Heating cables have many uses, and it can sometimes be hard to choose the right one because their application can vary widely. What are the different types of cables? Their advantages and disadvantages? How can you choose the right cable? Read on to delve into the world of the heating cables on the market.
What Are the Different Types of Heating Cables?
Heating cables can be broken down into three main categories: constant wattage heating cables, self-regulating heating cables and floor heating cables.
While each type has its own application, heating cables are generally very practical for protecting pipes from freezing, allowing water to be drained from roofs or for heating buildings.
Constant Wattage Heating Cables
What Are Their Advantages and How Are They Used?
Often available as pre-assembled 120V cables, these heating cables are mainly used for pipe tracing to protect against freezing and for de-icing roofs and gutters.
Their main advantage? They offer an affordable option for simple applications.
What Are Their Disadvantages ?
Constant wattage heating cables heat in a consistent manner, regardless of the outside temperature. Because of this, some precautions must be taken. This type of heating cable should only be used when the outside temperature is between -9 °C to 2 °C. Good to know: the cable can be controlled by an interrupter or a thermostat.
What Are the Most Popular Constant Wattage Heating Cables on the Market?
The best known and most popular constant wattage heating cables on the market include the pre-assembled 120V constant wattage heating cable.
Self-Regulating Heating Cables
What Are Their Advantages and How Are They Used?
Self-regulating heating cables are quite versatile products. They self-regulate for their whole length and are therefore adjustable. They also function without a temperature limiter or thermostat.
Self-regulating heating cables are available in several voltages and are sold either as pre-assembled cables or in custom lengths. What’s more, several protective shields are available based on the cable’s use. This type of heating cable comes with a wide range of accessories such as controllers, junction boxes and connectors, and installation accessories.
Their main uses include the following:
Pipe tracing for protection against freezing
De-icing roofs and gutters
They can also be used in industrial environments, the food industry as well as in environments that require more specialized applications.
What Are Their Disadvantages?
Although they are flexible, self-regulating heating cables have a high electric intensity when turned on. It is therefore important to carefully select the electric intensity of the protective device based on the starting temperature, cable length and voltage, while making sure to respect national and local electrical code requirements that are in place.
What Are the Most Popular Self-Regulating Heating Cables on the Market?
The most popular self-regulating heating cables on the market include the following:
Floor Heating Cables
Floor heating cables are electrical cables with a constant wattage, which is predetermined according to the cable’s length. Floor heating cables heat material rather than the air thanks to thermal radiation. This type of cable generates a uniform heat. They are an affordable and efficient choice and come in three sub-categories, each with its own characteristics:
- Surface heating cables
-
Concrete heating cables
-
Snow-melting cables.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Surface Heating Cables
Three types of surface heating cables exist: There are three types of surface heating cables: heating cable with cable strap, heating cable with membrane, and radiant floor heating. A must-do so your cables work well: cover them with self-levelling cement before installing your floor covering.
Installed between the subfloor and the floor covering, surface heating cables have the main advantage of being compatible with any type of subfloor. They can also be used in renovation projects.
Their main disadvantage? Several steps are required for installation. Surface heating cables are also more expensive than concrete cables.
What Are the Most Popular Surface Heating Cables on the Market?
Some of the most popular surface heating cables on the market are as follows:
Advantages and Disadvantages of Concrete Heating Cables
Concrete heating cables are robust. This robust quality can be explained by their type of use: they are designed to be installed in concrete screeds, which then act as a thermal mass. Mainly installed in mesh, concrete heating cables have the advantage of being quick and easy to install, with only a few installation steps. They are also an economical choice, making them an affordable solution for heating buildings.
Their main disadvantage? They must be installed at the beginning of the project and can only be used with concrete screeds.
What Are the Most Popular Concrete Heating Cables on the Market?
Some of the most popular concrete heating cables on the market are as follows:
Advantages and Disadvantages of Snow-Melting Cables
Similar to concrete heating cables, snow-melting cables are very robust. Designed for outdoor use, like for melting snow and ice, they offer an environmentally friendly alternative to snow removal by reducing the use of salt or sand.
Snow-melting cables are mainly available in mesh for quick installation and can be installed in several types of ground (concrete, asphalt, pavement). These heating cables are a great option for those who no longer wish to manually remove snow from their access route–driveway, front walk, and so on.
Their main disadvantage? They consume a lot of energy and must be used with a temperature and humidity control system to work effectively.
What Are the Most Popular Snow-Melting Heating Cables on the Market?
Some of the most popular snow-melting heating cables on the market include the snow melting heating cable 4500w.
Did this guide help you choose the best heating cable for your next project? Guillevin has a wide selection of heating cables available.