Tools & DIY · Head-to-head
Heat-Line Paladin for Pipe (120 V GFC) vs Raychem FrostGuard 120 V Preassembled Heating Cable
Which should you buy? Our verdict on both, pulled from our full The Best Pipe Heat Cables: 4 Compared (and One to Skip) comparison.
The Paladin carries the most complete safety documentation of the four, and its built-in ground-fault plug removes the most common installation mistake. The FrostGuard gives you the same self-regulating cable type in more retail lengths for less, as long as your outlet is already ground-fault protected.
Heat-Line Paladin for Pipe (120 V GFC)
Buy itA self-regulating pipe cable with a ground-fault interrupter built into the plug and the broadest approvals in this group.
- The 120 V GFC models come with a 27 milliamp ground-fault circuit interrupter plug-in device, so protection does not depend on your outlet.
- Heat-Line states it can be used on plastic and metal pipes, on dry pipes, overlapped and fully insulated.
- It is cCSAus certified and approved for wet locations and direct earth burial, with a 5 year limited warranty and an optional 10 year extended warranty.
- It is built to order in 10 ft steps and Heat-Line says it can never be cut shorter or lengthened, so you must measure before ordering.
- On 120 V the standard lengths stop at 120 ft; longer runs need a 240 V system or the EXT-R series.
- It does not switch fully off on its own; Heat-Line says to unplug it or add a thermostat such as its HLA-120 plug-in unit.
Raychem FrostGuard 120 V Preassembled Heating Cable
Buy itA preassembled self-regulating cable with a lighted plug, sold in eight lengths for metal or plastic pipes up to 2-1/2 inches.
- The 120 V version comes in 6, 12, 18, 24, 36, 50, 75 and 100 ft lengths, each with a 6 ft power cord and a lighted, grounded 3-prong plug.
- Chemelex states the self-regulating cable cannot overheat even when overlapped or closely spaced, and leftover cable can be spiraled or doubled back.
- The datasheet shows a CSA mark for Canada and the US, and the manual gives clear insulation rules, including 1 inch insulation for protection to -20 F.
- There is no ground-fault device on the cord; Chemelex requires 30 mA equipment or 5 mA personnel ground-fault protection on the circuit.
- Chemelex says not to use an extension cord, so you need a protected outlet within reach of the 6 ft lead.
- The minimum installation temperature is 5 F, and the manual says not to use it on flexible vinyl tubing such as garden hoses.
Side by side
The 9 criteria below are the ones our full comparison judged every product on, narrowed to these two.
| Heat-Line Paladin for Pipe (120 V GFC) Our pick | Raychem FrostGuard 120 V Preassembled Heating Cable | |
|---|---|---|
| Our verdict | Buy | Buy |
| Best for | Owners who want the most forgiving installation rules and a ground-fault device in the box, and who can measure their pipe run accurately. | Homeowners with a ground-fault protected outlet near the pipe who want a self-regulating cable they can buy off the shelf in a standard length. |
| Price tier | $$$ · premium | $$ · mid-range |
| Cable type | Self-regulating | Self-regulating |
| Rated output | 5 W/ft at 50 F | 6 W/ft on pipes at 40 F |
| Lengths (120 V) | 10 to 120 ft, 10 ft steps | 6 to 100 ft, 8 sizes |
| Safety mark in maker docs | cCSAus | CSA c-us |
| Ground-fault protection | 27 mA GFCI built into plug | 30 mA protection required, not included |
| Overlap allowed | Yes, per maker | Yes, per maker |
| Pipe limits stated | Plastic and metal, dry pipes OK | Metal or plastic up to 2-1/2 in. |
| Insulation rule | Optional, may fully insulate | At least 1/2 in. fire-resistant, waterproof |
| Warranty | 5 yr limited, 10 yr extended option | 2 yr available |
Which one is right for you?
Pick the Heat-Line Paladin for Pipe (120 V GFC) if
owners who want the most forgiving installation rules and a ground-fault device in the box, and who can measure their pipe run accurately.
Know before buying: it is built to order in 10 ft steps and Heat-Line says it can never be cut shorter or lengthened, so you must measure before ordering.
Pick the Raychem FrostGuard 120 V Preassembled Heating Cable if
homeowners with a ground-fault protected outlet near the pipe who want a self-regulating cable they can buy off the shelf in a standard length.
Know before buying: there is no ground-fault device on the cord; Chemelex requires 30 mA equipment or 5 mA personnel ground-fault protection on the circuit.
The bottom line
Our overall pick is the Heat-Line Paladin for Pipe (120 V GFC) - A self-regulating pipe cable with a ground-fault interrupter built into the plug and the broadest approvals in this group. Choose the Raychem FrostGuard 120 V Preassembled Heating Cable instead if homeowners with a ground-fault protected outlet near the pipe who want a self-regulating cable they can buy off the shelf in a standard length.
Want the full picture, including the other options we compared and the popular one we'd skip? Read the complete The Best Pipe Heat Cables: 4 Compared (and One to Skip).