22
MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION OF CABLE
25
USE
In addition to proper installation, proper use of the cable is needed to maintain a
path for melted snow or ice to drain all the way to the ground.
WARNING: Failure to use and maintain the cable according to these
instructions may result in ice dam formation or injury or death from fire
electric shock.
PRE-SEASON CHECKS
At the beginning of the winter season, do the following:
1. Check for and remove all combustible debris
from roof, gutters and
downspouts, such as leaves, pine needles, seeds and windblown trash.
2. Check to be sure the cable has not moved
from its intended position. The
heated portion of the cable must be positioned entirely on the roof and must not
touch, cross over or overlap itself.
3. Without removing it from the roof, visually inspect the entire cable
,
including the plug. Discontinue use and remove the cable if it shows any
evidence of damage or deterioration, including cuts, brittleness, charring,
cracking, discolored surfaces or bare wires. If there appears to be a problem
inside a downspout, remove the cable to inspect it. Take care when removing
cable from a downspout to avoid snagging or cutting the cable on sharp edges.
4. If no damage is present, plug the power cord into the receptacle.
Arrange
the cord to form a drip loop using a spacer (see
Figure 25
). The purpose of
the drip loop is to prevent melt water from tracking along the cord and into the
receptacle.
5. Test all ground-fault protection devices
(see the instructions provided with
the device).
FORMING A DRIP LOOP NEAR THE STARTING POINT
Drip loop
