How to Install the Pavement Snow and Ice Sensor Kit (SIT–6E Sensor + Housing)
Discover the secret to a fully automated, hassle-free snow-melting system with this step-by-step guide to installing the Pavement Snow and Ice Sensor Kit (SIT-6E) with Sensor Housing. This powerful sensor is the brain behind your heated driveway or walkway, detecting snow and ice the moment they appear and instantly triggering your system to melt them away—before they become a problem. In this video, you'll learn exactly how to install it for maximum efficiency, from selecting the perfect location to proper mounting, wiring, and connection setup. Avoid common mistakes, ensure long-term reliability, and take control of winter with a sensor that keeps your outdoor surfaces safe and clear, no matter how bad the weather gets. Watch now and get it done right the first time!
There are actually two sensors in this particular installation. One is an over-temperature sensor, which senses the temperature of the slab or the asphalt pad. This sensor will be housed within a capped end of a rigid metal conduit, resting between two of the heating wires. We have recessed this conduit because it will also accommodate the temperature and snow or precipitation sensor. Once the asphalt is laid to the specified height, the surface will be finished, and we will remove the plastic cap to install the sensor into the box. Both sensors will then be routed through the conduit to a junction box.
As we prepare for the paint to arrive for the top coat, I have used a fish tape to ensure that once the asphalt is installed to the correct level, I can pull the wires for both sensors through the conduit. We are currently waiting for the asphalt to be completed so that we can proceed with the sensor installation. Now that the sensor is in the finished asphalt, we can confirm that it is at the exact height of the surface.
During installation, we used a cap to cover the top of the sensor housing. This is beneficial because the cap is the same thickness as the sensor itself. Once the sensor is in place, we will need to level it using the screw holes located at the top of the sensor. The internal box can move up and down, allowing us to adjust it flush with the asphalt surface. As we prepare to install the sensor, we will tie it to a fish tape, which has already been positioned. This will enable us to send the sensor wire back to the junction box.
In total, we will have two sensors installed. The first is the asphalt sensor, which will activate when the temperature drops below a set point, such as 38 degrees, and will also detect precipitation. The second sensor, as previously mentioned, is the over-temperature sensor. This sensor communicates with the controller to monitor the slab temperature and can shut off the system if the temperature exceeds a predetermined threshold, such as 60, 50, or 70 degrees.
We have successfully pulled the cable out of our junction box using the fish tape. It is important to note that there are two junction boxes present: one for high voltage and one for low voltage. Low voltage should never be run in the same box as high voltage. We will continue to pull the cable until the sensor is ready to be set.
The two sensors consist of the over-temperature sensor and the pavement sensor. The over-temperature sensor will be placed in a piece of conduit, positioned between two heating wires. I will proceed to install that sensor now. The threaded set screws will be placed over the adjustment screws, which allow for the box to be raised or lowered to ensure a flat surface. These set screws will make contact with the height-adjusting screws, ensuring proper alignment.
To complete the installation, I will apply grease to the area that has been raised to achieve a flush surface. This grease will also be applied around the perimeter and in the screw holes to prevent water ingress. The grease should be kneaded like dough to fill the space effectively, further aiding in keeping water out of the installation.
