How to install a Electric Underfloor Heating Mat

 What's In The Kit

- The heating mat

- A 1.5 m long flexible Conduit

- A 2.5 m long flexible Conduit terminated at one end with a rubber Stopper

- Temperature controller & Floor Sensor (IF ORDERED)

What's Needed

- Scissors/cutters

- Ohmmeter (multimeter)

- Tools for cutting chases in walls and floors

Testing

The insulation's resistance for the mat's heating cable, as measured with a tool of the rated voltage 1000 V (e.g. megaohmmeter), should not be below 10 Ohms.

The resistance test for the mat should also be done after the insulation's resistance test has been done. The total resistance will be on the label connected to the cold tail.

Enter the results into the Warranty Card.

When the floor has been finished, repeat the measurements and compare the results to ensure that the mat has not been damaged while laying the floor.

The Underfloor Heating Mat should be tested at these points;

• After Unboxing and before installing
• After installing
• And after the adhesive has been laid or the floor finish

Instructions

1. Make sure the sub-floor is dry, clean and dust free and suitable for tiling. If using a wooden sub-floor, ensure it is stable, if not reinforce it to prevent flexing and dislodging. Do not install the mat directly onto a bitumen base.
2. Prime the floor using an acrylic bond making sure to cover the whole area of screed or insulation. Once the primer is applied, leave it to dry before laying the Elektra MD mat. (Usually 1-2 Hours) While the primer is drying, study the mat layout you've been given or drawn up yourself to make sure you lay the mat 100% correctly.
3. If using Ekoboard or any other XPS premium insulation boards they should be staggered as accordance to the manufactures instructions. Make sure the boards are secured to the floor with a strong adhesive, if installing onto a wooden surface make sure boards are fixed manually.
4. Now we are nearly ready to start laying our Elektra MD Heating mat, but first we need to refer to the testing section earlier in the guide. We need to test the mat after unboxing to make sure none of the cable has been damaged during transit.
5. Study the floor plan carefully and select the best possible place to start the circuit and where to place the thermostat and floor sensor. This is the most important step, as any mistakes can be crucial after fitting.
6. Now start to install the heating mat from the location of the thermostat, roll out the mat and secure to the surface by removing the self adhesive backing on the mesh. Tape may be needed if the adhesive is not strong enough; in this case try to avoid using too much as it can cause problems with adhesive/latex bonds. The mat should be 50-100mm away from the wall perimeter. Remember the cable can be taken off the mesh to go round tricky areas like the toilet or bath.
7. When you reach the end of the room the mesh should be cut, at no time should you cut the cable,after cut the mesh the mat can be rotated 180 degrees to then make another run until reaching the end of the room again. If changing direction you can turn the mat 90 degrees then flip the mat over and continue.                                                                          
8. Once laid, check the cables resistance and insulation values are consistent with pre-insulated values and record these on the guarantee certificate.
9. Depending on the type of mat the cold tail should be the black lead this will either be a solid earth cable or a earth braided wrapped around internal cores. This needs to be upbraided by using a screwdriver and pulling down the braid into separate strands. At this point the earth can now be connected to the incoming supply by using the earth terminal in the black box.
10. To monitor the temperature of the heating mat we need to install a floor sensor, to do this cut a section out of the insulation wide enough for the black conduit to fit in. The floor sensor must go in between two runs of the cable allowing the best possible reading. Place the floor sensor inside the conduit and then place into the hole cut out. If you need to shorten the floor sensor only cut the end with open wires, do not cut the end which contains the plastic sensor.
    
11. Now we need to refer back to the testing again to make our final test on the mat, check the resistance using the multimeter and then the insulation resistance as well.
12. If possible cover the cables with a thin layer of suitable latex based levelling compound 5-6mm. This will help protect the heating mat when laying the floor finish. A levelling compound is not mandatory but is advised.
13. Tile the floor using a flexible tile adhesive and grout as per industry standards and manufactures conditions. Once the floor finish has been applied slowly turn the heating on and start to increase the temperature over a few days. After a few days you can then set your desired settings.

 

Information

Never cut the heating cables, only the fibreglass mesh can be cut.

Never shorten the mats, only cold tails may be made shorter, if necessary.

Never attempt to squash the cold tail.

Never attempt the self-repairs of the heating cables. If the heating cables are damaged, please contact an ELEKTRA authorised installer.

Never expose the mats to the excessive stretching, stress or hit them with sharp tools.

Never attempt to lay the mats if the ambient temperature drops below -5°C.

Never install the mat under fixed furniture is planned (e.g. legless floor-level wardrobes, kitchen units, baths).

Never use installation materials other than specified in the installation manual.

Never use nails or screws of any kind for installation of the mats.

Always install the heating mat according to the installation manual.

Electrical connection of the mat must be performed by a certified electrician.

The minimum distance between the heating mat and other heat sources (e.g. hot water pipes) should always exceed 25 mm.

The electric heating mat must be connected by a qualified electrician and requires a mains voltage of 230/240v

When laying the Elektra MD Heating mat, under no circumstances must the mat overlap and the heating cable be cut or cross at any point.

The joint between the heating cable and cold tail must be located under the floor.

 

Elektra MD Heating Mats