Heat tape usage in Canada?

[kxr]

Hello, I live in Canada and at the CRBE back in September I purchased some PVC enclosures which I had planned on setting up with heat tape. I had heat tape wired for the enclosures and planned on setting them up over the winter break from school. I however still live with my parents and they were not confident in my wiring abilities which is fair because I have never wired anything before, I wouldn't want to be responsible for our house burning down. We eventually decided that if I could get an electrician to come in and wire some new strips of heat tape for me that he would be satisfied this however is proving to be a huge problem. I have since found out that heat tape is apparently not approved for usage in Canada and isn't really supposed to be sold and in turn installed here, or at least that's what I've been told. "Not CSA approved".

So, I am really at a loss here. Does anyone from Canada have any suggestions? I live in the GTA, specifically in the Durham region so if anyone that lives around this area knows of anyone who would be able to install heat tape for me or knows of any possible alternatives they could suggest it would be a huge help.

I can't see why heat tape would be 'illegal'. It seems many of the Canadian companies who sell snake racks have them wired with heat tape prior to selling them so it doesn't make sense to me that it'd be illegal for use in Canada. Perhaps I should just attempt to sell my PVC enclosures and purchase a small rack system instead.

Any advice or insight would be greatly appreciated. Also I am sorry if this is the wrong place to put this thread, it was the only place I could think to put it.

[ManSlaughter33]

Blame canada.

I'll be following this post.

[wrecker45]

Iuse heat tape under my p.v.c. cages. You need a thermostat or you will burn your house down. There is a guy who sells it at the shows in Ontario. He cuts and wires it on the spot.

[Aaron_S]

Iuse heat tape under my p.v.c. cages. You need a thermostat or you will burn your house down. There is a guy who sells it at the shows in Ontario. He cuts and wires it on the spot.

Heat tape has a max level of heat it puts out. It won't burn down your home on it's own. It will overheat a bin and kill animals but your home will be safe. Thermostats are used to regulate proper heat though so good advice there.

Where you might burn down your house is with the wiring job. If it's poorly done you might be able to spark a fire like any poor wiring job.

However, the reason CSA doesn't approve this product isn't due to setting homes on fire it's because it comes in pieces and it's up to the buyer or whomever to wire it together to work. Since the average person is an unlicensed electrician the government won't approve of such a product.

It's a safe product and isn't any harm to anyone when used correctly.

To answer the OP if you're in durham you can try "simply reptiles" in Oshawa. They may do it for you for a nominal fee. Also "All Reptiles" in Scarborough will do it I'm sure.

[kxr]

The heat isn't an issue I already have a thermostat, the issue is my parents don't want me to incorrectly wire the heat tape and we can't seem to find anyone who is interested in doing the wiring for us. No electricians seem to be interested because they are all unfamiliar with heat tape and no pet store owners want to be liable if there is a problem. I did actually see the guy at the expo who was selling heat tape but didn't buy it from him -.- I guess that's my fault. I wish I knew where I could find him.

[Aaron_S]

To answer the OP if you're in durham you can try "simply reptiles" in Oshawa. They may do it for you for a nominal fee. Also "All Reptiles" in Scarborough will do it I'm sure.

The heat isn't an issue I already have a thermostat, the issue is my parents don't want me to incorrectly wire the heat tape and we can't seem to find anyone who is interested in doing the wiring for us. No electricians seem to be interested because they are all unfamiliar with heat tape and no pet store owners want to be liable if there is a problem. I did actually see the guy at the expo who was selling heat tape but didn't buy it from him -.- I guess that's my fault. I wish I knew where I could find him.

I'm not typing it out again. Read the entire post.

[kxr]

To answer the OP if you're in durham you can try "simply reptiles" in Oshawa. They may do it for you for a nominal fee. Haha funny you should say this, I actually live in Oshawa and simply reptiles is where I bought the first strips of heat tape. They however don't want to be liable if our house does burn down so they aren't interested in doing the wiring. I'll ask All reptiles about it, maybe they'll be able to help.

[kxr]

I'm not typing it out again. Read the entire post. Yeah, my bad. Sorry, I just took at quick glance at your post and the previous. I actually posted my last comment, the one between this and the one you quoted before seeing this message so I did reread it. Again sorry about that.

[Aaron_S]

Yeah, my bad. Sorry, I just took at quick glance at your post and the previous. I actually posted my last comment, the one between this and the one you quoted before seeing this message so I did reread it. Again sorry about that.

Don't have to be sorry. Hopefully you get the info you need. It's relatively easy to wire heat tape.

You can also try Jeff at "Exclusive snakes". I have no idea where they are but they sell and will wire heat tape.

[wrecker45]

The guy at the expos should be at the downsview show jan. 25.

[trailblazer295]

I bought my PVC cage at all reptiles and found a UTH wasn't enough to heat the cage enough. My hot side was okay but my cold side was barely above room temp which fluctuates between 68-72f. A second UTH on the side of the cage did nothing really. I've ordered a couple of pro products heat panels from the states. Unless you keep your house warm you might need extra heat sources. I'm in the process of looking to buy ranco thermostats. PM if you are interested, I'm an HVAC mechanic so I can buy them locally.

[CrotalusFan]

I'm not sure if you're speaking of heat tape or flexwatt so this may or may not be relevant, but I was talking back and forth with Bob at Pro Products on the use of flexwatt in a few2 X 2 X 6 melamine enclosures that I'm looking to build and here was his opinion. It led me to believe that it was illegal to use in Canada?

"I strongly suggest that no one should use flexwatt. It is not UL listed for this purpose and the company specifically states (in a letter sent to us) that their product should not be used in wooden or plastic based terrariums. This is because there is an issue with this product potentially causing fires no matter how it is installed or controlled. Placing it against a flammable surface puts the cage, animals and entire building at risk. Flexwatt and the flexell element (used in most of the other radiant panels sold) are banned in Canada due to how many fires were caused and houses damaged or destroyed. These products were the subject of a major law suit in Canada by those whose properties were destroyed (Campbell vs. flexwatt). "

[LarryS]

I'm not a fan of heat tape in general. It CAN get hot enough to start a fire if not installed properly.
The wiring must be done in a safe manner as well, fire or shock hazard can result if not.

On the other hand, if you follow the manufacturers instructions and use proper wiring procedure, it can be safe, do your homework.

[millertime89]

Heat tape maxes out around 160F, I would be very surprised if there are any commonly found household substances that ignite(combust?) at that temperature. The concrete outside can hit that on a hot summer day... The fires that people have from heat tape are from shoddy wiring jobs.

[Aaron_S]

Here's a link from a supplier about flexwatt.
http://www.beanfarm.com/heating/flexwatt_userinfo.pdf

Here's a link from the manufacturer on it. Go down to the bottom and click on "documents".
Flexwatt Heat Tape | Pet Warming | Calorique (http://www.calorique.com/en/flexwatt-heat-tape.html)

They simply don't put their warranty on any custom or self made enclosures for obvious reasons. They can't control how or what someone builds.

Don't be an idiot and you should be good.

[LarryS]

Yes, the above is of course correct, follow the instructions and you will be good.
My point was that not following manufacturers directions can cause a condition that will overheat the tape and temperatures that will cause combustion can result.

Even though the manufacturer gives general wiring instructions, they are widely disregarded. There are other safety considerations such as strain retention clamps for cords that are not even discussed in many cases.

An example i've seen a lot, many tub racks that use flat bottom tubs directly on the heat tape. That in itself is a direct violation of the Calorique spec.