Thermostat question

[KaotikJezta]

My thermostat has copper wire leading to the probe and it is fully exposed. Should I cover it some how or is it ok the way it is.

 

[slim6y]

If you were to cover it - it would have to be by something very safe and not insulating tape - I've seen photos on here on what sticky tapes can do for snakes and other reptiles.

But having exposed wires does seem a bit odd - was it cut?? My ones are fully insulated all the way to the probe.

 

[pythonmum]

Do you have a photo? I have one brand that has a silvery connecting wire and probe, other brands that are fully covered with plastic, including the probe.

 

[wranga]

no need to cover it. if u were to cover it, it may not get a true reading and your temperature might end up not being correct

 

[abnrmal91]

What I think they mean by a copper wire is from the thermostat there is a copper tube. This goes all the way to the end of the wire were the tip probably looks like a long cylinder. They use similar thermostats on industrial air conditioners. They use copper as it is a good conductor of heat. If the whole cable was inside the enclosure I don't think it would be a issue. If it was half in/half out you could probably cover the half out bit with heat shrink. You can get that from any automotive shop.

 

[slim6y]

no need to cover it. if u were to cover it, it may not get a true reading and your temperature might end up not being correct

The way I read it, and I could be wrong, was there is an exposed 'wire' - the sensor itself is fine, but the wire that transports the potential difference in the thermocouple or TDR (assuming that's the sensor). Therefore that exposed wire shouldn't have any effect on the reading, however, copper does oxidise and there is a possibility that it will impair the reading as current may be reduced to the thermostat.

But... maybe that's how it's meant to be???

 

[Tassie97]

is it something like this ?

 

[KaotikJezta]

is it something like this ?

Yep, its like that. The wire going to the probe is copper, with no casing, the probe is also copper . I just thought I would check it wasn't any kind of hazard.

 

[Tassie97]

i use mine like that and it has been working fine

 

[KaotikJezta]

i use mine like that and it has been working fine

Ok, thanks. I was just worried about it getting wet accidentally or something.

 

[Tassie97]

Im defiantly not the most experienced herper so will let someone that knows more comment on that one

 

[slim6y]

I think you will find the wire is laminated (or is it called lacquered?) - so it's not an issue.

 

[jham66]

It's actually a tube not a wire. The bulb like end is fluid filled (not sure what kind of fluid) as the temperature changes the fluid inside expands or contracts, which in turn pushes the liquid up the tube and operates the switch at the main unit. Be sure not to kink or damage the tube it will ruin the whole unit!!! There is no electrical component in the sensor or tube.

 

[KaotikJezta]

It's actually a tube not a wire. The bulb like end is fluid filled (not sure what kind of fluid) as the temperature changes the fluid inside expands or contracts, which in turn pushes the liquid up the tube and operates the switch at the main unit. Be sure not to kink or damage the tube it will ruin the whole unit!!! There is no electrical component in the sensor or tube.

I am talking about the coiled part, is that what you mean

I think you will find the wire is laminated (or is it called lacquered?) - so it's not an issue.

Ok, thanks

 

[dangles]

It's not a wire but a tube. Use it as is. As previously said don't kink any part of the sensor tube or it will be a paper weight

 

[jham66]

Yes, the coiled part.

I did some googling and it is either a "gas expansion" or "pneumatic" type thermostat. I think pneumatic..... One thing is for certain though, it is not an electrical wire! Electricity will always follow the path of least resistance, so if that were electrical, all power would be lost as soon as it touched another conductor (water, metal or snake). I also think it wouldn't be copper, not the right colour. It might be tin, an alloy of tin or maybe even an aluminium alloy.

 

[KaotikJezta]

Its copper coloured not the same as the one in the pic, it looks like copper.

 

[JAS101]

Its copper coloured not the same as the one in the pic, it looks like copper.

its fine it may just not have been nickle plated .

 

[KaotikJezta]

Cool ,thanks for the help everyone