Ramp Heating | Installation Instructions For ELSR-Ramp Trace Heating Cable In Concrete

Published 10 Jan 2024

Ramp Heating | ELSR-Ramp

Ramp Heating

Installation Instructions For ELSR-Ramp

The ELSR-Ramp heating cables from Eltherm are specifically designed to provide efficient snow and ice melting for concrete ramps. These ramp heating cables are suitable for direct burial installation, ensuring a safe and reliable solution for preventing winter hazards.

By following the correct installation instructions, Eltherm’s ramp heating solution ensures that concrete ramps remain safe and free from snow and ice. This minimises the risk of accidents making the ramps safer and more accessible for vehicles and pedestrians during the winter months.

Thorne & Derrick has nearly 40 years’ experience in providing extensive design and installation specifications for ramp heating applications – we are able to provide trace heating solutions for both new and retrofit systems.

Since 1985, Thorne & Derrick has been the UK’s largest stockist and supplier of heat trace cables & systems. We can provide overnight delivery of trace heating cables at the most competitive prices to guarantee frost protection of your pipelines and mechanical services. Please contact us with your enquiry.

Installing Eltherm’s ELSR-Ramp trace heating cables in concrete requires specific installation instructions. Below is a review of the steps involved:

Installation Instructions

For ELSR-Ramp Heating Cable

The ELSR ramp heating cable is suitable for installation in asphalt, concrete, or under paving slabs. The power supply lead that should be used in the concrete application is type NYY 3G6 or NI2XY-J 3G6 with fine strands.

Typical Ramp Heating Applications

Mounting Instructions for ELSR-Ramp

Ahead of mounting the ramp heating cable the full electric circuit needs de-energising prior to any installation work
Remove any sharp objects, burrs etc. from the surface to be heated or from the areas over which the heating cables are being pulled
The installation of a heating circuit has to be carried out based on the included sketches using original Eltherm accessories according to the Eltherm installation instructions
⚠ DO NOT use adhesive tape with emollients (i.e. PVC)
⚠ Observe the minimum bend radius and installation temperature given in the data sheet
When binding wires are used, make sure not to damage heater jacket while fastening

Snow & Ice Melting – access and ramp heating systems maintain pedestrian and vehicle traffic by delivering heat to the ramp during periods of freezing temperatures.

Industrial Applications

It is essential to make sure to attach the ramp heating cable in the correct way to avoid pulling stress or torsion on the electrical connection. If you would like to save energy the use of temperature controls might be worthwhile. Please contact T&D to discuss your exact requirements.

⚠ It is important to make sure that the maximum operating temperature of the heating is not exceeded.

Please note: when using ELSR-Ramp for industrial applications, all requirements of the DIN VDE 0100 series of standards need to be observed as well as DIN VDE 0721 part 1, DIN VDE 0721 part 2A3 and all effective local codes and regulations. Also all electrically heated areas have to be identified by warning signs “Electrical Heating“ in reasonable intervals (approx. every five metres or at least with one sign per distinctive area).

Installation of ELSR-Ramp Heating Cable

As shown in the above image the following steps must be adhered to:

Expansion gaps: trace heating cable must not cross expansion gaps. Separate heating circuits need to be arranged on either side of an expansion groove
Spacing between heat tracing runs should be approx. 0.3 m. Clearance to obstacles should be approx 0.1 m, clearance to the borders of the heated area approx. 0.15 m
Keep areas clear in which gutters, curbstones, foundations for barriers, card readers etc. will be placed prior to the pouring of concrete
Heat gutters independently with a separate trace heating cable

ELSR-Ramp is not only very durable and designed for the most demanding installation conditions, but also offers on-site installation flexibility

Concrete Pouring & Ramp Heating Cable

While pouring and finishing the concrete, the ramp heating cable should be monitored for resistance between the ground and bus wires throughout installation. During the pour, care should be taken to minimise the risk of cutting or damaging the snow melting cable, causing short circuits.

If the resistance test reading suddenly decreases, the heating cable has been damaged! The ramp heating cable should not be energised for a minimum of 7 days after installation to ensure a complete concrete slab cure.

The ELSR-Ramp is designed to withstand temperatures and mechanical stresses associated with concrete pour. Avoid placing excessive weight or pressure on the cables to prevent damage.

Ramp Heating Cable- ELSR-RAMP

More Case Studies

Thorne & Derrick & Eltherm

Thorne & Derrick, the UK’s leading Specialist Distributor of Electrical Process & Trace Heating Solutions, last year announced they had entered into a Strategic Partnership with Eltherm UK Ltd, the subsidiary of the Eltherm Group, a world-class manufacturer of Heat Tracing Cables & Systems for the commercial, industrial and hazardous area industries.

eltherm

THE ELECTRICAL HEATING PACKAGE

Thorne & Derrick provide a complete portfolio of Electric Process & Trace Heating Solutions for Industrial, Hazardous Area & Explosive Atmospheres,

Trace Heating Systems & Cables
Serial Resistance Trace Heaters
Parallel Resistance Trace Heaters
Self-Regulating Parallel Trace Heaters
Mineral-Insulated Trace Heaters
Commercial | Snow Melting & Ice Clearance for Ramps & Roof Gutters
Industrial | Explosive Proof ATEX & IECEx Certified for Hazardous Areas
Zone 1 & 2 (Flammable Gas) or Zone 21 & 22 (Combustible Dust) | Class I, Division 1 & 2