Heat tape issue

I recently made a new rack, and had heat tape cut and clips installed at a local store. First experience with heat tape The problem im having is the temperature on one copper strip is 10-15 degrees higher then the opposite strip, I assume this is not normal. Set up with thermostat and No snakes in the rack yet. But its got to be a bad connection on one side im guessing? Can i fix this?

Could be defective heat tape. I think if it was a bad connection it just wouldn't come on? Not sure you can fix it & doesn't sound safe as it is. :confusd:

I cut the clips off and will try to solder directly to the strip and see if that fixes it.

I think you are right Bogertophis, i tested copper to copper wire and got the same readings.

Bum luck...:(

Good news. It was the wire set. Installed a new wire set and everything is working great.

Double post sorry.