Is there a rule about how close heat tape can be to electrical wires?

Status
Not open for further replies.

FinnNoodle

Member
Location
Detroit
Occupation
Handyman
Client hired me to install heat tape on pipes awfully close to some electrical wires and it feels wrong but I'm not seeing any guidelines about it. It's an extremely old house, but it's new CPVC and new romex in question.
I'm having trouble linking the picture but it's a bit of horrorshow where the wires are present (not my work, I promise).

Good idea/bad idea?
 
The heat tape has a thermostat at the start of it's run, which coincides with where the wires are located. The instructions say nothing about contract with electrical wire, but do warn about doubling up on the tape itself. The heat tape is rated for CPVC.
 
The question is whether the tape can get hot enough to damage the cable, so compare the numbers.

We know the tape doesn't get hot enough to boil water. 75C = 167F. Does heat tape get that hot?
 
If it doesn't damage the pipe, it won't damage close by electrical cables, especially since the heat tape should be covered with insulation after you install it.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top