Self-Regulating heating cable comes in many different types. The heating cable must extend into the gutter in order to prevent an ice dam that would keep the water from flowing off the roof. To ensure that this doesn’t occur, we will provide a design to run the heating cable down the valley and then two-thirds up each valley with a double run of heating cable. Ice dams may form at the valley on a roof where two different slopes meet. Industrial series cables contain two parallel bus wires electrically connected by a web of PTC (positive temperature coefficient) conductive polymer, with a fluoropolymer overjacket which has UV inhibitors that protect against damage from the sun. It is used for commercial and residential applications for metallic and non-metallic roofs, downspouts, and gutters.Īvailable in 120/208/240 volts and 5 or 8 watts/ft., self-regulating heating cable increases heat output as temperature decreases and, conversely, decreases heat output as temperature increases which makes this ideal for energy efficient roof and gutter applications. Self-regulating electric heating cable is perfect for heating your roof and/or gutter as it is designed to maintain temperatures up to 150☏ (65☌) and can withstand temperatures up to 185☏ (85☌). Our decades of expertise will ensure that your system meets your design needs and is installed properly. An improperly designed and installed trace heating system could result in the system not performing the way the end user requires. The integrity of an electric heat trace roof and gutter system depends upon on how accurately the cable is selected and how well it is installed. Many of our deigns have been used for commercial buildings since we incorporate state-of-the-art control systems and connection kits as part of our design service making these systems ideal for buildings in light to heavy snow load areas. This provides maximum energy efficiency because the system operates only when necessary and the cable automatically adjusts its power output to compensate for temperature variations. Most of the systems are installed with self-regulating cable along with a thermostat or control unit that can measure both temperature and moisture. These systems are effective on all different type of roof styles including flat roofs, sloped roofs, shingled roofs, membrane roofs, and standing seam roofs. There are several ways to create effective solutions to eliminate ice dams - from laying the heat trace cables directly in gutters and downpipes, to the traditional zigzag pattern that is installed on the edge of the roof line, to the newer technology of inserting heat cable into metal panels that can install on the roof itself or under the shingles of a roof.
Ice dams can cause water ingress into a roof, physical damage to the structure, or a safety hazard due to ice falling onto unexpected pedestrians below.
LEP can design and specify an electrical heat tracing system to prevent ice dams from forming on roofs and gutters of residential homes and commercial buildings to prevent building damage.