[QUOTE=Bluey;8453186]
One armored wire is Romex, I think.
I had two security cameras bite the dust and it was mice, right where the cameras are wired into, on the porch soffit.
The mice ate clear thru the two wires, but they are low voltage little wires.[/QUOTE]
Yup, they can chew through the small gauge single stranded wire. Spray some No Chew on them?
[QUOTE=gumtree;8453474]
Yup, they can chew through the small gauge single stranded wire. Spray some No Chew on them?[/QUOTE]
Nope, hard to get to area and we didn’t have any such problems until this year’s rodent problem, that is right out of a horror movie.
We are eliminating those cameras, will go to a wireless, close circuit, designated Wi-Fi type system.
Will put THAT wire to the 120v electric supply for those in armored wire.
[QUOTE=gumtree;8453473]
I was thinking about this tread the other day while rerouting a bunch of wires through a wall. Not because of mice but it got me thinking.
Seems to me if the manufacturers could come up with a a wire that taste bad to mice and rats they could charge extra, a good advertising point to use in old houses, barn and make a lot of money. “No Chew old house and barn wire”
So, why did the thermostats melt? Undersized or just poorly made?[/QUOTE]
Agree on the gimmick of unfavorable flavors - almost think some auto mechanics would know what wiring is attractive, and what makes are left alone - maybe that would provide a clue. We should patent the idea, gumtree. 
The electrician at first wondered about the appropriateness for what they handled. But I followed the guidelines carefully when measuring - although the heater brands/specifications were nowhere to be found on the units. Then again, the one that melted the most was connected to two heaters that were smaller than those connected to the neighboring thermostat. So I think it may be more of a quality issue.
When I can lasso him back here one day, and we get appropriate programmables, will return with the results. And one of these days I’ll be going back to Ace Hardware to discuss it as well.
“We should patent the idea”
Unfortunately an “idea” can’t be patent. If they could be I would be a very wealthy man. I have come up with a bunch that I didn’t act on. A number years latter someone else did and put them on the shelf.
Anybody around here a Chemical engineer specializing in plastics?
Thanks for the update in your OP…it’s a good reminder that there is a range of “quality” when it comes to components like thermostats. In this case, they are most likely line-voltage thermostats which means they are switching 240v directly, rather than low-voltage to a control circuit like with a typical forced air HVAC system. The best way to insure you get a quality component for this kind of application is to purchase from a “real” electrical supply company so they are matched to the load and are “pro” quality. This is the kind of thing to avoid buying at the local big-box home center or online and based on price. (I don’t know where your DH bought the thermostats, so this is a general statement that may not apply)
'Glad you didn’t have a fire!
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