How to choose a cable for heating pipes

More recently, the use of an electric cable to heat a roof, water supply, piping or drain was considered something new. But today it is a common thing. Such a cable is not designed to supply current through it, but to generate heat. Increasingly, this cable is used for heating. And if demand grows, then supply increases. Therefore, many companies offer their products to consumers, competing with each other. They produce many types of cables, so the consumer can run away with his eyes - which one is better to choose, so that it is suitable for his purposes and is of high quality and reliable? In this article we will help you learn how to choose a cable for heating pipes.

Main settings

Before you buy a product, you should consider the basic parameters by which these cables for heating differ:

• type: self-regulating or resistive cables;
• external insulation material;
• the absence or presence of a screen (braid);
• temperature class;
• power.

You should know that there is no universal option for all occasions. In this regard, before you go to the store, you need to understand what you expect from the heating system. For what purpose will it serve?

In general, the scope of application of such elements can be divided into three main categories:

1. Use for domestic purposes. We are talking about cottages, summer houses, country houses. In this case, high power cable is not required.
2. Communal use. This includes water supply, sewage heating system, sewage.
3. Use in industry. Powerful heating systems and high temperatures are already required for this purpose.

Having defined your goal, you can learn the basic parameters.

Self-regulating or resistive type?

В чем отличие? Если говорить о резистивном кабеле, то он продается исключительно определенной длины и имеет постоянную power. Утепление таким элементом должно быть бережным и равномерным. Большим минусом является то, что он может перегореть из-за перегрева. Поэтому стоит он намного дешевле, чем саморегулирующийся. Тот факт, что резистивный кабель часто перегорает, привел к тому, что для обогрева труб его практически не используют. Тем более появление саморегулирующегося термокабеля упростило задачу многих потребителей.

The heating cable is self-regulating, although it costs much more, but it still replaced the resistive one in the market. And this is not surprising, because it is more reliable, economical in electricity consumption and easy to use. As you can see, the advantage is clear. Nevertheless, who will be the favorite, the matter is purely personal.

Self-regulating cable - with or without braid

Heating cables are produced with braid and without it. The difference between them is great. The braided thermal cable is the heating cable itself and only one external insulation. It can be said, an economy option.

The self-regulating cable with braid (or screen) includes tinned copper wires, which serve as braid and one more additional insulation. The presence of such materials make the cable:

• stronger;
• more reliable;
• stronger;
• protected from mechanical damage from the outside;
• grounded.

Such a cable is more expensive, but its price justifies the quality.

External insulation material

Standard models are considered, the insulation of which is made of polyolefin. Such you can find in any store. They are suitable for the average user, whose goal is a standard heating water supply, defrosting of frozen pipes, sewers, roofs, etc. But there are other cases. In production, the main property of external insulation should be resistance to aggressive media, UV rays, etc.

Temperature class cable

Depending on the temperature, the heat cable is divided into three classes:

1. Low temperature. Cable heating is possible up to 65? C maximum, while the power density is 15 W / m. If you need to protect the pipes from freezing, or to thaw them, you can choose it. Other similar surfaces with a small diameter and volume can also be heated by it.
2. Medium temperature. It gives the maximum heating temperature not exceeding 120? C, with a power in the range of 10–33 W / m. It is used for heating drainage systems, thawing frozen pipes of average diameter, roofing.
3. High temperature. With a power of 15–95 W / m, the highest temperature can reach 190 ° C. Mostly such cables are used in industry.

We determine the power

First you need to understand that high power is not the key to success. Since if you buy a heat cable with a power greater than necessary, you simply throw your money away. Such a device will consume too much electricity. Because of this, you need to choose the equipment that will best meet the needs.

The power of the cable is selected, starting from the diameter of the pipe. The larger the diameter, the more powerful the cable is needed. It also takes into account which layer of insulation will be on the pipe. The thicker it is, the less loss, and, accordingly, less consumption. Consider which cable to choose for pipes with different diameters:

• in order to heat a pipe with a diameter of 15-25 mm, a heating cable having a power of 10 W / m will be suitable;
• pipes of 25–40 mm can be heated with a 16 W / m heat cable;
• pipes 40–60 mm power 24 W / m;
• pipes of 60–80 mm and for a sewer pipe of 110 mm a cable of 30 W / m is used;
• pipes of 80 mm and more are heated with a powerful 40 W / m cable.

Now you can choose a cable that is right for you, and will also serve a specific purpose. This will help you not only to use it rationally, but also to save your money. Having such a baggage of knowledge, you can safely go to the store for a purchase.

Video

In this video, you will be told how to choose a heat cable for heating pipes:

Heating cable with or without screen. After watching this video, you will know which heating cable to choose: