is installation, in which you need to wrap the pipe very tightly with a cable with a turn pitch length of approximately 5 cm (note that a single-core resistive cable must be wound in the opposite direction when reaching the end of the pipe, so that both ends came out at the connection point), securing it in several places with special tape made from aluminum foil.

After the entire cable is neatly and tightly wound, we wrap it with the same tape, completely covering the cable. This will serve as additional thermal insulation between the cable and the insulation and will prevent overheating and damage to the insulation.

The resistive cable is connected through a thermostat, which will provide optimal heating without excessive energy consumption. A self-regulating cable, as a rule, does not need a thermostat, since it independently regulates the heat generated, depending on the ambient temperature. You only need to select the optimal power for a given cable.

If the water supply system freezes, it will certainly cause unpleasant consequences. The ice that forms inside the pipe can reach incredible sizes. Efforts must be made to remove such traffic jams. If severe winters are typical for the climate in your region, then the problem described must be solved in advance.

As a rule, thermal insulation is ineffective in this case, and if the low temperature persists for a long time, then it is necessary to look for additional solutions. One of them can be a cable for heating a water pipe. It is able to maintain a certain temperature and provide reliable protection against condensation.

Mounting options

Thermal insulation of a water supply system is one of the most difficult tasks, which requires an urgent solution. The heating wire is used as a heater for water supply and sewerage systems. By changing the resistance level of the structure, you can change the temperature set by the heating cable.

The heating cable for the water pipe can be located outside or inside. In each of these cases, it is necessary to select the right solution so that the losses do not exceed the heat generated by the system. To do this, the cable is arranged in parallel rows. A spiral mounting method is also practiced. For fastening, it is necessary to use a tightening metal mesh, which is sometimes replaced with adhesive tape. The outside of the pipe with such a cable is wrapped with foil. It is better to entrust the installation to specialists.

Subtleties of selection

Before installing a cable for heating a water pipe, it must be selected correctly, taking into account the tasks that you set for such a heating system. This approach is used in private houses, cottages and suburban areas. The products can also be used for heating utility systems, in this case we are talking about drains, sewerage systems, and water pipes.

To do this, use a small cable. To solve the above problems, you can use a wire whose power varies from 50 to 60 watts per meter. If you prefer a cable with increased power, then money may be thrown away. The indicated power is quite enough to melt snow and ice.

A powerful cable will require a lot of electricity, but you still have to pay for it. Before choosing a cable for heating a water pipe, it is important to familiarize yourself with the information that it usually has two main indicators, among them - power at rest and operating power. These parameters can be seen on the surface of the cable.

Features of installation of different types of cables

As you know, the heating cable can be installed outside or inside. Each of these methods has its own pros and cons. For example, internal installation is suitable for cases where the internal diameter of the pipe is large enough, and external installation is excluded. This is true when the pipe is filled with bitumen or concrete. An external cable for heating a water pipe is usually a resistive single-core product, and for outdoor installation any type of cable can be used.

Carrying out internal installation

Installing the cable is quite simple; to do this, it is inserted into the pipe to the required length. To connect to the electrical network, the end is brought out through a tee, which is screwed into the outlet point. To ensure tightness, it is recommended to use a coupling that is crimped using a special device. All elements of the coupling must be put on, taking into account the instructions.

The internal water pipe heating cable must be laid in accordance with the restrictions. There should be no mechanical connections, ready-made rotating elements or taps. The internal placement of the cable will reduce the diameter and capacity of the pipe. In small-diameter products, the cable can cause clogging, and its outer surface is often covered with plaque.

External installation

The cable for heating water pipes outside is laid most often, because this method is more practical. You can do it yourself, the diameter of the pipe is not changed, and if problems arise during operation, you can always replace it.

If you have purchased a sufficiently powerful cable, you should wrap it along the pipe, securing it with special tape. This technology is suitable if you live in a temperate climate. To be on the safe side, the cable can be laid in a wave, which will increase the contact area, as well as thermal transfer. After this, the pipe and cable must be protected with thermal insulation.

Quite common today for protection against freezing is a cable for heating a water pipe. You can find out how to install it by reading the article. When insulating systems in areas with harsh climates, it is better to use an installation that involves tightly wrapping the pipe with cable in increments of 5 cm. This distance must be maintained between turns.

The resistive solid cable should be wound backwards when you reach the end of the pipe. Fastening must be done in several places using the same tape. It should be made on the basis of aluminum foil.

Heating water pipes with a heating cable involves tightly wrapping the tape so that the wire is completely covered. This will act as additional thermal insulation between the insulation and the cable, and will also prevent damage to the insulation and overheating.

The resistive cable must be connected through a thermostat, with the help of which it will be possible to guarantee optimal heating, eliminating excess energy consumption. A self-regulating cable does not need to use a thermostat, because it will independently control the heat generated, which depends on the external temperature. The consumer will only need to select the appropriate power for the cable.

If you plan to install the cable on a pipe with an unstable temperature regime, it is better to purchase a self-regulating cable. This is true when part of the system is indoors and the other is outdoors. This is due to the fact that to use a durable and high-quality resistive cable, it is necessary to install temperature sensors on different parts of the cable.

It is important to take a particularly serious approach to the choice of thermal insulation that is laid over the cable and pipe. The possibility of reducing energy consumption and increasing the service life of the cable will depend on it. When laying a wire over a pipe, it is necessary to take into account the permissible bending limits. If the bend occurs above the permissible value, proper operation may be impaired.

When it is planned to heat domestic pipes using cables, they should be connected through a current leakage relay. This requirement is explained by the fact that if the insulation is damaged, a person may receive an electric shock. When choosing a cable, it is important to consider not only its power, but also its length. When installing it using the winding method, you should take into account an indicator equal to 1.7 of the pipe length.

Choosing a location method

The heating cable inside the water pipe must be selected taking into account the material’s compliance with sanitary standards. When the water supply system transports drinking water, the heating cable must not only be efficient, but also certified. If one cable will be stretched over the pipe along its length, then the element must be located at the bottom of the system, while the temperature sensor is mounted on top.

To achieve the allocated power, the cables are laid in two parallel lines. When installing in a spiral, it is important to calculate the pitch of the turn. In this case, the temperature sensor should be located in the center between the turns, in the upper part of the pipe. When the cable is not long enough to be laid in a spiral or parallel lines, installation is carried out along a wavy path.

Conclusion

Piping systems located in unheated areas, outdoors or at shallow depths may require additional heating. There is a high probability of freezing in places where pipes enter the building. These areas should be given special attention.

A modern cable heating system for sewer and water pipes is the only effective way to protect utilities from freezing.

Both resistive and self-regulating pipe heating cables effectively cope with the heating task, while the second option, although more expensive, is in great demand due to its reliable and economical operation.

The pipe is wrapped with a heating cable

The structure of the heating cable includes:

• The fuel element is a carbon-based polymer matrix that changes its resistance depending on temperature.
• Two conductive copper wires.
• Thermoplastic electrical insulation.
• Standard metal braid (screen).
• Outer polymer shell.

The operating principle of a self-regulating pipe cable is to convert electrical energy into thermal energy. When current passes through the semiconductor matrix, it heats up, resulting in an increase in cable resistance and a decrease in power consumption.

At a certain temperature of the heating wire, a balance is achieved between the generated thermal power and the consumed electrical power. In this way, the process of self-regulation is achieved: the same cable emits different amounts of thermal energy depending on climatic conditions . In this case, the heating strength in different sections of the pipe may differ.

Heating wire laying technology

Installation of a self-regulating cable for heating pipes is carried out both outside and inside the pipeline. Work is carried out at temperatures above -5°C - at lower temperatures the polymer protective layer may be damaged. If the wire has lost its flexibility at low temperatures, it is carefully unwound from the coil and connected to the power supply for a few minutes until it regains flexibility. After this, you can begin installation work.

Features of internal installation

This method of laying a heating cable is used for pipelines of small diameter - up to 50 mm, direct access to which is impossible. In this case, the self-regulating wire is pushed inside the pipe along its entire length. For entry, a special stuffing box assembly is used, which includes two bushings, two washers and rubber seals.

Heating cable inside a water pipe using a gland assembly

For internal heating of a pipeline with drinking water, it is allowed to use only a self-regulating pipe heating cable with an outer sheath made of fluorine-containing polymer, which has passed all food safety tests.

Safety regulations:

1. The length of the electrical cable must completely coincide with the length of the pipeline.
2. It is prohibited to lay a self-regulating wire through shut-off valves.
3. Be sure to mark the installation location of the heating system on the pipe.
4. The cable insertion must be carried out with extreme care - the outer sheath must not be damaged.
5. During the insertion process, all sharp edges of the fittings must be covered with factory tape.

Features of external installation

When laying externally, a self-regulating heating cable for heating pipes is placed on the surface of the pipeline in several ways:

• Linear (along the pipe in one line). This method is used for small diameter pipelines;
• Parallel (two or three cables are laid along the pipe). This option is acceptable for a large pipe diameter or if high power is needed, if the main line is located in open areas;
• Spiral (the pipe is “wrapped” with a cable in a spiral). The coil pitch depends on the cable parameters, pipeline diameter and required power;
• Wavy line . This method is relevant if the standard cable length is not enough for installation using the above methods. The self-regulating property of the heating cable allows it to be laid overlapping to heat external shut-off valves.

When laying externally, special attention is paid to the connection points of the pipeline with valves, flanges, elbows and other elements so that the wire does not interfere with their functioning, and at the same time to prevent its mechanical damage (chafing, compression-tension). The electric cable is tightly fixed to the pipeline using aluminum tape. After which the pipe is thermally insulated to reduce heat loss and ensure the efficient functioning of the heating system.

The instructions for using a heating cable for heating pipes regulate connection to a 220-240 V network only through an RCD.

Review of manufacturers

The market for heating systems for sewer and water pipes is represented by both foreign and domestic manufacturers. The price of a heating cable for pipes depends on its power, footage and country of manufacture.

1. LLC "Special systems and technologies" – Russian manufacturer, offers a wide range of heating cables under the Freezstop TM:

• Self-regulating cable for heating pipesFreezstop – for the lowest temperatures, has a heating power of 25 W/m.
• Freezstop Simple Heat – heating section with a built-in bimetallic thermostat, which automatically maintains the temperature of the pipeline.
• Freezstop Lite – miniature wire for small diameter pipes.
• Freezstop Inside – special cable for internal installation with gland assembly included. The outer shell is made of fluoropolymer, safe for use with drinking water.

2. The world's largest manufacturer of cable heating systems can be called DEVI (Denmark) . To protect pipelines from freezing, a self-regulating electric cable Devi-Pipeguard with a power of 10 to 31 W/m is used. Devi-Pipeheat 10 with food-grade plastic insulation is suitable for internal installation in a water supply system.

3.FINE Korea Co. . (Korea) offers the SRF series with a power of up to 40 W/m, with low power consumption for the protection of vertical and horizontal pipelines.

Technical characteristics of cable heating system

If the insulation is not enough to prevent freezing, a safe temperature must be ensured. They do this using a set of devices discussed in this article. The main functions are performed by the heating cable. Its correct selection and application will help solve the problem without unnecessary costs and difficulties.

Read in the article

How to use a special cable to heat a water pipe

Such solutions are used when it is impossible to obtain the desired result using passive protection against cold penetration. Usually, placement at a depth below the soil freezing level in a certain area is sufficient. But the danger of ice jam formation occurs at the point of connection to centralized systems.

This figure shows a diagram of a standard standalone. Extreme temperature fluctuations are often recorded nowadays. In severe frost, it is possible that the soil may freeze below normal levels. Particularly dangerous is the area of ​​the exit from the ground and the entrance to the building. Here, even the high-quality modern insulation indicated in the drawing may not fulfill its functions.

It is easier to work with a two-core cable, since the electrical contact in it is created at the end part. In some products of this type, only one conductor is dedicated to heating.

The main advantage of such heaters is their relatively low cost. But there are also disadvantages that the future user should be aware of:

• The resistive heating cable must be supplemented with a control device. Using a special sensor, it detects a drop in temperature below a certain level and turns the system on and off.
• Heating is carried out along the entire length of the conductor, regardless of the different levels of cooling of individual sections. It's not economical.
• A certain resistance is selected to ensure the necessary heating at a supply voltage of 220 V. Therefore, arbitrary change is impossible.

Self-regulating heater

There is no exaggeration in this name. Engineers have actually managed to create products that do not require external control.

The diagram shows the usual elements: copper conductors, shielding, fluoroplastic insulation resistant to high temperatures. But here the main useful function is performed by a special matrix. Its conductivity changes with increasing/decreasing temperature. At the same time, the heating decreases/increases.

These products are more expensive than their resistive counterparts. However, they are much more economical to operate. When using them, the temperature will increase only where it is really needed.

How much does it cost to install a heating cable for a water supply outside a pipe: project price

To calculate your total expenses, consider the following items:

• Purchase of a heater and power cable, thermostat, electrical protective devices.
• Preparation and installation of the product, connection to the power supply.
• Installation of insulation and mechanical protection.
• Purchase of solder and other consumables and tools as needed.

This type of project can be completed without outside help if you use the information provided in this article. To speed things up, purchase a ready-made kit with a cable for heating a water pipe