Plug-In Self-Regulating Pipe Heat Cable with Digital Thermostat (PPG-T)

Overview Self-Regulating Pipe Heat Cable with Integrated Digital Temperature Control This thermostatic model upgrades YeloDeer's yellow self-regulating pipe heat cable with an integrated digital thermostat and remote pipe sensor. It combines temperature-responsive self-regulating heat with automatic thermostat control for external pipe freeze protection. 120V Plug-In Preassembled for use with a properly grounded and ground-fault-protected 120V outlet. 6W/ft at 50°F Self-regulating heating cable adjusts heat output as surrounding conditions change. 36–140°F Control Adjust the thermostat setpoint from 36°F to 140°F / 1°C to 60°C. 6.6 ft Pipe Sensor Place the remote sensor at the coldest protected pipe location for targeted temperature control. What Is Included? Included with the Cable 1 thermostatic heating cable, 1 instruction manual, 1 end seal, 1 self-adhesive tape, and 1 aluminum foil tape. Plan for Pipe Insulation Pipe insulation is not included. Suitable non-flammable pipe insulation and a waterproof outer wrap are required for proper installation. Additional securing materials may also be needed depending on the layout. Upgraded Thermostat Version or Yellow Basic Version? This Thermostatic Upgrade Includes an integrated digital thermostat and 6.6 ft remote sensor. Provides automatic temperature-based heating control, an adjustable setpoint, temperature display, timer, sensor calibration, and forced heating mode. Yellow Basic Version No built-in thermostat. Heating begins whenever the cable receives power, while the self-regulating core adjusts heat output along the cable. Add a separate controller if automatic power control is needed. Compare the Yellow Version Without Thermostat → Self-regulating and thermostatic control do different jobs. The self-regulating cable changes heat output locally as pipe temperature changes. The thermostat monitors the remote sensor and can switch heating operation on or off according to the selected temperature setting. Default Freeze-Protection Setting Factory setpoint: 37°F / 3°C Default upper limit: +10°F / +5°C Heating starts below the set temperature Default heating stops above approximately 47°F / 8°C For most basic pipe freeze-protection applications, the factory setting can be used without adjustment. Change the temperature settings only when the installation requires a different control range. Before Ordering 120V AC power is available Pipe diameter is 1/2 in to 2 in Installation is on the outside of the pipe Pipe is rigid plastic or metal A cold pipe location is available for the sensor Suitable pipe insulation can cover the cable and sensor Outlet has required ground-fault protection Pipe surface will not exceed 140°F / 60°C Important: The temperature sensor must contact the pipe itself, not the heating cable. Direct sensor-to-cable contact can produce an inaccurate temperature reading and cause the system to cycle incorrectly. Applications Recommended Applications Residential Pipe Protection Outdoor Water Pipes Crawl Spaces Basements Garages Farm & Utility Pipes Farm Water Lines Barn Plumbing Exposed Supply Pipes Seasonal Properties Cabins Seasonal Buildings Cold Utility Areas Rigid Pipe Systems Plastic Pipe Metal Pipe Empty Pipes Water-Filled Pipes Pipe Compatibility Pipe Diameter 1/2 in to 2 in Pipe Type Empty or water-filled rigid plastic and metal pipes Installation Location Outside the pipe Heating Layout Straight, spiral, or properly doubled-back installation according to the instruction manual and required cable length Do Not Use This Product For Installation inside a water pipe, drain, sewer line, or other piping system Roof or gutter de-icing Long-term submersion of the thermostat, plug, or electrical connections Damaged, leaking, or structurally unsafe pipe Pipes exposed to temperatures above 140°F / 60°C, including steam-line applications Locations where the controller or electrical connection cannot be kept dry and properly protected Choose cable length based on pipe material, pipe diameter, protected pipe length, and the lowest expected ambient temperature. Use the cable-sizing table in the instruction manual rather than selecting length from pipe length alone in severe cold conditions. Specifications Product Specifications Product Type Self-regulating external pipe heat cable with integrated digital thermostat Voltage 120V AC Heating Output 6W/ft at 50°F / 10°C Pipe Diameter 1/2 in to 2 in Compatible Pipe Type Empty or water-filled rigid plastic and metal pipes Thermostat Integrated adjustable digital heating thermostat Temperature Sensor Remote pipe sensor with approximately 6.6 ft / 200 cm lead Power Lead Approximately 3 ft / 90 cm Temperature Setting Range 36–140°F / 1–60°C Temperature Display Range -22–158°F / -30–70°C Temperature Units Selectable °F / °C Factory Set Temperature 37°F / 3°C Default Upper Limit +10°F / +5°C above the set temperature Adjustable Upper Limit 1–20°F / 1–10°C Timer 0–10 hours Sensor Calibration Adjustable within ±9°F / ±5°C Forced Heating Mode Yes; allows continuous heating regardless of the detected temperature until forced mode is exited Heating Status Indicator Yes Minimum Installation Temperature -4°F / -20°C Application Temperature Limit Do not install on pipes exposed to temperatures above 140°F / 60°C Electrical Protection Use a properly grounded 120V outlet protected by a GFCI outlet or GFCI/EGFPD breaker as required Fault Monitoring E1 external temperature-probe fault prompt and H1 controller overtemperature protection Package Contents Thermostatic heating cable, instruction manual, end seal, self-adhesive tape, and aluminum foil tape Warranty 1 year from date of purchase, subject to warranty terms and proper installation Temperature control note: A smaller upper-limit setting provides tighter temperature control but increases switching frequency. A larger upper limit reduces on/off cycling but allows a wider temperature range. Installation Before Installation Confirm 120V power Confirm pipe material and diameter Calculate the required cable length Inspect the complete cable jacket Clean and dry the pipe Remove sharp edges and combustible materials Identify the coldest sensor location Prepare suitable pipe insulation Basic Installation Sequence Disconnect power and inspect the heating cable, thermostat, sensor, power cord, and pipe before installation. Attach the temperature sensor directly to the coldest part of the pipe surface, such as a colder exposed section or an area near a valve. Secure the sensor firmly so it reads the pipe temperature rather than surrounding air temperature. Install the heating cable along the pipe. Use a straight run when the selected cable length matches the pipe length, or use the approved spiral or doubled-back method when additional cable coverage is required. Keep the heating cable on the opposite side of the pipe from the temperature sensor. Do not allow the sensor probe to contact the heating cable. Secure the cable using suitable fiberglass tape, electrical tape, aluminum foil tape, or properly installed cable ties that will not damage the cable jacket. Cover the pipe, heating cable, and sensor probe with suitable non-flammable pipe insulation. Keep the sensor wire positioned so it does not contact the heating cable. Use a waterproof outer wrap where required to keep the insulation dry. Connect the thermostat to a properly grounded, ground-fault-protected 120V outlet in a dry, well-ventilated location. Turn on the thermostat, verify the displayed pipe temperature, and confirm the operating settings before winter use. Insulation Requirements Standard Insulation Use at least 1/2 in / 12.7 mm fiberglass or equivalent non-flammable pipe insulation. Severe Cold For ambient temperatures at or below -20°F / -29°C, the manual specifies 1 in / 25.4 mm pipe insulation. Keep Insulation Dry Use a waterproof outer layer or vapor barrier where moisture may reach the insulation. Protect the Sensor Cover the sensor probe with the pipe insulation while keeping it separated from the heating cable. Sensor placement is critical. Mount the probe directly on the coldest protected pipe section. Do not place it against the heating cable. Incorrect placement can cause inaccurate readings and may turn heating off too early or keep it running longer than necessary. Cable and Controller Safety Do not energize a visibly damaged heating cable. Do not install below the minimum installation temperature of -4°F / -20°C. Do not install the cable on pipes hotter than 140°F / 60°C. Do not crush, sharply bend, or damage the heating-cable jacket during installation. Do not disassemble, modify, or repair the thermostat. If heating-cable trimming is required, the cut end must be sealed with a proper self-regulating cable end seal or suitable heat-shrink termination before the cable is energized. Keep the controller, plug, and electrical connections dry and away from standing water. If an extension cord is unavoidable, use a properly sized, grounded outdoor-rated cord suitable for the electrical load. The thermostat is factory set to 37°F / 3°C with a +10°F / +5°C upper limit. For standard freeze protection, adjustment is normally unnecessary unless the installation requires a different operating temperature. For additional guidance on thermostat control and sensor placement, see Does Self-Regulating Heat Tape Need a Thermostat? → FAQ Frequently Asked Questions How is this different from the yellow pipe heat cable without a thermostat? The yellow basic version has no built-in thermostat and begins heating whenever it receives power. This upgraded model adds an integrated digital thermostat and 6.6 ft remote pipe sensor, allowing automatic temperature-based control without purchasing a separate thermostat. What temperature does the thermostat use by default? The factory setpoint is 37°F / 3°C with a default upper limit of +10°F / +5°C. With these settings, heating starts when the sensed temperature falls below 37°F / 3°C and stops after it rises above approximately 47°F / 8°C. Can I change the thermostat temperature? Yes. The temperature setpoint is adjustable from 36°F to 140°F / 1°C to 60°C. The upper temperature limit can also be adjusted from 1°F to 20°F / 1°C to 10°C above the selected setpoint. Does self-regulating heat cable turn itself completely off? Self-regulating technology changes heat output along the cable as temperature changes, but self-regulation alone does not mean the cable fully switches off. On this model, the integrated thermostat provides the separate temperature-based on/off control. Where should I install the temperature sensor? Attach the sensor directly to the coldest protected part of the pipe. Keep it firmly against the pipe surface and separate from the heating cable. The sensor and heating cable should not directly touch because heat from the cable can cause an inaccurate temperature reading. What pipe sizes and materials can I use it on? The instruction manual specifies empty or water-filled rigid plastic and metal pipes from 1/2 in to 2 in diameter. This is an external pipe heating cable and should not be installed inside the pipe. Can the heating cable be shortened? The manual allows trimming only when necessary. Any cut heating-cable end must be properly sealed with a professional self-regulating cable end seal or suitable heat-shrink termination before power is connected. An end seal is included with the product. What are the timer and Forced Heating functions? The timer can be set from 0 to 10 hours for timed thermostat operation. Forced Heating mode keeps the cable heating regardless of the detected temperature until forced mode is exited. It is intended as a backup when the sensor is inaccurate or faulty, or for special situations where continuous heating is intentionally required. Guides Helpful Pipe Heating Guides For a clear explanation of self-regulating heat output, thermostat power control, and correct pipe-sensor placement, read: Does Self-Regulating Heat Tape Need a Thermostat? → For pipe preparation, cable placement, insulation, electrical protection, and general freeze-protection planning, read: How Does Heat Tape for Pipes Work? → Before selecting a cable length: Confirm the pipe material, diameter, total freeze-prone length, lowest expected ambient temperature, installation layout, insulation, and outlet location. Use the cable-length recommendation table in the product instruction manual for final sizing. If you are unsure whether this thermostatic pipe heat cable fits your installation, email yelodeer@yelodeer.com with the pipe material, diameter, protected length, lowest winter temperature, installation photos, and insulation plan.