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Heat Tape Clips

manog

manog

Closet Creation Herps
Has anyone used alternative clips to attach wiring to heat tape? I was just thinking there has got to be a cheaper way. I'm not an electrician but any electrical clip with electrical tape insulation would work. for $2.50 a set and 12 rows of heat tape, could get expensive.
 
Screws

I drilled a screw straight down through the side strip of the heat tape into the wooden shelf. And I used those hoop connectors (whatever they are called) on the wiring. Fast. Cheap. Effective.

(I could take a photo of you'd like.)

Chris
 
Soldering the wire to the tape is the simplest and cheapest method by far. Those clips are worthless IMO.
 
Screws

This is an example of the screw method.

(In fact, this is the original sample piece we made in order to test the method. And the voltage/ohm meter thingy approved. Please disregard the extra pin holes in the heat tape, though. Those were from another test.)

Chris
 

Attachments

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Does placing the heat tape on a metal surface dangerous? I'm not sure how it works and i dont want to fry my corns. I have them on metal shelving.

Thanks for the help
 
A couple of issues

While screwing the wire to the tape will conduct electricity, it isn't the safest or the most durable design. I personally would recommend using another method to attach the tape.

Metal shelving presents a problem for a couple of reasons:
1) The electric connections must not come into contact with the shelving. If they do......... :eek: ZAP! Not to mention it presents a serious fire hazard.

2) Metal will transfer heat. Once the tape warms the shelf, the heat will be transfered throughout the entire tank and reducing the effectiveness of your temp gradient. Wood is an insulator and doesn't distribute the heat like metal does.

It is important to remember that you are dealing with uninsulated electrical wiring with this project. While it can be made safe, it is inherently dangerous and caution must be exercise to prevent a disaster.
 
CAV said:
While screwing the wire to the tape will conduct electricity, it isn't the safest or the most durable design.
Click to expand...

Really? What would make it unsafe? (Or what makes it MORE unsafe than soldering?)

And it seems a bit more durable than some soldering jobs I've seen, too.

Who knows?


Chris
 
CAV, I was wondering why using the screws would be any different than using the clips. Both of them puncture the heat tape. I would think that as long as the exposed wires/metal are covered with electrical tape, it would be about the same. :shrugs:

Obviously, I am not an electrician. Please explain why one would be safer than the other. I would GREATLY appreciate it.
 
It depends on how you mount the rest of the tape.

I used the term "safest" to describe the method of least risk. Any method of attaching wire to tape poses a safety risk if it is done incorrectly. Anytime you puncture the metal strip inside the tape you are degrading the effectiveness of the product.

The problem over time will be durability. If the tape is subjected to constant movement, such as sliding tubs over it, the screw's hole (or the clips prongs) will eventually become stretched out and elongated. This causes a break in contact, loss of heat and sparking is also a nice little possibility.

Solder permanently affixes the wire to the tape. In all the years I have been soldering the connections I've never had one break, come loose or otherwise malfunction. I've tried the clips and I just don't find them to be as effective, especially for as much as they cost.

Again, these are just my opinions and are based on past experiences. :)
 
I agree. (I think.) It all depends on the quality of workmanship. Although I think the two methods are generally comparable.

For instance, if the heat tape is subjected to constant movement, the connection may be compromised. This could be true for either method. (A poor soldering job can easily become unattached.) And covering the heat tape with a protective layer of sheet metal or foil tape is common to both methods. (I personally use foil tape which prevents the heat tape from moving at all.) This may make the problem a wash in either case.

All things being equal, the soldering method would most definitely have a stronger connection. Although I am not sure this matters at all for the reasons listed above.

I am lazy, so I prefer the screw method. It's easy, less time consuming, requires no additional equipment, and offers no danger of burns from molten metal. (Ouch!)


Chris
 
CAV said:
I used the term "safest" to describe the method of least risk. Any method of attaching wire to tape poses a safety risk if it is done incorrectly. Anytime you puncture the metal strip inside the tape you are degrading the effectiveness of the product.

The problem over time will be durability. If the tape is subjected to constant movement, such as sliding tubs over it, the screw's hole (or the clips prongs) will eventually become stretched out and elongated. This causes a break in contact, loss of heat and sparking is also a nice little possibility.

Solder permanently affixes the wire to the tape. In all the years I have been soldering the connections I've never had one break, come loose or otherwise malfunction. I've tried the clips and I just don't find them to be as effective, especially for as much as they cost.

Again, these are just my opinions and are based on past experiences. :)
Click to expand...

I agree with ya 100%, soldering is the best way to go for sure.. Solder and black tape.. Makes me hungry:)
 
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