Jim Mimlitz, NRI
Extreme Cold and Pressure Sensor Protection
During extremely cold temperatures, it is important to keep in mind that the pressure sensing devices in your system — and the tubing that feeds them — should be prevented from freezing.
![KellerPreciseline_001[1]](https://wireless-telemetry.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/KellerPreciseline_0011.jpg)
Often times — especially at Water Towers — the pressure transducer is protected from freezing via installation in a below-grade pit.
However, even with a below-grade installation, freeze problems can occur. For this reason, we recommend that the pit lid be thoroughly secured so that wind cannot enter the pit. Also, we recommend that several square straw bales be placed over the lid during the winter months to provide further insulation, and as a guard against wind intrusion.
And for sites that have a history of difficult-to-solve freeze problems, we are pleased to introduce a new, actively-powered heated solution. The kit contains a GFCI-protected power receptacle and a 24 Foot Wet-Location-Compatible Heat Cable (6 Watts of Thermal Energy per Foot). The GFCI Receptacle is installed above-grade in the telemetry enclosure, and the Heat Cable is plugged into the receptacle and fished through conduit into the below-grade pit. It is important to note that the system will not provide active heat if the station experiences a power outage, or if the GFCI receptacle is tripped. If the GFCI receptacle is ever discovered to be tripped, then the Heat Cable should be inspected for damage and possibly replaced.
Actively-Powered Heat Kit for Below-Grade Transducer Pits.
The kit can be user-installed, or alternatively we can provide turnkey installation service.
The photos below from a recent project illustrate the installation:
Heating Cable Must Be Plugged Into a GFCI Outlet for Safety. For Further Safety, Before Performing Any Service Within The Pit, It Is Recommended That the Heat Cable Be Unplugged First.
Wet/Dry-Location Heating Cable Within The Transducer Pit. The 24-Foot Cable Emits 6 Watts of Thermal Energy Per Foot.
Interested?… Contact Us.
Are you interested in retrofitting your below-grade transducer pits with our Actively-Powered Heat Solution? Give us a call, and we’ll be glad to discuss it with you in detail:
https://www.wireless-telemetry.com/contact/contact.htm
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