Rack Heated with Pads

[OhhWatALoser]

why didn't you just say that from the start?

i thought it was common knowledge lol, heat = thermostat

Only heat pad I know of that "self regulates" is this:
http://www.reptilebasics.com/ultratherm-heat_pads/

But they even recommend a thermostat

i own 2 of those I used on my first rack I built, their consistent, but both are also at 98 degrees right now lol. and they would get hotter if they weren't on a thermostat. their not self regulating, they just don't "get that hot"

There are heat pads that normally don't get over 90. The problem is accounts for flex. Any small power surge could spike the heat for your pad, just because you don't see it doesn't mean it didn't happen. Although, you can get a dimmer switch, but you will need a warmer heat pad

two big factors that change depending on peoples set up and houses are ambient temps and airflow, a heat pad could get 90 at your house with your setup and 110 in my reptile room.

also a power surge isn't going to affect the heat pad, I don't even think the elements would have time to heat up if they did it would be for half a second, no big deal, and a dimmer isn't going to stop a power surge, nor would the power surge affect it.....about the only thing that could be affected would actually be the circuitry in the thermostat, that's why they have fuses.