The DS8 turns hardwired heat cable systems on and off using both temperature and moisture, saving you a lot on your electric bill. This controller works with any Heat Tape PRO spooled cables from 6 watt to 8 watt, from 120 volts up to 277 volts. The DS8 will control a single 30 amp circuit at 277 volts.
$360.35
19 in stock
DS8 units operate by detecting environmental conditions through a base mounted temperature sensor and a remote heated precipitation sensor. When rain or snow land on the precipitation sensor, your cable system will turn on. The small heater in the sensor then rapidly evaporates the moisture, clearing the sensor in preparation for the next cycle. Smart stuff. The precipitation sensor is connected to a 10 foot cable and is intended for remote mounting near the roof deicing system. Use an EX-50 extension kit (with coupler) to put the precipitation sensor up to 60 feet away from the DS8 unit.
Signals from the sensor are supplied to the microcontroller which determines the appropriate action based on the system settings.
The difference between “sensor” and “controller” modes is the “Delay Off” drying cycle provided by each configuration. “Delay Off” time is the amount of time the sensor/controller will hold the load control relay(s) closed after the last detection of rain or snow. Proper setting of “Delay Off” assures that heat cables have created a sufficient melted pathway through the snow/ice on the roof.
The DS8 & DS9 heat cable controllers detect snow and rain in addition to directly controlling the cables themselves by pushing power into the cable only when called for. The DS8/DS9 is constructed of a durable NEMA 3R enclosure, rated for outdoor use and has a 3/4 Inch conduit hub and operates from -40F to +185F. The power pigtails are #14 Blue/Brown/Green and the load pigtails are #10 AWG Yellow.
“Heat Tape Pro did exactly what I needed it to do. Now I don’t have to worry about water leaking into my house, because I can tell when it’s working by the little light on the end of the cable.”
-Michael P.
Amazon Customer
“This heat tape works as advertised. It was delivered to me fast, and although it’s a little complicated to install, the documentation is good..”
-Shaun D.
Radiant Solutions Customer
“I install thousands of feet of heat tape every year. This is the best stuff I’ve found to protect my customers homes and give them the piece of mind they need.”
-Patrick B.
Professional Installer
We work with licensed roofers, electricians and other contractors as Installers of Radiant Solutions Products. We know of installers all over the country.
If you are interested in finding a Heat Tape PRO™ installer in your area, click here to submit your info. If we have an installer we know of in your area, we will send you a recommendation.
The short answer is NO. Self-regulating heat cable does not turn itself on and off automatically. To do that you need to put the cable on a switched circuit or outlet or on a controller. Of course, you can also be old-school about it and simply plug and unplug as needed.
“Self-Regulating” refers to the fact that these cables are temperature sensitive. Due to their construction, these cables sense changes in temperature along their entire length, demanding more power as temps fall and less when they rise.
PipeFreeeze Pro™, Pipe Freeze Protection Solution has a built in thermostatic switch, meaning it will turn on and off on it’s own.
Heat Tape Pro™, does not contain a built-in thermostatic controller. We recommend adding the ThermaCord™ Thermostatic controller to turn your Heat Tape PRO to turn the cable on and off with changes in temperature.
We are a family-owned business with less than 10 employees that has been in business since 2016. Our experience with ice dams goes far beyond that: our founder Steve started a business diagnosing and solving Ice Dam problems on customer houses for almost 35 years.
Measuring the area of your roof that is affected by ice dams so you know how much heat tape to get is not overly complex, but it does have a few variables. Use our Heat Tape Measuring Guide to understand the process and print a worksheet that you can use to make sure you have all the right numbers.
Once you have all the measurements and considerations you need, use our Heat Tape Calculator to calculate the size of heat tape you should get.
Check out our full list of Frequently Asked Questions on our FAQ Page.
Take a Look at Our Heat Tape Installation Case Studies
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