Cutting heat tape?

[Adinar]

This probably should've been in husbandry, but we're in the middle of building the rack and kind of need the answer ASAP.

We bought a rack at the last reptile show and it came with everything we need, including 12 in heat tape. Only issue was there is WAAAAAY too much heat tape. Now, I know tape can be cut if it is between sections usually divided off with a dotted line, but we still have about 4+ inches stick out of the top and do not want fire hazzard. (that and we would like to set a crestie tank on top.)

Is it possible to cut between segments as long as you are with the black part?

 

[Dog Shrink]

I don't know that I would cut thru the actual filiment itself as the ends I'm sure contain some type of insulators and properly end off the lines in the heat tape. I don't use the stuff but do know a bit about electronics (thanks Hubby).

 

[Jordan]

i dont think you can, i use heat cable and i know its not supposed to be cut anywhere, and heat mats anrent supposed to be either, but i dunno it may be different. did it come with any leaflet explaining safety and stuff? it may say in that.

 

[tlbowling]

you might want to check out youtube, I think Big Apple Herp has a video about heat tape on there? I know you can cut it, but I just dont know where? and I think you have to cover the ends with black electrical tape, but again not sure on that either. Proexotics had a good section about heat tape on their site too that you might want to check out. Sorry I couldnt be definitely sure or totally answer your question, but check those places....maybe you'll find out what you are looking for. I just went thru making m own rack too....but I just ordered mine in the lengths that I wanted.

 

[roger]

you might want to check out youtube, I think Big Apple Herp has a video about heat tape on there? I know you can cut it, but I just dont know where? and I think you have to cover the ends with black electrical tape, but again not sure on that either. Proexotics had a good section about heat tape on their site too that you might want to check out. Sorry I couldnt be definitely sure or totally answer your question, but check those places....maybe you'll find out what you are looking for. I just went thru making m own rack too....but I just ordered mine in the lengths that I wanted.

as long as u cut it in the clear part and tape the ends with electrical tape u should be fine.Do NOT cut along the black segments

 

[Dog Shrink]

Ok just showed this thread to hubby (who use to build helicopters for the Marine corps and is pretty well versed in all things mechanical) and he says that there is no way you want to cut across the individual rows of filament as they are a complete circut when they reach the connector caps on the ends (the flat parts on the ends complete the circuit and acts as your hot, your return and possibly even your ground all meets together there since they're 3 band sets individually grouped together). Unless you were to solider each end back together to re-complete the circuit it would not work. He said you may be able to cut length wise between the rows of filament to make the band narrower but if you were to screw up and nick one you'd be S.O.L.

This is just his imput and if you find something on youtube that shows how it can be done differently please let us know. I'd like to see how it works.

 

[Adinar]

Thanks for the replies, I figured as much so what we're pretty much just going to do is just keep everything away from it. Luckily the way it had to be wired, it wasn't sticking out the bottom and laying on the floor (ie: on carpet). I'd rather it this way than that way.