DR HEATER DR-9RC Self Regulating Heating Cable Owner’s Manual

DR HEATER DR-9RC Self Regulating Heating Cable

Plug-In Self-Regulating Heating Cables

Product Introduction
These heating cables provide pipes, roof and gutter systems protection from damage due to freezing, and can be used in residential and commercial applications. The cables automatically adjust heat output according to the ambient temperature conditions. Under cooler conditions the heat output increases, and as the temperature rises the output decreases to save on energy. The cables operate on 120V / 240V and are available in various pre- assembled lengths.

Features

• Pre-assembled cable lengths include a 6ft power cord and plug
• Suitable for plastic or metal pipes, gutters and downspouts
• Ease of installation, as the cable can be overlapped without the risk of becoming overheated or burnt.

General Safety Information
Read and understand all instructions in this manual and the following installation instructions and Safety Warnings. Electrical cables, if not installed correctly or are damaged, can present a fire, shock and arcing hazard.

1. Installation must comply with National Electrical Codes (NEC).
2. Use 30 mA ground fault protection on each heating cable branch circuit for maximum protection.
3. Use only fire-resistant insulation, such as fiberglass or preformed foam. Do not embed heating cable in the insulation.
4. Use 1/2” to 1” fiberglass tape or plastic cable ties when attaching cable to pipe. Do not use wire or metal clamps.
5. Before installing or servicing, ensure that all power to circuits is OFF.
6. Do not twist cable during installation.
7. Do not install heating cable under roofing material.
8. Do not expose cable to temperatures above 150°F, as this will damage the cable.
9. Do not use extension cords.
10. Save all instructions for future reference.

Do not use damaged heating cables, power cord or plug. Remove and replace immediately to prevent a fire, shock, or arcing hazard.

Specifications

CHOOSING A CABLE

Make sure to choose a cable longer than the pipe ensure coverage.

NOTE: For each valve or spigot on pipe an additional foot of cable is needed. When the cable is longer than the pipe, spiral the excess cable around the pipe length evenly.

ATTACHING CABLE TO PIPE

1. Prior to installing the cable, be sure all piping is dry, and any sharp surfaces are removed.
2. Attach heating cable to pipe with straight, spiraling or multiple tracing.
3. If the heating cable is the same length as the pipe, run it straight along the bottom of the pipe. If two cables are required, position them in the 4 and 8 o’clock positions. If three cables are required, position them in the 11 o’clock k or 1 o’clock positions and 4 o’clock  and 8 o’clock positions.
4. If the cable is less than double the pipe length, spiral the cable over the length of pipe.
5. Any excess cable remaining at the end of the pipe can be doubled back along the pipe.
6. Be sure to include any additional heating cable required for valves, spigots, etc.
7. Secure the cable to the pipe with DR-003 fiberglass application tape or nylon cable ties. Do not use vinyl tape, metallic products or wire.

INSTALLING THERMAL INSULATION

1. Before insulating, inspect the cable to ensure that it is free of mechanical damage, such as gouges or cuts, etc.
2. Cover the pipe, cables, connections, valves with at least 1/2” (12.7 mm) thick fiberglass insulation or equivalent. DO NOT leave the cables exposed.
3. Use fire-resistant materials such as fiberglass wrap. Make sure the insulation is waterproofed (with polyethylene or other vapor barriers) in areas where water may come in contact with the insulation.
4. Place the two warning labels on the outer surface of the pipe insulation where visible and at suitable locations to indicate the presence of electric heating cable.
5. After installation is complete, turn the circuit breaker on to give power to the cable. Standing water in the pipe should feel warm within one hour.

MAINTENANCE CHECKS

1. Only qualified persons should service or install the system.
2. Check yearly for any damage to the heating cable and check any ground fault protection device for proper operation. If any damage to cable is found, DO NOT operate until it is replaced.

Package Content

• Self-Regulating Heating Cable (DR-9RCxxxx)
• Warning label x 2
• Fiberglass tape (DR-003) *sold separately

Estimate the Cable Length You Need

An accurate estimate of the cable length you need is important because you cannot change the cable length by cutting, splicing or altering it in any way. Doing so may result in fire, electrocution, or ice dam formation. Cable should be installed on roof areas where ice dams form. This can be the entire roof edge or specific areas such as beneath skylights, in valleys or around dormers. Cable should also be installed in any nearby gutters, downspouts and/or valleys.

• If you need to apply the cable on a roof with gutter, downspouts, valleys, and/or dormers, follow “A. For Typical Roof Applications” below.
• If you only need to install the cable in the gutters only, follow “B.
• If you need to install the cable on a roof with special roof areas such as a roof with skylights, follow “C. For Roofs with Special Roof Area Applications”

For a Typical Roof Application

• Step 1. For each area listed in Table B-1, measure the required dimensions (see Figures 4 and 5 and calculate the length of cable needed. Add each “area” calculation to determine the total cable length needed.
• Step 2. Use the estimated cable length calculated above to select the proper de-icing cable from Table 3. In general, choose the longer cable if the length you need is between the sizes offered. If the difference is small (less than 5 feet or so), the shorter cable can be used. You cannot change the cable length by cutting, splicing or altering it in any way.
  If ice dams are occurring on roof areas that are a significant distance apart, you may want to use a separate cable for each location, rather than choosing one large cable. Also, if roof areas are large, separate cables for the roof area and gutter should be used.

For Problem in The Gutter Only
If ice dams are occurring in gutters only, measure the required dimensions (see Figure 5) and calculate the length of the cable needed for each area listed in Table 4. Add each “area” calculation to determine the total cable length needed.

For Roofs with Special Roof Area Applications

• STEP 1. For each area listed in Table 5, measure the required dimensions (see Figure 4 and Figure 6) and calculate the length of cable needed. Add each “area” calculation to determine the total cable length needed.
• 
• STEP 2. Use the estimated cable length calculated above to select the proper de-icing cable from Table 3. In general, choose the longer cable if the length you need is between the sizes offered. If the difference is small (less than 5 feet or so), the shorter cable can be used. You cannot change the cable length by cutting, splicing or altering it in any way. If ice dams are occurring on roof areas that area significant distance apart, you may want to use a separate cable for each location, rather than choosing one large cable. Also, if roof areas are large, separate cables for the roof area and gutter should be used.

EXAMPLE #1 – EXAMPLE OF TYPICAL ESTIMATION
Consider a roof section (See Figure 4) that you want to treat that has:

• 32 feet of roof
• an overhang of 12 inches with a gutter
• 1 dormer (30 feet around)
• 1 valley
• 2 downspouts (each 10 feet long)

From Table 2, the multiplier for a roof with a gutter and an overhang of 12 inches is 4. Using Table 1, the cable length needed = (32 x 4) + (1 x 30) + (1 x 6) + (2 x 10 x 2) = 204 Using Table 3, you would select the DR-9RC2200 (200 feet of cable). You would select the smaller cable because the difference between the cable length and your calculation is less than 5 feet.

EXAMPLE #2 – EXAMPLE OF SPECIAL ROOF AREA ESTIMATION
This example shows how to estimate the cable length needed for a limited problem roof area – a skylight (see Figure 6). For this roof, you would like to treat only the problem area underneath the skylight.

• 1 downspout (l0 feet long)
• 1 skylight (the distance from the bottom of the skylight to the roof edge is 12.5 feet, and the width of the ice dams that form beneath the skylight is about 6 feet)
• 1 gutter

From Table 6, the special roof area multiplier for a roof with a gutter is 2.6.
Using Table 5, the cable length needed = (1 x 10 x 2) + (12.5 x 6 x 2.6) = 215
From Table 3, you would select the DR-9RC2250 (240 feet of cable) to ensure complete coverage.
Note: If you are only treating one special roof area and the problem area is a significant distance from the downspout, you may wish to add extra cable to your estimation to account for the cable in the gutter.

Installing the Cable

Planning the Cable Arrangement
Before laying out and attaching the cable to your roof, it is important to plan how the cable will be arranged. To prevent ice dams, the cable pattern must be arranged so that it routes meltwater to flow from “warm areas” of the roof through the “cold areas” and down to the ground. A “warm area” of your roof is one where snow and ice on the roof thaws because of heat loss through inadequate roof venting and/or insufficient ceiling insulation. “Cold areas” of your roof are areas where ice typically builds up, such as the roof surfaces above over-hangs and in gutters.

TIP: If you will be working directly on the roof during the installation, you may want to mark the cable pattern with chalk before attaching the cable. If working from a ladder, you will probably want to lay out the pattern as you attach the cable with the clips. Making a drawing of your roof and your planned pattern on paper may be helpful.

Pattern for the Roofline: Cable laid along the roofline is arranged in a triangular pattern (see Figure 4). The cable must extend above the overhang into the warm section of the roof. To determine the height of the triangles, measure the depth of the overhang. The triangle heights are measured by the number of shingle rows from the roof edge (based on the standard 5 1/2 inches tab shingles). Using Table 7, determine the height of each triangle. Using this method, the triangles will extend at least one shingle row (5 1/2 inches) into the warm roof area.

Gutter and Downspouts Only Routing Pattern: If your icing problems are only in the gutter, cable would be routed only in the gutter and downspouts using the recommended “double run” of cable, as shown in Figure 9. This figure shows an alternate “single end of run”.

1. Determine the best route for the heating cable on roofs and gutters.
2. Route the heating cable to avoid mechanical damage from ladders, etc.
3. Before installing the heating cable, make sure the roof, gutter and downspouts are free from debris, leaves, pine needles or any combustibles.
4. Check the maximum exposure temperature rating of all roof, gutter and downspouts, and select a heater that will not exceed their temperature ratings.

1. Use hanger bracket to support the heating cable where it enters a downspout to prevent cable from being damaged by gutter edge. It also can be used as spacers in wider gutters.
2. Run heating cable over top of hanger and secure to hanger using UV resistant cable ties.
3. Use roof clips for attaching the heating cable to the roof.
4. For roof valleys, measure the distance two thirds of the way up and double it. Add this additional length to the overall cable length.
5. Field assembled end terminations should not be located in an area where moisture is present or, at the lowest point of downspouts.
6. Attach the two warning labels (included with the heating cable). The labels must be clearly visible on the premises.

MAINTENANCE CHECKS

1. Only qualified persons should service or install the system.
2. Check yearly for any damage to the heating cable and check any ground fault protection device for proper operation. If any damage to cable is found, DO NOT operate until it is replaced.

Limited Warranty

This heating cable comes with a TWO-YEARS LIMITED COMPONENT WARRANTY. If your unit does not appear to be working properly, please contact our service center by calling 1-800-317-1688. Prior to your call, we encourage you to visit our service-related website www.DrHeaterUSA.com for troubleshooting tips and service instructions if needed.

Warranty Information
Register your product at our website:

Or visit DrHeaterUSA.com/register-your-heater

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At Dr. Heater USA, we are committed to bringing top-quality alternative & supplemental heating products to our customers.

Dr. Infrared Heater
860 Mahler Rd， Burlingame
CA 94010
Tel: 1-800-317-1688
EMAIL: SERVICE@DRHEATERUSA.COM

References

• Dr. Infrared Heater Space Heaters Commercial Industrial Home Office Heaters
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