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MANUFACTURER'S
LIMITED WARRANTY
This
equipment is warranted against defects in materials and workmanship for
a period of 2 YEARS from the date of purchase.
Should
it become defective for such reason, the Manufacturer will repair it
without charge, if it is returned to the Manufacturer's factory, freight
prepaid. This warranty does not cover: (1) failure due to normal wear and
tear; (2) damage by accident, force majeure, improper use, neglect,
unauthorized repair or alteration; (3) anyone other than the original
purchaser.
THIS
LIMITED WARRANTY IS IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED.
THE MANUFACTURER SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INJURY TO PERSONS, INCLUDING
DEATH; OR LOSS OR DAMAGE TO ANY PROPERTY, DIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL,
INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LOSS OF USE, ARISING OUT OF THE USE, OR THE
INABILITY TO USE, THE PRODUCT. THE USER ASSUMES ALL RISK AND LIABILITY
WHATSOEVER IN CONNECTION WITH THE USE OF THE PRODUCT, AND BEFORE DOING SO,
SHALL DETERMINE ITS SUITABILITY FOR HIS INTENDED USE, AND SHALL ASCERTAIN
THE PROPER METHOD OF USING IT.
SOME
STATES DO NOT ALLOW LIMITATIONS ON HOW LONG AN IMPLIED WARRANTY LASTS, OR
THE EXCLUSIONS OR LIMITATIONS OF INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES. SO
THE ABOVE LIMITATIONS OR EXCLUSIONS MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU. THIS WARRANTY
GIVES YOU SPECIFIC LEGAL RIGHTS, AND YOU MAY HAVE OTHER RIGHTS WHICH MAY
VARY FROM STATE TO STATE.
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Passing low voltage, high current AC
electricity through a frozen water pipe is a quick way of thawing
it. With this method it is possible to thaw iron or copper pipes
buried in the ground or concealed in building walls.
This method requires that there be an
area of unfrozen water under standard pressure on one side of the frozen
area and an open faucet on the other (downstream) side.
NOTE: You can not thaw plastic
pipes with this method as they do not conduct electricity.
Electrical thawing of pipes is more convenient
and demonstrably safer than other methods. The following table compares
different methods.
| METHOD |
REMARKS |
| Open Flame
|
- Lack of control
- Uses dangerous gases or other
flammable liquids
- Risk of fire
|
| Hot Water
|
- Lack of control.
- Slow process
|
| Arc Welder
|
- Large power supply needed to for
high voltage.
- Hazard of high voltage shock to
operator
- Arc can melt pipes.
- Damage to welder.
- Risk of fire
|
| Electric Pipe Thawer
|
- Uses safe low voltage
- No flame or arc.
- Easy to use.
|
With an Electric Pipe Thawer it is only
necessary to heat the pipe enough to melt a thin film of ice on the inside
of the pipe. The warmer water under standard pressure in the pipe before
the blockage will seep through the melted film and quickly melt the rest
of the ice. Once sufficient ice is melted a flow will be resumed towards
the open faucet downstream of the blockage.
The water will flow about 10 minutes
after the correct application of an Electric Pipe Thawer. (see
Operations / Approximate Thawing Times)
NOTE: Increase the thawing times
by 30% for copper pipes as they do not conduct heat as fast as iron pipes.
Figure 1. The
Thawing Process
| CAUTION:
The Icebreaker 350 has a built in thermal protector. It will shut
down automatically when the Icebreaker's internal temperature
reaches a pre-defined point. |
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The Systematics Icebreaker
350 is a compact, light weight, electric pipe thawing machine intended
for use by professional plumbers and for light industrial use. It is
designed for use with 1/2 inch to 1 inch diameter copper or iron pipe up
to 100 feet in length.
The unit is protected by an internal
thermal switch and a 20 amp circuit breaker.
The unit comes with two 20 foot #2 AWG
cables with clamps to fit 1/2 inch to 1 inch diameter pipe. Two 50 foot
#2/0 AWG cables may be used for longer lengths of pipe.
NOTE: Longer cables must have a
larger AWG size. If smaller diameter cables are used the current
(amperage) will be limited and thawing times increased. <back
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|
| (2).
|
Isolate the frozen
section of the pipe.
NOTE: To trace a frozen pipe
inside a house.
- Open the faucets and back trace
the pipes.
- The frozen section will normally
be found in the outside walls, near doors or windows, in crawl
spaces under floors.
- If all water outlets in the
house fail to operate the line between the curb valve and the
house may be frozen. (See Thawing
House Service Pipes)
|
| (3). |
Uncoil the pipe thawing
cables. |
| (4). |
Clean all pipes by
sanding with coarse emery cloth to ensure a good connection |
| (5). |
Connect the clamps to
the frozen pipe such that the frozen section is between the clamps.
NOTE: The clamps should be at least 15 ft. apart |
| (6).
|
Make sure all
connections are tight to prevent overheating or arcing at the
clamps. NOTE: When the connections are good the pipe and
cables will vibrate to the touch. |
| (5). |
Connect the free end of
the cables to the Icebreaker 350. NOTE:
Make sure the cables are not coiled up or are resting on steel
objects. |
|
Figure 4.
Standard Icebreaker 350 Hook Up |
| CAUTION: |
Keep cables off rugs and
polished surfaces that can be damaged by heat. |
| (6). |
Make sure both pipe
connections are made and secure. |
| (7). |
Connect the power input
cord into the 115 V supply. |
| (8). |
Turn the Icebreaker 350
to "ON" |
| (9).
|
Monitor the equipment
during the pipe thawing operation. Use a standard AC clamp-on "Amprobe"
meter to check the heating current. Current should be between 200
and 400 amps. If the the current is less than 200 amps a second Icebreaker
350 can be used to increase the current.
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|
WARNING |
MONITOR THE PIPE TEMPERATURE.
A SMALL EMPTY PIPE WILL GET HOTTER BEFORE A LARGER PIPE WILL THAW
AND COULD MELT THE SOLDER IN A COPPER FEEDER LINE |
The following chart indicates the
APPROXIMATE thawing times under "ideal" conditions.
PIPE TO BE THAWED
- Size - 3/4 to 1 inch diameter
- Type - copper or steel.
NOTE: The Icebreaker 350 relies
upon a conductive material, (i.e. bronze, copper, iron) for operation.
Plastic or PVC pipe cannot be thawed using this type of equipment.
Table 1
| CABLES USED
|
- Size - (2) 20 -2 #2 AWG
- Length - 20 feet (each)
|
| PIPE
LENGTH |
CURRENT |
APPROX.
THAWING TIME |
| 20 feet |
350 amps |
5 minutes |
| 40 feet |
350 amps |
8 minutes |
Table 2
| CABLES USED
|
- Size - (2) 50-2/0 #2/0 AWG
- Length - 50 feet (each)
|
| PIPE LENGTH |
CURRENT |
APPROX. THAWING TIME |
| 20 feet |
300 amps |
8 minutes |
| 40 feet |
270 amps |
10 minutes |
| 50 feet |
240 amps |
12 minutes |
| 60 feet |
220 amps |
15 minutes |
| 80 feet |
200 amps |
20 minutes |
| 100 feet |
180 amps |
25 minutes |
NOTE: Pipe thawing times can vary
significantly.
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Thawing
House Service Pipes
| (a) |
Connect one cable to the
exposed pipe in the kitchen or basement. |
| (b) |
Connect the other cable
to the curb service at the valve at the bottom of the service riser
using a Curb Key (see Figure 5). |
|
Figure 5. Thawing
a House Service Pipe |
|
NOTE: Make sure
the Curb Key is clean and makes a tight connection to the pipe,
otherwise the only result will be to heat the Curb Key.
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Thawing
Hot Water Heating Systems (Winter / Summer Hookup)
|
CAUTION
|
The Icebreaker 350
Pipe Thawing unit is intended for use on a direct pipeline with an
unfrozen high pressure area upstream of the blockage and an open
faucet downstream. USE OF THIS SYSTEM ON A HOT WATER HEATING SYSTEM
MAY BE INEFFECTIVE. |
|
NOTE: Hot Water
Heating Systems use low pressure pumps. More heat will be required
before the warm water can seep past the ice and continue the thawing
process. |
|
NOTE: Heat
developed in the frozen section may only be 1/3 to 1/2 of the heat
produced by the Icebreaker 350 and may not be sufficient to
thaw the pipe. The current in the frozen section is reduced as the
pipes in the Hot Water Heating System are interconnected and offer
alternative electrical paths reducing the concentrated effect of the
Icebreaker 350. |
|
NOTE: Systems
using cast iron radiators, large iron pipes and gravity circulation
can not be thawed using the Icebreaker 350. |
Figure 6. Heating
Systems
| (a). |
Separate and cap all
unfrozen zones |
| (b). |
Separate frozen zone of
the system. |
| (c). |
Put cardboard insulation
between pipe ends. |
| (d). |
Turn on heater, pump and
Icebreaker 350 (connected as shown in Figure 6). |
| (e). |
Collect thawing water in
a container. |
| (f). |
When thawed, shut off Icebreaker
350, heater and system pump. |
| (g). |
Quickly reconnect all
pipes |
| (h).
|
Check heat in all zones.
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Figure 7. Baseboard
System
| (a). |
Lift or remove any sheet
metal pipe covers so that they are not touching the pipe. |
| (b). |
Make sure the copper
pipe is insulated from any metal hangers or supports. |
| (c).
|
Attach the Icebreaker
350 clamps directly to the copper pipe (see Figure 7)
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A pipe will freeze when it
cools below 32 degrees F. Take the following steps to prevent freezing:
-
Insulate all cracks and
openings.
-
Wrap pipes with
thermostatically controlled heating tape.
-
Let water trickle
through the pipe on cold nights. A flow of one gallon / hour is enough
to prevent freezing.
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NOTE: Whenever using
the Icebreaker 350 monitor the equipment
during the pipe thawing operation. Use a standard AC clamp-on "Amprobe"
meter to check the heating current. Current should be between 200
and 400 amps. If the the current is less than 200 amps a second Icebreaker
350 can be used to increase the current.
|
WARNING |
MAKE SURE THAT THE
POLARITY OF THE SECOND UNIT IS CORRECT AND HAS BEEN TESTED
BEFORE USE. |
NOTE: The second
Icebreaker 350 will require a second 20 amp 115 volt AC power supply.
Testing For
Polarity
| WARNING |
- REMOVE ALL FLAMMABLE MATERIALS,
GASES etc. FROM THE IMMEDIATE AREA.
- WEAR HEAVY GLOVES AND EYE
PROTECTION
|
Figure 8. Set-Up #1
Parallel Connections
| (a). |
Make the two pipe
connections on one side of the pipe and plug in both units. |
| (b). |
Touch the other two
clamps together for an instant. |
| (c).
|
Observe the amount of
spark.
- None or weak spark -
Polarity is correct
- Strong spark - Polarity is
incorrect
|
| (d). |
Correct the polarity. (i)
Turn over one of the 115V plugs. OR (ii) intercahnge the
cable leads on one of the Icebreaker 350 units. |
| (e). |
Repeat the test until no
spark is seen. |
| (f). |
When polarity is
determined to be correct, attach the clamps. |
 Figure 9 - Set-Up #2
Series Connections
| (a). |
Make all
connections EXCEPT leave the clamp on one end of the pipe free. |
| (b). |
Touch the
free clamp to the pipe for an instant. |
| (c). |
Observe the
spark.
- Strong Spark - Polarity is
correct
- None or weak spark - Polarity is
incorrect
|
| (d). |
Correct the
polarity. (i) Turn over one of the 115V plugs. OR (ii)
intercahnge the cable leads on one of the Icebreaker 350 units. |
| (e). |
Repeat the
test until no spark is seen. |
| (f). |
When
polarity is determined to be correct, attach the clamp. |
NOTE: Two correctly
connected Icebreakers will double the thawing action. If more heat is
required a larger Icebreaker Unit and qualified operator must be used.
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Figure 3. Example
of Parallel Grounding