Installation Manual

The power produced by ElectroMelt EM2-XR heating cable installed on 12-inch
centers is adequate for the majority of concrete-pavement snow-melting and
anti-icing systems. For this reason, the design steps in the next section and
information in other ElectroMelt literature are based on this spacing.
In addition, information in this guide and in other ElectroMelt literature is based
on the standard application of the EM2-XR heating cable in concrete pavement
poured on grade only.
ElectroMelt system literature includes the following:
• ElectroMelt System Brochure H53391
• ElectroMelt System Design Guide H53393
• ElectroMelt System Installation and Operation Manual H53392
The basic ElectroMelt system design for standard applications on grade is ade-
quate for most snowfall and icing conditions, allowing no snow accumulation 97
percent of the time. The design keeps the pavement surface at or above freez-
ing when the air above the pavement is a 5°F and the wind is steady at 10
miles per hour or less.
Because the design information in this guide applies only to standard concrete
pavement poured on grade, it should not be used for other applications.
Design Requirements and Assumptions
The design for standard applications is based on the following assumptions with
regard to the concrete and the heating cable:
Concrete: Heating cable
• 4 to 6 inches thick • 12-inch cable spacing
• Placed on grade • Secured to reinforcing steel or mesh
• Standard density • Located 1 ½ to 2 inches below
finished surface
WARNING: Concrete cracks that extend to the depth of the cable may
damage the cable and create the risk of fire. Install the cable in pavement
or slabs that have been designed for long-term structural integrity.
Increased Power and Performance Requirements
Some applications and some locations require more snow-melting power or
more complete anti-icing protection than the standard 12-inch spacing provides.
For these cases, refer to the Supplemental Design Information section of this
guide for more detailed performance information and design data for nonstan-
dard applications.
For nonstandard applications, contact your Raychem representative for assis-
tance with your design. Using proprietary computer modeling based on a finite
difference program for nonstandard applications. Raychem can design the
appropriate system for a nonstandard application.
The following are some nonstandard applications:
• concrete thinner than 4 inches
• concrete thicker than 6 inches
• lightweight concrete
• concrete with pavers thicker than 1 ½ inches
• ramps and walkways with air below
• nonconcrete pavements
• concrete without reinforcing
• retrofitting of heating cable to existing pavement
9
ElectroMelt System
Design Guide
Supplemental Design
Information
Basic ElectroMelt System Design
Design for Standard Applications
Design for Nonstandard Applications