Frequently asked questions

 

General questions about heating cables 

How hot does a heat cable get?

In fact, this is not the right question.... This is because it is not the temperature that matters, but the heat output. To illustrate: the flame of a lighter is very warm (hot), but you cannot heat up a paving stone with it! So you must first determine how many watts your application requires. There are rules of thumb for floor heating, road surface heating and frost protection. For other situations, the cable must provide and fit the appropriate wattage.

 
Does the entire cable give off heat?

No, the heat cables have a connecting cord that stays cold. The lengths listed are the hot, effective lengths. The product specifications contain information about the (cold) connection part.
 

Do heating cables have a mains plug?

Cables for heating do not have a mains plug because they are basically connected via a thermostat or temperature control. Cables for frost protection (ribbons) are usually prefabricated and equipped with an earthed mains plug.

 
Do I need an additional 230 V group?

In most cases, an electrical group is fused at 16 amps. That means the maximum load is 3,680 W (Watts = Volts x Amps). You can connect multiple heat cables to one group, however, as long as you stay below the maximum power rating.

 
Questions about frost protection

What is meant by frost protection?

Heating (usually) pipes so that they cannot freeze. With proper frost protection, the temperature of the water does not drop below freezing. (Heating cables are not suitable for heating central heating or tap water).

 
What is a self-regulating heat cable?

This is a heating cable with a carbon element, which is temperature dependent. This type of cable is also called self-regulating ribbon, heat ribbon, thermo ribbon or tracing. Its heat output depends on the ambient temperature. Its output is not constant, as it adjusts along its length and may vary from place to place. Thanks to this principle, one heat ribbon may be used partly indoors and partly outdoors, or even (partly) in the ground. Main advantage: this type of ribbon can never get too hot (think plastic pipes).

 
How do Heating Ribbon and Thermolint differ?

Thermolint is more robust, delivers more power and is intended for thick pipes and outdoor application. Heating Ribbon suffices in all indoor situations. Both versions are suitable for water pipes and pipes made of plastic and metal.

Does the molded plug also have pin-earth?

Yes, the grounded mains plugs of the Verwarmingslint and Thermolint fit both sockets with rim-earthing (Netherlands) and pin-earthing (Belgium).
 

How does a frost-free cable with thermostat work?

Instead of a carbon element, this type of cable contains heating wires with a fixed resistance. It can only be off or on and always produces its maximum power, whether it is freezing 25 degrees or 5 degrees above zero. During most winter days, that means unnecessary energy consumption. Moreover, a cable with a built-in thermostat is risky for plastic pipes, because it only switches off again between +10 and +15°C. It does, however, apply well to a metal pipe, provided it is in one room.

 
How do I recognize a cable with a built-in thermostat?

Some anti-freeze cables contain a bimetal, in a thickening at the end. Other versions have an orange block in the connecting cable, containing a temperature sensor. So these thermostats are built into the cable, which means one cannot always place them in the coldest place. A built-in, mechanical thermostat is sensitive to wear (moving contacts). Replacement is not possible without damaging the cable.
 

What is the use of a frost switch?

A frost switch is an electronic thermostat with an external temperature sensor. It comes between socket and ribbon and takes care of turning it on and off automatically. The advantage is energy savings, because the ribbon only receives mains power during periods of frost or danger of frost.
 

Is it necessary to insulate water pipes?

Heat ribbon prevents frozen water pipes. After mounting the ribbon, along and against the pipe, pipe insulation is always useful. For light frost, insulation is not absolutely necessary. However, it is for energy savings, because all the heat from the cable goes into the pipe. In fact, without insulation, some of the heat disappears into the environment.

 
Can I feel if the ribbon is getting hot?

At temperatures above zero, a self-regulating ribbon gives off so little heat that you can hardly feel it. The most convenient monitoring method is a plug-in power meter, which indicates power consumption. With an optional frost thermostat, you can check whether mains power is present (green) and transmitted (red) to the heat ribbon.
 

Is heat tape suitable for PVC pipes?

Yes, heat tape is self-regulating, so it never gets too hot. In light frosts, the ribbon provides little heat, and in severe frosts it provides more. Tip: First wrap plastic (PVC) pipes and hoses with aluminum tape. This promotes heat conduction and ensures that the heat spreads better around the pipe. After fitting the heat tape, preferably also with aluminum tape, the insulation can be applied (again).
 

What about branches?

When branching off on a pipe, for example for a faucet or drinking trough, it is practical to lay the heat tape back along the other side of the pipe. This method is safe and operationally secure. Moreover, it is simpler than making branches and cheaper than separate ribbons for short sections. The extra power at this location does not lead to higher energy consumption, since the ribbon is self-regulating and automatically adjusts to the heat requirement.
 

Can I shorten a heating ribbon?

Theoretically you can, but this does void the warranty for prefabricated ribbons. This has to do with the sleeves, which can only be mounted 100% waterproof with specialized machines. The ribbons are available as standard in a large number of different lengths. You can effectively use a piece of excess length by partly 'laying back' the ribbon or spiraling it. Even if you were to leave the end hanging loose, there is no risk of overheating.
 

How many heat ribbons can be connected to one thermostat?

You can connect multiple heat ribbons to the same frost switch, thermostat or control, as long as you stay under the maximum connection capacity. However, the control must be for the same room or pipe because the temperature at the sensor location determines when the heat ribbons turn on. A junction box allows you to connect multiple ribbons to one frost switch.


Questions about heating with heating cables

 

How does an electric heat cable work?

Like an electric radiant or fan heater, the heat cable contains a heating element with a certain resistance. This element converts electric current into heat. The lower the resistance, the more current flows through it. So a 1000-watt cable has less resistance than one of 500 watts.
 

What is local heating?

Unlike space heating, a cable allows you to apply heat precisely where it is needed. The cable heats a stony or metal mass. For example in zig-
saw shape in a concrete floor, to increase comfort in a workplace. Or along water pipes, to prevent them from freezing.
 

How much power can one group hold?

In most cases, a 230-volt electrical group is fused at 16 amps. That means the maximum load is 3,680 W (Watts = Volts x Amps). You can connect several heating cables to one group, as long as you stay below the maximum power. In practice, people often calculate 3,500 W per group for this purpose, so there is a safety margin.
 

Can I shorten a heating cable?

A heat cable should definitely not be shortened, because its power and resistance value are matched to the supply voltage. Cutting it means a lower resistance, which is dangerous and can lead to burnout. (The cold connection end may be shortened or extended, however).
 

Questions about the webshop

Ordering and payment


Warmtekabel.nl focuses on business customers, which is why the prices are listed excluding VAT. Our prices are public and for placing an order you do not need to create an account first. If desired, you can enter your own reference number while ordering.

After entering your information, choose the desired payment method: preferably iDEAL for the Netherlands and MrCash/ Bancontact for Belgium. These payment options are free and fast, so we can release an order for shipment within 20 minutes. Other payment methods are available, but the costs incurred will be charged.

Bank transfer in advance is also possible. With this payment option, you will receive a pdf invoice and the order will be shipped after the amount to be paid is received. The same procedure is followed when you send a (PDF) order by mail. Delivery on account is only possible for regular customers who order regularly.

Changing or canceling an order is possible as long as it has not yet been sent. We prefer to receive such a request by e-mail. The rule here is 'The sooner - the better', so that we do not incur unnecessary costs. If you can save on shipping costs by expanding an order, we will adjust the order manually.

Delivery time and shipping


Most items are in stock. In general, the delivery time is 1 or 2 working days, depending on the time of ordering and the time the daily driver picks up the goods from us. Please feel free to send a message if you want to know first whether an item is actually in stock.

We pay individual attention to each package to avoid damage during transport. Empty spaces are filled so that the contents do not rattle loose in the box. Delivery takes place on working days.

In principle, we ship with GLS or DPD, but we reserve the right to deviate from this. Orders from € 50,- will be shipped for free within the Netherlands and Belgium. Below that a fixed contribution to the shipping costs applies, which does not depend on shipping method or weight.

Furthermore, we deliver to customers in other EU countries, the most common of which are listed on the order page. The additional costs here automatically appear in the control field. For shipping costs to other countries (as far as within the EU), please contact us before placing an order.

Pick-up of orders (also outside office hours) is possible, but only by appointment. Entering the order and payment must be done in advance, because we do not have counter sales and ATM machines.
 

Exchanges and returns


If you have ordered the wrong article, or have second thoughts, you can return it within the legal cooling-off period (right of withdrawal) of 14 days. You will get your money back, but you will have to pay the costs of the return shipment.

For returns you do not need to fill out a special return form: a short e-mail with the order number is sufficient, preferably with the reason. Sometimes there is a more suitable alternative or another solution that will help you. This feedback also helps us to improve product descriptions in the web shop.

Please attach the packing slip or a print-out of your e-mail with the return notice. We can then look up the details immediately upon receipt, which will facilitate a quick refund.

Exchanging an order by the delivery person is time-consuming and error-prone. For a replacement item, we recommend simply placing a new order. This can be done immediately at your discretion, or it may be done after you have received the refund for the return.

A return must be complete (including instructions, assembly materials, etc.). Everything completely in unused condition and preferably in the original packaging! This is because it is important that we can resell the product, because no one wants used stuff. Any costs for handling a return product will be deducted from the refund.
 

Warranty and complaints


Delivery problems are best reported as soon as possible. Please do first check the tracking code, which you received on the day of shipment. If a shipment is incomplete, or contains the wrong product, the problem will be resolved as soon as possible and without additional charge.

All items are covered by the usual one-year warranty. Often it is longer, but this depends on the manufacturer. In principle, a defective article is repaired or replaced, but we are flexible with other appropriate solutions.

In case of (technical) questions or problems we prefer to be notified by e-mail. Please include the order number. This enables us to find out exactly which product it concerns, as some are very similar.


Data and privacy


Our webshop uses a secure payment environment provided by an external payment provider. As soon as a payment is approved, we automatically receive notification of this.

Your address and contact details are only used for handling the order - by our staff and external executing parties (payment provider and parcel service). We do not have a call center, but we find it useful to be able to include your 06 number on the shipping label.

Entering your VAT number is not mandatory, but useful if you want it on your invoice. We check the VAT number of business customers outside the Netherlands in order to be able to use the reverse charge mechanism for 0% rate deliveries.

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We do not use marketing cookies (so no unsolicited tracking of your Internet behavior). Social media companies have no access to our webshop. On our webshop you will also not see annoying cookie bars or annoying pop-up messages. We do not sell addresses or bother our customers with surveys, reviews, newsletters or other forms of advertising.
 

Disclaimer and liability


Voltanova BV, owner of this web store, strives to provide complete and accurate information about its products. However, we cannot guarantee that these products will work as you expect in your specific application. We supply high quality items with product warranty, but do not design installations. You always do the installation of purchased products or components at your own risk.

We are not liable for damages resulting from inaccuracies or incompleteness of the information on this website and reserve the right to change information on this website without prior notification or publication. References to other sites are included for informational purposes only; we cannot be held responsible for the content or availability of these sites or resources.
 

General terms and conditions


When completing an order, you must accept the terms and conditions. These are universal terms and conditions, which we only use for consumers in case we would not agree on the essentials (as mentioned above).
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