The use of a heating cable in sewer pipelines saves the system from freezing and deformation due to ice plugs. Climatic and geological conditions do not always allow to deepen the highways so that this problem does not arise. For the high-quality functioning of the sewage system, it is necessary to correctly select and mount the heating element.
Types of pipelines that require heating devices
- distribution of the main line with the laying of pipes for the drainage of wastewater to a septic device or a cesspool;
- sewer branches designed to drain wastewater from the purification filter;
- pipe sections that connect septic tanks with filter wells or drainage fields.
Heating can be installed on other types of pipes as insurance in case of extreme frosts unusual for climatic conditions. A special heating cable is used or pipe products are laid, already equipped with heating elements.
Principle of operation and advantages of a heating cable
Heating the sewer mains with a heating cable has a number of advantages:
- the ability to maintain the required temperature level, which prevents the liquid from freezing;
- high security;
- easy and convenient use;
- energy savings thanks to the automatic control system.
There is only one minus - the need to connect to the mains. On important highways, the installation of additional sources is required, which will help in case of a sudden outage of the central power supply.
Heating pipe sections in the ground is not the only area where heating wires are used. They are also used to equip drainage systems on the surface or in unheated rooms.
Types and technical characteristics of the cable
- Resistive element. Constantly heats up pipes regardless of outdoor weather: maintains the set temperature. Electricity consumption also does not change. The heating process must be monitored all the time, but such a cable is inexpensive. When installing a heater of this type, you will need to mount a set of temperature sensors and thermostats to change the operating mode of the heating element when the weather conditions change.
- Zone cable. The action is similar to the resistive one, but it has a significant difference - it works in places, and not along the entire length. It is used in separate sections and nodes of the highway.
- Self-heating option. Highly efficient and economical. Regulates the temperature depending on weather conditions. The operating principle of such a heater is based on a semiconductor matrix.
The convenience of using the self-regulating version is determined by the fact that when divided into segments, it does not lose quality characteristics. It is really possible to regulate the temperature regime on any section of the heating cable.When connecting the heating wire for the first time, a one-time consumption of electricity may be noted that exceeds the nominal one. However, in a couple of minutes, the heater evens out the energy consumption.
Criterias of choice
For an effective selection of a heating system, it is necessary to evaluate the type of cable and its power per linear meter. Correct calculation will avoid overpayments for electricity:
- For pipe sections with a cross section of 22 to 36 mm, a 16 W wire is chosen.
- If the water supply or sewer collector is assembled from pipes with a cross section of 50 to 110 mm, a 24 W heater is suitable.
- For pipe sections with a large cross-section, a wire with a power of 33 watts or more is required.
Heating pipelines using a cable element will be more effective than using standard thermal insulation materials.
Installation methods
The method of placing the heating element in the pipeline can be external or internal. It is easier to mount the cable for heating the sewer pipe from the outside. In this case, the electric cable envelops the pipeline or runs on top of it. If necessary, electricity is supplied to the device, and the cable begins to heat the pipe from the outside, while simultaneously increasing the temperature of the waste liquid. Installation of the heating element is carried out only along the pipeline, parallel to it, or in the form of a wavy line, a spiral.
When installing the heating element, overlap of wires must not be allowed: they can be short-circuited.
To lay the cable element inside the pipeline, you must first equip a tee for easier entry of the wire into the system. As a result of direct contact of the electric heater with the ice plug, it disappears almost instantly. This heating option has many imperfections:
- a significant decrease in the reliability of the sewage system, since additional fittings are used;
- frequent blockages due to the settling of solid impurities on foreign elements located inside the pipes;
- reducing the cross-section of the sewer main, and, as a result, reducing the functionality of the entire system.
Having analyzed the advantages and disadvantages of this method of installing electric heating, the home owner must make a choice between the efficient operation of the sewer system and the high-quality removal of ice plugs. It is easier to lay a self-regulating type of heating cable inside the sewer pipe, but this is advisable only if it is impossible to perform external work.
Cable installation rules
Fastening of the electric cable is performed using heat-resistant tape or synthetic bandage with a step of 20 cm along the entire length of the sewer line. If the heating wires are equipped with mineral insulating layer, they should be secured with tension tape or steel cable ties.
When choosing a suitable mount, consider the following nuances:
- The main means for securing the wire by means of tape is its self-adhesive backing.
- In the case of using bandages for electric wires, it is necessary to know their resistance to the influence of chemicals and high temperatures.
- When using a wire in insulation made of polymeric materials, the use of metal fasteners is unacceptable.
When using adhesive tape with an aluminum base over the heating wires, the heat output of the heater increases, which can adversely affect its operation.
Self-assembly of the heating wire is quite real. But if the sewage system is equipped with a large number of branches and tees, this will greatly complicate the installation process.
