Heat wire extension

Heat wire extension

Postby reptilefeeders » Fri Jan 21, 2011 9:48 am

Hi guys

Just a quick question. I am planning on building a rack system using heating wire. I will be needing around 15 meters of heating wire for all the shelves. Now my question is could you connect the heating wire to each other to run from the top of the rack through all the shelves to the bottom? Say using 3 x 4.6 meter and connect them to each other so that there will only be 2 wires going to the thermostat instead of 6?
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Re: Heat wire extension

Postby Rishaad » Fri Jan 21, 2011 10:19 am

This is the same question that has been wrecking my brain as well.

Will wait for some expert opinions.
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Re: Heat wire extension

Postby Pythonodipsas » Fri Jan 21, 2011 10:37 am

The (white) heating wire is manufactured to get to a certain heat at its given length. If you cut it shorter it will get hotter (dangerous) and if you make it longer by joining it then it will be cooler and maybe too cool.

Rather buy 3 separate heat wires, connect them in series to a main power wire. Your thermostat can be connected to the main wire and control all 3 heat cables.
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Re: Heat wire extension

Postby groovy » Fri Jan 21, 2011 11:30 am

That is correct, I also tried joining them, and they don't get hot enough! In the end I put in 3 separate wires, and I'm happy with the result.. Not too hot or cold.
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Re: Heat wire extension

Postby Smeegle » Fri Jan 21, 2011 11:50 am

Pythonodipsas wrote:The (white) heating wire is manufactured to get to a certain heat at its given length. If you cut it shorter it will get hotter (dangerous) and if you make it longer by joining it then it will be cooler and maybe too cool.

Rather buy 3 separate heat wires, connect them in series to a main power wire. Your thermostat can be connected to the main wire and control all 3 heat cables.


I think you mean, connect them in parallel to the thermostat. Otherwise (as you already correctly stated) they will not get hot enough.
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Re: Heat wire extension

Postby Pythonodipsas » Fri Jan 21, 2011 12:01 pm

Yes Smeegle I think you are right. I get mixed-up with parallel and series.
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Re: Heat wire extension

Postby froot » Fri Jan 21, 2011 12:22 pm

Think of them as resistors, which they essentially are.
If you connect them in series you are dividing the total voltage between them and hence less power will be dissipated by each one.
If you connect them in parallel the supply voltage is applied to each one and they will all dissipate their rated power.
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