6
SCRG cable cannot be used on slate, stone, metal and ceramic roofs. These
types of roofs require special consideration. Visit www.°STELPRO.com for more
information.
If you are unsure if your roof, gutters, and downspouts meet these requirements, call
a professional roofing contractor.
ELECTRICAL REQUIREMENTS
There are several requirements for the electrical system that supplies power to this
de-icing cable. Check with your local electrical inspector or a licensed electrician if
you are unsure about the requirements listed below or what you may need to do to
meet all applicable electrical codes and ordinances.
This cable must be plugged into a 120-volt A/C outdoor receptacle that:
1. Is grounded.
This cable is equipped with a three-prong plug that has a
grounding prong. To reduce the risk of fire and electric shock, this cable must
be grounded. To this end, the plug must be plugged into an outlet that is
properly installed and grounded in accordance with all local electrical codes
and ordinances.
Do not modify the plug provided with the cable. If it does not fit the outlet, have
a proper outlet installed by a licensed electrician.
2. Is ground-fault protected.
A ground-fault protected receptacle reduces the
risk of fire or electric shock by stopping the flow of electricity (current) when
it senses that current is flowing through something other than the cable (for
example, a person or downspout). This unintended current:
• can be caused by a damaged cable,
• may not be large enough to trip a circuit breaker,
• may cause the cable to overheat, which can result in a fire, and
• may result in electrocution due to exposed electrical parts.
One type of ground-fault protection is a ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI).
Some, but not all, outdoor receptacles are equipped with a GFCI.
If you are not sure if your receptacle has ground-fault protection, check with your
local electrical inspector or a licensed electrician.
3. Is on a circuit that has an appropriate current (amp) rating.
Do not use this
cable on a circuit whose circuit breaker or fuse is rated at more than 20 amps.
Limiting the circuit to a maximum of 20 amps will reduce the risk of fire and
electric shock if the cable becomes damaged.
4.
While a 20-amp circuit is the maximum allowed, you also need to check that
the circuit can supply enough current without being overloaded. Overloading a
circuit can lead to a tripped breaker or a blown fuse. To avoid overloading the
circuit, do not use more than 80% of the circuit’s rated capacity (for example, do
not load a 20-amp circuit with more than 16 amps, and do not load a 15-amp
circuit with more than 12 amps). See
Table T1
below for the current needed for
your cable length. If you do not have a circuit with an appropriate rating, contact
a licensed electrician.
