Install Instructions

We recommend working with profes-
sional flooring installers to make sure
proper materials are used and proper
installation techniques are followed.
Please note, the SunTouch installation
video is not a flooring installation
video — it only covers the installation of
SunTouch floor-warming mats.
Use a digital ohmmeter to check the
resistance of the mat(s) and sensor(s)
before, during and after the installation
of any floor coverings. Record the read-
ings in the Mat and Sensor Resistance
Log (page 4), continuing to check for
short circuits caused by nicks or pinches.
If possible, take photographs of the mat
installation before installing the flooring.
Warning: Never bang a trowel on the
mat or the heating wire to remove excess
mortar from the trowel. This could sever
the heating wire.
When installing tile or stone over
SunTouch, we highly recommend Tile
Council of North America (TCNA)
guidelines or ANSI specifications as a
minimum standards of installation. We
recommend latex-modified or epoxy-
modified mortar and grout, instead of
water-based multi-purpose materials.
Select the proper size trowel for the
installation of tile or stone. We recom-
mend a minimum 3/8” x 1/4” trowel.
This trowel works best for most 1/4” tile.
Note: Mortar beds thicker than 3/8”
work fine with the performance of the
system; they just take a little longer to
heat up.
If you need more information on
tile installation, please contact TCNA at
864-646-8453 or visit their Web site at
www.tileusa.com.
When installing floor coverings
other than tile or stone, follow industry
and/or manufacturer’s recommendations.
Also, make sure nails, screws, or other
fasteners do not penetrate the floor in the
area of SunTouch. The wire can easily be
damaged by fasteners penetrating
the floor.
All floor coverings must be in direct
contact with the cement-based material
that encase the SunTouch. Do not
elevate the floor above the concrete or
mortar mass below. For instance, do not
install 2” x 4” wooden nailers (sleepers)
on top of a slab for the purpose of
attaching hardwood. This 1.5” air gap
will drastically reduce the output of the
heated slab. For this reason, “floating”
wood/laminate floors work much better
than strip hardwood flooring.
Bottom plate/sensor detail. Simply “weave” the sen-
sor into the mat, or you may prefer to use a clip.
STEP 4.1
Install the Controls
Install the floor-sensing thermostat in
the 4” square electrical box, according to
the installation sheets provided with the
thermostat. Connect the mat power leads,
floor sensor, and power supply wiring as
shown in this manual (pages 16 and 17)
or in the thermostat installation sheets.
If using multiple mats, route all power
leads up through the electrical conduit
and into the 4” square thermostat box
or separate junction box. Wire the leads
in parallel (not series) — black-black,
white-white, and green-green,
or for 240V systems; black-black, blue-
blue, green-green. Then wire a short
“pig-tail” (of correctly sized wire for the
load) over to the thermostat.
Use the 1-gang mud (sheet rock)
ring to mount the thermostat to the
electrical box.
STEP 4.2
System Start-up
After all controls are installed, do not
energize the system, except to briefly
test operation of all components (no lon-
ger than 10 minutes). Do not put
the system into full operation until the
tile or concrete installer verifies these
cement materials are fully cured
(typically four weeks). See thin-set
manufacturer’s instructions for recom-
mended curing time.
Refer to the installation sheets pro-
vided with the controls for proper set-
ting. The system should now operate as
designed. Please leave the instruction
sheets for the thermostat in a safe place
for future reference.
Keep LoudMouth monitor connected during
the installation of flooring materials.
10 SunTouch Space Warming Manual
Phase 3. Final Floor Installation
Phase 4. Final Wiring
This electric radiant heating warning label must be
cut out and taped near or on the face of the
control.