A frozen water pipe in the stable means carrying buckets, and if the pipe bursts, a leak as soon as it thaws. This collection is about preventing that: Gobel frost protection cables that you lay along a pipe and aluminium tape to fix them. For anyone who has to supply horses, chickens, sheep or goats with water in winter.
How a frost protection cable works
The cable lies against the outside of the water pipe and gives off heat as soon as it is powered. The wattage increases with the length: from 17 watts for the 1-metre cable to 768 watts for the 48-metre one. The aluminium tape holds the cable tightly against the pipe and spreads the heat over the surface. Preferably add a layer of pipe lagging over it, so the heat does not escape straight into the cold air.
Choosing the right length
Measure the pipe at risk of freezing: the section outdoors, in an unheated barn or in a draughty stable, including taps and fittings you lay the cable around. Choose a cable that covers that length. The cables are available in 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 14, 18, 24, 37 and 48 metres. Because you cannot shorten a fixed cable, it is better to choose slightly too long than too short; check the manual for how to lay a surplus without the cable lying over itself.
Points to note
- You need a power socket nearby, preferably an earthed one suitable for a damp space.
- Only lay the cable on pipes that are suitable for it; with plastic pipes, the manual sometimes gives additional instructions.
- A cable protects the pipe, not an open drinker. For drinking water at the animals themselves, you need a heated drinker.
- At the start of every winter, check that the cable still works and has not been damaged by rodents or tools.
More for the cold months
A step-by-step plan is in frost protection for the stable. Chicken keepers will find drinkers that do not freeze in heated drinkers for chickens. Clearing snow from the yard is done with a scraper from manure scrapers & floor squeegees, and you will find a warm work jacket in handy around the yard. You can search further in stable & yard.
Frequently asked questions
Does a frost protection cable stay on all winter?
That depends on the type. Some cables have a built-in thermostat and only switch on when it gets cold; check the manual of the cable you choose.
Can I make the cable shorter?
No, you do not cut a ready-made frost protection cable. So choose a length that suits your pipe.
Is insulation over the cable necessary?
It is not always required, but insulation keeps the heat at the pipe and makes the protection more effective, especially in draughty places.