The Helmet Heat Ice Reduction System should only be installed by trained and certified Gutter Helmet dealer like Gutter Solutions. Different hardware and configuration options are available for Helmet Heat, so talk to us about the best setup for your home and for the weather conditions typical of your area. Planning the Circuits A certified Helmet Heat professional will first plan the circuits and take the right measurements according to your installation requirements. There are three factors that should be determined beforehand, two of which should be discussed between you and your Gutter Solutions representative. The third will depend on the size of your system. Factor 1: Power Source To determine the proper length of the cables, you need to first decide where the power will come from. Because Helmet Heat’s electrical junction box is weatherproof, it can be placed in any exterior location. Common locations are near the gutter downspout at the base of the home, allowing the power to be supplied through a crawl space or basement. The heat cable will run up the downspout. Another popular junction box location is just below the roof eave. The power supply line can be placed inside the attic near a gutter end, so the heat cable can be incorporated into the guttering system. Factor 2: Wire Placement For some installations, two lengths of self-regulating heat cable (one under the gutter cover and one through the gutter and down the downspout) will do the job. However, a three-wire set-up (two through the cover) is recommended for areas where winter weather can get extreme. Your Gutter Solutions representative will advise you on the best option for where you live. Factor 3: Cable Location Whether you choose to have a two- or three-wire setup, the entire system will consist of one continuous length of heat cable. The wire will run from the power connection box to the end of the gutter system. In cases where the cable system is over 450 feet, additional power boxes will need to be installed and the cables continued from that point on until the end. Once again, Gutter Solutions will advise you on your best options. Factor 4: Cable Length & Type The third factor affecting your installation is the length of cable that must be installed and the expected temperatures to which it will be exposed. The heating cable’s outer jacket is progressively marked in lineal foot increments, enabling the installer and electrician to confirm the overall cable length in feet for each circuit at the head and tail. A licensed electrician will connect the self-regulating heating cable to the power source, per local and national electrical codes. Ground fault equipment protection will also be used for each circuit.
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