Snotrace – Thermon RGS User Manual

Page 2

Refer to the “SnoTrace RGS Cable Testing Report” for required
recording of test data and circuit information.

A. Upon Receiving Cable . . .

1. Upon receiving heating cable, check to make sure the

proper type and output have been received. All cables are
printed on the outer jacket with part number, voltage
rating and watt output.

2. Visually inspect cable for any damage incurred during

shipment. The heating cable should be tested to ensure
electrical integrity with at least a 500 Vdc megohmmeter
(megger) between the heating cable bus wires and the
heating cable metallic braid. IEEE 515.1 recommends that
the test voltage for polymer insulated heating cables be
2500 Vdc. Minimum resistance should be 20 megohms.
(Record 1 on Report Form.)

B. Installation of Cable . . .

1. Snow melting cable systems must be installed in accor-

dance with Article 426 of the National Electrical Code as
well as any applicable local codes. Review the requirements
prior to installation.

2. The layout of heating cable on roof and gutters will be

dependant on roof material, roof pitch, amount of roof
overhang, gutter layout or gutter width. The amount of
cable required can be calculated using the Roof and Gutter
Design Guide.

3. Gutters and downspouts should be free from debris. All

sharp edges that may come in contact with the heating
cable should be flattened, smoothed or otherwise pro-
tected to prevent possibility of damage to cable.

4. Begin installation at power connection point. Junction box

(supplied by contractor) shall be NEMA 4, UL Listed
weatherproof and should be located and mounted in
sheltered area.

SnoTrace

RGS

IIIIIN

TTA

ALLLLLLA

LATI

TIO

ON P

N P

N PRO

ROC

EED

EES

Connect the positive lead of the megger to the cable
bus wires and the negative lead to the metallic braid.

CAUTI

CAUTIO

ON: D

N: D

N: DO N

O N

O NO

OT connect power to heating

T connect power to heating

cable while it is on reel or in shipping carton.

5. Form a drip loop with the heating cable as it leaves the

junction box. Cable should be anchored with a RG-CMC
cable clip as close as possible to the junction box, after the
drip loop.

6. Once the installation is complete, recheck the heating

cable with at least a 500 Vdc megohmmeter (megger)
between the heating cable bus wires and the heating cable
metallic braid. IEEE 515.1 recommends that the test
voltage for polymer insulated heating cables be 2500 Vdc.
Minimum resistance should be 20 megohms.

(Record 2 on

Report Form.)

7. To prevent accumulation of moisture inside of the junction

box, use the RGS-CFK heater cable circuit fabrication kit
that includes a strain relief fitting and moisture barrier
grommet.

8. Refer to the Circuit Fabrication Kit instructions for details

on making proper heater cable end terminations.

9. If junction box will be mounted to vertical wall or underside

of sloped roof overhang, locate heating cable termination
kit on lower side of junction box.

10. ELECTRIC HEAT TRACING CAUTION LABELS must be

installed on circuit breaker panels, contactor panels and
junction boxes.

11. Before putting the system into operation, make sure the

heating cables have been tested and that the documenta-
tion has been completed for each heat tracing circuit. This
will ensure that the system has been installed per
manufacturer’s recommendations.

(Record 3 on Report

Form.)

TThe National Electric Code Article 426.28,

he National Electric Code Article 426.28,

requires ground-fault protection be provided

requires ground-fault protection be provided
for branch circuits supplying electric heat

for branch circuits supplying electric heat

for branch circuits supplying electric heat
tracing on fixed outdoor electric de-icing and

tracing on fixed outdoor electric de-icing and

tracing on fixed outdoor electric de-icing and
snow-melting equipment.

snow-melting equipment.