TapeMat ® Installation Manual Series D12, C12 & C15 Includes Custom TapeMat® and ShowerMat™ Please be aware local codes may require this product and/or the thermostatic control to be installed or connected by an electrician. Please leave this manual with the end user.
Read this Manual BEFORE using this equipment. Failure to read and follow all safety and use information can result in death, serious personal injury, property damage, or damage to the equipment. Keep this Manual for future reference. Floor heating mats are a simple way to heat an indoor space. This instruction manual is provided as a guide to installing TapeMats, including design considerations, installation steps, limitations, precautions, and floor covering guidelines.
Expected floor temperature Heating performance is never guaranteed. The floor temperature attainable is dependent on how well the floor is insulated, the temperature of the floor before start up, and the overall thermal drain of the floor mass. Insulation is required for best performance. Refer to Phase 4 for important design considerations. These are the three most common installations: 1.
Table 1 As with any electrical product, care should be taken to guard against the potential risk of fire, electric shock, and injury to persons. The following cautions must be observed: Local building or electrical codes may require modifications to the information provided. You are required to consult the local building and electrical codes prior to installation. If this information is not consistent with local building or electrical codes, the local codes should be followed.
ALWAYS pay close attention to voltage and amperage requirements of the breaker, the thermostat, and the TapeMat. For instance, do not supply 240 VAC power to 120 VAC TapeMat as damage will result. ALWAYS make sure all electrical work is done by qualified persons in accordance with local building and electrical codes, Section 62 of the Canadian Electrical Code (CEC) Part I, and the National Electrical Code (NEC), especially Article 424. ALWAYS use copper only as supply conductors to the thermostat.
Table 2 - Mat Sizes Please check the product label for exact ratings. This table is for reference only. 240 VAC TapeMat Mat Size (W x L) Model Number Amp Draw Ohms 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 60 70 80 90 100 2' x 5' 2' x 7'-6" 2' x 10' 2' x 12'-6" 2' x 15' 2' x 17'-6" 2' x 20' 2' x 22'-6" 2' x 25' 2' x 30' 2' x 35' 2' x 40' 2' x 45' 2' x 50' 12000524 12000724 12001024 12001224 12001524 12001724 12002024 12002224 12002524 12003024 12003524 12004024 12004524 12005024 1.0 109 - 134 1.5 76 - 94 2.
STEP 1.2 Record the product information in Table 4. Give this information to the homeowner to keep in a safe place. The Mat model number, serial number, voltage, and resistance range are shown on a nameplate label attached to the power leads. White or Blue Lead Ground Lead Black Lead Black wire to COM Red wire to Ω Do not remove this nameplate label. The electrical inspector will need to see this. STEP 1.
Table 4 - Mat and Sensor Resistance Log Mat 1 Mat 2 Mat serial number Mat model Mat voltage Factory mat resistance range OUT OF THE BOX BEFORE INSTALLATION (OHMS) Mat black to white (black to blue for 240VAC) Mat black to ground Mat white to ground (blue to ground for 240VAC) Sensor wire AFTER MAT AND SENSOR ARE FASTENED TO FLOOR (OHMS) Mat black to white (black to blue for 240VAC) Mat black to ground Mat white to ground (blue to ground for 240VAC) Sensor wire AFTER FLOOR COVERINGS ARE INSTALLED (OHMS) Ma
Phase 2 - Electrical Rough-in To prevent the risk of personal injury and/or death, make sure power is not applied to the product until it is fully installed and ready for final testing. All work must be done with power turned off to the circuit being worked on. STEP 2.1: Circuit Breaker (Overcurrent Protection) TapeMat(s) must be protected against overload by a circuit breaker.
STEP 2.3: Bottom Plate Work Drill or chisel holes at the bottom plate as indicated. One hole is for routing the power lead conduit and the other is for the thermostat sensor. These holes should be directly below the electrical box(es). Power lead conduit Wire Clip Sensor wire If going in to an existing wall, cut out dry wall and chisel out bottom plate to route wires to control. Power lead Sensor wire STEP 2.
Phase 3 - Mat Installation STEP 3.1: Floor Cleaning The floor must be completely swept of all debris including all nails, dirt, wood, and other construction debris. Make absolutely sure there are no objects on the floor which might damage the TapeMat wire. Wet mop the floor at least twice to ensure there is no dirt or dust. This will allow proper bonding of the mortar. STEP 3.2: Position the Power Leads Carefully cut the tie binding the power lead coil. Do not nick the braid covering the power lead.
STEP 3.4 Test Fit the Mat Roll out the mat, flipping it as needed to cover the intended area. This is very important to ensure proper fit before proceeding. If there is too much mat for the area it cannot be cut shorter and heating wire cannot be routed into a wall, under baseboards, or other similar areas. All heating wire must be embedded in the floor mortar. STEP 3.
Cu t ma t Use hot glue to attach wire to the floor. M remat m ov esh ed Roll over Roll-over Turn. Fill-in Technique. Installing in front of cabinets and toilets: Install mat right up to the face of the cabinet as shown above. Mat can be installed under tile to within 6" from the wax ring, and can slightly underlay the foot of the toilet if need be (approximately 20" from wall).
STEP 3.6 Secure the Mat to the Floor Lay the mat down flat. Ensure it fits well and has no folds or large ripples. Securing the mat as flat as possible will help make a smooth surface for spreading mortar. Chisel a path for the power lead and factory splice. If the mat comes with double-sided tape already attached, remove the liner along one edge and press the tape down. Remove the liner along the other edge and press the tape down, pulling lightly on the mat to keep it flat.
Conduit Power Lead Factory Splice (in thin-set, not in conduit) Tape Sensor Heating Wire Top-Down view of Mat and the sensor entering wall. STEP 3.9 Feed the sensor wire to the SunStat thermostat electrical box leaving at least 6"-8" of free lead length in the box. Weave the sensor at least 1' into the mat area, halfway between the heating wires, and secure it using hot glue. Do not cross the heating wires.
STEP 3.10: Shower Application Acceptance of this application must be verified by the local inspector or authority having jurisdiction (AHJ). Locate power lead and factory connection to heating wire at least 1’ outside the shower area. Tile Shower Curb Avoid sharp bends in heating wire Thin-set Mortar Factory Splice Heating Wire 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. Refer to diagrams in the Appendix, especially pages 26 & 27. Never install TapeMat or ShowerMat in shower walls (or any other wall).
Phase 4 - Floor Coverings / General Recommendations Please note, this installation manual is not a structural or a floor covering installation manual and is intended only for general guidance as it applies to the TapeMat product. It is recommended to consult with professional flooring installers to make sure proper materials are used and proper installation techniques are followed.
Type of Construction Mortar Applications: Thin-set and thick-set (self-leveling) mortar applications are illustrated below and to the right. a. If a backer board or plywood sheeting is used to strengthen the floor, or if the mat will be placed directly onto the slab, install TapeMat in the thin-set mortar bond coat above these materials. b.
CEMENT BACKERBOARD OVER FRAME FLOOR Tile/stone or laminate flooring Thin-set TapeMat Cement backerboard, thick-set, or selfleveling mortar bed Insulation (per International Residential Code, Chapter 11) THIN-SET OVER SLAB ON GRADE Tile/stone or laminate flooring Thin-set or selfleveling mortar bed TapeMat Crack isolation membrane /Insulating barrier Concrete slab with rewire or rebar Insulation (per International Residential Code, Chapter 11) 19 of 32
Phase 5 - Control Installation STEP 5.1: Install the Controls If it has not already been done, install an electrical box for the SunStat thermostat and SunStat Relay. See Step 2.2 for details. STEP 5.2 Read and follow the instructions included with the SunStat thermostat and SunStat Relay for complete connection instructions, requirements, and mounting. STEP 5.3 Make any final connections to the circuit breaker or branch circuit source.
Power supply Electrical box Single-gang Mud Ring (if required) SunStat Thermostat Electrical conduit Sensor wire Mat power lead Heating Wire Mat Mesh Bottom plate cut-outs Sensor installed in floor (equal distance between two heating wires) Thin-set, thick-set, thin-slab, or self-leveling mortar bed Tile, stone, or laminate floor covering General layout of the TapeMat installation 21 of 32
Appendix Types of turns Roll-over Turn 180° or Back-to-Back Turn 90° Turn 90° Flip Fill-in Technique 22 of 32
Step-by-step layout for a typical bathroom 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
Bathroom layout: One mat Shower Install 4"–6" from walls. 20" Control Toilet Install mats 6" away from wax ring (approximately 20") from back wall. Vanity Closet Install mats right up to the face of the cabinet. The heat only conducts about 11/2" from the wire.
Front entryway layout: Three mats Front Entryway Doorway Doorway Control Small bath layout: One mat Install mats 6" away from wax ring (approximately 20") from back wall. Sink Control Bath Tub Install mats right up to the face of the vanity. The heat transfers only about 11/2" from the wire.
Bathroom layout: Three mats 20" Install mats 6" away from wax ring (approximately 20") from back wall. Mat Toilet Do not begin the mat inside the shower area. The controls should NEVER be installed in the shower area, or where anyone in the shower could touch the controls. Install the controls a minimum of 4' away from the shower area. Vanity Shower Doorway Control Control Toilet Bath Tub Fill in triangular areas by removing wire from mat and securing with hot glue.
See Phase 3 for complete details and Cautions. This application into a shower area must be verified by the local inspector or the authority having jurisdiction. Shower installation detail Never install the mat in shower walls (or any other walls). Heating Wire Factory Splice Locate power lead and factory connection to heating wire at least 1’ outside the shower area. Avoid sharp bends in heating wire Use an s-shaped curve.
Connecting Multiple Mats To prevent the risk of personal injury and/or death, do not perform any electrical work unless qualified to do so. Work should be done with great care and with power turned off to the circuit being worked on. Follow all local building and electrical codes.
Troubleshooting Guide If problems arise with the TapeMat or its related electrical components, please consult this troubleshooting guide. If not qualified to perform electrical work, it is highly recommended that a qualified, licensed electrician be hired. Any electrical troubleshooting work should be performed with the power removed from the circuit, unless otherwise noted.
Problem Floor heats continuously. Control is not working correctly. Possible Cause Solution Make sure wiring connections are correct. Consult Incorrect wiring. The control was the wiring diagram on the back of the control the “bypassed” when it was wired to instructions that came with the control, or the wiring the power supply. diagram in this manual. Defective control. Return control to dealer for replacement. If a programmable control, the Carefully read and follow control programming instructions.
Electric Floor-warming Products 25-year Limited Warranty SunTouch and Watts Radiant (the Companies) warrant their respective electric floor heating mats and cables (the Products) to be free from defects in materials and workmanship for twenty-five (25) years from the date of manufacture. Thermostats and controls sold by the Companies are warranted, parts and materials, for three (3) years from the date of purchase. The sole remedy for controls is product replacement.
Affiliations: SunTouch Customer Support USA Toll-free: (888) 432-8932 Canada Toll-free: (888) 208-8927 Latin America Tel: (52) 81-1001-8600 SunTouch.com The SunTouch and Watts Radiant manufacturing facility’s Quality System is an ISO 9001:2008 registered facility through LRQA. 8 40213 11331 IOM-WR-TapeMat 2129 Watts Radiant Customer Support USA Toll-free: (800) 276-2419 Watts.com Canada Toll-free: (888) 208-8927 Watts.
