Abstract: A de-icing, snow melting and warming system is taught which utilizes a heatsink (20) consisting of a number of board strips disposed in a planer array positioned within a building structure between its exterior and interior surface. The heatsink board strips have a gap (24) therebetween in which a heating cable (42) is positioned in a continuous serpentine manner and held in place with loop clamps (44). A gap filler (48) encases the heating cable including the enclosed gap forming a homogenous closure. A low voltage power transformer (54) is attached to electrical mains providing electrical voltage reduction to the heating cable of 30 volts or less, and controls and self diagnostics regulate the power and detect anomalies within the system.

Abstract: An improved electric resistance heater assembly for soldering tools, glue guns, hair dryers, heat pencils, paint removers, etc., includes, as the core of the assembly, an open-ended tube of a ceramic material having good electrical insulation properties with good thermal conductivity, low heat capacity and a high softening temperature. A conduit extends lengthwise through the wall of the tube from end to end thereof and first and second spring-tempered split metallic compression bands of smaller diameter than the tube are placed at each end of the tube and retained thereon by compressive stress. A plurality of turns of resistance wire are wound about the outer periphery of the tube between the bands with each end of the wire welded to a respective one of the bands. An first electric lead is welded to the first band. A second electric lead is welded to the second band and extends lengthwise through the conduit and exits the conduit near the first band.