http://www.woodsmall.com/HEAT-TAPE-Nov-2018.txt add AMP/WATT meter for new heat tape - lets you know when heat tape is actually on GET AUTOMATIC HEATING TAPE ????? http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/WPcap/2000-01/20/013r-012000-idx.html https://www.acehardware.com/departments/heating-and-cooling/heaters/heating-cables/33511?x429=true&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&gclid=EAIaIQobChMImqGsro_73gIVCh6GCh2QLQG8EAQYAiABEgKYZfD_BwE Count on the AHB series for water pipe heating cable that’s ready to use out of the box. An integral energy saving thermostat controls the AHB cable to automatically protect water pipes when the temperature dips into the critical range. There’s no easier, more effective do it yourself solution for safeguarding water pipes in cold climates. 3 feet automatic pipe heating cable Suitable for commercial and residential metal or plastic water supply pipes vulnerable to freezing Approved for rigid plastic and metal pipe up to 1-1/2" diameter Cable consists of tough XLP inner insulation, a continuous ground braid and weather-resistant PVC outer jacket . Keeps water flowing down to -40 degrees Fahrenheit UL Listed to Canadian Safety Standards and CSA certified when used in accordance with instructions on water-filled metal or plastic pipes 2' 18/3 cold lead with grounded plug Related Products: It is recommend to use of HCA application tape or good quality electrical tape with high temperature rating of +176 degees F. UL (Underwriter's Laboratories) listed == https://www.acehardware.com/departments/heating-and-cooling/heaters/heating-cables/3018629 Easy Heat 5 ft. L Self Regulating For Self Regulated Pipe Heating Cable Heating Cable Freeze Free Item no. 3018629 | 10805 Freeze Free self regulating pipe heating cables provide flexible protection against pipe freeze ups in the most challenging applications. Freeze Free’s cut to length technology is ideal for installations that require protection of numerous pipes of varied lengths. Using Freeze Free cable, plumbers and building contractors can install self regulating protection on each pipe at the exact length needed. Freeze Free self-regulating pipe cables automatically vary heat output according to changes in the surrounding temperature, protecting plastic and metal water pipes against freezing down to –51 degree Celsius/–60 degree Fahrenheit. A braided metal jacket provides electrical grounding as well as protection against damage in dry locations. Reels of 100, 300 and 500 feet are available and the cable can be cut to length as needed. Prepackaged lengths15 feet are also available. Freeze Free cables are rated at 3 watt per foot, 120 Vac at 10 degree Celsius/50 degree Fahrenheit. Circuit lengths are 3 feet minimum and 75 feet maximum. Cables are UL Listed to US and Canadian Safety Standards and CSA Certified. Grounded 30 inch cord set and requires less heating cable For plastic and metal water pipes and protects Protects pipes to -60 degrees Fahrenheit (-51 degrees Celsius) Plug now supports up to 75 feet of freeze free cable Requires less heating cable For plastic and metal water pipes Power indicator light UL listed/ CSA certified 5 feet size - Brand Name: Easy Heat CSA LIsted: Yes Length: 5 ft. Packaging Type: Boxed Self Regulating: Yes Sub Brand: Freeze Free UL Listed: Yes Usage: Self Regulated Pipe Heating Cable Volts: 120 volt Watts: 15 watts Watts per Foot: 3 watt per foot ==== The following guidelines incorporate those CPSC suggestions as well as those of manufacturers and fire inspectors. They encourage a cautious use of the product that may include more limitations than some manufacturers' instructions indicate. Installation and maintenance * Purchase UL- or CSA-certified heat tape. Be sure that the tape has a grounding, or three-prong plug. * Heat tapes should be installed in compliance with national, state and local electrical codes, and in accordance with manufacturers' instructions. Because heat tapes differ, some products may be suitable for one kind of installation but not another. * Do not use heat tapes that are designed specifically for water pipes on gutters, driveways or fuel lines. * As an extra margin of safety in all cases, plug the heat tape into a grounded outlet that is protected by a quick-tripping circuit breaker called a ground-fault circuit-interrupter (GFCI). Install heat tapes on exterior surfaces and exposed pipes, not inside walls, floors or ceilings. Apply them directly on the pipe you want to protect from freezing, not around pipe insulation. * To avoid overheating, don't cover heat tapes with insulation, even though some manufacturers may permit it. If you do add insulation according to manufacturers' instructions, use a nonflammable type, such as fiberglass, not foam or vinyl insulation that could catch fire from a failing heat tape. * Do not wrap heat tape over itself, even though some manufacturers may permit it. Do not use metal bindings of any kind to secure heat tape to piping or roofing. * If the heat tape has a thermostat, check the instructions to see if the thermostat should rest against the pipe and be covered with insulation to sense pipe temperature, or be left hanging and uncovered to sense air temperature. * Check heat tapes and their electrical connections at the beginning of the heating season and monthly during operation. Remove a heat tape if you see cuts or cracks, charring, animal chew marks, bare wires, a loose or missing end cap, or any other signs of deterioration. * Replace any tape that has been exposed to the elements for more than three years. Replace any uncertified tape, even if it shows no signs of wear. //////////////// To avoid overheating, don't cover heat tapes with insulation, even though some manufacturers may permit it. If you do add insulation according to manufacturers' instructions, use a nonflammable type, such as fiberglass, not foam or vinyl insulation that could catch fire from a failing heat tape. \\\\ Some heat tape kits combine several of these items. Step 1: Check pipes. Do not install heat tape over leaking pipes. ... Step 2: Attach to pipe. Use only automatic heat tape, with heavy rubber insulation around the wires. ... Step 3: Attach heat tape. ... Step 4: Insulate. ... Step 5: Plug it in. How To Install Heat Tape | Foremost Insurance Group www.foremost.com/mygreathome/mobile-home-repair/.../how-to-install-heat-tape.asp If your water supply piping is plastic, ONLY use automatic thermostatically controlled heat tape. Non-automatic heat tapes can damage plastic pipes, especially if the taped pipes are covered with insulation. For this job you'll need automatic heat tape (the kind with a thermostat), electrical tape, and pipe insulation (which could take the form of a waterproof insulated pipe jacket, or pipe insulation with vapor seal cover). Some heat tape kits combine several of these items. Use only automatic heat tape, with heavy rubber insulation around the wires. Do NOT use non-automatic heat tape, as this could damage plastic pipes. A few additional issues to watch: Heat tape should not be used over the thermal insulation or near flammable materials. Check heat tapes at least once a year, paying particular attention to older tape which may develop cracks in the insulation. When you purchase a new tape, get the correct size for the intended job. Do not overlap heat tape over itself. Do not wrap tape at a 90 degree bend. Install according to the instructions. Not all heat tapes can be used over plastic pipes. Check the recommended usages. === How & Where to add heat to protect against pipe freezing: heat tapes ... https://inspectapedia.com/plumbing/Pipe_Heat_Tapes.php Plastic piping to resist freezing: modern plastic piping is considerably more tolerant of freezing without bursting than copper or steel water pipes. In a home intended for regular winterization some builders use exclusively plastic pipes to resist freeze damage. Be careful: even when freeze-tolerant piping is used, the piping connections, elbows, unions, couplings, and plumbing fixtures are still at risk of frost damage. - Use a light bulb as a heat source. Keep light bulbs at least two feet from any combustibles. Even a light bulb can start a fire if it's too close to combustibles. --/////////////////// Reader comment: Vincent 1/21/13: Great suggestions - good article! Beside insulating pipes from cold weather, or trying to use heat tape, a very effective way of protecting pipes from freezing is to introduce a circulating pump into the water system. By installing a circulation system, the water from the 'hot' side of the system gets sent to the 'cold' water line. This greatly reduces the possibility of water pipes freezing because the water temperature never reaches the critical freezing point. The best circulation system on the market that I've seen is available at http://avoidfrozenpipes.com/ It is the only circulating pump I've seen that doesn't need electricity to run. It can be installed anywhere in the water system, and save hundreds if not thousands of dollars in home repairs if frozen pipes burst from water expansion. The Fine Print... • The Hot Water Lobster is not recommended for houses with 'tankless' hot water systems. //////////////////// \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ ====================== https://www.acehardware.com/departments/heating-and-cooling/heaters/heating-cables/3018629 Easy Heat 5 ft. L Self Regulating For Self Regulated Pipe Heating Cable Heating Cable Freeze Free Item no. 3018629 $ 30 | 10805 Freeze Free self regulating pipe heating cables provide flexible protection against pipe freeze ups in the most challenging applications. Freeze Free’s cut to length technology is ideal for installations that require protection of numerous pipes of varied lengths. Using Freeze Free cable, plumbers and building contractors can install self regulating protection on each pipe at the exact length needed. Freeze Free self-regulating pipe cables automatically vary heat output according to changes in the surrounding temperature, protecting plastic and metal water pipes against freezing down to –51 degree Celsius/–60 degree Fahrenheit. A braided metal jacket provides electrical grounding as well as protection against damage in dry locations. Reels of 100, 300 and 500 feet are available and the cable can be cut to length as needed. Prepackaged lengths15 feet are also available. Freeze Free cables are rated at 3 watt per foot, 120 Vac at 10 degree Celsius/50 degree Fahrenheit. Circuit lengths are 3 feet minimum and 75 feet maximum. Cables are UL Listed to US and Canadian Safety Standards and CSA Certified. Grounded 30 inch cord set and requires less heating cable For plastic and metal water pipes and protects Protects pipes to -60 degrees Fahrenheit (-51 degrees Celsius) Plug now supports up to 75 feet of freeze free cable Requires less heating cable For plastic and metal water pipes Power indicator light UL listed/ CSA certified 5 feet size Brand Name: Easy Heat CSA LIsted: Yes Length: 5 ft. Packaging Type: Boxed Self Regulating: Yes Sub Brand: Freeze Free UL Listed: Yes Usage: Self Regulated Pipe Heating Cable Volts: 120 volt Watts: 15 watts Watts per Foot: 3 watt per foot against freezing down to –51 degree Celsius/–60 degree Fahrenheit. HOW HOT DOES THE HEAT TAPE GET ?? == https://www.emerson.com/documents/commercial-residential/easyheat-residential-commercial-solutions-catalog-en-2125080.pdf https://www.emerson.com/documents/commercial-residential/easyheat-residential-commercial-solutions-catalog-en-2125080.pdf