Does thermostatically controlled heat tape have a dial or is the thermostat bulilt into the heat tape?

Question

Is there a way to tell if a heat tape is thermostatically controlled by looking at it. Should it be labeled as such. I had heat tape installed on my copper pipes last year and specified I wanted thermostatically controlled heat tape. I am not sure if it is or not and wanted to have it put on new pex pipes. Someone told me that if it were thermostatically controlled, it would have a dial near the plug. I'm confused. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks

Answer 1

If it is controlled (most are) it is most likely a bimetallic thermal switch; a small metal strip that curves as it gets hotter and opens the circuit. This will be enclosed in some type of material at one end of the tape. It will be small but obviously not part of the heat wire.

Answer 2

Thermostatically Controlled Heat Tape

Answer 3

There should be a lump or other structure right where the cord attaches to the tape. The nice one I bought has this thermostat in clear tubing and someone thoughtfully installed a Neon bulb that activates when it nears freezing, and I can see that it is activated! (Sorry, it is in the crawl space, and I don't recall the make.) These are not adjustable - there is no dial.

You made the correct decision about the thermostatically controlled ones, so you only pay for the juice when you need it.

Answer 4

my heat tape is therostatically controlled, but no dial, just a little maybe 1 x 3 rectangle at the end that needs to be touching the pipe.

Answer 5

If you can find a manufacturer's name and model number, you could get descriptive literature from the manufacturer's web site. Maybe even an owner's manual

Answer 6

no dial, it's automatic

Answer 7

there should be a dial you can set it with.