Electric Underfloor Heating Wiring

[action jackson]

I will be installing Warmup electric UFH in my bathroom today and would appreciate some guidance with running the heating element power cable to the thermostat.

I had planned to run the power cable within the 150mm vertical "safe zone" of a stud wall to the thermostat which will be located on the other side of the stud wall.

However reading through the instalation instructions it states the power cable should be protected by plastic conduit or trunking. Is this still valid if i run the cable within the stud wall? Note the circuit is protected by a 30ma RCBO.

 

[telectrix]

i would use conduit if possible. that way, you have a chance of pulling a new feed in the wall if the element or the sensor ever expires

 

[action jackson]

i would use conduit if possible. that way, you have a chance of pulling a new feed in the wall if the element or the sensor ever expires

The floor sensor will be run in surface conduit for replacement if necessary but it will be far easier to run the power cable within the wall.

 

[telectrix]

if you're using surface conduit, why not run all cables in that?

 

[taylor68]

i would use some flexable conduit just for ease wire the cable to the thermostat then just push the flexable conduit over the cable down the void of the stud until you reach the bottom..

 

[action jackson]

if you're using surface conduit, why not run all cables in that?

Because i already have the floor sensor and 1.5mm T&E for the whirlpool in the conduit. Not sure i can fit another cable in the 20mm conduit and like i said the layout lends itself to running the cable in the safe zone. If this contravenes the regs then i will have to re-think.

 

[action jackson]

i would use some flexable conduit just for ease wire the cable to the thermostat then just push the flexable conduit over the cable down the void of the stud until you reach the bottom..

Sounds like a good idea!

 

[2BobSparky]

Sorry to hi-jack another thread with my own question, but here I go again...

I've been working on some underfloor heating in a flat and after going through the manual for the stat came to the conclusion that no matter what it definitely wasn't working and it was time to carry out some tests.

Resistance readings for the floor sensor were within the parameters mentioned in the manual so then it was onto the two cables running to the underfloor element and sure enough I've got an open circuit on them.

For those that have worked on underfloor heating what has been your experiences when it comes to tracing these cables to the point at which they reach the element underneath the floor?

I have checked O&Ms for the flats and can't find any information as to how the cables would have been run etc. The stat is mounted on a plasterboard wall with the cables run down the wall, the element is installed under a wooden floating floor, but I assume it would actually have been set down into the concrete slab.

Anyway, labourers are moving in soon to start pulling stuff apart and besides bashing holes in the wall and or floor I don't really see any other way of doing this [tracing the connections to the element] with any real finesse.

Let us know of any suggestions/advice!

Cheers!

 

[needasparks]

Can only speak of warmup but they have a great backup team to help you and will send a engineer out who has equipment to trace the element and repair it. It used to be £150 for a standard visit and repair. only thing they dont do is repair the damaged floor but using them damages less as they can tell where the fault is. I guess most manufactorers do this. hope that helps.

 

[telectrix]

i would think that the element is surface on the concrete floor, not buried. if you can lift the floor, you should find it.

 

[Des 56]

Its more than likely sat on insulation board and will be exposed once the floor is lifted

What happened to the testing of the heating before and after laying of the mats and surface ?

Most of the guarantees I have seen ask for the before and after readings

 

[telectrix]

i had to laugh when i saw a plumber fitting UFH. he actually secured it to plywood on top of the floorboards with alarm cable staples and the brought out his "tester". this was nothing more than a continuity buzzer with a green LED. when i asked him how he intended to take an insulation resistance reading, his eyes went a funny colour. god 'elp us.

 

[ukiri]

And I bet he's "P" qualified

 

[2BobSparky]

What happened to the testing of the heating before and after laying of the mats and surface ?
Most of the guarantees I have seen ask for the before and after readings

This installation is around 5 years old now.