Manual

SunTouch WarmWire Installation Manual 3
NEVER use 1”
spacing
2” spacing
2-1/2” spacing
3” spacing
NEVER exceed 3” spacing.
NEVER use less than 2” spacing.
2-1/2” spacing is achieved by
alternating 2” and 3” spacing.
STEP 1.1
Phase 1: Design the System
WarmWire should be installed in all interior floor areas that are to be warmed.
It cannot be used for exterior applications, snow melting, or in ceilings. In
some applications, it can be used to heat the room as well, but in general it is
not designed for this purpose (heat-loss calculations must be made to deter-
mine if enough heat will be provided to match the heat loss of the room).
STEP 1.1 Make a sketch of the room. Measure the total square footage of
floor area to be warmed (measurements should be made all the way to the
edge of walls, cabinets, tub, etc., for now). Keep in mind the following:
• Heat will not radiate beyond about 2” on either side of the cable,
therefore consistent coverage is important.
• The cables can be installed in permanent bench seats with tile or stone
coverings.
• Only cables with model numbers ending “-J” on the UL tag may be installed
into shower floors and bench seats. However, do not install them into the
walls. Acceptance of this shower application must be verified by the local
inspector or authority having jurisdiction. See Step 5.22 and Appendix 5 for
details and precautions.
• Do not install the cables underneath cabinets or fixtures or inside a
wall. Excessive heat will build up and cause damage.
• Do not run the cables into small closets or other confined areas where
excessive heat will build up.
• Do install cable within about 1-1/2” to 2” from a counter or vanity in the
kick-space to ensure warmth in this area.
• Do not install the cables closer than 6” from toilet rings to avoid
possible melting of wax rings.
• In open areas, like sunrooms or dining rooms, consider installing the
cables 6” to 12” away from the perimeter of the room since people
rarely stand this close to walls.
STEP 1.2 Select the cable spacing. Below are typical spacings for various
types of rooms. This spacing can vary depending on the insulation of the floor
and room, and the desired effect. Never space cables closer than 2” apart; this
will cause a very hot area and may cause damage.
Typical uses:
• 2” spacing: Sunroom floors, basement slabs, and baths with exterior
walls. (NOTE: Insulation is always recommended due to high heat
losses in these areas. Performance is never guaranteed due to
construction and climate differences in these applications.)
• 2-1/2” spacing: Bathrooms, kitchens, living areas, and basements.
• 3” spacing: Hallways, entryways, and large areas with low heat loss.
STEP 1.3 Multiply the square footage measured in Step 1.1 by 0.90 to allow
for 3” spacing around the edges of the floor area. Use this resulting square
footage to select the appropriate cable from the tables on page 4.
Remember:
• Do not place over 15 amps at 120 VAC (1800 watts) or 15 amps
(3600 watts) at 240 VAC through a control.
• Select either 120 VAC or 240 VAC depending on the power available.
DO NOT mix voltages on the same system if more than one cable is
to be installed to cover an area.
• Load no more than 12 amps (1440 watts) on a 15-amp circuit breaker,
or 16 amps (1920 watts) on a 20-amp circuit breaker.
• If you have an area that requires more than 15 amps of cables to be
controlled by one thermostat, use SunStat Relay(s) to take the
additional amp load.
• See the Wiring Diagrams in Appendix 2 for help.
If the exact size of cable calculated is not found in the spool selection
tables on page 4, it may be necessary to adjust the warming area(s) or select
the next smaller spool size. Remember, the cable must never be cut shor ter
to fit, and must be embedded completely in mortar in the floor. Be care-
ful not to select a spool that is too large.
STEP 1.5 Select enough strap (Order No. 81005523) to secure the cable to
the floor. One box contains 25 ft. of strap, enough to prepare about
50 sq. ft. of floor at 4-ft. spacing. Strap is usually spaced ever y 3 to 4 ft.
NO!