It's my understanding (as a multi-decades user of UTH, mostly Flexwatt but have tried others too) per the instructions with Flexwatt (!) that the "breathing
space" is so the mat itself doesn't over-heat. Simple. In a confined space under cages, the heat builds up because the cage (w/ substrate & all) & whatever
it's sitting on all acts as insulation...and it's the over-heating that can cause it to fail. I can't speak for the installation instructions with those other UTH brands,
but if your thermostat is "on-off" type, and they are capable of getting way hotter than they should, maybe they should specify to only use them with a proportional thermostat??? Since my Flexwatt has lasted for DECADES, I tend to think the "breathing space" is essential.
And about Ultratherm: I "second" the fact that those get way too hot! They seem to be a quality product, but it's not my choice for my mostly-colubrids.
I do think the constant off-off type of regulation might be responsible for the other UTH brands burning out so fast...the ones you bought might also be
"counterfeit" products...ever think of that? Thanks to unscrupulous companies & insufficient regulation* (I know some of you think that's a nasty* word...)
these "fakes" end up in our world, where they might cause all sorts of havoc (like automotive failures > fatal accidents, break-downs in media, etc).
Reply With Quote