Installation Guide

INSCT0816
5
VALIDATING YOUR FLOOR HEATING CABLE SELECTION
AREA TO HEAT
Before installing your new oor heating system, rst make sure that you have made the right cable selection. Re-measure and recalculate the area that will
accommodate the cables. Do not forget to exclude all areas that cannot be heated (cupboards, bathtub, etc.) as well as all areas that you do not want to heat.
Compare the area to heat with the total area covered by the selected cable based on the desired density of 9 watts or 12 watts (see packaging for area coverage).
The heating cable must be installed at a distance of 3 inches (76 mm) from the walls of the room (or xed furniture). The nominal surface area that the cable will
cover takes into account the loss due to the room perimeter, and the radius of curvature of each cable loop at the installation strapping. This surface area may
vary from one installation to the next due to the features of each room. Conversely, if the cable covers an area greater than the area to heat, do not install the
cable and call your retailer to ask him which cable length you need. Keep in mind that the spacing between cable runs shall never be less than 3inches (76 mm).
In Canada only : the heating cable can be installed under the oor covering of a shower oor fabricated on site with a cement base. In this case, it is recommended
that the cable be installed under the membrane and within the cement base. In the United States, it is not permitted to install a heating cable in the oor of a
shower.
CABLE LAYOUT
In order to facilitate the installation process, you must draw a plan of the cable layout on paper and trace it onto the suboor, do the same for the thermal sensor
and mounting bracket locations.
Because it is practically impossible to predict precisely where the cable will end, you must plan
the location of a buffer zone. A buffer zone is an area where heating is not essential, typically
behind a toilet or beside a door opening. The area used for excess cable could be heated or not,
without causing any discomfort (see FIGURE 2).
The heating cable SHOULD NEVER “overlap” another cable. Overlapping will generate a hot
spot that could damage the cable and lead to overheating.
Never install the heating cable under kitchen cabinets, kitchen islands, podium bathtubs or any
other xed piece of furniture.
VERY IMPORTANT: throughout the heating area, always maintain a constant cable
spacing of either 3 or 4 inches. It is also important to install the cable so that it is
perpendicular (90º) to the brackets, in order to respect the clearance. A buffer zone
spacing of 2 inches is acceptable but only for a few cable passes (2 or 3). Since the
closer spacing will result in a higher temperature, it is only to be used if necessary.
Futons, matresses, oor-level furniture, pillows, etc. can be placed above a heated
oor where the cable spacing is either 3 inches (76 mm) or 4 inches (102 mm).
However, they cannot be installed above a buffer zone where the cable is installed at
2 inch (51mm) spacing.
An 8 inch (200 mm) spacing must be maintained between the heating cable runs and
all other heat sources (baseboards, replaces, etc.).
A 6 inch (150 mm) spacing must be maintained between the heating cable runs and
any plumbing drain.
The spacing between walls (or xed furniture) and the cable must be greater or equal
to the established spacing and should never be less then 3 inches (76 mm).
CABLE RUNS EXCEEDING 10 FEET (3.05 M)
In order to minimize the conductor thermal expansion and, thus, avoid potential damages, each
cable run must not exceed 10 feet (3.05 m). Accordingly, the layout must be partitioned into 10 feet
runs (3.05 m) or less using “U-shaped” loops (see FIGURE 1).
There are two ways to secure the cable in the middle of the long cable run:
1. Apply hot glue on the cable runs and let dry.
2. Install mounting brackets in place and insert the cable into the slots at the required spacing, apply
hot glue on the cable runs and the brackets, and let dry.
CABLE LAYOUT TIPS
10 ft (3 m)
FIGURE 1
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 3
minimum spacing between
cable and plumbing drain
minimum spacing
between cable runs
minimum spacing
between cable and walls
minimum spacing between
cable and any heat source
2 3/4"
(70mm)
6" (150mm)
8" (200mm)
3" (76mm)
3" (76mm)
Strapping position
Average
distance of
curvature
between
cable & wall
3"
(76mm)