Heating of water pipes with cable. Cable for heating a water pipe: DIY installation Cable for heating pipes in the ground

The conditions for laying a water main to a private house are not very favorable. More precisely, it is not always possible to lower the pipeline underground below the freezing depth, which is why the water in it turns into ice, which at best blocks the flow area. At worst, the pipe material unfreezes and breaks down. To avoid such troubles, in critical areas of the water supply it is recommended to use a special heating cable powered by electricity. You will learn how to install it correctly from this article.

When do you need to heat utility networks?

Artificial heating of communications entails additional energy consumption, most often electricity. As a result, the cost of maintaining a private home in winter increases. Therefore, it is worth listing the situations when heating systems are indispensable:

The external water supply or sewerage network must be laid in the ground above the freezing line. The reason is a rock ridge, concrete structures, groundwater and other underground obstacles that do not allow digging a deep trench.
The water supply section has to be routed along the street. The most common case is cottages built on a pile-screw foundation. Because they are raised above ground level, pipe insertions up to several meters in length are at risk of freezing in winter.
At the entrance of the pipeline to a well or borehole.

The most practical way to solve the problem is to install an electric heating cable on the dangerous section of the pipe. Insulation is not a panacea, because if during severe frosts there is no flow through the main line, then an ice plug will still form inside. Reliable operation of the water supply will be ensured only by constant heating together with thermal insulation. More information about the use of cables is described in the video:

Reference. Electrical heating with special conductors of various cross-sections is also used on drains, problem areas of the roof and to protect sewer networks. Another popular application is electric heated floors.

Types of heating wires

To warm up water supply lines, 2 types of cables are used:

Resistive. It works like a regular heater, converting electricity into heat due to the increased resistance of the internal element. Produced with 1 and 2 cores.
Self-regulating. The principle of operation is as follows: between two current-carrying conductors there is a semiconductor matrix that changes resistance along with the ambient temperature. The lower it is, the lower the resistance value and the greater the heat transfer. Depending on the installation conditions, heating and power consumption may vary in individual sections of the heating circuit.

Note. The characteristics of both types of cables allow them to be used both outside and inside pipes, as will be discussed below.

The use of resistive wire is a cheaper way to warm street communications than purchasing and installing a self-regulating electrical cable. But for correct operation, it must be connected to power through a thermostat equipped with temperature sensors, upon whose command the control unit will turn off the heating when a certain temperature is reached. Resistive conductors also differ in other features:

high heat transfer (up to 60 W/m), allowing to heat large-diameter pipelines and shut-off valves (maximum temperature - up to 70 ° C);
the single-core version of the product must be ringed in order to connect to the power source;
At the end of the two-core conductor you need to install a special coupling, as shown in the diagram.

A self-regulating heating cable is used to heat pipes without any additional devices and is therefore a more economical option. The surface of the product can heat up to 60 °C, and the power can vary from 9 to 50 W/m. Thanks to the flat cross-section of the cable cut, such a heater adheres better to the surface and distributes heat. Since self-heating wire costs twice as much as resistive wire, it is chosen to protect short sections or entries into the house.

Reference. Trusted manufacturers of cables of both types present on the CIS market are the brands Devi, Ensto and Raychem.

Methods for installing a heating circuit

Water heating thermal cables are installed in two ways - outside and inside the pipe, each of them has its own pros and cons. The advantages of the first option are as follows:

the conductor does not block part of the flow section of the main line;
This method makes it easier to heat extended areas and shut-off valves;
there is no need to install and maintain special units for inserting the cable into the pipeline.

External electric heating requires more power from the elements. If it is customary to lay a wire with a heat transfer of 10-13 W/m from the inside, then the pipe will have to be heated from the outside with a cable with a power of 15-40 W/m, which reduces the efficiency of the system.

The second unpleasant moment is the difficulty of repairing products buried in a trench. It is possible that to determine the location of the fault, the entire highway will have to be dug up. Conversely, when repairing a break or replacing pipes, you can accidentally damage the cable heater.

Heating the pipeline from the inside is not only more economical, but also more practical from a maintenance point of view. True, to run the conductor hermetically inside, you will have to install an additional pass-through unit. Again, if the street water supply is long, you need to increase the diameter of the pipe just to successfully push the cable through. And if a valve or tap is provided on the main line, then internal installation is not possible at all.

Advice on choosing the power of a thermostatic conductor for external heating. If the pipeline diameter does not exceed 20 mm (¾“), then a heat transfer of 16-18 W/m is sufficient. For sizes DN 25-40, a more powerful cable is needed - from 20 to 30 W/m or two small ones of 10-15 W/m.

Instructions for outdoor installation

To make an external water heating circuit, in addition to the wires themselves, you will need fastening means - aluminum tape and plastic clamps - tightening. The work is performed in the following order:

Along the bottom of the pipe, where you plan to attach the heating cable for the water supply, stick a strip of aluminum tape. It will serve as a good heat dissipator.
Apply a flat self-regulating conductor to the pipeline without twisting and secure it on top with a second strip of foil.
Secure the heating element by pulling it to the main line with clamps every 20 cm, as shown in the photo below.
To protect the shut-off valves from the cold, it is necessary to leave an allowance in the form of a hanging loop and continue installing the straight section. Then wrap a loop around the faucet or valve, glue it with tape and secure it with clamps.

Important point. If instead of one line you need to lay two, then place them along the bottom at an angle of 30° to the vertical axis on each side.

For water mains running along the street, it is better to lay the cable in the form of a spiral, providing more efficient heating. The same applies to large-diameter pipes, when spiral installation becomes more profitable than laying 3-4 straight lines. The fastening technology remains unchanged - gluing foil and fixing it with clamps is carried out on all types of pipes - plastic and metal.

The last stage is thermal insulation of the pipeline, without which its heating loses all meaning. For insulation, sleeves made of foamed polyethylene or foam shells are used. Before installing the thermal insulation layer, do not forget to check the functionality of the cable heating of your communications. The process is shown in more detail in the video:

Embedding the circuit into the pipe

To successfully push the heating cable into the pipeline, you should select a ready-made feed-through kit of the required diameter. It includes the following details:

housing with external or internal thread;
rubber seal;
2 bronze washers;
hollow clamp nut.

The unit is installed in the place where the water supply makes a 90° turn, only instead of an elbow a tee is mounted at this point. It is also very desirable that all turns in the supply line be made naturally - due to the permissible bending of the pipe (excluding steel and polypropylene). When there are no fittings on the line, pushing the heating conductor in is much easier, as is pulling it out for repairs.

Advice. When choosing a cable for indoor installation in a store, pay attention to brands with a certificate allowing the use of these products with drinking-quality water.

Installation is carried out in the following sequence:

Place a brass tee at the bend in the water line.
If possible, straighten the twisted cable and pull the parts onto it in this order: nut, first washer, sealing gland, second washer.
Screw the housing of the pass-through assembly into the tee, insert the wire there and push it to the required depth.
Insert the washers into the socket along with the oil seal and tighten the nut.

Sequence of installation of parts

It is important here to assemble all the parts in the correct order, and before cutting the cable and installing the end sleeve, otherwise it will be difficult to tighten the gland. According to reviews on forums, this method of heating communications is quite often practiced at entrances to frame houses built on pile foundations. The subtleties of installation work are demonstrated in the next video:

Cutting and joining instructions

We decided to pay special attention to this point, because no homemade twists are suitable for joining such cables. To make the contact reliable and sealed (after all, the supply voltage is 220 Volts), you need to connect the power wire to the heating wire using a special kit. It is purchased separately and consists of heat-shrinkable sleeves of various diameters and metal crimp ends.

The step-by-step docking procedure looks like this:

Carefully cut and remove the top layer of insulation from the end of the heating cable to a length of 45 mm. Using a knife, separate the cores by cutting the semiconductor matrix lengthwise.
Place protective tubes of different lengths on the ends (the thinnest ones included). Heat them with a hair dryer to shrink them. Bite off the core with a short cover so that it protrudes 9-10 mm, and then expose both contacts, stripping the insulation down to the heat shrink tubes.
Place the sleeves on the exposed wires and crimp them on one side with pliers or wire cutters. Take 2 tubes with an adhesive layer and put them on the prepared ends of the cable.
Having previously removed the insulation, alternately pull the large and medium covers from the kit onto the power wire. Bend the grounding conductor (yellow) to the side, and expose the remaining two.
Insert the ends of the power cord into the sleeves and crimp them on the other side. Move the previously placed small tubes onto the contacts and treat them with a hairdryer.
Slide a medium-sized cover over the joint and heat it with a hairdryer to shrink it. Repeat the operation with the largest tube. At this point the sealed joint is ready.

Note. If your heating cable has braided shielding, then before insulating it with large covers, it must be connected to the grounding conductor of the power cord.

To complete the second end of the heating wire, you must install an end sleeve (sold separately). To do this, divide its strands with wire cutters to a length of 2 cm and remove the sheath from one of them, then put on a sleeve and use a hairdryer to shrink it. The operation is clearly shown in the video:

Conclusion

There are many instructions published on the Internet for organizing cable heating of water supply in a private home, but none of them talk about the consequences of a long power outage. Yes, frost protection with heating conductors is effective, but in some situations it does not help. There are 2 ways to survive an unpleasant moment: you can ensure a constant flow of water through the pipe (if we are talking about a centralized supply). The second option is to wrap a hose around the area and periodically run boiling water over it.

Design engineer with more than 8 years of experience in construction.
Graduated from the East Ukrainian National University. Vladimir Dal with a degree in Electronics Industry Equipment in 2011.

A heating cable for water supply and its use to protect pipes from freezing is a guarantee of reliable protection and long-term operation of water pipes even in harsh climatic conditions. Everything can be done with your own hands. The plumbing is one of the most basic communication systems in the home, so it is extremely important to secure the pipes in a timely manner and protect them from icing. Otherwise, freezing of pipes can lead to interruptions in water supply and even ruptures.

Heating cable for water supply

To prevent this from happening, electrical heating is installed inside or on top of the pipes, which provides a heating cable for the water supply. An easy-to-install water heating system can prevent many problems.

Even further south, where there are only short-term sharp drops in air temperature, measures to protect the water supply from freezing will also not be superfluous. To fully enjoy the coming of winter, you need to take care of the comfort and serviceability of all heating systems before the onset of cold weather.

Heating cable for pipes: operating principle and advantages

Heat is generated thanks to electricity passing through the cable, which prevents the pipe from freezing during frost. When choosing a wire, it is a good idea to pay attention to its thermal conductivity coefficient (W/m), which indicates the power of the electrical cable and the unit of its length.

You can install this heating element yourself. If you decide to purchase a ready-made cable, you should take into account that a single-core wire does not have protection against electromagnetic radiation, while its two- and three-core counterparts have it, as well as protection for the current-carrying core.

The heating cable consists of:

inner core (made of high resistance material);
shielding braid (aluminum or copper);
insulating material;
general protective shell.

Internal structure of single-core and two-core electrical cables

Installing this heating element has many advantages:

With proper calculations, the water in the pipes will not freeze even at significant sub-zero temperatures.
Internal and external installation of the cable on the pipe is allowed in any location of the system: underground, outdoors, indoors.
Protection against burnout and the possibility of installation for drinking water systems (there are special heating electric cables made from environmentally friendly materials).
Easy installation and comfortable operation.
Possibility of adjusting power depending on changes in air temperature.

There are two types of heating cables - self-regulating and resistive.

Resistive heating cable

It can be placed inside the pipe or outside along the entire length of the water pipe. Thermal sensors installed on the pipes monitor the temperature: when the set limit is reached, they start heating the system, and after a decrease they automatically turn off.

For more efficient operation of the heating cable, it is recommended to use additional insulation. This can be mineral wool or foam rubber (Merylon).

The principle of laying this cable depends on the desired power: spiral, waves, in one or several rows. It must be laid without active tension, and to enhance the heating effect, you can subsequently wrap the pipe with aluminum foil.

Self-regulating heating cable for water supply

A self-regulating cable has a semiconducting matrix that changes its resistance depending on temperature changes in the environment. The colder the pipes, the greater the heat generation.

Initially, the self-regulating heating cable is fixed “in place”, and after installation it is connected. You can cut the cable in any required place without fear of the appearance of cold zones. The wire can be of any length.

Heating cable for water supply outside or inside the pipe - installation features

A heating or heating cable inside the pipe is installed if the water supply system is already in use and freezes when severe cold occurs. This cable is installed inside the pipe through a gland.

An important nuance is that if the heating cable is installed outside the pipe from above, then additional fixation is not required. If the heating element is installed from below, then it must be securely fixed to prevent it from slipping.

If you plan to heat a pipe through which drinking water passes, then the sheath of such a wire must be made of a polymer that meets all food safety parameters.

Installation of a self-regulating cable inside the pipe from above

To install the cable inside, accurate measurements of the length of the section of water supply that needs heating are required. The heating cable must be inserted into the pipe very carefully to avoid damage to the protective sheath. Cables are not routed through shut-off valves.

The cable is secured over the pipe using aluminum adhesive tape (regular tape cannot be used). During the installation of the heating cable, it is necessary to ensure that the wire is not pinched, stretched, or chafed by sharp elements. First, the electrical cable is attached to the pipe with separate pieces of aluminum tape, and then more radically, along the entire length.

Installing a heating cable over a pipe

If the pipe is plastic, then before installing the cable it would be useful to cover it with aluminum tape or foil. The thermostat sensor, coupling, heating section and other additional elements are also attached using aluminum tape.

DIY heating cable for water supply

If you have basic technical skills, you can try making a homemade analogue of a heating cable.

An alternative to the electrical cables described above can be the power telephone wire P-274M (“vole”). This cable has high rigidity and reliable insulation; it can be used for internal and external installation on pipes. It is not suitable for drinking water pipes (no food insulation), and it does not have the ability to self-regulate.

Such a system is optimally suited for cyclical heating of pipes, for example, in a country house where the owners come periodically and do not live permanently.

To expose the “vole” veins, they are initially separated, and then the resulting single cable is folded in half and twisted again. To ensure a sealed entry of the electrical cable, a flange from a flexible hose for water supply is ideal. Special attention should be paid to sealing the input: after inserting the cable into the fitting, it is best to fill it (the input) with epoxy resin and secure the connection with a nut.

If you are installing a heating electric cable outside the pipe, then you should not unravel it, but should connect it to the back side of the heated area. All connections must be carefully insulated.

External view of a water pipe with a heating electric cable

In general, heating pipes not only protects them from icing, but also extends the service life of the water supply system. The absence of temperature changes and condensate accumulation has a positive effect on the general condition of pipes of any type. The use of heating or heating electric cables guarantees comfortable use of the pipeline even in harsh climates.

Useful video on installing a heating cable:

It is very difficult to ensure uninterrupted water supply in a country house. Residents of such real estate very often experience freezing of the pipeline in winter. To avoid this problem, when installing a water supply, install a cable to heat the water pipe. Such heating systems protect communications from freezing and destruction.

Laying a pipeline can be done without heating the water supply and sewerage with a heating cable, if the water supply pipes are buried deep enough and have good thermal insulation.

However, in swampy areas and areas close to water bodies, the groundwater level is very high, which often exposes communications to flooding and freezing. If the pipes are not installed deeply and a self-regulating heating cable is laid, then the communications will be reliably protected.

There are also critical areas that are more susceptible to low temperatures - areas where water and sewer pipes enter the house. The heating cable for heating pipes can only be installed in these places.

Such heating systems have very useful features. For example, the possibility of zonal application. That is, from a set of elements you can assemble a small system for heating a water supply in a separate area, without connecting a self-heating wire throughout the entire network. There are mini-"heaters" of 20 cm, and maxi-"heaters" of 200 meters.

Depending on the type and technical parameters, the heating cable is used to heat pipelines and drains, tanks for collecting and storing liquids in winter. The main task of the system is to protect the liquid from freezing by warming it up through an increase in temperature.

Installation of the heating cable is possible both in a pipe in the ground, that is, internal, and on a pipeline in the open air, that is, outside.

Thus, if you have a choice between connecting a heating cable or not laying a heating system, then you should definitely take advantage of this opportunity and insure your pipeline from freezing.

Design features of the system

The operating principle is based on the ability of a resistive or self-regulating cable to convert electricity into heat energy. The wiring itself does not transmit energy, as is the case with power analogues, it only receives it, and then the wires heat the object, transferring heat.

The heating cable for water pipes consists of the following main elements:

One or more internal conductors with high resistance to electric current; the higher it is, the more heat will be generated.
The protective shell is made of polymer; insulation in the form of a copper mesh or an aluminum screen is used together with plastic.
The outer sheath is made of durable PVC, which protects the inner sheath and core.

Cables for heating a water pipe from different manufacturers differ in alloy, design of protective elements, cost and other parameters.

The most reliable is considered to be a heating wire with a foil screen and several cores. Solid wire is a cheaper option and is suitable for connecting a system in a small section of piping as solid wire transfers less heat.

To improve the characteristics, the copper braid is nickel-plated, and the thickness of the outer PVC sheath is also increased. In addition, the outer layer must be moisture-resistant and resistant to ultraviolet radiation so that the protection can withstand both contact with water and exposure to direct sunlight.

Types of cable heating

The heating cable for sewer and water supply can be one of two types: resistive or self-regulating. Each of them has its own scope of application. So, the first type is more suitable for heating small sections of pipes with a diameter of up to 40 mm, and a self-regulating cable is good for longer sections. Let's look at each type in more detail.

Resistive has the following principle of operation: current passes through the wires and heats the cable. High current and high resistance contribute to excellent heat dissipation. There are pieces of resistive wire with a constant resistance coefficient. During operation, such a cable gives off an equal amount of thermal energy along its entire length.

Single core wiring is double protected internally and externally insulated. The heater is a single wire that will be connected in a loop-like manner: the wire is connected to the electrical network, then wound around the tube, and then returned back.

A closed loop heating system is usually used for installing “warm floors” and heating roof drains; there is also an option for a plumbing system. Do-it-yourself installation of a heating cable for a water supply system requires double-sided laying of a single-core wire. It is noteworthy that in this case only an external connection is used.

A single-core resistive cable is not suitable for underground installations, since laying a “loop” takes up too much space, and crossing the wiring will lead to overheating.

Wiring with two wires separates their functions: one wire supplies electricity, and the second heats it. The connection diagram is also different: there is no need to create a “loop”, and the cable is connected to electricity at one end, and the other is laid along the pipeline.

The main advantages of resistive cable are its low cost, reliability, ease of installation and long service life (10-15 years). However, there are also disadvantages, among which it is worth highlighting: a fixed length, a high probability of overheating when the wiring is close together, the impossibility of replacing one section and the power cannot be adjusted.

In order not to connect the heating system every time, install a thermostat with a temperature sensor. When the temperature drops below the set value by 2-3 degrees ºC, the thermostat automatically starts the heating device, and as soon as the temperature rises to the set coefficient, the energy is automatically turned off.

Self-regulating heating cable. This is a universal type of wiring that can be used to heat a roof element, water supply and discharge lines, and containers with various liquids. Such a cable is immediately equipped with a system for adjusting power and heat energy intensity. When the temperature drops below the control value, the system starts heating.

It differs from the resistive model in the presence of a conductive heating matrix that regulates the heating temperature, but with regards to insulation and protection, there are no special differences.

The principle of operation of a self-regulating device is based on the ability to reduce or increase the current, taking into account the resistance indicator. When the resistance increases, the current decreases, which leads to a decrease in power. As a result, the conductor cools down. After the resistance decreases, the current increases and heating begins again.

A self-regulating heating cable for water supply has an important advantage - zonal action. The conductor independently manages his “labor power”: he warms up the cooling areas well and maintains the optimal temperature in those sections where there is no need for strong heating.

The self-regulating heating cable for heating water pipes works constantly, which is very welcome in winter. But when the frosts stop, it is not beneficial for it to always work, therefore, to automate the processes of the conductor, it is equipped with a thermostat linked to the outside temperature. The thermostat for the heating cable will automatically turn off the system when the weather outside is warm enough.

Connection methods: inside or outside?

There are two ways to connect the heating cable: outside or inside the pipe. Each option has special types of wires - for outdoor use and for indoor installation, respectively. The recommended connection method is necessarily indicated in the technical specifications for the conductor.

Insulation of pipes from the inside

Heating cable inside the pipe. To begin installation of the heater inside the water main, it must meet the following important requirements:

high degree of electrical protection, not lower than IP68;
protective insulation should not release harmful substances;
final sealed coupling.

To be able to thread the conductor inside, a tee is installed at the end of the water supply, and a cable is inserted into one of the branches through the gland.

Keep in mind that the coupling - the point where the transition between the electrical and heating wire occurs - must be outside the gland and pipe, as it is not designed to function in a wet environment.

Tees for installing heating wiring inside the water supply can be at different outlet angles - 180°, 120°. 90°. With this connection method, the cable is not fixed at all, it is simply tucked inside.

Outdoor heating pipeline

Installing a heating water cable outside the pipe requires a tight fit along the entire circuit. Before installation on a metal pipeline, their surface must be cleaned of rust, welding marks, dust and other dirt that can damage the wire. The cable is laid on the cleaned pipe and secured with plastic clamps or metallized tape every 25-30 cm.

If up to two threads are stretched, then they are attached at a short distance parallel to each other from below, that is, in the most freezing zone. If there are three or more threads stretching at once, then they need to be positioned in such a way that more wires are installed below, but maintaining a certain distance.

Another option for external connection is spiral. It is necessary to wind the wiring with great care, without sudden movements and many bends. This can be done by gradually unwinding the coupling and at the same time winding the freed wire onto the main line, or simply fix the cable with the slack, and only then lay it in a spiral and secure it with metallized tape.

If the pipeline is made of plastic, then you must first stick a metalized adhesive tape under the wiring, which will improve the thermal conductivity and increase the heating efficiency. Valves, fittings, tees and other connecting elements require more thorough heating. Therefore, when installing, it is better to make several bends at each connection, but remember the radius of the loops.

In this case, it is necessary to additionally insulate the pipeline. Any type of mineral wool is absolutely not suitable for this, since it loses its properties in a humid environment. It is worth abandoning heat insulators that shrink from gravity if you do not use rigid insulation on top.

A shell made of polystyrene foam in the form of fragments with different diameters is the optimal solution that demonstrates high thermal insulation characteristics: it feels good in a humid environment, does not shrink under weight, and reliably protects.

Power and other characteristics of the heating cable

Before purchasing a heating cable, it is necessary to clarify the length of the line that is planned to be insulated, to what maximum temperature the soil freezes and other parameters.

So, when choosing a conductor, you should pay attention to the following characteristics:

is there a protective braid on the wire that will make the conductor more reliable and provide grounding;
temperature class;
type of external insulation;
power.

For a sewer line, an electric cable with polyolefin insulation is suitable, but for underground water supply it is better to choose a fluoroplastic insulator. For external installation, fluoropolymer is suitable, protecting the cable from ultraviolet radiation and humid environments.

The required power largely depends on the place of residence, since each region has its own low temperature indicators. The choice of power is also influenced by the cross-section of the tubes, the presence of insulation, and the method of laying the heater. The wiring consumption is indicated in a special table in the accompanying documentation for the cable, taking into account the power of the device.

Experience shows that with standard thermal insulation of a pipeline with a polystyrene foam shell (30 mm) in the regions of the central zone of the Russian Federation, to warm up a pipe section 1 meter long, a power of 10 W/m is sufficient from the inside, and a cable with a power of at least 17 W/m is required from the outside. If you live further north, the insulation capacity should increase accordingly.

Happy owners of their own households often have to organize their own water supply system. Currently, there are many proposals for the construction of such systems, but many of them were conceived and developed by designers who are not even aware of the presence of winter in a large proportion of the territory of our country. Negative temperatures outside can not only stop the operation of your home’s water supply system, but also disable its important components and mechanisms. And all these troubles can happen simply because the water in your water supply pipes simply freezes.

There are currently several types of systems available on the market to prevent water from freezing in pipes. The most obvious way to prevent a liquid from freezing is, of course, to heat it. Water flowing through pipes can be heated in several ways, for example, using film or cable water heaters.

In both heating methods, the temperature rise occurs due to the conversion of electrical energy into thermal energy. When using film heaters, electricity heats a special thin film that is wrapped around the pipe, and when using cable heaters, an electric current heats a wire laid along or inside the water pipe.

Advantages of electric heating of a water supply system

Heating the water supply system maintains a stable water temperature.
Impurities that have a lower freezing system will not accumulate in the water supply system.
Stagnation and crystallization of solid fractions are prevented.
The water supply system will maintain a stable hot water temperature.
Facilitates the passage of viscous liquids through the water supply system.
The water supply system will operate without interruption.
The outer surface of water pipes will not be covered with condensation and ice.
Having a cable heating system will allow you not to bury the water pipes of your home deep into the ground.
Electric heating of the water supply system will prevent it from having to be repaired at the end of the winter period.

So, the introduction of an electric heating system for water supply pipes has an undoubted advantage. The good news is that such a system is inexpensive for its owner; in addition, its placement and installation can be carried out even by a homeowner who does not have serious technological skills.

First of all, you need to understand how electric heating of water supply systems occurs and choose the most suitable heating technology for yourself.

The cable method of heating an external water supply system is, apparently, the most inexpensive, widespread and convenient method. Its essence lies in placing a special cable along the entire water main, which heats itself and heats the liquid in the water pipes. The layout of the heating cable may vary: it can be laid directly along the water supply or wrapped around the water supply pipes. The choice of heating cable placement method depends on the preferences of the homeowner and the technical characteristics of cable heating systems.

Cable water heating systems usually consist of the following main elements:

starting systems located in the control cabinet,
aluminum tape insulating the heating system,
material for thermal insulation of water pipes,
heating cable,
temperature level regulator.

However, the configuration of cable water heating systems may vary depending on the configuration and technical characteristics. So, if the system contains a resistive two-core self-regulating heating cable, the presence of a special temperature controller is not necessary. When such a cable is connected to the power system using a special connecting element, its heating level is determined automatically.

Cable laying technology for heating pipes

Heating cables for water supply heating systems, designed on a resistive principle, are inexpensive and are designed to maintain the operating temperature of the liquid at +5 degrees, which is quite sufficient for an efficient and uninterrupted water supply system.

When designing a cable heating system for water supply pipes, you will have to calculate the required cable length and the power that will be supplied to the heating system. In this case, it is necessary to take into account the following factors: the diameter of the water supply pipes, the depth of the system, the length of the heated main, the climatic conditions of your area and the level of thermal insulation of the water pipes.

Note that, for example, the wall thickness of water supply system pipes directly affects the required heating power.

Thick walls of water pipes maintain the temperature of the working fluid much better.

The installation process of cable water heating systems is quite simple. The heating cable is pressed against the water pipe and fixed on it with self-adhesive aluminum tape, which also performs an additional thermal insulation function.

When installing, pay close attention to the condition of the heating cable. Resistive cable is very sensitive to damage, and during its installation, cable overlaps and intersections are not allowed. This may lead to their failure.

Another modification of the water heating cable - self-regulating cables - is not so sensitive to damage and intersections.

After installing the heating cable, the structure is wrapped in a layer of thermal insulation; in some cases, it is necessary to provide an additional waterproofing structure. Thermal sensors are installed in critical areas of the water supply system. They are simply fixed to the surface of the pipe with adhesive tape.

When installing during cold periods, heating system cables may become stiff and brittle. In this case, on certain modifications of cable heating systems, it is allowed to connect the cable to the network. The system will gain the necessary flexibility and you can freely install it throughout the entire water supply system.

In addition to the external installation of a cable heating system, the heating element can also be installed inside water pipes. In this case, the installation procedure becomes somewhat more complicated, but the new difficulties are more than offset by the efficiency of this type of system.

Internal installation of cable heating systems for water supply is usually used to ensure the functionality of complex water supply units, such as taps or pumps. This type of heating system can operate either continuously or temporarily and is activated by a separate controller or thermostat.

The use of an internal cable heating system for water supply units makes it possible to use electrical energy more efficiently, because in this case the liquid moving through them is heated directly, and not the walls of the water supply and not the surrounding elements.

The use of cable heating systems for water supply will allow you to ensure year-round operation of the water supply at low cost. You will no longer have to replace damaged sections of your water supply every spring. You will be able to use your water supply system both on hot summer days and on severe Epiphany frosts.

Video - self-regulating heating cable for water supply

Effective thermal insulation of an autonomous water supply system ensures that the optimum temperature is maintained and prevents freezing of the pipeline in winter. For these purposes, a special cable is provided for heating pipes, the installation of which is carried out in the cavity of the pipe or by winding along the outer surface. An easy-to-install heating cable system can provide reliable protection for a private water supply when operating in special climatic conditions.

Operating principle and advantages of the device

The heating cable operates on the principle of a heating element or a spiral element, when the electricity conducted through it is converted into heat, which ensures heating of water pipes at low temperatures.

Thermal energy is sufficient to maintain the optimal temperature inside the pipeline and prevent crystallization and freezing of the liquid.

The heater material has high hydro-, electrical insulating and strength characteristics, which eliminates the possibility of deformation, damage and melting.

Important! When choosing a device, it is worth considering that only two- and three-core wires have increased protection from electromagnetic radiation of the conductor.

The heating element for water supply has a number of advantages:

High thermal conductivity and different lengths of products ensure effective heating of pipes when exposed to low temperatures.
Possibility of indoor and outdoor cable installation for any pipe installation - underground, street, indoors.
Built-in protection against melting and overheating when used in extreme conditions.
Safety and durability of the heating system.
Availability of operating power adjustment taking into account temperature conditions.

Types of cables for heating pipes

Heating cable for pipes is available in two types: resistive and self-regulating. Each of them differs in operational features and area of use.

Resistance heater

Externally, the design is a boiler with an elongated base consisting of a heating element - a single-core or two-core wire. From the outside, the device is protected by durable and wear-resistant thermal insulation.

The resistive heater ensures fast and uniform heating in each area of the system. Ready-made devices of a certain length for pipes for sewerage, water supply and heating are available for sale. Single-core cables are intended for external installation on the surface of pipes, two-core devices are suitable for external and internal installation.

The operating principle of a heating device for water supply is determined by the design features of the products:

In a single-core wire, heating is carried out by only one core, so it is connected to the power supply at both ends.
In a two-core wire, one conductor passes electricity, the other conducts thermal energy, creating a closed heating system.

The main advantages of a resistive heater are affordable cost and ease of installation.

The disadvantages of a device of this type include the following:

Uniform heating of pipes along the entire length eliminates the possibility of increased heating of individual sections of the water supply system.
Susceptibility to deformation and overheating in places where individual elements intersect.
Inability to change the length of the finished product.
The inability to adjust the operating power of the device, which leads to a decrease in efficiency.
Inability to repair or replace the damaged area. In this case, the device must be completely replaced.

Self-regulating heater

A universal type of heating device for water supply and sewerage systems. It allows you to intensively warm up the freezing areas of the pipes, while the warm areas are not exposed to heat.

A distinctive feature of a self-regulating cable is the regulation of operating power and the rate of supply of thermal energy. When the set temperature drops, the device provides automatic heating.

A self-regulating heating cable for water supply consists of two cores, which are connected to each other by a thermoregulating matrix that controls the heating temperature conditions of the cable.

The main advantages of the device include:

Good efficiency thanks to spot heating.
Possibility of adjusting the required length of the product.
The possibility of overlapping winding, which eliminates overheating of areas.
Simple and affordable installation without the need for additional installation of temperature sensors.

Calculation of operating power of heating cables

Using a heating cable inside a pipe is rational if it is impossible to heat it from the outside. It can be used for pipes whose diameter does not exceed 3.2 cm, since the device itself has low power - from 9 to 13 W/m.

For outdoor installation, cables with a power of 17 to 32 W/m are used. If the pipeline is constructed from PVC pipes, then the permissible power should not be higher than 17 W per linear meter to avoid damage to the pipe.

Calculation of the required power of the heating device is carried out taking into account:

Pipe diameter.
Material for making pipes.
Thickness of the thermal insulation layer.
Heat losses in the pipeline.

Features of installation of cables for heating water supply

The warm cable can be installed inside water pipes or fixed outside. Each method involves the use of different types of heaters - some of them are intended only for indoor installation, others for outdoor installation.

Installation inside a pipe

For installation inside the pipe, a special heater is used that is resistant to humid and acidic environments. In addition, it must meet the following requirements:

Do not release hazardous components when heated.
Have a high degree of electrical protection.
Equipped with a sealed end coupling.

The cable is inserted into the pipeline system through a special tee - coupling into one of its branches using a gland. In this case, the other end of the wire must be connected to the power supply.

Important! The tee for connecting the heating and electrical wires should be located on the outside of the pipe and the inlet gland. It can have different cable entry angles - 90, 120 and 180.

The efficiency of a heating cable for water supply is doubled when installed internally, which allows the installation of a low-power device. In addition, this installation method requires minimal thermal insulation of pipes.

External installation method

In this case, the installation of the heating cable for the water supply is carried out from the outside and requires reliable fixation over the entire area.

Before installation, the water pipe is thoroughly cleaned of contaminants. This will prevent possible damage and deformation of the conductor. Next, the prepared heater should be laid on the surface in waves with fixation every 25 cm. Adhesive tape on a metallized base or plastic clamps are used as a fixator.

When using several cables simultaneously, they must be fixed parallel to each other on the bottom side of the pipe.

Another installation method is spiral. In this case, the heating cord is wrapped around the pipe in turns in increments of 5 cm. For reliable fixation, foil tape is used, which will provide additional protection for the pipe from excessive heating.

Determination of power for heating cables

This characteristic is important for the efficient operation of heating cables. It is determined taking into account the climatic conditions of the region in which the autonomous water supply is installed, the diameter of the water pipes, thermal insulation and the method of heating installation.

If the installation and connection of the cable is carried out inside pipes, a device with a power of up to 11 W/m is suitable.
When installing on top of a pipe, you should choose a product with a power from 17 to 55 W/m.

Powerful cables require significant energy consumption, which leads to a significant increase in system maintenance costs.

Thermostat for heating cable

The thermostat for heating cables automates the process of maintaining temperature conditions, reduces the cost of heating the pipeline system and increases the service life of the cables.

The device is mounted in the house electrical panel with a connection via an RCD, and the temperature sensor is mounted on a pipe with preliminary thermal insulation from the heating cable.

Important! A resistive cable requires the connection of a thermostat, which will allow high-quality heating of the surface of the pipes and reduce electricity consumption. A self-regulating heater can operate without connecting a thermal relay.

If water directly enters the water supply system from a well or well, then the water supply can be heated continuously throughout the year. The exception is the summer period.

To ensure long-term operation of the water supply heating system, the following recommendations must be taken into account:

If cables are used to warm household networks, the connection must be made through an automatic device or RCD.
When partially laying water pipes outdoors and indoors, it is safer to install self-regulating devices.
When wrapping cables around pipes, it is necessary to take into account the degree of possible bending of the material in order to prevent damage to the surface and difficulty in the passage of current.
High efficiency and reduced electricity costs depend on the correct choice of insulating material, cable length and power.
When installing the heater, you must follow basic fire safety rules.

Even novice craftsmen can organize high-quality and safe heating of the water supply with a heating cable. This is an effective and affordable option for solving the problem of freezing of water pipes, sewer pipes and other systems during cold periods and under extreme operating conditions.