What exactly is a thermostat?

[Jeff876533]

i sort of have an idea, what i think they are, is that you plug in your heatpads and lights, and it controls teh temperature to what you set it to. I think this is what it is,but im not sure. What is it exactly and what does it do? and if i was right, how does it tell teh temperature (does it have a thermometer probe ect.)??

 

[brandy101010]

:main_yes: YOu are right in how it works and yes it does have a probe

 

[dragonflyreptiles]

yep they have a probe to determine the substrate temp.

there are different kidsn of thermostats, proportional thermostats regulate the temp by regulating the amount of power to the unit.

on/off types cut off when they reach the correct temp them back on when it fallls below the set temp.

you have more temp fluctuations with the on/off type thermostats.