UNIPRISE INTERNATIONAL INC. UNIPRISE UES200 D PIPE THAWING MACHINE Operator s Manual and Technical description - 2013-1 IMPORTANT For your own safety, before assembling and operating this unit, read this Operator s Manual and Technical description carefully and completely. Learn the operation, applications and potential hazards peculiar to this unit.
Uniprise International Model UES 200 D Pipe Thawing Machine Table of Contents Chapter Page 1. General Safety Information 3 2. Specific Safety Information 5 3. Description and Specifications 6 4. General Operating Instructions 8 5. Maintenance Instructions 12 6. Service and Repair 12 7. Warranty Information 13 8. Electrical Schematics 13 9. Contact Information 14
1. General Safety information WARNING Read and understand all instructions. Failure to follow all instructions listed below may result in electric shock, fire, and/or serious personal injury.. SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS! Work Area Safety 1. Keep your work area clean and well lit. Cluttered benches and dark areas invite accidents. 2. Do not operate power tools in explosive atmosheres, such as in the presence of flammable liquids, gases, or dust. Electrical switches may create sparks which may ignite dust or fumes. 3. Keep bystanders, children, and visitors away while operating a power tool. Distractions can cause you to lose control. 4. Do not let visitors contact the machine or extension cord. Such preventative measures reduces the risks of injury. Personal Safety 1. Stay alert, watch what you are doing and use common sense when operating a power tool. Do not use the tool while tired or under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or other medications. A moment of inattention while operating power tools may cause serious injury. 2. Dress Properly. Do not wear loose clothing or jewelry. Contain long hair. Keep your hair clothing, and gloves away from moving parts. Loose clothes, jewelry, or long hair can be caught in moving parts. 3. Avoid accidental starting. Be sure switch is OFF before plugging in. Plugging in machines that have the switch ON invites accidents. 4. Do not over-reach. Keep proper footing and balance at all times. Proper footing and balance enables better control of the tool in unexpected situations. 5. Use safety equipment. Always wear eye protection. Dust mask, non-skid safety shoes, hard hat, or hearing protection must be used for appropriate conditions. Electrical Safety 1. Grounded machine must be plugged into an outlet, properly installed and
grounded in accordance with all codes and ordinances. Never remove the grounding prong or modify the plug in any way. Do not use any adapter plugs. Check with a qualified electrician if you are in doubt as to whether the outlet is properly grounded. If the machine should electrically malfunction or break down, grounding provides a low resistance path to carry electricity away from the user. 2. Avoid body contact with grounded surfaces such as pipes, radiators, ranges and refrigerators. There is an increased risk of electrical shock,if your body is grounded. 3. Don t expose electrical tools to rain or wet conditions. Water entering a unit will increase the risk of electrical shock. 4. Do not abuse cord. Never use the cord to carry tools or pull the plug from an outlet. Keep cord away from heat, oil sharpe edges, or moving parts. Replace damaged cords immediately. Damaged cords increase the risk of electrical shock. 5. This unit is only approved for indoor use 6. Connect the tool to an AC power supply that matches the name plate specification. Incorrect voltage supply can cause electrical shock or burns. 7. Use only three-wire extension cords which have three-prong grounding plugs, and the three-pole receptacles which accept the tools plug. Use of other extension cords will not ground the tool and increases the risk of electrical shock. 8. Use the proper size extension cords. Insufficient conductor size will cause excessive voltage drop, loss of power, and overheating. 9. Keep all extension cord connections dry and off the ground. Do not touch plugs or the tool with wet hands. Reduces the likelyhood of electrical shock. Tool use and care 1. Do not use tool if switch does not turn ON or OFF. Any tool that cannot be controlled with the switch is dangerous and must be repaired. 2. Store idle tools out of reach of children and other untrained persons. Tools are dangerous in the hands of untrained users. 3. Maintain tools with care. Properly maintained tools are less likely to cause injury. 4. Check for breakage of parts, and other conditions that may affect the tool s operation. If damaged, have tool serviced before using. Many accidents are caused by poorly maintained tools. 5. Use only accessories that are recommended by the manufacturer for your model. Accessories that may be suitable for one tool may be hazardous when used with another tool.
6. Inspect the tool and extension cords periodically and replace if damaged. Damaged cords increase the risk of electric shock. 7. Keep handles dry and clean; free from oil and grease. Allows for better tool control. 8. Disconnect the plug from the power source before making any adjustments, changing accessories, or storing tool. These preventative safety measures reduce the risk of accidentally starting the unit. Service 1. Tool service must be performed only by qualified repair personnel. Service or maintenance performed by unqualified repair personnel could result in injury. 2. When servicing a tool, use only identical replacement parts. Follow instructions in the Maintenance Instructions section of this manual. Use of unauthorized parts or failure to follow instructions may create a risk of electrical shock or injury. 3. Disconnect all power from the unit before servicing. 2. Specific Safety Information The Operator s Manual and Technical description contains specific safety information and instructions for your protection against serious injuries including: Burns from contact with hot parts Electrical shock or burns from contact with wires or other electrical parts. Do not use if electrical cords are damaged or worn. Plug cord into grounded three-prong receptacle. Do not touch clamp tips or cable connections with bare hands. These are hot surfaces. Tool Safety 1. Tool is made to thaw frozen iron or copper water pipes. Follow the instuctions in proper use. Other uses may increase the risk of injury. 2. Do not leave the unit unattended while thawing. Such preventive measures reduce the risk of injury or fire. 3. Do not touch the clamp tips or cable connections. Reduces the risk of burns.
4. Do not operate unit with housing removed. Exposure to internal parts may result in injury or the unit overheating. 5. Make both pipe connections before plugging in the unit. Prevents electrical arcing between the clamps and the pipe. 6. Use cable clamps provided with the unit. Incorrect cables may result in overheating of wires. 7. Keep clamps away from combustible materials or articles that can be damaged by heat. Clamp tips become hot during use. 3. Description and Specifications: Description The Uniprise Pipe Thawing Machines are easy-to-use and versatile for thawing 1/2 til 1 1/2 copper or steel/iron pipe up to 45,7m. The UES 200D uses low voltage (V) and high amperage (A) to quickly and safely thaw frozen tap water lines and frozen hydronic systems. This method does not require that you know exactly where the frozen section is nor do you have to have direct access to the area. The UES 200D will thaw copper or steel pipe that is underground, beneath the floor or behind the walls. Multiple voltage settings on the UES 200D allow for maximum amperage to provide the shortest thawing time. Vinyl coated clamps with 7,6m cables, standard with unit, permit thawing of a 15,2m section of pipe. Additional 7,6m cable extensions are available for longer runs. Specifications Generally recommended for all indoor copper or steel pipes from 1/2 to 1 1/2. Thawing units will not work with plastic pipe or lines containing plastic or rubber couplings. Pipe Thawing Machine: Input: Voltage: 230 VAC, Current: 6,0 A, Frequency: 50Hz, 1-phase
Output: Voltage: 3,7 6,2 VAC, Current: 300 A Maximum reach: 45,7m Weight (without cables): 15,5 kg Weight (with standard cables): 25kg Pollution degree: 3 Standard Equipment Qty Item 1 Pipe Thawing Machine UES 200 D, 230 VAC, 6,0 A. 2 Cables, length per cable: 7,6 m The cables has a spring clamp on one end and a Tweco connector on the other. 1 Operator s Manual and Technical description Accessories Extension Cable, 2x7,6m #1/0 AWG c/w Tweco, Item no. 10-132 (For use with UES 200 D only) Cables and clamps 2x7,6m in length with vinyl coated clamps. UES 200 D Size #1/0 AWG Weight 16kg/pair Preparing Thawing Tool for Use Installing Cables with Clamps 1. Completely uncoil the cables with clamps. 2. Insert the male Tweco connector receptical on the back of the unit and twist 1/4 turn to lock 3. Repeat step 2 for second cable assembly. Note! If cable leads are not securely fastened to the thawing unit, thawing time may be extended and/or connections will become extremely hot and damage unit. 4. General Operating Instructions
1. When making connections, clean pipe of of paint, scale, rust etc. to insure good amperage flow from the clamps to the pipe. Uncoil the cables completely. 2. Before plugging in the unit, assure that power switch is in the OFF position. This is the middle switch on the UES 200 D. 3. Plug the unit into a grounded 230VAC, 10 amp outlet. UES 200 D switch console operation The UES 200 has a low range A and B and a high range C and D. The middle switch is OFF in the center position. It operates the A-B range in the down position and operates the C-D range in the up position. The circuit breaker on the front panel must be depressed. Summary OFF A B C D Middle switch is in the center position. Lowest setting, Middle switch in the down position Left switch in the down position Right switch in either position Middle switch in the down position Left switch in the up position Right switch in either position Middle switch in the up position Right switch in the down position Left switch in either position Highest setting, Middle switch in the up position Right switch in the up position Left switch in either position Normal procedure is to start at the lowest setting (A),while monitoring the input amps on the meter, switch to successively higher settings B, C, D, to achieve a reading in the Green Area of the meter (6 to 8 Amps). Exceeding 8 amps for an extended an extended period will cause the circuit breaker on the front panel to trip. If all settings have been tried and the ammeter is not registering: 1. Make sure the circuit breaker on the front panel is depressed. 2. Check all connections. 3. Verify that both clamps are on the same pipe. 4. Verify that there are no plastic or rubber sections or couplings. 5. Check to see if a rupture caused by the ice has separated the pipe breaking the electrical connection. Thawing frozen water lines
Note: To thaw frozen water lines, it is strongly recommended that there be standard water pressure on one side of the frozen section. As the pipe warms above the freezing point, the water with pressure behind it will seep along the inside walls of the pipe melting and flushing the remaining ice out of the pipe. 1. Locate the frozen section by opening faucet and checking for water. Note: The frozen section will normally be in an outside wall or in a crawl space which is poorly insulated, and where the pipe is exposed to cold blowing air. 2. If there is no running water anywhere in the house, the water main to the house is frozen. The service can be thawed by placing one clamp on the tap water line in the basement and the other on a curb key attached to the curb valve. 3. If the frozen line is determined to be somewhere inside the house, place the clamps at the most convenient spots on either side of the frozen section. Example: A house has no running water in the kitchen sink. However, there is running water in a bathroom on the same floor.thaw the cold water tap by placing one clamp on the pipe under the kitchen sink and the other clamp on the cold water line in the bathroom. Note: The normal thawing time is less than 10 minutes. More serious freeze ups and thawing pipes under ground can take considerably longer. The pipe thawing units are thermally protected and will cycle Off and On if left running for an extended period of time.
Thawing frozen hydronic systems The UES 200 D has the capacity to thaw frozen hydronic systems. These are harder systems to thaw due to the low pressure produced by the circulating pump and greater lengths of pipe necessary in single or multi zone systems. The simplest method is to determine which zone is frozen and run current through sections of the zone until heat is felt returning to the pipe. This method requires the circulating pump be operating. In the example above, one clamp is placed near the furnace. The second clamp is placed on the pipe next to the radiator. If heat is not felt returning to the radiator in 10 minutes, change the location of the clamps to heat a different section of the system as indicated below.
If this method has been tried without success, the entire zone can be thawed at once in the following manner. Place the pipe clamps several meters apart (see figure below). The current put out by unit can take two paths, the short path between the two clamps or the long path around the loop. The majority of the current will take the shortest path. Therefore, in order to thaw the the entire loop it is necessary to break the pipe to eliminate the short path. A container will be needed to collect the water which will flow from the break once the frozen section is thawed. 1. Break and cap the return side of the pipe at point B on both sides of break. This prevents current flow through the second zone allowing 100% of the heat to be used in zone #1. Do not let pipe ends contact one another. 2. Break and cap one side of the pipe at point A. Do not let pipe ends contact one another. This forces the current to flow through the entire zone #1. 3. Open the the system fill valve to place house water pressure on the system. Turn on unit to thaw zone 1. Use a container to collect water once the zone thaws. 4. Once zone #1 is thawed, turn the unit and close the fill valve. If zone #2 is not frozen, reconnect all pipes bleed the system. If zone #2 is frozen, repeat the procedure on zone #2, capping both side of the break on zone #1 and one side of the break in zone #2.
5. Maintenance Instructions WARNING Make sure the unit is unplugged from electrical system before making any repairs. Note! If any maintenance is required other than that listed below, contact Uniprise International Inc. or Rebox AS. Machine Maintenance 1. Inspect cables, replace damaged, frayed, broken or worn cables. 2. Periodically clean output studs and cabe lugs with steel wool and emery cloth. 3. Inspect power cord. Replace damaged, frayed, broken or worn machine cord. 4. Inspect extension cords. Repair or replace damaged frayed, broken or worn cords. 5. Keep clamps dry and clean. Machine Storage Electrical equipment must be kept indoors or well covered in rainy weather. When not being used, store unit in a secure, locked area, out of reach of children and people unfamiliar with the unit. 6. Service and Repair If any maintenance is required, the tool should be sent to Uniprise International Inc. or Rebox AS. All repairs made by Uniprise are warranted against defects in material and workmanship. If you have any questions regarding the operation or function of this tool, please contact Uniprise international Inc. or Rebox AS. If any correspondence, please give all information shown on the nameplate of your tool including model number, voltage and serial number.
7. Warranty Uniprise Pipe Thawing Machines are fully guaranteed two years against any defective material or workmanship. Units found to be defective in this period will be promptly repaired or replaced. 8. Electrical Schematics UES 200 D
9. Contact Information Manufacturer: European agent: Uniprise International Inc. Rebox AS P.O. Box 369 Postboks 9507 Åskollen 50 Napco Drive Gråterudveien 1 Terryville CT 06786 3038 DRAMMEN USA Norway Phone: +1 800-864-2858 Phone: +47 32880955 Rebox AS Phone: +47 32880955 E-mail: post@rebox.no Web page: www.tinetrafo.no