Heat tape has the thermostat probe (ve-200) taped to it, which is giving me the reading of the heat tape temperature, and a temp gun (zoo med) to measure all surface temps (I have checked it against a friend's PE-2, and it is accurate to that within a degree).

Are electrical connections an "all or nothing" deal (i.e.- electricity flows, or it doesn't), or can the amount of electricity they carry be affected by poor connections?? I swear I tugged hard and they stuck!