As well as being a key supplier of electric underfloor heating in the UK, we have been active in trace heating for more than 43 years, and STOPFREEZE was introduced as winter protection & insurance against the misery & cost of frozen pipes.

The market is forecasting up to 1.5 million condenser boilers will be installed each year, and with several million installed already, the STOPFREEZE kit is designed for retrofit requirements as well as new installations.

We sell trace heating all year round but the last two winters really gave a new meaning to frozen pipe prevention. Each year most industrial and commercial buildings generally take precautions to protect exposed pipework before the freeze begins, but with unpredictable winters the domestic & residential market is now finding a real need for frozen pipe prevention.

To only insulate a pipe will not prevent freezing. Insurance against freezing can only be achieved as a result of the thermal dynamics involved when you combine trace heating with thermal insulation.

The STOPFREEZE self regulating heating system provides ease of installation, safety and the lowest running cost

STOPFREEZE is suitable for plastic and metal pipes.
 
Key elements in the STOPFREEZE range are the In-Line thermostat which is fully weatherproof and rated to IP67, and also the flexibility of the TRACECO-15 self regulating heating cable.

STOPFREEZE is ideal for competent installers and the product has been prepared so that it will be instantly recognizable for its purpose with a strong brand name.

Before releasing STOPFREEZE considerable research went into the practical and commercial elements of the application. STOPFREEZE was then designed with a number of engineering features that were not available, and this has given the product added benefits and value.

Special attention has been given to the following engineering features:

1. The In-Line thermostat is fully weatherproof and rated IP67  -  it operates by sensing air temperature, and not at a single point on the pipe, thereby ensuring maximum protection is achieved at all times.
   
   Pipe surface temperature varies along the length of a pipe so full protection cannot be guaranteed if the heating cable has a thermostat which is in contact with a warm part of the pipe.
   Warning: avoid placing a thermostat in contact with the pipe - use ambient sensing thermostats such as the STOPFREEZE In-Line thermostat
   
   All makes of self regulating heating cable will consume energy all year round, unless they are installed with a thermostat. Most people are not happy to consume energy and that is why we fit the In-Line thermostat as standard.
   
   A 10w/m self regulating heating cable without a thermostat will consume approx. 7w/m when the ambient temperature is 20 degC i.e during a nice day in Summer. That is a waste of electricity !!! 
2. Assuming the maximum pipe size to be 32mm, the STOPFREEZE will provide frost protection at the lowest temperatures recorded during Winter 2010 – please note the rating of STOPFREEZE is 12 w/m @ 10ºC and we recommend this is applied in a straight run on the pipe and a minimum 13mm thickness of thermal insulation is applied overall to the trace heated pipe after fitting the trace heating.
   
   Some systems offer only 10w/m rated cables and recommend 10mm thickness of thermal insulation. This will only protect a 32mm pipe down to temperatures of minus 11 degC.
   During Winter 2010 / 2011 temperature were much lower than minus 11 degC.
   
   Heat loss calculation is based on IEC 62395, the International Standard for Electrical Resistance Trace Heating Systems for Industrial and Commercial applications
3. The flexibility of the STOPFREEZE heating cable is an advantage to the installer, simplifying handling on site and providing ease of installation. This is especially important when the installer has to fit the self regulating cable in a loop on the pipe within the wall (many installers are choosing to fit the heating cable within the wall in this manner becasue it is a critical section of the discharge pipe where freezing occurs).
   It is easy to compare the physical flexibility of STOPFREEZE with alternative cables on the market !!!
4. The samll cross section (geometry) of STOPFREEZE self regulating heating cable allows the thermal insulation to fit comfortably and keep the aesthetics of the installation to a good standard that is acceptable to the property owner.
5. The Stopfreeze kit includes a spare end cap to enable the length of self regulating heating cable to be cut to the exact length of the pipe and then sealed
6. The In-line junction box with cable retention clamps to EN-60598-1 & BS4533 for increased safety

Supply can be a full kit complete with RCD, junction box, spare end cap and other fixing materials or we supply a heated section of self regulating heating cable, complete with fully weatherproof In-Line thermostat rated IP67 and 1.5 metre long 3 core power supply cable, all factory finished and tested ready for immediate installation (i.e. without the RCD and other components) and this is called STOPFREEZE COMBI. Basically, any length of heating cable can be fabricated in-line with the thermostat.                                      
 
Although primarily focused on boiler condensate discharge lines, both the STOPFREEZE KIT and STOPFREEZE COMBI can be used for a number of pipe frost protection applications, namely:
 
Farms, caravan parks & camp sites, stables, lofts, garages, holiday homes & lodges, nurseries, outbuildings & sheds etc. 

We are here to help should you need assistance. Please call our Free Help Line 0800 211 8249 at any time