Rules for connecting warm infrared floors

You’ve undoubtedly heard of warm infrared floors if you’re new to the world of home heating. These cutting-edge systems provide a warm, inviting vibe that can enhance any space. But correctly connecting them is essential for both effectiveness and security. You will be guided through the fundamental guidelines in this guide to ensure that your infrared floor system is operating at peak efficiency.

First, it will be helpful to comprehend the fundamentals of how infrared floors operate. Rather than just warming the air, they use infrared radiation to heat objects and people in a room. Although it requires careful installation to work at its best, this heating method has the potential to be extremely efficient. Ensuring proper connectivity between all the components is crucial for a successful setup.

The arrangement of your heating elements is one of the most important things to consider. For uniform heat distribution, alignment and spacing must be done correctly. Additionally, you must confirm that the connections made between these components are safe and adhere to the manufacturer’s guidelines. Any errors made here could cause the system to become damaged or cause uneven heating.

Electrical connections are an additional crucial component. Complex wiring is frequently used in infrared floor systems, and it must be done correctly to prevent problems. It’s imperative that you adhere to the instructions given, and don’t be afraid to contact an expert if you’re not sure you can wire something. The first priority should always be safety.

Finally, keep in mind that it’s a good idea to test the system before fully committing. After everything is connected, testing can assist you in identifying any possible problems as soon as possible. By taking this simple step, you can ensure that your warm infrared floors deliver the comfort and efficiency you desire while also saving time and hassle.

You can reap the benefits of infrared heating with fewer headaches if you adhere to these simple guidelines. Maintaining a warm and inviting home and getting the most out of your new system depend on a well-done installation.

What is an IR system drawing?

The infrared underfloor heating diagram (drawing) is a visual representation of the room’s future heating component that includes the following crucial information about engineering tools and planning components:

  • Boundaries and configuration of the room in which the infrared heating film is installed.
  • Areas where furniture is located, as well as “dead areas” near walls where laying heating mats is not required.
  • Layout of all elements of IR heated floors with modular factory dimensions of the film.
  • Marking film boundaries, highlighting heating zones.
  • Polarity of terminal connections for correct connection of wires to heating mats.
  • Schematic drawings of wires combining several IR films into a single heating system.
  • Connection diagram of the thermostat for adjusting the heating intensity or switching equipment modes.
  • Scheme for connecting the power conductive core to the power source – usually to a 220V socket.
  • Separation of various wires (phase-zero) with color markers.
  • The symbols of each graphic element or diagram shown in the drawing.

If installing this equipment beneath the final floor covering is part of the project, an IR underfloor heating scheme needs to be created for all repair and finishing work done on any type of facility.

An appropriately detailed drawing enables you to precisely position and arrange the heating element’s connection to guarantee both the safety of all occupants and other individuals using the property, as well as the highest possible efficiency from its operation.

To guarantee efficiency and safety when connecting warm infrared floors, there are a few important guidelines that must be followed. To prevent uneven heating, start by lining up the infrared heating cables or mats correctly. To properly secure the system, use premium, compatible components and connectors. To avoid problems, it’s also essential to follow the installation and maintenance instructions provided by the manufacturer. You can make sure that your warm infrared floor system performs at its best and delivers consistent, cozy heat by adhering to these easy steps.

Development of a plan

The following requirements and subtleties must be considered when creating a connection plan for infrared underfloor heating:

  • The scheme must necessarily take into account all areas of the layout of the mats on the usable area of ​​the room, with the exception of indents along the perimeter of the walls, or "dead zone", as well as places for installing furniture on short legs (up to 20 – 30 mm).
  • The number of mats, as well as the layout diagram, must fully comply with the modular dimensions of factory-made products, the rules for their safe cutting and mating.
  • When laying out heating film mats on the drawing, it is necessary to depict in detail the diagram of their combination in the junction box using several pairs of power cables.
  • The diagram must display all the nodes of the complex connections of each functional element of the warm floor – heating mats, junction box, thermostat, as well as a power cable socket or other method of powering engineering equipment.
  • The drawing must contain all cable markings, their calculated cross-section and length, and a detailed specification of all main and consumable materials must be drawn up on a separate sheet to be able to order them at a retail outlet, without the risk of purchasing too few or excessive quantities of underfloor heating elements, or to quickly draw up estimate documentation for the customer, the owner of the facility.
  • It is recommended to indicate on the diagram the boundaries of the room, the dimensions of the walls, their perimeter, area, the presence of additional supports, as well as other volumetric-planning and structural elements.
  • It is necessary to analyze the market for this heating equipment in advance and take into account in the specification the exact brands, models and modifications of each element necessary for the normal operation of the infrared underfloor heating system with reference to a specific room.

Professionals and producers of infrared underfloor heating typically employ the following connection scheme working options:

  • With serial connection of several mats into a single power cable network.
  • With parallel connection of a large number of heating elements, in the case of installing underfloor heating in rooms with a large area.
  • With direct connection of power wires from film heating mats to the thermostat.
  • Assembly of all cable elements into a single engineering system through a junction box.
  • Connecting a warm floor to a power outlet through a fork, or directly to the supply cable in the wall.
  • Connecting elements of a warm floor IR directly into a apartment or house shield with the installation of a selected protective machine of emergency shutdown.

Prior to initiating the creation of drawings and connection schemes for the engineering equipment under consideration for additional building heating, it is necessary to precisely determine which option is most appropriate and to examine different ways of arranging the system’s mutual operation to maximize energy efficiency.

Photo examples

The following examples and analogies for different room types and ways to connect underfloor heating with infrared heating graphite elements are provided in case the working design documentation drawings are provided by a novice without specialized training in the creation of similar schemes:

  • simple connection scheme 2 heating mats IR stupid floor.
  • Parallel connection scheme 3 heating mats to a 220V bipard bicasmic socket.
  • The sequential connection scheme 3 heating mats to the thermostat and power cable network 220V.

Apart from the photo technicians of connection schemes mentioned above, there are additional options available for these graphic materials created by experts, as well as comprehensive master classes and video lessons for their advancement.

Description of the schemes

Regardless of the intended use of the space, warm infrared flooring is typically installed using one of two fundamental connection types, each with unique properties.

The key characteristics of each of these options are described in detail below, along with information on how the drawing was made so that contractors’ installation team members could easily read it.

Method with the output of 2 wires from each piece of film

The output of two conductive cores in the insulation of the necessary computed cross-section from each piece of the warm floor’s film mat is thought to be the most straightforward connection technique. The following characteristics set this technique apart:

  • The simplest connection scheme, which implies both serial and parallel connection of different factory-made heating mats of modular size.
  • Each film product has paired terminals for connecting power cables.
  • Each of the terminals is marked for connecting the "phase" and "zero", respectively.
  • A crimping end sleeve is mounted on the cables for mating with the terminal on the heating mat, after which the wires are fixed in each of these connections as in a socket, until the plastic local stopper clicks.
  • The procedure for connecting pairs of cables "phase" and "zero" is duplicated sequentially for all heating mats.
  • After connecting all the heating elements of the modular dimensions, the wires are connected in pairs through terminal connections in the junction box and fixed in the thermostat.

The total load and power consumption from all heating elements with infrared heat sources must be considered when designing this circuit. Should the total computed power surpass the nominal value for the residential cable power network, the circuit needs to be split into two separate, isolated sections.

Grinding method

Although less common than connecting each film with two wires, this technique is likewise very efficient and guarantees the total safety of the occupants while in use.

The following characteristics set the graphic diagram of connecting a warm floor on infrared heating elements apart:

  • The mats are laid out on the floor under the finishing coating in such a way that the connectors for connecting the cable are on the same axis.
  • The end sleeves of each connector are ground to ensure unimpeded access to the conductive part.
  • The couplings are joined together and soldered, or insulated and fixed with dielectric tape.
  • The last mat is connected to a pair of wires, which, in turn, are directly connected to the thermostat.

Although the grinding method is thought to be more intricate and costly, the engineering system’s durability and dependability are achieved, and any expenses are fully recovered after the warm floor in the room has been in use for a year, provided that the working drawing is strictly followed.

Rules for the location of contacts, regulators

The following regulatory requirements and guidelines must be followed when drawing a connection for an infrared heated floor. Location of contacts and regulators:

  • The contacts must be located in such a way that the insulation sections are not fixed in the terminal crimps. Therefore, before connecting, each power cable must be carefully stripped of insulation.
  • When connecting contacts to sockets in film IR mats of underfloor heating, end sleeves of the required configuration should be installed on the conductive cores in advance.
  • The controller for underfloor heating is mounted on the wall, at a height of 50 to 100 cm from the surface of the finished floor covering.
  • The supply cables to the thermostat are laid in the wall, in a pre-arranged groove and in a corrugation.
  • When connecting the thermostat, it is necessary to strictly observe the polarity of the supply cables.
  • The controller must have similar electrical characteristics as the main elements of the underfloor heating.

The engineering equipment will not function correctly if you connect contacts and thermostats incorrectly and disregard the previously mentioned guidelines. This increases the likelihood of a short circuit, which frequently results in wire burnout and unneeded expenses for its restoration.

Connection process

Connecting the infrared underfloor heating system and all of its components, including the conductive cores, into a single system and electrical circuit, is a responsible task whose proper completion is largely responsible for the engineering equipment’s ability to function.

In this sense, the connection process follows a rigid order and is completed in multiple main stages. A detailed description of each of these process map stages can be found below.

Connecting terminals to the film

The film of the infrared warm floor of the factory production initially contains terminal connections for convenient connection of wires without soldering. During this procedure, it is necessary to take into account a number of the following important rules and nuances:

  • On the subfloor in the room, according to a pre-drawn diagram, heating mats are laid out in the required areas.
  • The required number of wires is purchased, according to the specification for the working project.
  • Each wire is stripped of insulation at a distance of up to 20 mm from the end of the conductor.
  • Fix a crimp end sleeve onto the stripped part of the cable core, the locking part of which exactly matches the configuration of the terminal on the connected cable.
  • The cable is marked in accordance with the polarity of its connection in the terminal junction box and to the thermostat.
  • Each cable is fixed through an end sleeve to a socket in an element of an IR film heated floor.
  • The procedure is repeated for all separately located film elements of the IR heated floor.
  • At the final stage, the cables coming from the heating vests are brought together in a terminal box and connected to the thermostat with two power wires of the rated cross-section.

You should definitely study the factory instructions and drawings before drawing the connection diagram for the terminals to the IR heating floor films and before installing this engineering system. This will reduce the possibility of errors that could have unfavorable effects.

To the thermostat

You should connect the wires to the thermostat and arrange their connection in accordance with the following algorithm once each heating infrared heating mat is connected to the wires and the cable conductive cores are connected into a common system:

  • If only one film element of the warm floor is laid out on the floor in the room, the wires coming from it are simply installed to the clamping terminals on the output side of the thermostat.
  • When combining several film mats at once into a single heating system, you should provide in advance a distribution box that will be installed in front of the thermostat.
  • All pairs of wires from each heating infrared film mat are connected in series to the junction box with the required number of terminal connections, observing the required polarity of the conductive cores, into each terminal.
  • On the opposite side of the box, after connecting all the cables supplying the heating mats, two wires of the calculated cross-section are installed, connecting it to the thermostat.
  • From the junction box, a pair of power conductive cores is connected to the thermal energy regulator, which, in turn, is powered from the panel or power outlet.

Keep in mind that all wire-connecting and terminal-crimping procedures must only be performed with fully de-energized electrical appliances and in line with the diagram. Additionally, it is crucial to examine the crimping force and connection quality in order to prevent the electrical circuit from opening while the installed equipment is operating.

To the outlet and requirements for it

The majority of factory-made infrared underfloor heating models are wired into a typical 220V cable network found in homes. There are two ways that this engineering equipment is connected to the outlet in practice:

  • Connecting a plug with a power cable to a socket installed nearby. The convenience of such a system is achieved by the fact that every time the warm floor is not required, the consumer can completely de-energize it with one movement, which significantly affects the improvement of safety, energy savings, the absence of stray currents, but, at the same time, the plug with the cable has to be twisted and hidden from prying eyes.
  • Connecting a warm floor to a supply cable in a 220V power outlet. In this case, the cable from the thermostat is connected to the conductive core, which goes directly from the apartment or house switchboard. This method eliminates the need to mask a separate plug with a wire, but when other electrical appliances are plugged into a household outlet, an overload of the cable electrical network may occur.
  • Connecting underfloor heating with infrared heating elements directly into the panel, without installing an intermediate socket. This technique is considered the most professional and is described in detail below.

According to the PUE, the following stringent regulations must be adhered to when connecting a warm floor with infrared heating elements to a two-phase or three-phase power cable outlet:

  • The socket must be built into the wall or installed in a fireproof protective socket box.
  • The calculated power and insulation resistance of the dielectric parts of the outlet should fully correspond to the technical parameters of the power cables suitable for it and the connected equipment.
  • In the set, after the current supply, bare wires under voltage should not protrude from the outlet.
  • When installing a warm floor socket on the balcony, on the street space or in rooms with high humidity, equipment should be purchased in a dusty design.
  • If the warm floor is mounted in the children"s room, the outlet should be equipped with a special protective spring mechanism so that the child cannot reach metal contacts under voltage.
  • The outlet should be of high quality, without any traces of marriage and mechanical damage.
  • It is recommended to purchase a socket with one socket for connecting only an infrared underfloor heating, without any additional power electrical equipment.
  • The socket should be located at a height of 150 to 300 mm from the surface of the finished floor covering.
  • It is recommended to choose a socket with a light indicator of its normal operation, as well as with a duplicate emergency shutdown machine to prevent a short circuit.
  • It is recommended to choose a three-phase power socket with the ability to lay a grounding cable.

The maximum allowable current, which will dictate the kind of emergency shutdown machine in the panel, and the power socket’s characteristics must be indicated in the working project drawing.

A separate cable from the panel

The owners of the property sometimes choose to connect a warm floor with infrared graphite heating elements straight to the panel, bypassing the need for a plug that requires a power cable and a socket because these units are stationary engineering equipment. In these situations, it’s vital to consider a number of crucial specifications and subtleties, as well as adhere to certain guidelines for the safe connection of engineering equipment:

  • A place for installation of a separate emergency shutdown machine is selected in advance in the panel, the power and current strength of which is determined by the technical characteristics of the installed engineering system from the quality passport.
  • The machine is mounted in the required cell, after which a power cable is connected to it from the upper side from the floor panel with the ASKUE electricity meter.
  • Copper conductive cores with a single metal core, in reinforced insulation, are connected to the machine on the lower side, which are laid directly to the place of installation of the thermostat in the groove and non-combustible corrugation.
  • Further, the connection diagram is completely identical to the assembly of the underfloor heating system, considered in the previous version, from a 220V power outlet.
  • Immediately after assembling the entire diagram, the machine should be tested for the speed and threshold of its operation, in the event of an emergency or in the event of a failure in the operation of the infrared underfloor heating.

It is necessary to include a free cell in the apartment or house panel’s design in order to connect an infrared heated floor directly to an electrical panel and ensure its safe continued operation in a residential or public building.

Additionally, you should install a machine whose emergency operation current strength fully complies with the information from the heating equipment’s quality certificate, and connect a cable with the necessary design cross-section to it.

Possible problems and errors

The master may commit a number of serious errors and infractions when creating a graphic diagram for connecting an infrared heated floor and when carrying it out later. These errors and violations frequently have detrimental effects and may even require the replacement of engineering equipment entirely when it suddenly fails.

The most frequent mistakes and potential fixes are listed below to help reduce them:

  • Connecting equipment to a power cable network in which other electrical devices are already installed. This engineering equipment must be connected exclusively to a dedicated cable line with the installation of a separate rated power circuit breaker in the panel.
  • Incorrect connection of film infrared mats to wires. Violation of the circuit and polarity of the wires leads to incorrect operation of the equipment, as well as to its rapid failure, and therefore it is necessary to take into account the markings on the terminal connections.
  • Incorrect connection of the thermostat to the general electrical circuit. The thermostat should be connected only after all bundles of conductive wires have been combined into a single circuit. When connecting several heating mats at once into a single cable network, it is recommended to install an intermediate junction box with terminals to prevent this gross error.
  • Incorrect layout of heating mats on the useful area of ​​the room. The film with heating elements must be divided strictly in those areas of the room where furniture without legs is not installed, as well as at a distance of at least 300 mm from all walls along the perimeter of the room, in order to exclude damage to interior items, decor, functional technological equipment in the room being finished and excess energy consumption for heating its operating space.
  • Violation of polarity when organizing the subordination of a warm floor in the panel. This problem can lead not only to an increase in work, but also to a short circuit in the wiring with subsequent burnout of all heating elements on the film.
  • Selecting cable products with insufficient cross-section of the conductive core. The calculated resistance and electrical conductivity of the power wires must fully correspond to the power of the electric infrared heated floor, according to the quality certificate, because if the wrong area is chosen, the conductive core will overheat, which can lead to damage to the insulation and the occurrence of a fire hazard.
  • Schematic representation and further implementation of the project in terms of cutting heating mats in those areas where the technological scheme prohibits this. It should be noted that film heating equipment should be cut only in those places where there is a corresponding marking, which will not lead to mechanical damage to the electrical circuit and to a violation of the heating intensity of the room.

If you want to completely eliminate the possibility of making mistakes when connecting this component of additional space heating, you should become well-versed in the various diagrams beforehand and seek out specific guidance from engineers and experts.

In order to create the proper drawing that complies with regulatory requirements, you should also get in touch with professional designers if the property owner is unaware of these nuances.

Useful video

Quick overview of the relationship:

Although connecting warm infrared floors can seem difficult, it can be done quickly and easily by adhering to a few basic guidelines. You can increase the comfort and heating efficiency of your space by making sure that the insulation is adequate and by carefully designing the layout.

Utilize premium materials at all times, and adhere to the installation instructions provided by the manufacturer. This prolongs the life of your infrared floor system and helps to avert any possible problems. Safety should always come first, so make sure the electrical setup is safe and done correctly, and double-check all connections.

Your system needs to be checked and maintained on a regular basis to function properly. If you notice any odd symptoms that could point to a problem, take note of them and take quick action to prevent more serious problems later on. Your warm infrared floors can provide dependable and effective heating for many years to come with proper installation and maintenance.

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Marina Petrova

Candidate of Technical Sciences and teacher of the Faculty of Construction. In my articles, I talk about the latest scientific discoveries and innovations in the field of cement and concrete technologies.

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