Heat tape for racks

[Adinar]

So we're still in the air as to what to do about building a rack. We'd love to, because it would open up so much room, but not sure if it's possible. But we were offered a fairly good deal for a 16 tub (not sure of the size, need to check that out and see what it can hold) rack for really cheap.

My main concern is overloading the breaker if we use racks. Currently we are using heat lamps and uth's. (not combined on one tank.)

I read online that heat tape is great for heating racks, but it's 10 watts per 1 foot of tape. Is this true? If that is the case I wonder if it is even worth it. I don't want to blow anything (again) or risk a fire.

I looked up the math, and found 12 watts = 1 amp. Most common amps used in residental areas for recepticles is 15 amps.

Either way I'm assuming going with the rack is way better compaired to having all those heat lamps running at the same time.

So my main question is, how much heat tape running is safe. How much do you guys use without having issues?

 

[Tony C]

Wattage depends on the heat tape being used. 3" tape is available in 6W/ft or 10W/ft, 4" tape is 8W/ft. I am currently running 20' of 4" tape in my 15 tub rack, along with numerous heat pads and lights for my other herps on one circuit and have had no issues.

Your watts to amps conversion is based on a 12 volt system, not the 110 volt system found in houses. The correct way to do the conversion is to divide the wattage by the voltage to get amperage. Using my rack as an example, 20 ft of 8 watt tape is 160 watts, divided by 110 volts is 1.45 amps.

 

[Adinar]

Wattage depends on the heat tape being used. 3" tape is available in 6W/ft or 10W/ft, 4" tape is 8W/ft. I am currently running 20' of 4" tape in my 15 tub rack, along with numerous heat pads and lights for my other herps on one circuit and have had no issues.

Your watts to amps conversion is based on a 12 volt system, not the 110 volt system found in houses. The correct way to do the conversion is to divide the wattage by the voltage to get amperage. Using my rack as an example, 20 ft of 8 watt tape is 160 watts, divided by 110 volts is 1.45 amps.

Nice, hopefully I can pull it off. We're just out of space anymore. More space = more geckos.