Cable for heating the water pipe: installation instructions

The cable for heating the water pipe is indispensable in some conditions. In winter, outside the private houses, the water supply system often freezes. This can be not only the reason for the need for repair, but also the replacement of the system. Among the most popular ways of heating pipes is the cable.

Positive aspects of the insulation

If the heating cable is laid in the area of the water pipes, this will prevent the water from obstructing due to its freezing in the winter. This applies to pipes through which other liquids are transported by the type of oil. Among other things, hot water, which comes through the cranes of an apartment or house, will have a high temperature. The surface of the pipes, too, will be able to be protected from condensate and outgrowths in the form of ice, which significantly prolongs the life of the pipes. If it is supposed to carry out warm-up even at the stage of laying the system, it will not have to be buried unnecessarily, which reduces labor costs both at the initial stage of installation and if repair is needed.

Features of cable heating pipes

The cable for heating the water pipe is easy to lay, moreover, it will not make the installation work too expensive. You can use one of two methods of laying. The first involves installing the wire along the pipe, the second - around. This will affect the type of cable.

As a rule, the described heating system has some elements, including:

• Insulation tape;
• Magnetic starters intended for installation in the internal space of the control cabinet;
• cable;
• Thermoregulator.

When buying a resistive cable, which consists of two cores, the thermostat does not come in handy. This is because such a cable has a connecting element that mates with the power cable and will operate at a given temperature.

Resistive cables are not very expensive, they are also convenient for operation, they will keep the temperature within +5 ° C, which will have a good effect on the quality of the pipeline system.

Buying a cable for heating a water pipe, it is necessary to take into account not only the length, but also the necessary power. After all, the pipe will be effectively heated, if the power of the cable is enough for its diameter. Important and such parameters as the depth of occurrence, the length of the highway, the characteristics of external conditions, as well as the thermal conductivity of insulation, which is used in tandem.

Features of the installation

The cable for heating the water pipe must be pressed against the pipe, fixation can be made using a self-adhesive tape made of aluminum. Resistive cables must not be crossed in any way, it is inadmissible to leave the cable damaged. But self-regulating cables can easily be stacked with an intersection, this can be explained by the fact that they do not burn out. At the next stage, the pipes are wrapped with insulating material, and if there is a need, they are also waterproofed. Among other things, the thermo sensor must be attached to the pipe, using adhesive tape. Experts advise to strengthen it at the top of the pipe, placing between the heating cables.

The cable for the heating of pipelines can become stiff when laying, if work is carried out in the cold season, in this case it is recommended to connect it before laying and allow it to warm up for a while.

Types of cables for heating

You can purchase for heating one of the two types of systems, where a heating cable is used. The first of them has a self-regulating system. So, the self-regulating cable has heat-sensitive matrices, which will allow to adjust the cable power taking into account the degree of freezing of some area. This helps to avoid overheating of the cable and passes the life of the cable. In addition, it is possible to save the energy that is expended for heating. The second type of system is resistive, but the former are used in practice much more often than the latter, because there is no self-regulation system in the latter. They use cables with a constant resistance, which requires accurate calculations and professional installation, while in the process of using the system it will have to be monitored. Self-regulating cable costs a little more expensive than resistive, but when you use the latter, the costs are greater.

Recommendations of the laying expert

The heating cable can be laid not only according to the scheme described above, but also inside the pipe, and also by several wires parallel to each other. The tape used for attaching the cable must have the qualities of heat resistance, instead of it you can use a steel pulling net. Further, it is necessary to strengthen the aluminum foil in several layers, which will ensure an efficient distribution of the heat produced, in addition, it will eliminate the interaction of the cable with thermal insulation.

Cast-iron water pipes can be heated with a cable used in tandem with a heater, often styled foam or mineral wool, it is permissible to choose other materials that have low thermal conductivity. Thermal insulation, as a rule, is equipped with a thickness ranging from 10 to 80 mm.

It is important to exclude the effect of water on the insulation, as moisture can reduce its effectiveness. It is necessary to provide access to the valves when installing the cable.

To control the system, it is recommended to use a traditional switch or thermostat.

Cost of heating cable

Heating of water pipes with a cable, the price of which will depend on certain parameters, can be made independently. You can buy a cable at a price of 180 rubles.

After laying it will be necessary to carry out backfilling. Do this carefully so as not to damage the system.