Hot-Shot™
3. Connect the cables on either side of the frozen
section so that they complete an electric circuit. The
cable clamps must be at least 10 ft. apart.
Caution:
The cables get hot!
Keep them clear of rugs and
finished floors that can be damaged by heat.
4. Good connections are required. Clean all pipes
before
connecting the cables. Make both pipe
connections before plugging unit into receptacle.
Make sure all connections are tight to prevent arcing
at the clamps. Loose connections also get hot and
reduce current flow.
Caution: Uncoil the cables.
Do not leave any cable coiled up or placed on steel
objects as the heating in the pipe will be reduced.
5. If a good connection is made, the pipe and cables
will vibrate with a 60 cycle hum that you can feel
with your hand. After all connections are made and
the unit is plugged in, switch the circuit breaker on.
Some Common Problems
1. Cables stay cold. Pipe does not thaw.
•
Do you have power? Check fuses.
•
Is the circuit breaker switched on?
•
Do you have a good connection?
•
Are the pipes clean at the connection?
•
Are both clamps on the same pipe?
•
Has the thermal protector tripped?
•
Is there a rubber coupling in the line?
•
Is there plastic pipe in the line?
•
Has the ice pushed the joints apart?
2. Cables get warm. Pipe does not thaw.
•
Are clamps on pipe, not on curb cover?
•
Are the pipes clean under the clamps?
•
Are cables sized properly? (Larger cables must
use larger wire size.)
3. Cables get hot. Pipe does not thaw.
•
Is there water pressure in pipe?
•
Is the source of water pressure frozen?
•
Is source water pump operating?
•
Do the clamps cover all of frozen area?
•
Can the current go more than one way from
clamp to clamp?
Thawing Times
The times in the below charts are approximate and under ideal conditions. Actual times will vary depending upon type of
pipe, diameter, gauge, and length of cable, etc.
Note:
Since copper pipe will not heat up as fast as iron pipe, allow about a 30 percent longer thawing time.
Note:
Longer cables must also be a larger gauge. If smaller diameter cables are used, current will be reduced.
320 AMP Output
Thawing Time
Pipe Length
Iron Pipe
Copper Pipe
20 ft.
9 minutes
12 minutes
40 ft.
12 minutes
16 minutes
50 ft.
14 minutes
19 minutes
60 ft.
17 minutes
23 minutes
80 ft.
24 minutes
32 minutes
100 ft.
30 minutes
40 minutes
General Wire Spring Co.
1101 Thompson Avenue
McKees Rocks, PA 15136
© General Wire Spring Co. 2004
C-HSOI-1204
