DEVI VIFTH402 Outdoor Heating Mats and Cables Installation Guide
- June 8, 2024
- DEVI
Table of Contents
DEVI VIFTH402 Outdoor Heating Mats and Cables
Introduction
In this installation manual, the word “element” refers to both heating cables and heating mats.
- If the words “heating cable” or “heating mat” are used, the instruction in question applies only to this type of element.
- The intended uses of the heating elements covered by this installation manual are shown in the following.
- For other applications please contact your local sales office.
Safety Instructions
Never cut or shorten the heating element
- Cutting the heating element will void the warranty.
- Cold leads can be shortened to suit requirements.
- Elements must always be installed according to local building regulations and wiring rules as well as the guidelines in this installation manual.
- Any other installation may hamper element functionality or constitute a safety risk, and will void the warranty. Elements must always be connected by an au- thorised electrician using a fixed connection.
- De-energize all power circuits before installation and service.
- Each heating element screen must be earthed in accordance with local electricity regulations and connected to a residual current device (RCD).
- RCD trip rating is max. 30 mA.
- Heating elements must be connected via a switch providing all pole disconnection.
- The element must be equipped with a correctly sized fuse or circuit breaker according to local regulations.
The presence of a heating element must
- be made evident by affixing caution signs or markings at the power connection fittings and/or frequently along the circuit line where clearly visible
- be stated in any electrical documentation following the installation. Never exceed the maximum heat density (W/m suqare or W/m) for the actual application.
Installation guidelines
Store in a dry, warm place at temperatures between +5 °C to +30 °C.
System overview
Standards | DEVIsafe™ | DEVIsnow™ (DTCE) | DEVIasphalt™ (DTIK) | DEVIsport™ (DSM3) |
---|---|---|---|---|
60800:2009 (cable) | M2 | M2 | M2 | M2 |
M2
For use in applications with high risk of mechanical damage.
Product selection:| DEVIsafe™| DEVIsnow™ (DTCE)| DEVIasphalt™ (DTIK)|
DEVIsport™ (DSM3)
---|---|---|---|---
Frost protection of roof and gutter systems| +| +| –| –
Snow and ice melting on ground areas| (+)| +| +| +
Field / seed bed heating| –| +| –| +
Calculating C-C distance for heating cables
The C-C distance is the distance in centimetres from the centre of one cable to the centre of the next. For heating of gutters, please refer to the number of cables per metre, see section 3.1.
Max. C-C distance
- Roof and gutter systems 10 cm
- Ground areas 20 cm
- Field / seed bed heating 25 cm
- Heating cable bending diameter must be at least 6 times cable diameter.
- The actual cable length may vary +/- 2 %.
230V/400V
C-C [cm]
| W/m² @ 20 W/m| W/m² @ 25 W/m| W/m² @ 30 W/m
5| 400| 500| –
7,5| 267| 333| 400
10| 200| 250| 300
12,5| 160| 200| 240
15| 133| 167| 200
20| 100| 125| 150
25| 80| 100| 120
Planning the installation
Draw a sketch of the installation showing
Draw a sketch of the installation showing
- element layout
- cold leads and connections
- junction box/cable well (if applicable)
- sensor
- connection box
- thermostat
Save the sketch
- Knowing the exact location of these components makes subsequent troubleshooting and repair of faulty elements easier.
Please observe the following:
- Observe all guidelines – see section 1.2.
- Observe correct C-C distance (heating cables only) – see section 1.4.
- Observe required installation depth and possible mechanical protection of cold leads according to local regulations.
- When installing more than one element, never wire elements in series but route all cold leads in parallel to the connection box.
- For single conductor cables, both cold leads must be connected to the connection box.
Preparing the installation area
- Remove all traces of old installations, if applicable.
- Ensure that the installation surface is even, stable, smooth, dry and clean.
- If necessary, fill out gaps around pipes, drains and walls.
- There must be no sharp edges, dirt or foreign objects.
Installing elements
It is not recommended to install elements at temperatures below -5 °C. At low temperatures, heating cables can become rigid. After rolling out the element, briey connect it to the mains supply to soften the cable before fastening.
Measuring resistance
Measure, verify and record element resistance during installation.
- After unpacking
- After fastening the elements
- After the installation in finalized
- If ohmic resistance and insulation resistance are not as labelled, the element must be replaced.
- The ohmic resistance must be within -5 to +10 % of the value labelled.
- The insulation resistance should read >20 M after one minute at min. 500V DC.
Installing heating elements
Observe all instructions and guidelines, see section 1.1 and see section 1.2.
Heating elements
- Position the heating element so that it is at least half the C-C distance from obstacles.
- Elements must always be in good contact with the heat distributor (e.g. concrete), see section 3 for details.
Heating mats
- Roll out heating mats with the heating cables facing up. If this is an asphalt application roll out the heating mats with plastic mesh over the heating cables.
- When the heating mat reaches the area boundary, cut the liner/net and turn the mat before rolling it back.
Extending cold leads
- Avoid extending cold leads if possible. Wire cold leads to e.g. junction boxes or cable wells.
- Be aware of power loss in the cable according to local regulations.
Sensor installation
- The sensor should be mounted in an insulating conduit, sealed at the end, for easy replacement of the sensor if required.
- The sensor must be considered a LIVE cable; therefore any extension made to the sensor wiring should be treated in the same way as normal mains voltage cabling.
- The sensor can be extended up to a total of 50 m using 1.5 mm installation cable.
- The minimum bending radius for the pipe is 50 mm (1).
- The sensor cable must be placed between two loops of the heating cable (2).
- Route the conduit to the connection box.
Applications
Frost protection of roof and gutters
- Roof Edge /Eave
- Gutter
- Downpipe to Frost-free Well
- Gutter Valley
- Flat Roof with Drain
- Roof with Baffles
- Downpipe with Open End
To provide suficient heat in gutters and down pipes, the heat density and the number of cable lines [n] depends on:
- design temperature
- the gutter/pipe diameter
Gutter/pipe diameter | No. of cable lines [n] |
---|---|
75 – 120 mm | 1 |
120 – 150 mm | 2* |
150 – 200 mm | 3 |
Two lines of 30 W/m (60 W/m) require minimum Ø120 mm downpipe and a moisture sensitive controller, e.g. DEVIreg™ 850.
Design temperature| Heat density| DEVIsnow™ 20T (DTCE)| DEVIsnow™ 30T (DTCE)|
DEVIsafe™ 20T (DTIP)
---|---|---|---|---
[°C]| W/m2| [n]| [C-C in cm]| [n]| [C-C in cm]| [n]| [C-C in cm]
0 to -5| 200 – 250| 1| 9| –| –| 1| 9
6 to -15| 250 – 300| 2| 7 – 8| 1| 12| 2| 7 – 8
16 to -25| 300 – 350| 2| 6| 2| 10| 2| 6
26 to -35| 350 – 400| 3| 5| 2| 8| 3| 5
Installation summary
Snow melting on ground areas
Free constructions, e.g. platforms, steps, bridges, and terraces
- Top layer of concrete slab or mastic asphalt.
- Heating cable.
- DEVIclip™ fastening accessory or mesh reinforcement.
- Underlying free construction.
- Insulation (optional)
Ground areas, e.g. ramps and car parks
- Top layer of concrete slab or asphalt concrete.
- Sand bed or concrete or asphalt concrete.
- Heating cable.
- DEVIclip™ fastening accessory or mesh reinforcement.
- Supporting layer of crushed stones/concrete/old asphalt.
- Insulation (optional, ensure supporting layer is suitable).
- Soil.
Ground areas, e.g. driveways, walkways, and pavements
- Top layer of pavement blocks or concrete slab
- Sand bed
- Heating cable
- DEVIclip™ fastening accessory or mesh reinforcement
- Supporting layer of crushed stones
- Insulation (optional, ensure supporting layer is suitable)
- Soil
Ground thermostat is mandatory
- In sand bed: mat output from 250 W/m and cable output from 25 W/m.
- In mastic asphalt or concrete bed: cable output from 30 W/m with a heat density > 500W/m (C-C < 6 cm) (DEVIasphalt™ (DTIK)).
Limited power supply
- Reduce the area to be heated, e.g. by heating tire tracks instead of the whole driveway.
- Divide and prioritise the area into 2 zones by means of DEVIreg™ 850.
- Install less W/m² than recommended. Snow melting performance will be reduced. Do not install less W/m than recommended in areas of drainage, e.g. in front of heated steps. Do not install cables in sand only
- The heating cables must be protected by a hard top layer.
Embedding in concrete, mortar or screed
- The bedding must not contain sharp stones.
- Must be sufficiently wet, homogeneous, free of air voids:
- Pour at a moderate delivery speed to avoid displacement of the element.
- Avoid excessive use of rakes, shovels, vibrators, and rollers.
- Allow a drying time of approximately 30 days for concrete and 7 days for moulding compounds.
Embedding in mastic or asphalt concrete (road asphalt)
- Use DEVIasphalt™ (DTIK) only, fully embedded.
- Use mastic asphalt cooled down to max.240°C or
- 3 cm hand rolled asphalt concrete (max.8mm. stone size), cooled down to max. 80°C before applying a second layer with a max. 500 kg drum size (no vibrator).
- Apply ground sensor dummy Ø100xH100mm, made from heat resistant material, e.g. cellular glass insulation.
- Apply Sensor conduit 5/8”-3/4” made from heat resistant material, e.g. metal.
Installation summary
Field/seed bed heating
A heated field is considered a workplace e.g
- football pitches
- golf greens
- greenhouses
Safety instruction, see section 1.1.
The installation depth must always be considered carefully
- Agree with local electrical and safety authorities before installing the cables.
- Observe local requirements for installation depth, possible mechanical protection for cold leads and markings.
- Observe insertion depth of objects like lawn aerators, vertidrains, spades, javelins, pegs, anchor bolts etc.
- For efficient heating the installation depth should be max. 25-30 cm.
- Any work in the soil after installation must be done by instructed personnel only. Field/seed bed heating should be established with multiple zones, depending on field size, sun and shadow. Each zone must be provided with
- 2 x sensors or 1 sensor probe for measuring average top soil temperature.
- Sealed junction box or cable well for connecting cold leads to power supply.
- Max distance to junction box or cable well 20 m from each zone.
Free constructions, e.g. platforms, steps, bridges, and terraces
- Grass.
- Topsoil.
- Sensor in steel conduit.
- Sand/soil.
- Heating cable.
- Fitting band (for installation on new constructions).
- Ground with drainage system.
Optional settings
If the element is connected to a thermostat such as a DEVIreg™, configure basic settings according to the table below and as described in the thermostat installation manual. If applicable, adjust the temperature limit in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations in order to prevent damage.
- Heating cable
- Thermostat
- Sensor
- Screen
- RCD
- All-pole switch
- Fuse
- Junction box
Danfoss A /S
Nordborgvej 81
6430 Nordborg, Syddanmark
Denmark
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