Self-regulating cable for heating, device, principle of operation, types and classifications, how to choose – ElektrikExpert.ru

Self-regulating cable is a product that automatically changes the energy consumption and heat transfer depending on the temperature of the environment or object.

The ability to respond to temperature expands the scope and makes such products more effective for many applications.

Self-regulating cables are used for heating cornices, roofs, water pipes and other areas.

Below we will consider what are their features, pros and cons, we will analyze the principle of operation, classification and scope. We also highlight the best representatives and briefly consider their characteristics.

What is a self-regulating cable?

In many areas, it is necessary to use cable products that react to the ambient temperature without the participation of additional sensors and regulators. Such a device is a self-regulating cable.

It independently changes the heating activity in different zones, taking into account current needs. The colder it is at the place of laying, the more the conductor heats up.

In simple terms, this is a design with two copper conductors that conduct electricity, with a heating matrix located between them.

The latter throughout the entire length is in the zone of action of the electrical circuit between the supply wires. The task of such a matrix is ​​to heat and regulate, and a screen is provided on the surface that protects the wire from the influence of an electromagnetic field.

On top is another layer that guarantees resistance to mechanical damage.

Classification and types of self-regulating cables

When choosing a self-regulating heating cable, it is important to consider the type, on which the characteristics directly depend. Conventionally, there are several types of such products.

Self-regulating cable without screen

The peculiarity lies in the absence of an additional outer shell that protects against the influence of an electromagnetic field.

Due to this feature, the product loses its price and is more accessible to the buyer. Resistance to mechanical and natural influences is maintained, but protection against electric shock is lower.

Due to the lack of a shielding braid, laying in open areas and places where there is an aggressive impact is prohibited.

Models without a screen fit in places where there is no UV rays and the risk of mechanical influence. The conductor may be damaged if it is knocked, walked on, beaten, etc. They are sold cut off or come as a set.

Shielded self-regulating cable

A special feature is the presence of a special screen that protects against EM radiation, which increases resistance to external influences. This is a more versatile option, represented by several types, depending on the scope.

Sold as a set, cut-off or resistive. At the time of sale, they may be classified as products for laying inside or on top of pipes and sewers, for roofing, drains, etc.

General Purpose Self-Regulating Cable

A separate category includes products that have a general purpose and are not suitable for special tasks. There is no normal protection from UV rays or external influences.

For this reason, the products are used, as a rule, for heating various types of pipes and drains. It is forbidden to lay on roofs or gutters, where there are negative factors that can reduce the service life.

Additional classification

When choosing self-regulating cables, it is necessary to take into account their additional features.

They may have the following characteristics:

• explosion protection;
• for low voltage sources.

All products can be cut off or come in ready-made kits.

Scope

One of the main features of a self-regulating cable is its wide range of applications. It is suitable for heating eaves, plumbing, roofing and gutters, floors and other areas where water must not be allowed to freeze.

Depending on the features, the following areas of application are distinguished:

1. Private sector. It is used in water supply and sewerage facilities to prevent water from turning into ice and damage to pipes.
2. Commercial structures. Use in urban networks or in other organizations for heating pipes, arranging fire extinguishing systems.
3. Industry. This category includes special heating cables capable of operating in more severe conditions.

To determine the scope of the cable, it is enough to look at the matrix material, the presence of a screen, the quality of the insulating material and the service life.

Most often, self-regulating cables are used to solve the following tasks:

• heating of gutters and roofs;
• arrangement of snow melting and anti-icing systems;
• pipe heating;
• protection of tracks from freezing;
• outdoor use;
• floor heating inside the room;
• laying under the screed and under the tile.

As a rule, self-regulating cables are used to protect the roof from ice and pipes from freezing.

Many manufacturers sell products in kits, which are a ready-made heating system with the ability to connect without preliminary steps to measure or select additional equipment.

When determining the scope of application, the features of the product are also taken into account – the presence of a shielding braid.

So, a self-regulating cable with a screen is used in places with an aggressive impact, for arranging gutters, roofs and gutters. The presence of special additives allows you to resist the negative effects of UV radiation and other influences.

Manufacturers

The high demand for such products has led to the emergence of many companies involved in the manufacture and sale of self-regulating cables.

Such products are manufactured in the USA, South Korea, Japan and a number of other countries.

Major manufacturers:

1. South Korean company E&S Tec.Co.Ltd. They produce products for installation inside and outside the pipe, for sewerage systems, gearboxes, gas pipelines, roofs, etc. Its self-regulating products are of high quality and have a service life of about 15 years. The products of this company are suitable for private and industrial heating.
2. Heating Lux PSK is a Russian company engaged in the production of various types of heating cables. Finished products are distinguished by a long service life, well-thought-out design, and high quality of the materials used.
3. Lavita is a large South Korean company with many branches in Russia and other countries. One of the activities is the production of self-regulating cable products. Finished products are fully certified, have a long service life and minimal power consumption. They are used for heating tanks and pipelines, as well as protection against ice formation.
4. Raychem is a Belgian manufacturer producing high quality self-regulating cables with a service life of at least 40 years. Differ in profitability, absence of risk of an overheat, ease of fastening and wide scope of application.
5. Shtein is a well-known German manufacturer of products for pipe freezing protection. Heating cables are sold in coils and have a warranty period of 5 years or more. Depending on the design, they are used for outdoor or indoor laying. They have a shielding layer and additional protection on the surface. They are used in industry, construction and everyday life.

Other manufacturers of self-regulating cables have gained no less popularity. The category of demanded includes the following companies – Aura, Devi, Rexant, Belamos, Extherm, Teplolux, Fine Korea, Heatline and others.

Design features

Functional features and a wide scope of application are due to the well-thought-out design of heating cable products.

The self-regulating cable consists of the following elements:

1. A couple lived from copper. They go along the entire length and play the role of a current conductor.
2. heating matrix. This is the main element of the product, providing a change in the level of heating depending on the ambient temperature. The element is located in parallel between the wires, providing regulation and change in temperature.
3. insulating layer. To increase the level of thermal protection, several layers of insulation are used.
4. Shielding braid. It is made of metal and provides protection against EM and mechanical influences. Grounding is connected to this element of the cable product, which provides additional protection against electric shock.
5. Outer shell. Mandatory coating that protects the self-regulating cable from various kinds of damage.

Thanks to this design, the self-regulating cable is resistant to various damages and is able to serve for many years without the need for maintenance.

But we note that the composition of the heating conductor may vary depending on the purpose (with or without a shielding braid). The characteristics of the protective sheaths and the diameter of the conductive cores also differ.

Operating principle

After studying the design features, a question arises on the principle of operation of self-regulating heating cables. It works on the principle of a conductor in an electrical network.

Heating leads to an increase in resistance, and the higher this parameter, the lower the current. As a result, the spent power is reduced, and the cost of paying for electricity is reduced.

If a section of cable runs over a cold section, the resistance decreases and a higher current flows through the embedded matrix. This leads to heat generation and frost protection.

As the temperature rises, the current flowing through the said node also increases. In other words, when a self-regulating conductor is turned on in the cold, it operates at maximum power, but as the nearby area heats up, this parameter gradually decreases.

The heating cable operates continuously and does not turn off when the temperature drops. All that changes is the level of heating of the product.

On average, the power parameter of such a product is 10-20 W per 1 meter of length. But there are products that consume up to 150 watts. This is a low parameter that you can afford in the winter to avoid even more spending.

It is worth remembering the limited resource, so when heat sets in, the self-regulating conductor can be turned off.

Shutdown can be done manually or using automation (relays, thermostats). Such devices control the change in temperature and apply voltage when the temperature drops.

But the installation of such equipment is not necessary, because the cable itself controls the level of heating and, when the temperature rises, it switches to the minimum energy consumption mode.

What is the difference from resistive cable

The main feature of a self-regulating heating product is the ability to change the temperature depending on the environment. Resistive models do not know how to do this and work in the same mode.

Against this background, a number of features of heating self-regulating cables can be distinguished, allowing you to make a choice in their favor:

1. Profitability. Unlike resistive “brothers”, self-regulating cables change power depending on temperature conditions. At the same time, you can save money on the purchase of thermostats, sensors and other control elements. It is enough just to connect the product to the network so that it completes the task. Despite the higher cost, in the end, self-regulating cable pays for itself faster.
2. Application safety. Using a resistive cable carries the risk of overheating some areas that do not need elevated temperatures. As a result, the entire system may fail. The self-regulating cable is more flexible, as its temperature changes in different areas depending on the environmental conditions. In an area with a higher temperature, the level of heating decreases, which helps protect the area from possible overheating.
3. Reliable protection. A prolonged increase in voltage can lead to failure of the resistive cable. Self-regulating products are not afraid of such risks.

Other differences from the resistive version also stand out – improved strength characteristics, the possibility of overlapping wires in different areas and ease of length adjustment.

By comparison, resistive cables are typically sold in fixed lengths with no option to shorten. This parameter is limited to 150 m, which must be taken into account during the installation process.

Criterias of choice

There are a number of criteria to consider when purchasing a self-regulating heating cable.

Let’s highlight the main ones:

1. Price. Depending on the manufacturer and design features, the price of such products also varies in a wide range – from six dollars per meter and above.
2. Manufacturer. It was noted above that companies from many countries are engaged in the manufacture of such products – Russia, Denmark, South Korea, China, Germany and others. The range of products is high enough to make a choice.
3. View. On sale you can find cable products in the kit and with the possibility of cutting. Shielded and non-shielded versions are also available.
4. Installation. When choosing, the place for installation is taken into account – outside or inside the pipe. There are also universal models that can be installed anywhere (without special requirements).
5. Scope of application. As a rule, self-regulating conductors are used for heating pipes, open areas, screed or tile areas. But this is where its scope is limited.
6. Power. The parameter varies over a wide range depending on the application. The power range is between 15 and 13 watts.
7. Voltage. Basically, self-regulating products are available for sale, designed for a voltage of 220 V. In rare cases, cables for 380 V are available.
8. Length. Unlike resistive versions, self-adjusting models can be cut off. In this case, the length can be from one meter or more.
9. Heat transfer control. In some models, the level of heat transfer is adjustable. Its presence leads to a general rise in price, which must be taken into account when buying.
10. Plug included. Several options are possible here – euro, Schuko or no plug.

Given the above criteria, you can quickly select a self-regulating cable for the given parameters, requirements and scope. At the same time, remember that the price varies widely depending on the characteristics, type, manufacturer and other factors.

Advantages and disadvantages

A self-regulating cable is not an ideal product, because it has not only advantages, but also weaknesses.

Advantages:

1. Reliability and simplicity of design.
2. Uniformity and uniformity of heating along the entire length with the possibility of changing the temperature regime in cold / warm areas.
3. Resistance to sudden changes in voltage, no fear of sudden jumps in this parameter.
4. Saving electricity. Even when operating at maximum power, the cost of paying for electricity will be relatively small.
5. Safety. The presence of several protective layers reliably protects against electric shock damage. In addition, such products are not afraid of overlap and are reliably protected from overheating.
6. No need for additional maintenance and costs.
7. There are no length restrictions, which allows you to choose a solution for specific situations.

Self-regulating heating conductors also have a number of disadvantages:

1. Higher price per meter of product.
2. The cable is launched in large volumes and often without factory couplings and glands for connection. There are also no connecting tubes that you need to connect yourself.

The main disadvantage for many buyers is the cost, but for long-term operation, a self-regulating conductor is more economical than competitors. This is achieved due to the ability to change power depending on operating conditions.

Popular models that the market offers: overview of options

There is a wide range of self-regulating heating cables available on the market from different manufacturers. They differ in design features, cost and other parameters. Let’s highlight a few popular options.

Thermon BSX cable

This is a standard budget cable, consisting of copper bars with a diameter of 1,3 square meters. mm, semi-conductive matrix, radiant heating insulation, special copper braid and polyolefin sheath.

An anti-corrosion fluoropolymer shell is also provided on the surface.

There are four types of cable on sale, which differ in power density.

At the disposal of buyers are conductors for 9, 15, 25 and 32 W / m. Each of the four ratings has two insulation options – fluoropolymer or polyolefin.

The first option costs a higher price, but it has greater resistance to corrosion and negative chemical influences.

Elektra SelfTec DW

It is a self-regulating heating conductor designed for mounting inside a pipe. It is distinguished by a reliable outer layer of food-grade polyethylene insulation, which allows the cable to be used in pipes where drinking water passes.

Its use eliminates the appearance of ice plugs inside. Structurally, it consists of a multi-wire tinned copper core (two), a conductive matrix, polyolefin insulation and an aluminum screen.

On top there are two layers of the shell – lower and upper. Depending on the purpose, you can choose a product with different power levels from 10 to 33 W/m.

High temperature TSU (up to 250 degrees Celsius) by Tsheat

It is used to protect against the appearance of ice in communications with liquid working media.

Represents copper veins which are in several layers of a braid. The main scope of application is heating systems, sewerage, drains, etc.

The advantages are ease and high speed of installation, resistance to burnout and overheating, resistance to water and UV rays.

There is a possibility of dividing into sections of different lengths. Stable support of working parameters is guaranteed. Simplicity and ease of installation deserve special attention. In terms of specific power, the cable is available in several versions – from 15 to 90 W / m.

HeatTracer PGC from Fujikura

This is a self-regulating conductor from a well-known manufacturer, which is a two-core cable based on a semiconductor type matrix.

In the manufacture of the inner and outer braid, a modified polyolefin is used, between which there is a copper screen.

Additionally, polyurethane is pressed onto the matrix, which guarantees protection against mechanical damage.

The PGC cable is available in two power options – 16 and 25 W/m. Scope of application – industrial facilities and construction, where protection against freezing of certain areas or accumulation of condensate is necessary. The model is of high quality, can be cut into any sections, is not afraid of locking or crossing.

It is often used in everyday life to protect roofs from the appearance of ice, in the arrangement of tanks, pipelines and stairs.

Temperature maintenance in technological processes is only possible in areas without risk of explosion.

Kit KNL16-2

This is a ready-made kit for a pipe, having a power of 32 W / m and a size of 11 * 5 mm. The warranty is 10 years. Inside there are two conductive wires per 1.3 square meters. mm. Shielded insulation is not provided here.

The maximum maintain/intermittent exposure temperature is 65 and 85 degrees Celsius, respectively. The length of the cold end is two meters and the bending radius is 25 mm.

The device is powered by AC 220 V. Installation can be carried out at temperatures from 25 degrees below zero.

It is used in everyday life, is not intended for aggressive environments, can be mounted on a pipe with a length of 16 to 32 m. The warranty period is 10 years, and the total service life is not less than 25 years. Produced by Fine Korea.

REXANT 15MSR-PB 2м 30Вт 51-0616

Heating self-regulating cable designed for heating pipes. Designed for installation both inside the protected objects and outside the premises. Can be mounted on the surface of a plastic or metal pipe to protect against ice formation.

The wire is fastened with aluminum tape or tape resistant to high temperatures.

The cable diameter is 8.44*5,84mm. There is a heat dissipation function. Rated voltage is 220 V. Power 30 watts. The length is two meters. The product is equipped with a euro plug, which is included in the kit.

Operating temperature 65 degrees Celsius. The minimum bending radius during installation is 40 mm. The total weight is 90 grams. It can be used for heating pipes, arranging cable underfloor heating, for a booth or under a screed.

The kit comes with instructions and the self-regulating conductor itself. The country of production is China.

Installation and connection

Installation steps are shown in the video.

Connection.

Clutch installation.

Results

Self-regulating cable is the best solution when frost and ice protection is needed. The product has a wide range of applications, easy to install and reliable in operation. Despite the high price, the ability to change power based on temperature conditions guarantees savings in the long run.