Numerical evaluation and experimental validation of self-regulating polymer heating cable embedded in concrete slab

Self-regulating polymer heating cables are widely used in industry and the commercial world. Their applications include process temperature maintenance, frost heave protection, floor heating, and snow-melting. The heating cables automatically adjust their power output to compensate for temperature changes. This paper demonstrates a numerical approach based on a 3D finite element model to evaluate the cable performance in a concrete slab for snow-melting applications. A variety of thermal conditions are investigated to simulate the ambient temperature changes. Experiments were carried out to validate the finite element model. The numerical results and experimental data are compared and presented.