Raychem FrostGuard 120 V User Manual
FrostGuard 120 V
120 V PREASSEMBLED ELECTRIC HEATING CABLES FOR PIPE FREEZE PROTECTION AND ROOF &
GUTTER DE-ICING INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
DESCRIPTION
FrostGuard 120 V preassembled self-regulating heating cables are
designed for residential and light commercial metal and plastic pipe
freeze protection and roof & gutter de-icing applications.FrostGuard
120 V heating cables are available in 6, 12, 18, 24, 36, 50, 75 and 100
foot lengths, and each comes assembled with a 6-ft power cord and
lighted plug.
KIT CONTENTS
1 FrostGuard preassembled electric heating cable
Pipe Freeze Protection
Roof and gutter de-icing: standard roof
2 Roof and gutter labels
2 Pipe labels
ADDITIONAL ITEMS REQUIRED BUT NOT SUPPLIED FOR
PIPE APPLICATIONS
• Ground-fault protected outlet (GFCI)
• Waterproof thermal insulation (e.g. preformed foam)
• Raychem H903 Application Tape and Electric Traced Labels
ADDITIONAL ITEMS REQUIRED BUT NOT SUPPLIED FOR
ROOF & GUTTER APPLICATIONS
• Raychem H913/H914 Roof Clips (10 clips for each 7 linear feet of
roof edge)
• Raychem H915 Hanger Bracket (1 for each downspout, 2 if looping)
• UV Resistant cable ties
• Ground-fault protected outlet (GFCI)
Roof and gutter de-icing: standing seam metal roof
WARNING:
FIRE AND SHOCK HAZARD. This product is an electrical device
that must be installed correctly to ensure proper operation and to
prevent shock or fire. Read these important warnings and carefully
follow all the installation instructions.
• To minimize the danger of fire from sustained electrical arcing
if the heating cable is damaged or improperly installed, and
to comply with the requirements of Pentair Thermal Building
Solutions agency certifications, and national electrical codes,
THERMAL BUILDING SOLUTIONS
• For pipe freeze protection applications, use only fire-resistant
• Do not damage the heating cable and power cord or plug.
EN-RaychemFrostGuard120V-IM-H5948605/16
APPROVALS
-WS
ground-fault equipment protection must be used on each
heating cable branch circuit. Arcing may not be stopped by
conventional circuit protection.
insulation materials such as preformed foam or fiberglass.
Remove any damaged cables from service immediately.
• Do not use any wire or metal clamps to attach the cable to the
pipe. Use tape (1/2 inch wide to 1 inch wide) or plastic cable ties.
• Do not install the heating cable underneath any roof covering
for roof and gutter de-icing.
• Leave these installation instructions with the user for future
reference.
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Table 1 Metal Pipes Table 2 Plastic Pipes
Table 1 Metal Pipes
spiral it evenly along the entire pipe.
Add 1 foot to your pipe length for each valve or spigot on your pipe system.
If cable selected is longer than the pipe, spiral it evenly along the entire pipe.
Pipe length (ft)
Pipe diameter (in)
Pipe length (ft)
Pipe diameter (in)
2 1/2
2
1 1/2
1
1/2
2 1/2
2
1 1/2
1
1/2
FG2-6LFG2-
12L
FG2-
18L
FG2-
24L
Pipe diameter (in)
10 20010 200
FG2-6LFG2-
12L
FG2-
18L
FG2-
24L
Pipe Freeze Protection
General requirements for pipe freeze protection:
• FrostGuard heating cables may be used on metal and plastic
water pipes but not on flexible vinyl tubing (such as garden
hoses).
• FrostGuard heating cables are not intended for use inside any
pipes, for freeze protection of liquids other than water, or for use
in classified hazardous locations.
• Install with a minimum of 1/2” fire-resistant, waterproof
thermal insulation.
• Never use on any pipes that may exceed 150°F (65°C).
• Do not use an extension cord.
Electrical codes
Articles 422 and 427 of the National Electrical Code (NEC), and
Part 1, Section 62 of the Canadian Electrical Code (CEC), govern
the installation of FrostGuard heating cable for pipe freeze protection and must be followed.
Important: For the Pentair Thermal Building Solutions warranty
to be valid, you must comply with all the requirements outlined in
these guidelines.
FrostGuard 120 V (FG1) heating cable selection for pipe freeze protection:
Use the tables to below to select the correct heating cable. Add 1
foot to your pipe length for each valve or spigot on your pipe system.
The charts assume the lowest outside temperature is 0°F (–18°C),
with a minimum of 1/2” thick waterproof, fire-resistant thermal
insulation (preformed foam). For protection to –20°F (–29°C), use 1”
thick insulation.
2 1/2
2
1 1/2
1
1/2
Pipe diameter (in)
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 1000
FG1-6P FG1-12P FG1-18P FG1-24P FG1-36P FG1-50P FG1-75P FG1-100P
Table 2 Plastic Pipes
2 1/2
2
1 1/2
1
FG1-6P FG1-12P FG1-18P FG1-24P FG1-36P FG1-50P FG1-75P FG1-100P
1/2
Add 1 foot to your pipe length for each valve or spigot on your pipe system. If cable selected is longer than the pipe,
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 1000
General instructions:
• Install only in accessible locations; do not install behind walls or
where the cable would be hidden.
• Do not run the heating cable through walls, ceilings, or floors.
• Connect only to ground-fault protected outlets that have been
installed in accordance with all prevailing national and local
codes and standards and are protected from rain and other
water.
All thermal and design information provided here is based upon a
“standard” installation with heating cable fastened to an insulated
pipe. For any other application or method of installation, consult
Pentair Thermal Building Solutions at (800) 545-6258
Important: All thermal and design information provided here is
based upon a “standard installation”: heating cable fastened to a
pipe and thermally insulated. For any other method of installation
or application, consult Pentair Thermal Building Solutions at (800)
545-6258.
Pipe length (ft)
Pipe length (ft)
THERMAL BUILDING SOLUTIONS
EN-RaychemFrostGuard120V-IM-H5948605/16
2 / 8
12 inches
End view
Tape or
cable ties
Figure 1. Straight-traced installation
Tape or
cable ties
Apply glass tape before
spiraling heating cable on pipe
Figure 2. Spiral-traced installation
FG heating
cable
1/2 in insulation
FG heating
cable
10 feet
Glass tape
(typical)
Pull heating cable
loop length
Waterproof covering
Pipe label
12 inches
Waterproof covering1/2 in insulation
Pipe label
Heating
cable
Tape after spiraling
heating cable on pipe
Wrap loops in opposite direction
Heating cable installation
1. Prepare for installation.
• Store the heating cable in a clean, dry place.
• Complete piping pressure test.
• Prior to installing the cable, remove any sharp surfaces on
the pipe that might damage the heating cable.
• Review the FrostGuard heating cable design and compare
to materials received to verify that you have the proper
FrostGuard heating cable.
• Walk the system and plan the routing of the FrostGuard
heating cable on the pipe.
2. Position and attach heating cable to pipe.
• Be sure all piping to be traced is dry.
• Install heating cable, using straight tracing Figure 1, or spiraling Figure 2.
• For straight tracing, install the heating cable on a lower half
of the pipe; for example, in the 4 o’clock or 8 o’clock position.
• Be sure to install the additional heating cable required for
valves, flanges, etc. as shown in Figures 1 and 2.
EN-RaychemFrostGuard120V-IM-H5948605/16
• When the design calls for spiraling, begin by suspending a
loop every 10 feet as shown in Figure 2. To determine the loop
length, divide the FrostGuard length by your pipe length and
multiply by 10. For example, if you are using a 50 ft FrostGuard on a 40 foot pipe, leave a 12-foot loop of heating cable
at every 10-foot section of pipe. Grasp the loop in its center
and wrap it around the pipe. Even out the distance between
spirals by sliding the wraps along the pipe. Use glass tape to
secure the center of the loop to the pipe.
• Fasten FrostGuard heating cable to the pipe at 1-foot intervals
using H903 fiberglass application tape or nylon cable ties. Do
not use vinyl electrical tape, duct tape, metal bands, or wire.
• If excess cable remains at the end of the pipe, double it back
along the pipe.
3. Check the installation.
• Prior to installing thermal insulation, make sure the heating
cable is free of mechanical damage (from cuts, clamps, etc.)
and thermal damage (from solder, overheating, etc.).
3 / 8THERMAL BUILDING SOLUTIONS
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