How much power is needed for sewer heating? Installation of internal and external heating cable for sewer pipes. Carrying out internal installation work

To protect wastewater from freezing, there is a heating cable for sewer pipes. Sewer heating is necessary in situations where pipes have to be placed in unheated rooms, basements, ground levels of buildings.

Sometimes it is not possible to lay the system at the required depth, which makes the pipeline susceptible to the risk of freezing drains and the formation of an ice plug. In such cases, it is necessary to insulate the pipes. The best option is a heating cable for sewer pipes that solves the problem effectively and reliably. Let's take a closer look at this issue.

Which pipes need heating?

Please note that most sewer pipes do not require heating. If they are located inside a building, then, as a rule, they are not exposed to low temperatures. In addition, the system has a certain slope, thanks to which wastewater quickly passes into the collector and does not linger in the pipes. The temperature of the waste also plays a role - large volumes of water are most often warm, as they are discharged from the bathtub, obtained when washing dishes or doing laundry.

Sewer heating is only necessary in certain cases:

  • for the external part of the system, ensuring the flow of wastewater to the collector or treatment plant;
  • pipelines through which clarified wastewater passes to filtration fields or discharged into filtration wells;
  • for pipelines supplying water to the flushing filters of septic tanks or treatment plants.

The main problem is the difficulty of determining the degree of risk for a particular section of pipes. There are a lot of factors influencing the system, from the level of soil freezing in winter to the depth of soil water. An additional complication is the constant change in conditions and the emergence of new factors that create a threat of freezing for the sewer system. If the installation of the system is carried out correctly, in compliance with all SNiP requirements, there is nothing to fear. But it is not always possible to immerse the pipeline to the required depth - the hydrogeological conditions of the site or the presence of other communications may interfere, preventing the work from being carried out according to all technological rules. The way out is to heat the sewer pipes with a heating cable.

What is a heating cable

The heating cable is a long-length electric heating device tightly attached to the pipeline and laid together with it in a trench. Somewhat simplified, its design is a conductor that heats up when an electric current passes. The simplest options have a design common to the design of most heating devices.

Advantages and disadvantages of heating cable

The advantages of cable heating of sewerage include:

  • the ability to eliminate freezing and congestion within the system;
  • heating of pipelines allows reducing the volume of excavation work;
  • using a heating cable stabilizes operation sewer system a private home, which is not loaded as intensely as public lines and is more exposed to low temperatures;
  • Cable installation can be done with your own hands, without the involvement of expensive specialists.

The disadvantages of a heating cable are:

  • creating additional load on power grids;
  • the need to pay for used electricity;
  • low maintainability;
  • significant labor costs when installing a heating system;
  • the need to connect additional devices to ensure the operation of the heater.

The disadvantages are quite serious, and the main one is the load on the electrical network. Considering the general deterioration and dilapidation of the power supply system, the use of electrical appliances for heating sewer systems seems to be a somewhat irrational solution. However, in the absence of other methods of protecting pipelines, it is necessary to choose heated pipes for sewerage.

Types of heating cable

Exist different designs heating cable:

Resistive

The simplest design option. It has a strictly defined length and does not allow cutting or joining several pieces, since the resistance will either decrease too much, which will create emergency situation For electric wire and equipment, or will increase and sharply reduce the efficiency of the cable. There are designs with one and two conductors. The first option requires installation folded in half, since the ends must be connected at one point. The second type can be laid in any way you like, since the double conductor is one wire that simply goes to the end and comes back.

Resistive cable has a lot of disadvantages, but its attractiveness for the user lies in its low cost.

Zonal

The zonal design consists of a double insulated conductor, around which a heating nichrome thread is evenly wound. It is connected to conductors at regular intervals, which allows for corresponding heating zones. Such a system does not depend on the length of the circuit and can heat pipelines of any size. The use of a zonal type facilitates the installation of a heating cable on a sewer pipe and provides some advantages:

  • there are no starting currents;
  • if the nichrome thread is damaged in a separate section, the rest of the cable continues to work;
  • heating power does not depend on the length of the circuit;
  • characteristics do not change over time.

The disadvantages include the danger of local overheating of the cable section and the possibility of its damage during installation. The price of such a heater is slightly higher than that of resistive types, but significantly lower than that of self-regulating designs.

Self-regulating

The self-regulating cable consists of two conductors onto which a polymer heating matrix is ​​pressed, protected by a double layer of internal insulation, a copper screen and an external protective insulating layer. The peculiarity of its operation is its ability to create its own temperature in different sections of the cable depending on external conditions. The lower the temperature, the stronger the heat release at a given point. A self-heating sewer cable represents the most effective solution to the problem of pipeline freezing, but its cost is significantly higher than that of simpler designs.

Heating film

In the most difficult cases use heating film. It wraps around the pipe, ensuring uniform heating of the entire surface. This allows you to get maximum efficiency heating, but significantly complicates and slows down installation work. At the same time, the film consumes much less electricity, which can significantly reduce costs. Considering that you have to install the system once, and pay for the resources used constantly, heating sewer pipes using film can be considered a very good option.

Which cable to choose?

The criteria for choosing one type of heater or another are:

  • size and configuration of the problem section of the pipeline;
  • line depth or conditions;
  • temperature operating conditions in winter;
  • cable cost;
  • possibility of repair or replacement.

As a rule, an element for heating sewer pipes is selected based on the totality of these conditions and requirements. It is very difficult to name the most successful option without knowing the specifics and configuration of the system. However, according to experts, resistive types are used less and less, and self-heating cable is used much more often, although it costs users much more.

Heating cable installation options

There are two cable placement options:

  • outside the pipe;
  • inside the pipeline.

Installing the heater outside the pipe is easier. It is usually attached along the pipeline or, if the length allows, wrapped around the pipe for greater uniformity. For fixing to the surface, use regular or metallized adhesive tape that is resistant to heat. A layer of insulation is put on top. The most correct option is a polystyrene or polyurethane foam shell, which is easy to install and effectively retains thermal energy.

Installing a heating element inside the pipeline allows you to obtain a significantly greater effect. It is used in cases where the system is located close to the surface of the earth or is even located in an open area. A self-regulating heating cable for sewerage inside a pipe allows you to reliably protect both conventional and stormwater systems, which remain practically unused during the cold season. The remaining wastewater freezes, is periodically replenished during warming periods, and ultimately forms an ice jam that can rupture the pipeline. However, the heater can only be installed in pipes of a sufficiently large diameter, otherwise it will cause frequent blockages and instead of benefit will only bring unnecessary worries.

DIY installation and connection of a heating cable

Installing a heating element is not particularly difficult. It is most convenient to carry out work during installation of the system, so that you do not have to dig up pipes that are already in use. If you plan to heat the system from the outside, before installing the insulation, lay a heater along the pipeline and secure it with tape. Installing a self-heating cable for sewerage inside a pipe is somewhat more difficult, since it is necessary to combine the installation of the system with the installation of the heater. It is important to bring the element all the way to the drain hole, which is an area exposed to cold.

The connections must be insulated with heat-shrinkable tubing, which is heated with a torch or a hair dryer. For entry, an oblique tee with a plug in which a hole is made is used. A heater is introduced through it, the outlet is filled with a heat insulator that is resistant to high temperatures. It is necessary to ensure that the heater sections do not intersect anywhere and are located evenly, without clusters or empty areas.

Detailed video review:

Everything useful about sewerage -

In cases where it is not possible to lay the pipe below the freezing level of the soil, there is a need to heat the sewer pipes. In addition, quite often in areas country houses it is necessary to lay communications above the ground. How to lay heated sewer pipes will be discussed in this article.

Types of pipes that should be heated

It may be necessary to heat the following sewer pipes:

  • external sewage systems - for draining wastewater to treatment plants or septic tanks;
  • pipes connecting the septic tank to drainage fields or a well for filtration;
  • for drainage of washing water from cleaning filters.


As a rule, insulation is carried out by wrapping it with thermal insulation, providing an air gap and other methods (more details: ""). The latest technologies can offer more convenient ways heating sewer pipes - with a heating cable, which can be laid both outside and inside the pipe. In addition, there are items on sale engineering communications, which already have a ready-made heating system. It's about about sandwich pipes and self-heating cables.

External heating systems

Due to the ease of installation and low cost, the film method of heating a sewer pipe with your own hands is considered quite popular. The installation process of such a system is very simple - wrap the pipes with film and secure it with tape or clamps.

But cable for heating sewer pipes from the inside and outside is still more popular, and every day the demand for it is growing more and more. This method involves laying cable along the entire length of the pipeline. After starting the system, it will be fully warmed up to the required temperature.


On this moment The following heating cables are manufactured:

  • Self-regulating. According to experts, this type of heating cable is the most effective and practical from an economic point of view. Its peculiarity lies in its operating mechanism. The fact is that similar products react to air temperature fluctuations. This means that as the temperature rises environment The cable resistance is significantly reduced, therefore, the current strength also weakens, which means the power also drops. The operating principle of the device is based on the formula P=U×I, where I is the current strength, U is the resistance, and P is the cable power. This mechanism allows you to significantly reduce energy costs and make them more reasonable. The heating cable production technology makes it possible to regulate the power on different sections of the pipeline, which is quite important due to the constant increase in electricity prices.
  • Resistive. Products of this type are characterized by stable resistance along the entire length of the laid line. Consequently, the amount of thermal energy released by such a cable is the same along any segment.
  • Zonal. In essence, such a cable works similarly to a resistive one, however, the generation of thermal energy occurs in specific zones. Thanks to this device, the zonal heating cable into the sewer pipe can be cut into pieces and the load can be distributed at your discretion.

By and large, all these cables work approximately the same; the only difference is in the features of their installation and use.


Resistive cables can differ in their structure:

  • Single core cable. As the name implies, it consists of a single core through which current passes. It is also a heating element and is protected by a layer of insulation, a braid of shielding material, and an outer shell. Cables of this type are laid in loops so that both ends converge in one place for connection to the network. Please note that single-core cable is not used for installation inside pipes. This is due to the fact that if cable sections are placed on top of each other, it can overheat and burn out.
  • Twin cable. In this case, one of the cores, the resistance of which is greater, serves heating element, and the second core only conducts current. Therefore, there is no need to lead both ends of the cable to one point; the return core serves for this purpose.

Please note that you need to choose one or another type of cable based on the expected operating conditions.

Internal heating of sewerage

It is worth noting that laying an internal heating cable for sewer pipes has some disadvantages:

  • internal section and throughput pipes are slightly reduced;
  • the risk of blockages increases;
  • the tightness of the finished pipeline deteriorates due to the need to install a tee;
  • For long-distance sewer systems, installation of an internal heating cable will involve significant financial and labor costs. Read also: "".


However, often the owners of houses in the private sector who equip their sewerage system with pipes are quite large section, they prefer to opt for the installation of an internal heating cable.

As a rule, such heating is used to service small sections of pipeline, for example, to protect street pumps from freezing in winter. According to the principle of operation, internal heating is practically no different from external heating.

Carrying out internal installation work

Often, internal heating of pipes is the only feasible solution. As a rule, these are drainage systems made from polyvinyl chloride, asbestos-cement or concrete pipes. That is, these are pipes with low thermal conductivity. Because of this property, the pipes are practically impossible to warm up from the outside. The cable is mounted into the pipe either along its entire length or at specified sections. In the latter case, often such a place is the passage of the system through the foundation.

After laying the cable, the risk of blockage during system operation increases due to the negative impact of wastewater inside the system. In order for the finished system to work for as long as possible, cable laying work must be carried out with the utmost responsibility and in compliance with all rules.


At the same time, so that during operation heated pipes do not cause various kinds of problems, it is important to follow a certain sequence.

The following stages of work can be distinguished:

  • Clean and dry the pipes.
  • Remove the sheath from the edges of the cable to a distance of about 5 cm.
  • Separate the wires and strip them about 4 cm.
  • Place heat shrink tubing onto the ends of the cable.
  • Warm up the tubes using a hair dryer.
  • Now strip the ends 5-6 cm.
  • Thread the braid into metal tube into the pipeline and secure.
  • Clean and separate the feed ends. The grounding wire is 8 cm, and the rest are 3.5 cm, no more.
  • Connect the power wires to the heating cable using electrical tape.
  • Connect the metal braid and insulate it as well.

If you are working with a fairly long piece of pipe, but there is no revision or tee, it is best to cut out part of it and make adjustments using an adapter - a compensating pipe. To feed the cable into the sewer pipe, you need to use a nipple coupling. This part needs to be secured to the plug, but if there is a revision, then to its cover.


It is worth noting that after connecting the self-regulating cable, its power in the first few minutes will be 3-5 times higher than declared. But after this, electricity consumption returns to normal.

Without sufficient heating equipment for sewer main pipes, problems will likely arise due to deterioration of the system in cold weather. At the same time, the fact that the heating cable runs on electricity cannot be used as a counterargument to the relevance of its use. In fact, you can purchase a ready-made kit, which will already contain not only a heating cable, but also thermostats and other control devices. Thanks to such accessories, you can monitor the temperature in the pipes, control electricity consumption and not worry about the serviceability of the sewer system in the winter cold.

The climatic conditions of our country are quite harsh; in winter the soil can freeze several meters. In the Arctic, permafrost does not thaw even in summer. works much more efficiently than heating main winding technology insulating materials or burying it below the freezing point. Let's consider what this product is, its design, types and installation procedure on drainage systems.

An electrical element is a flexible structure that generates heat under voltage due to the resistance of the metal. The degree of heating depends on the brand of the product and the current supplied to it.

The heating cable is designed to maintain a positive temperature in a sewer system laid above the freezing level of the soil or on its surface. Installation of this device requires additional financial expenses, but they pay off by reducing costs for excavation. In addition, the drains will be reliably protected from the cold even at extremely low air temperatures.

When is heating needed?

Power and duration

The power of the heating cable is measured in watts per linear meter at one o'clock. This indicator differs between resistive and self-regulating models. At a voltage of 220-240 volts and a maximum temperature of 90 ºС, the average line power is 18 watts. It is not difficult to calculate how much electricity will be required to heat a 15 m long pipeline (and this is exactly what should be minimum distance from the house to the septic tank).

Depending on the settings, electricity consumption will be 100-270 watts per hour.

Life time

The durability of the cable depends on the materials used in its manufacture and the intensity of use.


The service life of products is influenced by the correctness of their installation and the mechanical impact exerted during seasonal soil movements. Most famous manufacturers from Asian and European countries provide a 5-year warranty on their products. At the same time, the estimated service life is 15-20 years.

Make it yourself or buy it

In the presence of special education and experience working with electricity, you can make a heating cable yourself. For this, low-power spirals and wires are used. Metal insulation is carried out using heat shrink tubing. Ready product may be no worse than industrially produced analogues.

However, the time and money spent on purchasing materials may not bring tangible benefits and savings.

Professionals recommend choosing products with such power that will ensure high-quality heating of the main line when the temperature drops critically. If it is possible to continuously monitor the condition of the cable, then it is advisable to choose a resistive option.

When the system operates in autonomous mode, it is better to install a self-regulating device from inside the highway.

Do-it-yourself cable making and installation

The best option for making homemade heating systems is to use a P-274 communication cable or its analogues. These products consist of copper wires and durable insulation, resistant to moisture and mechanical stress. The wire is supplied with a direct current of 6-27 volts. Parameters are changed using a manual or automatic regulator adjusted to temperature changes.

Drawing and diagrams

The drawing is drawn up to scale on a computer or a sheet of paper.


It is necessary to schematically display the following design details:

  • the beginning of the pipeline;
  • the outlet of the main into the well;
  • drainage line;
  • corners, tees and taps;
  • pipe diameter;
  • trench depth.

Based on the created schemes, calculations are made necessary materials and equipment.

Size calculation

Pipe outer diameter (mm) Power(W/m)
Depth 50 cm Depth 75 cm Depth 50 cm
1 32 10 8 5
2 42 13 10 7
3 48 15 12 8
4 60 20 15 10
5 75 25 20 12
6 90 30 25 15
7 110 40 30 20
8 160 50 38 25

The calculation is based on an air temperature of 30 ºС. A change in parameters by one degree entails a similar change in power by a third of a point.

Installation video

Installation features

When assembling a sewer heating system, it is necessary to take into account the following nuances:

  1. Careful preparation of the installation process. Conducting consultations with specialists.
  2. The internal cable is tightened through an additional double, which is installed indoors.
  3. The wire of a self-regulating product must be laid only in a straight line. Resistive devices may be wrapped around pipes and fittings.

Service

The external parts of the heating system should be inspected regularly to identify external damage.

The resistance of the heating cores must be measured monthly. If deviations from the norm are detected, the device should be disconnected from the network.

Repair of damaged areas should be performed using heat-shrink tubing followed by reinforcement of the soldering area.

Frequent errors and problems during installation

When installing heating systems, such mistakes are most often made.


  1. Installation of heating devices below the freezing point. These are unnecessary and unnecessary expenses.
  2. Ignoring additional thermal insulation over pipes. The cable cannot heat them over the entire area, which leads to the formation of ice.
  3. Job electrical equipment in continuous mode without sensors and relays. This leads to high and unjustified energy costs.

The situation with a frozen sewer pipe is quite rare, because... such a pipe has a slope away from the consumer device, therefore, unlike a water pipe, it is empty most of the time, and the portions of liquids periodically flowing through it are usually... lukewarm. However, if small water leaks occur due to a malfunction of the flush assembly in the toilet tank or due to a leaking faucet, then the water does not have time to fast walk to a warm septic tank and freeze along the way.

Such leaks freeze layer by layer and eventually completely cover the diameter of the sewer pipe.

In order to remove the ice plug, you need to melt it using boiling water and salt, or dig up the pipe and try to warm it up using blowtorch or a hair dryer.
After removing the ice plug, it is necessary to check the pipeline for cracks and, if necessary, replace the damaged section.

Cable heating of sewerage

In its turn heating a sewer pipe using a heating cable prevents such problems from occurring and increases the service life of the sewer system in your home.

The power of the heating cable is selected in such a way as to compensate for the heat loss of the pipe by 120-160% at minimum temperature according to MSN 2.04-01-98 “Building climatology”:


Considering that in most cases, pipes with an internal diameter of 5 are used in domestic sewerage 0 before 110 mm and thermal insulation with a thickness of 20-50 mm (PPS, PPU, PPE), to solve the problem of protecting sewer pipes from freezing, you can use self-regulating low-temperature class heating cables with linear power from 16 W/m to 32 W/m.

Let's list the most popular:

Self-regulating cables for heating sewer pipes

Which heating cable to choose for heating sewer pipes

To solve this issue, let's compare the advantages and disadvantages of the above heating wires. Resistive single-, double-core and zone can be generalized due to their similarities.

Resistive and zone heating cables

Advantages of resistive (including zonal) heating cables:

  • Simplicity of the device;
  • Relatively low cost;
  • With long-term use, stable resistivity;
  • At correct installation long service life.
  • Inability to change the length (in zonal zones this problem is partially solved, but the length changes in steps);
  • The need for a temperature control device;
  • When heating wires are located close together, when they are intertwined, or even when the surface is contaminated, the insulation significantly overheats. Overheating of the insulation leads to its premature aging and possible short circuit;
  • Installation requirements.

Self-regulating cable

Advantages of a self-regulating cable:

  • Does not require a separate thermostat;
  • Possibility to cut footage of any length (not less than 1.5 m and not more than specified in the passport);
  • During installation, wires can be approached and crossed, which greatly simplifies installation;
  • Temperature regulation occurs independently at each point along the entire length. This completely eliminates overheating;
  • The surface temperature along the entire length is almost the same.

Compared to resistive ones, this product has a high cost.

  1. To increase savings when heating sewer system pipes with a self-regulating cable, you need to use an additional thermostat to control the external temperature.
  2. A reliable connection must be ensured sewer joints, to prevent the passage of moisture.
  3. It is strictly forbidden to install internal way cable products with ordinary insulation.
  4. The permissible temperature of the pipe material, as well as its insulation, must be higher than the temperature to which the cable will be heated.
  5. The angles of rotation of the heating cable must correspond to those specified in its passport.
  6. During installation, the air temperature at which the installation is carried out must be higher than permissible.
  7. When the self-regulating cable is first connected to the electrical network, its power consumption will exceed the rated power several times. After which, in a few minutes the indicator will return to normal.

At first glance, installing a self-regulating heating cable to protect sewer system pipes is very simple, but this requires knowledge of the relevant norms and regulations. By following them, you will be able to install an effective and reliable heating system.

In regions where the ambient temperature may be negative values, piping systems designed to work with liquid media(mainly water supply and sewerage systems) need additional funds thermal insulation or heating.

One of the protection options is to install the pipeline below the ground freezing level. Another option is insulation with thermal insulating materials. There is an alternative method - using a special heating cable, which is especially often used by residents of private houses.

Selecting a cable for the sewer system

The required heating power is directly related to the heat losses of the heated pipe

It is very important to produce correct selection power for a sewer system of the required diameter and conditions for its heat transfer

Important! Incorrect choice power can lead to:

  1. If the power is too high, it will lead to overheating, which will reduce the service life of the heating system. In worst cases, plastic drains can melt. (When using a self-regulating heating cable, overheating is completely eliminated).
  2. If the power is reduced, the system will not be able to withstand low temperatures, which will lead to freezing of the drains.
  3. To reduce the economic efficiency of heating.
  4. Increased likelihood of electric shock to a person or animal.
  5. Reduced service life of both the heating system and the sewerage system itself.

When you build a sewer system with your own hands, design its heating and thermal insulation, you can be guided by the table below. It displays the average heat loss depending on the pipe diameter, insulation layer and temperature difference.

Figure 6. Selection of specific heat losses of a pipe depending on the diameter and external conditions

We take the power per unit length equal to or slightly greater than the number that we find at the intersection of the desired thickness and temperature difference. Next, we multiply the length of the pipeline by this number and by a safety factor of 1.3, then divide by the power of the cable according to the passport - this will be the required length.

Features of assembly and installation of heating cable sections

Before proceeding with the installation of the heating cable, it is worth deciding on the choice of a specific product model, the use of which will be most appropriate in this case.

There are many types of cables available on the market. Their main characteristic - specific power - can vary in the range from 10 to 40 W/m.

  • 10 W/m. Suitable for heating water supply systems with a diameter of no more than 25 mm.
  • 16-17 W/m. Can be used in sewer pipelines with a diameter of no more than 50 mm.
  • 30-40 W/m. This power will be enough to heat a large sewer pipeline with a diameter of 110-160 mm.

The assembly procedure itself is very simple and does not require any special skills from the master. The only tools you will need are pliers for crimping connecting sleeves, pliers, construction hair dryer for heating the shrink film, side cutters or a knife for stripping insulation, sealant.

The action algorithm can be presented as follows:

  • The current-carrying conductors, shielding metal braiding and ground are stripped (not present in all cable models).
  • Sections of heat-shrinkable tubing of the appropriate length are sequentially put on individual cores, the cable under the braid and its outer sheath.
  • The adjacent ends of the current-carrying wires are connected in pairs using sleeves.
  • A small layer of sealant is applied to the joint, after which heat shrink is performed.
  • A similar procedure is performed with the ground and screen, if available.
  • At the end of the heating cable, further actions depend on the type of cable. In a resistive two-core cable, the current-carrying conductors are connected, followed by sealing and insulation of the coupling with a jumper. In a self-regulating cable, all the conductors at the far end are cut and separated at a certain distance to increase the resistance in the event of a leak in the coupling.
  • The free ends of the shrink film are flattened using pliers.

Outdoor installation

The heating cable is secured under the pipe using aluminum tape. To improve heat transfer, it should be pressed against the pipe as tightly as possible. Aluminum tape helps further limit heat loss by partially reflecting infrared radiation.

The cable is fixed with short pieces of adhesive tape at regular intervals (at least 30 cm), after which it is also fixed with tape along its entire length. For additional reliability of fixation, plastic clamps are often used.

It is possible to place the cable under a layer of insulation, which will not only provide additional thermal insulation, but also help to securely fix it. It is also worth considering that, first of all, horizontal sections of the sewer system need to be heated, through which wastewater moves much more slowly than along vertical ones.

Internal installation

Laying a heating cable inside sewer pipes is allowed with some restrictions.

The ring coupling must not come into contact with wastewater passing through pipes, since they are considered an aggressive environment that can destroy heat shrinkage in just a few seasons. At the same time, the cable’s own insulation is resistant to such influences and can remain inside the pipe for as long as desired.

Therefore, the ring coupling is usually taken outside the pipeline. To do this, use special holes in the tee or corner of the structure.

Another an indispensable condition– the cable should be easy to remove. Otherwise, during mechanical cleaning of pipes with wire or plumbing cable, the cable will almost certainly be damaged.

Of course, this method of heating sewers cannot be called cheap. However, if we take into account that the pipeline will be reliably protected from any temperature changes and will be able to serve properly for many years, using a heating cable will be much more profitable than replacing frozen sections of the system.

Types of heating cables

Resistive

Produced in single- and double-core versions. The basis of a product of this type is a conductive (heating) core, which, when an electric current passes, releases heat according to the Joule-Lenz law. The heating core is usually insulated with heat-resistant material (for example, fluoroplastic). Some types use double insulation. Next is a metal shielding braid in the form of a mesh of thin conductors or simply foil. This shell protects it from mechanical damage and also serves as a screen. The surface of the wire is covered with a heat-resistant sheath.

Figure 2. Design of resistive cables

This cable works as follows. If it is single-core, then the power supply must be carried out from both sides (as shown in the figure below left), and the wire must be distributed evenly in a loop along the entire length, which is extremely inconvenient. The problem of two-way power supply has been solved in two-wire products, although the principle of operation is similar, but installation and connection are more convenient (in the figure below on the right). In addition, for both types it is necessary to control the temperature of its surface using thermostats.

Figure 3. Methods for connecting single-core and two-core resistive cables

Zonal

It is a type of resistive, or rather a modified version of a two-wire one. The modification consists in the addition of short sections of heating spiral wires located at a certain pitch. Now, unlike its predecessor, it can be cut into pieces required length with a certain step.

Figure 4. Zone heating cable design

Self-regulating

It is a wire with two parallel copper conductors, between which there is a semiconductor. This structure is covered with protective, electrically insulating and shielding shells. Resistivity electric current semiconductor is directly proportional to its temperature. That is, the higher its heating temperature, the higher the resistance between the two wires and vice versa. As with previous products, heat is released according to the same law (Joule-Lenz), but not in the current-carrying conductors, but in the semiconductor separating them. Since its conductivity depends on temperature, the current value will also change, and, consequently, the power. In fact, this wire is its own heater and thermostat in any section along its entire length. Accordingly, the amount of heat in each area will be released differently, so that, regardless of external conditions, its surface temperature will be almost the same at each point.

Figure 5. The principle of self-regulation of the conductivity of the heating cable

Inductive

Such a heating cable consists of an insulated conductive core wound around a ferromagnetic core, which is a pipe. Alternating current creates a variable magnetic flux, which induces eddy currents in it, and they heat it.

Such heating is considered obsolete and is now used extremely rarely. This is due not only to low efficiency, but also to the fact that it can only be used for metal pipes.

Purposes of application

The use of a heating cable to heat piping systems may be justified in the following situations:

  • Great depth of soil freezing. If the ground freezes to more than 4-6 meters, installing a pipeline below this level can be a very labor-intensive undertaking.
  • Complex soil types. Rocks in the area where sewerage is planned to be laid.

Of course, it is worth talking about all these phenomena only in relation to regions in which periodic or constant presence is noted. negative temperatures air that can cause damage to the sewer system.

It is worth noting that the use of internal heating cable for sewerage systems is not without some disadvantages.

Yes, due to the presence additional element, the pipeline capacity decreases. Also, the risk of blockages increases and the tightness indicators deteriorate, since it is necessary to additionally install a tee. For extended sewer systems, this option may be unreasonably expensive.

But for private farmsteads where sewer systems of a fairly large cross-section and short length are used, internal cable fits perfectly.

For sewage systems based on polyvinyl chloride, concrete or asbestos cement pipes, internal heating of the pipeline may even be the only one available. These materials have very low thermal conductivity, so it is very difficult to effectively heat them from the outside.

Advantages of sewer heating

Heating sewer pipes with a heating cable from the inside has whole line advantages:

  • Wires that heat up from the inside make it possible to maintain the desired temperature level so that the liquid in the system does not freeze.
  • High safety of cables pulled from the inside and their regulators.
  • Such devices can be used not only from the inside, but also on the outside of the highway.
  • Simple and convenient use.
  • Possibility to save electricity due to automatic regulator.

The only drawback of devices installed from the inside is the dependence on the supply of electricity. For these reasons, additional sources have to be installed on important pipelines, which will come to the rescue if the main source is interrupted.

The main stages of laying a heating cable

In private homes and in production, heating installation is carried out at the stage of insulation of sewer pipes. It is necessary to securely seal the joints to avoid moisture seepage. The cable can be laid along outside pipeline (under thermal insulation) or inside it.

Internal installation

This method of heating the sewer system has many more disadvantages:

  • The risk of blockage increases;
  • The heating cable is constantly exposed aggressive environment drains (accordingly, you need to fork out money for a purchase with a more stable outer shell);
  • It is extremely difficult to use this method over long communications;
  • An additional tee is required.

However, the method of laying inside the pipe can sometimes be the only possible solution. Advantages:

  • You can heat pipes with low thermal conductivity or old systems with significant deposits on the walls;
  • It is convenient to partially heat the areas where the sewerage system passes through the foundation;
  • It is convenient to heat water pipes and drains without thermal insulation.

Main stages of installation:

  1. In order to insert the cable into the sewer, a special nipple coupling is installed.
  2. If there is no tee or hole for inspection, you can cut small area, and then mount an adapter of the required diameter.
  3. Insert the cable to the required depth.
  4. The sewer pipe must be sealed. You need to screw the nut with the nipple and check the tightness.
  5. Connect the cable to the power supply. To do this, it is necessary to provide in advance plug socket nearby or circuit breaker.

Figure 7. Main stages of installing a self-regulating heating cable inside a pipe

Outdoor installation

When installing a heating cable externally, there are two ways - laying it in a “wave” (“spiral”) or along the pipe. Regardless of the method, it is laid along the entire length. Higher stacking concentrations should correspond to areas with an increased risk of freezing. Next, it is taken to a warm place, and only then is the electrical connection made.

Spiral laying

This is the most versatile and probably the most effective method. Of course, this requires time and experience. But this method allows for heating the sewer with the ability to modify it in the future at low cost.

  1. For short lengths, the cable is laid in a spiral, wound around the pipe. (the estimated length is distributed throughout the entire pipeline).

Figure 8. Spiral laying method for short lengths

  1. For long distances. We divide the route into a number of sections that is a multiple of two (approximately).
  2. We pre-attach the cable product with a margin of length.
  3. We wrap the resulting loops around the pipe in the opposite direction, one from the other.
  4. We wind the coil in increments of 30-50 cm.

It is attached to the pipe with adhesive or aluminum tape in increments of 0.5-1 m or along the entire length of the cable. Aluminum tape is sealed to ensure complete sealing of the cable.

Figure 9. External method fastening the heating cable with a spiral

Laying along the pipe

This is a simpler installation method, but the heating efficiency is slightly worse. The principle of this installation can be seen in the figure below. With one (left) and two (right) heating elements. Fastening the cable product to the pipe after 0.5-1 m or along the entire length is similar to the previous method.

Figure 10. Installation along the pipeline with one and two heating cables

When laying a sewer pipe system in the ground, the same insulation and additional heating are required. In addition, it is recommended to use an external containment. It is recommended not to glue the self-regulating heating cable with a strip of foil, but to completely wrap it around the pipe, as shown in the figure below.

Figure 11. Installation of self-regulating cable with full winding

Types of pipes to be heated

It is necessary to install the heating of sewer pipes with your own hands if they pass along the surface, are located in unheated basements or at a shallow depth in the ground.

In constant winter heating need:

  • External sewerage (at the exit from the house) and laid above the freezing level of the soil. Pipelines leading to the receivers of treatment systems. Connecting pipes of multi-stage septic tanks. Flushing outlets of filters. Water pipes for wastewater treated by the septic tank, directed to the aeration field.

Fixing the heating cable on the pipe

If freezing occurs in the pipe at any of these stages, an ice plug will block the passage and the system will stop working. Then you will have to look for where the problem arose and master emergency heating of pipes with a cable yourself.

Heating cable reliability

The reliability of a self-regulating cable directly depends on the quality of the heating matrix (semiconductor material between the current-carrying cores). The lower the quality, the faster it ages - as a result, specific heat generation and self-regulation decrease. The service life of such a low-quality matrix is ​​3-4 years.

Trusted manufacturers who care about their reputation, such as Fujikura, Pentair, Devi, Hemstedt, use high-quality materials for production. This, of course, translates into a higher price, but its performance over its entire service life (15...20 years) is worth it.

Varieties

Industrial enterprises produce several types of heating cables:

  • Self-regulating. Able to independently adapt to current weather and control the heating intensity. As the ambient temperature rises, the cable resistance automatically decreases. This leads to a decrease in current and power. This option costs slightly more than its analogs, but more than pays for itself in terms of energy savings.
  • Resistive. The resistance and heating power of such a product do not change, which has a positive effect on its cost, but a negative effect on durability and efficiency. To increase efficiency, thermostats and sensors are additionally installed on the resistive cable.
  • Zonal. The principle of operation is similar to resistive, but it does not operate over its entire length, but only in predetermined areas. This cable is often used for insulating metal containers.

The principle of operation of a self-regulating cable is based on the properties of certain polymers that can contract and expand with temperature changes. Placed between conductive wires, the polymer expands under the influence of heat, moving away adjacent conductor particles and weakening their electrical contact. This leads to an increase in resistance, a drop in current strength and, accordingly, a decrease in heating of the corresponding section of the cable.

Resistive cable, in turn, can be classified according to its structure into two groups:

  • Single-core. The cable is a single metal conductor protected by a layer of insulation and shielding material. Current flows through this conductor, causing the metal to heat up. Single-core cables are laid in loops so that both ends can be brought to one point for connection to the network. Such a cable is not used for laying inside pipes, since it will be difficult to control its location there, and if cable sections are placed on top of each other, it can quickly burn out.
  • Twin-core. In this design, one of the cores (having a high resistance) is used only for heating, while the second is used as a current conductor. Such a cable does not need to be connected to one point - it is powered from one side, while at the other end a jumper is simply mounted between the cores.

How to carry out installation work

In order to arrange electric heating sewer system with your own hands, you will need the following tools and devices:

  • heating cable for water supply and sewerage pipes;
  • roulette;
  • forceps;
  • stationery knife;
  • marker;
  • scissors;
  • double-sided tape based on aluminum foil.

Installation of a heating cable for heating a sewer pipe 110

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The work is carried out in the following sequence:

  1. Wrapping the pipe with special tape.
  2. Marking. The lines for laying the wire are drawn, and the places where they are attached are marked.
  3. Place the heater on the line in accordance with the markings.
  4. Fixing the device with aluminum foil tapes.
  5. Wrapping the line with insulating material.

If a heating cable is laid in a sewer pipe, then preliminary installation of a tee is necessary. The clamping coupling is already fixed in it. When laying on straight sections, it is allowed to push the wire without additional accessories. Its cut should be well insulated.

If difficulties arise, use a cable or telescopic handle. With their help, the device is pulled into the pipe from the side where it is more convenient to do this. You can tie a tennis ball to the heater and wash it off with strong water pressure. When laying the cable, it must not be twisted or bent beyond the minimum radius specified by the manufacturer.

Heating inside the system

Heating cables inside sewer pipes have been used for quite some time. In terms of its structure, it is an electrical cable where resistance regulates the temperature within the network. It uses known property metal conductors, this is heating when electricity passes through them. At the same time, with increasing resistance, the heating level rises.

From the above, it becomes clear that the heating cable for sewer pipes must be equipped with good waterproofing, because it is constantly in water.

The cable that is laid inside is arranged like this:

  1. metal conductor for heating;
  2. conductors enclosed inside heat-resistant insulation;
  3. another layer of fluoroplastic insulation;
  4. copper screen;
  5. outer layer of insulation.

In addition, the device for pulling inside the drain structure contains a temperature regulator. It prevents overheating of the mechanism and saves energy.

Constant heating cables for a private home

When choosing a heating cable, it is necessary to calculate the heat loss of sewer pipes in winter period. After that thermal power The heater is selected so as to cover them with a margin of 20-60%.

Their installation is simple and you don’t even need to pull a separate branch from the electrical panel. It is enough to provide the heating cables with a plug for a household outlet - it’s the same as connecting a heating element in a water heater. Heating autonomous sewer pipes in a private house is relevant in our time.

Two types of constant power heating cables are used:

Resistive - can be single- or double-core.

It does not provide the ability to regulate heating during operation and requires constant monitoring. Zonal - like a resistive cable for heating sewer pipes, it works on the principle of constant resistance. But not along the entire length, but in cyclically repeating zones. Suitable for steel pipelines.