Under Floor Heating Cable - ECK
INSTALLATION AND OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
Before starting installation read these instructions and the 'Frequently Asked Questions' thoroughly. Retain the instructions for reference.
1. Personnel.
EHM and ECK should be installed by a suitably qualified, professional
builder and/or electrician. EHM and ECK are not ‘do it yourself’
products.
It is most important that the installer completes the
Installation Record Form that forms part of this booklet.
2. Check the suitability of sub-floor.
EHM and ECK can be installed onto concrete or wooden sub-floors. We do not recommend installation onto asphalt sub-floors or any insulation material other than rigid boards.
3. Check the suitability of the tile adhesive.
EHM and ECK are designed to sit in a layer of adhesive below ceramic or stone tiles. Both EHM and ECK have been used with a wide variety of tile adhesives. We suggest that the suitability of any given adhesive be confirmed by the adhesive supplier.
If preferred both EHM and ECK can be buried in a layer screed. If you intend to use a compound other than a cement screed, the suitability of the compound should be confirmed by the compound supplier.
4. Check the suitability of the floor surface.
EHM and ECK are suitable for use with ceramic and stone floors, including slate and marble. They should not be used with surfaces such as wood and vinyl or under carpeted areas.
5. Check that you have the correct EHM mat or ECK cable
Firstly you must calculate the area of floor to be heated. This will be
the total floor area minus the area occupied by fixtures such as
cupboards, sinks, baths etc. If you are using an ECK cable kit, refer to
the schedule of kits and ensure that the minimum ‘area to heat’ shown is
no greater than your calculated area.
For EHM mats, refer to the
schedule of mats to find the mat with a square area slightly lower than
your calculated figure. This is likely to be the mat for you.
To
double-check your selection, draw a sketch of the free area. Leaving a
space of 50mm between mat runs and 80mm between the mats and the wall,
draw the mat runs onto your sketch. Remember you can cut the mat at any
point along its length but you cannot alter its width.
If you are
unsure whether there is quite enough space to install a particular EHM mat
you should consider using a slightly smaller mat. Remember although you
can cut the mat at any point you must not cut the heating cable.
6. Check the suitability of the controller
The G16C controller has a switching capacity of 16A. If you intend to control a load greater than 16A, more than one controller will be required.
7. First electrical check
Before starting installation and before unrolling the mat or cable, the resistance of the cable should be measured and recorded on the Installation Record Form. Ensure that the reading taken is consistent with the nominal output of the cable.
An insulation resistance reading should also be taken between either end of the cold lead conductor and the earth braid using a 500V dc Insulation Resistance Meter (Megger). Readings in excess of 20 meg-ohms are acceptable. Again the reading should be recorded on the Installation Record Form
NEVER APPLY POWER TO THE CABLE WHILE IT IS ROLLED UP
8. Check and preparing the sub-floor
Ensure that the surface of the sub-floor is clean and free from any debris or sharp objects and suitable primer should then be applied.
9. Cutting a groove for PVC pipes
Both the controller probe and cold lead should be run through a plastic pipe of an appropriate diameter (typically 10mm diameter plastic hose). This is particularly important where the probe or cold lead pass from the floor to the wall. To keep the floor level as low as possible, grooves can be cut into the sub-floor to accommodate these pipes.
10. Positioning the controller probe
The controller probe should be mounted in a plastic pipe. The end of the probe should be a minimum of 500mm from the wall and 30mm from a heating cable. Remember to seal the end of the plastic tube with tape to prevent ingress by the adhesive.
11. Laying the EHM mats or ECK cable
An EHM mat has four strips of tape running along its length. The two
outside strips are double sided and these should be used to fix the mat to
the primed sub-floor with the cable side up.
ECK cables should be laid
in a neat grid formation and secured with the adhesive tape supplied. The
centres of each loop should not be less than 50mm.
At this stage it is
good practice to take a photograph of the floor. This will be a useful
record should you need to carry out any work on the floor (for example
drilling holes).
The tile adhesive can then be applied in the normal
way taking care to ensure that the heating cable is completely covered and
surrounded by the adhesive. Before applying the tiles and before the
adhesive dries, carry out the second electrical check (see below).
It is essential to avoid mechanical damage to the heating cable. If it
is impossible to avoid walking on the cable, use soft-shoes and/or
crawling boards.
When you have finished laying the mat or cable, you
simply stop. There is no requirement to return the end of the cable to the
connection point.
The hot/cold junction must be in the floor itself and
not in free air.
It is most important that the cables are not allowed
to touch or cross.
12. Second electrical check
Once the mat or cable has been laid onto the sub-floor and before the adhesive dries, the following checks should be performed. All results should be recorded on the Installation Record Form
a. Ensure that the resistance reading (ohms) is as recorded after the
first electrical check
b. Measure the insulation resistance between
either end of the cold lead conductor and the earth braid using a 500V dc
Insulation Resistance Meter (Megger), ensure that the insulation
resistance is still in excess of 20 meg-ohms.
13. Apply the tiles
14. Third electrical check
Once the tiles have been applied, the following checks should be performed. All results should be recorded on the Installation Record Form.
a. Ensure that the resistance reading (ohms) is as recorded after the
first electrical check
b. Measure the insulation resistance between
either end of the cold lead conductor and the earth braid using a 500V dc
Insulation Resistance Meter (Megger), ensure that the insulation
resistance is still in excess of 20 meg-ohms
16. Electrical connection
The electrical connection instructions supplied with the controller should be followed. It is essential that the total load controlled by a single controller does not exceed 16A.
17. Energising
The system should not be energised within 28 days of the floor surface being laid. To do so may damage the heating cable.
18. Warranty
Assuming correct installation, EHM and ECK will give many years of satisfactory service. In the unlikely event of a malfunction resulting from faulty manufacture, Warm Tiles is guaranteed for 12 months from date of purchase. The guarantee covers the full purchase price but not the cost of repairing or replacing the heating mat in the floor.
An Installation Record Form is supplied with each mat. This should be completed at the time of installation and posted to BN Thermic within 60 days of installation. Warranty claims will not be considered if the form has not been returned to us within the required time.