An electric heated floor is a good alternative to central heating. It is suitable for premises that have already been renovated. Its installation is not difficult. This floor is made of rolled material, its heating element is hermetically sealed between durable films, so it is safe.
This heating floor design is laid on a completely flat surface, so before performing it you must first prepare a rough screed. The height differences on it should not be more than 3 mm. You need to check the horizontality of the surface with a building level. If necessary, you need to level the floor and thoroughly clean it of dust and other debris. It is worth using an industrial or washing vacuum cleaner for this.
After such work, you can proceed to installation infrared heating covering.
How to properly lay an electric heated floor?
At independent execution installation, you need to take into account several nuances:
- If such a floor will be the main source of heating in the room, then it should cover at least 70% of the surface. If it is used as an additional source, the infrared area of the floor should be more than 40%.
- The heating film should only be laid on a dry and level surface.
- In most cases, the thermostat is connected permanently, but under certain conditions it can be used as a regular electrical appliance.
- Thermal film must not be bent at right angles; nails and screws must not be used to secure it.
- A single piece of infrared film should consume no more than 10 amperes.
Installation of the heating film is carried out according to the following instructions:
- Lay hydro- and heat-insulating materials . Their thickness depends on the decorative coating. If you plan to use linoleum or carpet, the insulation thickness can reach 5 mm. Thermal insulation tapes are laid on the floor so that their metallized part is on top. The joints of the material are sealed with construction tape. If tiles are chosen as a decorative covering, then you should choose cork thermal insulation under it, the thickness of which should be at least 2 mm.
- Select the location of the thermostat . Draw up a diagram of the location of the film in advance, taking into account that such a floor is located only in those places where there is no furniture, otherwise there is a high probability of damage to its lower surface.
- Cut infrared film . There are lines on it along which the film web is cut. The prepared sections are placed according to the diagram and their compliance with the selected places is checked. It is necessary to take into account that when laying such a floor in large rooms, the length of one strip should not exceed 10 meters. You need to provide a gap from each wall, retreating 20-30 cm.
- Install infrared floor . It cannot be laid near open or powerful heaters; you need to retreat 1 meter from them. The film is placed with the copper bars facing down “at the joint”, and is glued with tape for fixation. While performing such actions, you must not step on it, and also try not to damage it mechanically using tools. The film contacts are located towards the wall.
Algorithm for connecting a heated floor to electricity (video)
You can see how to properly connect the heating film to the wires on the proposed video. For installation work you will need a clamp, rings and a hole punch.
- Set the pitch on the hole punch to 0.5 cm. Then use it to pierce a hole in the copper conductor to power it.
- Insert a clamp with a ring between the insulating films and, using 2 other rings, which are adjusted on the inside and outside of the film, secure it. They are clamped as tightly as possible so that nothing sparks when connected. If you simply fasten the clip, you can damage the film.
- Connect and clamp the electrical wire.
- Soak the ends of the film with prepared pieces of bitumen insulation. It comes with thermal film included.
Installation of wires and thermostat
Before connecting them, it is necessary to strip the ends at a distance of 8-10 mm. They need to be inserted into the previously secured clamps. The wires are connected in parallel: on the right and left sides they are connected to each other separately. To distinguish them, you need to purchase two wires different colors, then confusion with them can be avoided.
Step-by-step connection of thermal film to the electrical network:
- Connecting wires . Remove the insulation from the ends of the wire. The prepared tip is twisted and then inserted into the clamp, and pressed tightly with pliers or a clamp. The resulting connection should be insulated with bitumen tape. Apply this insulation to all wire outputs.
- Laying wires . They need to be placed on the floor near the baseboards, so they can be protected from the load created by the decorative coating. To do this, you need to make a recess in the thermal insulation. Place the wire in it and secure it with tape so that it sticks securely to it. You need to create deeper cutouts near the walls and seal them with tape. In this way, you need to lay the wires to the thermostat from one piece of film to another.
- Sensor Installation . The thermostat is fixed in the center of the second section, a suitable hole is cut for it in the insulation, and, if necessary, in the film itself. The sensor must be placed under the carbon strip. The wire to it must go without bends, and a hole is also made for it. It must be taken into account that if finishing coat will be soft, then the sensor should be located in a place where great forces will not be applied to the floor.
- System testing . The performance of the infrared floor is checked before laying the decorative covering. When the system is connected to the network, there should be no sparking areas or overheating of the contacts. You can check the operation of the floor with your hands or with a special portable sensor that will determine the temperature. Once installed correctly, the floor heats up evenly. It doesn't hurt to provide additional protection by using sound insulation.
After these steps, you can cover the created heated floor with a finishing coating.
Laying an infrared floor can be done independently, you just need to adhere to the above step by step instructions. Heating the room and creating comfortable conditions will depend on proper installation.
Installation of infrared heated floors: we do the work ourselves
Non-traditional heating systems have recently been widely used in modern construction. They can significantly reduce energy consumption, which has a significant impact on saving the family budget. Such innovative solutions include film infrared heating of the room. We will tell you how to properly install an infrared heated floor.
What is a warm film floor
Warm infrared film floors are a heat-resistant polyethylene film in which strips of carbon paste are packed. In turn, the paste is connected by copper bars, which are also soldered into the film.
The entire structure is called IR thermal film. If a current of a certain strength and frequency is supplied through the tires, the carbon elements begin to emit infrared radiation with a wavelength of 5 to 20 microns.
It does not cause heating of the surrounding air and drying it out, as traditional radiators and heaters do. Infrared rays heat surrounding objects - flooring, walls, ceilings, furniture.
Important to know! It should not be confused with electromagnetic radiation, which has a harmful effect on the human body, animals and plants.
Such a heating system has practically no side effects and environmentally friendly. Scientists different countries the world have proven the beneficial effects of infrared rays on living organisms and humans in general.
Infrared heated floor technical specifications has these:
- power consumption 1 sq.m. -45-67 W/m.h;
- thermal film width -50 cm;
- maximum permissible length of thermal film strip is 8 meters
- melting temperature of thermal film – 130 degrees C;
- power supply -220V / 50 Hz;
- the share of infrared rays in the radiation spectrum is 95%;
- IR heating wavelength is 5-20 microns.
The energy consumption of an infrared heated floor directly depends on its area and mode of operation. On the modern market, many manufacturers present their options for warm film floors. They all have approximately the same characteristics. So which infrared heated floor is best for you to decide.
The thickness of the thermal film is 0.4 mm, which allows it to be installed under any floor covering – ceramic tiles, laminate, parquet boards, linoleum and carpet. In addition, this film can be installed on walls and ceilings. In this case, heating will occur throughout the entire volume of the room.
Of course, installing an infrared heated floor under a particular coating has its own characteristics. For example, to lay a film floor under carpet or linoleum, plywood should be laid on the heating strips.
In order to lay a warm infrared floor under the laminate, it is enough to lay a waterproofing film. Under tiles The heated floor is laid directly on the cement-sand screed and covered with a layer of tile adhesive and tiles on top.
How to lay film flooring under laminate yourself
First of all, you need to understand two main rules:
- To prevent the infrared film for underfloor heating from overheating, it must be placed in an area that will not be occupied by furniture, a TV and other large household items.
- To effectively heat a room, the film floor must cover at least 70% of the area.
Armed with this knowledge, it is necessary to draw a plan for the placement of heating elements. On paper it is necessary to reflect the location of the furniture and heating film.
Important to know! Laminate flooring is laid on a pre-leveled surface.
The concrete screed should not have a difference exceeding 1 mm per 2 linear meters. To ensure that the heat from the thermal film does not escape through the floor slabs to the neighbors, a thermal insulating substrate is laid on the floor. This is foamed polypropylene 3-4 mm thick and has a foil coating on one side.
Thermal insulation strips are laid joint to joint and secured together with thermal insulating tape. The strips are carefully trimmed around the perimeter of the room. Thermal film strips are measured, cut and laid on the floor in accordance with the drawn up plan.
The heating film can only be cut in the places marked on it. They are highlighted with a dotted line and a scissors symbol.
If you cut the film diagonally, it will be damaged. The cut points are located approximately every 18 cm. The heating film should not be closer to the wall than 10 cm.
The heating film strips are laid on the substrate one next to the other with a gap of at least 5 mm, but not more than 1 cm. The heating element cannot be bent at an angle of 90 degrees or more, as it will fail.
The places where the thermal film is cut, where the conductive busbars are cut, must be insulated with strips of bitumen insulation, which is supplied with the heated floor. To install the contact, insert it exactly in the middle of the end of the conductive busbar and press firmly with pliers.
Current-carrying wires are stripped to 5-10 mm with a sharp knife and clamped with pliers in the contact terminal. After this, the entire contact is isolated with a piece of bitumen insulation.
The connection of infrared heated floors (heating strips) is carried out in parallel with copper stranded wires with a cross-section of at least 1.5 mm2. In order for the automatic floor heating thermostat to work correctly, it is necessary to install a temperature sensor.
Pay attention! The sensor must be placed on a heat-insulating substrate. Otherwise it will not show the true floor temperature.
After this, the thermostat is installed and connected. When it is fully installed and connected, the functionality of the IR warm film floor is checked. All thermal films should heat up when turned on. Only after checking the functionality can you begin laying the laminate on heating elements. A video on installing infrared heated floors can be viewed in this article.
Schemes for connecting film heated floors to the network
Typically, film coating is used for laying under laminate, parquet boards and linoleum. Laying it on the surface is not at all difficult, you just need to place the sheets end to end. The only thing that can cause difficulties is connecting the system to a 220 Volt power supply. So that you don't have any questions when installation work, we recommend viewing 2 simple circuits connecting infrared heated floors through a thermostat.
We immediately draw your attention to the fact that it is unreasonable to make a connection without a thermostat. This device makes the heating system automatic and also allows you to save up to 40% of electricity, and this is a fairly high figure when calculating the electricity consumption of a heated floor.
So, typical diagram connecting infrared film through a thermostat looks like this: 
As you can see, everything is quite simple - the input phase and zero are connected to the corresponding terminal blocks on the temperature controller. The remaining four connectors lead to wires for the temperature sensor and directly to the infrared heaters. A slight drawback of this scheme is that the wires will cross each other and get confused. To prevent this from happening, we recommend using an alternative diagram for connecting an infrared heated floor with your own hands: 
In this case, connecting the wires is not so confusing. All phase conductors are wound from above, and zeros from below. This will not affect the performance of the system in any way, but at the same time, this electrical installation option will protect the novice electrician from mixing up phase and zero. A very important requirement - be careful and connect only connectors of the same name, as shown in the diagram.
That's all I wanted to tell you about this issue. We hope that the provided electrical diagrams connecting the film heated floor through the thermostat was clear and useful for you. We also recommend that you familiarize yourself with the technology of laying the material in the video example provided below.
How to install infrared heated floors correctly
Heated floors are one of the popular and economical systems for heating any type of room. The device uses water pipes, electrical cables, and specially designed film hidden in a screed. Carbon film, which appeared relatively recently, allows you to install an infrared heated floor yourself without spending a lot of time and money.
Preparatory work
What are the stages of installation of such a warm floor? As with any other system, for an infrared heating device you must perform the following steps:
- select power;
- select materials;
- draw up a laying diagram;
- install the system.
Let's consider the stages of directly manufacturing a heated floor without calculating it.
Choice of insulation
A mandatory element for infrared heated floors is good insulation. It is necessary to prevent heat loss through enclosing structures - floor slabs or compacted soil. If for the rooms under which there is a warm room, thin insulation is sufficient, then when installing a heated floor on the ground floor, it is necessary to use a large layer of thermal insulation.
In general, the same materials are used as insulation for infrared floors as for others:
- foamed polystyrene foam (foam);
- extruded expanded polystyrene foam;
- substrate for infrared heated floors made of foamed polyethylene.
Other materials are rarely used.
Expanded polystyrene is best used when laying floors on the ground or above a cold basement. To do this, it is laid in a layer of 50 to 100 mm, and a reflective layer of aluminum foil is mounted on it.
Tip: For a heated floor on the ground floor, we use expanded polystyrene slabs 50–100 mm thick, laid on a rough screed.
When using a large layer of polystyrene foam boards, it is advisable to arrange a cement-sand screed into which you can also pour the heated floor film yourself.
If the installation of an infrared heated floor takes place above a warm room, it is enough to use a foil backing made of polyethylene foam. It is available in thicknesses from 3 to 10 mm and is capable of resisting heat leaks with great efficiency. What thickness of underlay should I use? In general, a sheet of 5 mm thickness is sufficient. The exact value must also be clarified in the documentation of the flooring manufacturer, since for laminate, for example, a substrate with a thickness of no more than 3 mm is recommended.
Floor marking
The initial stage of installation is marking the floor. During this, the location of the infrared floor film is marked on the plan. Basic principles of the process: under massive furniture and equipment, warm floors are not installed.
Scheme of laying infrared film.
Installation work
The installation itself consists of the following steps:
- Preparing the floor surface, removing debris.
- Laying the heat insulator.
- Laying the cable for the temperature sensor and for powering the system.
- Installation and connection of infrared film.
- Decorative coating device.
Installing a thermostat
Before starting work, the concrete floor must be cleared of debris and thoroughly swept. If there are weak areas, they must be broken and leveled with tile adhesive or cement-sand mortar.
Next, mark the location for installing the thermostat. It must be mounted on a wall away from heat sources at a height of 1.2-1.5 m. In a designated area, using a special crown, a hole is drilled for the dimensions of the thermostat. A groove is made from it to the floor, into which the cable for the sensor and the power wire will be mounted.
The electrical cable from the switchboard is brought into the prepared place.
Place for temperature regulator.
Installation of heat insulator
A roll of thermal insulation is laid on the cleaned floor. Foamed polyethylene must be laid in strips with the reflective side up. The lining strips are glued together with special aluminum tape.
The thermal insulator can be glued to the floor with double-sided tape. This is done in order to avoid its movement during operation. After the substrate is arranged, the installation of the infrared film itself begins.
Installation and connection of heating film
According to a pre-marked plan, the film is cut in such a way as not to disturb the conductive strips. Pieces of film are laid out on the prepared heat insulator in a strictly defined sequence, which was initially calculated on the plan. The thermal insulation film is glued with double-sided tape on the bottom side.
At a distance of about a meter from the wall, mark a place for installing a temperature sensor. We install it between two strips of heating film. The location is chosen so that there is enough cable to the thermostat. The temperature sensor is rigidly glued to the heat insulator with tape.
Next, an electrical cable is laid from the thermostat. It is connected to one end of the heating film using special silver-plated contacts. The contacts must be secured in the film so that they tightly touch the current-carrying conductors.
The same contacts and pieces of electrical wire connect individual strips of infrared film to each other. The installation site of conductive contacts is protected by special self-adhesive pads that do not conduct current.
Laying decorative covering
Before installing the decorative covering, it is necessary to carry out a test run. To do this, power is briefly supplied to the entire system. After which you can begin installing the decorative coating.
Regardless of what will be used - laminate, carpet, linoleum, infrared film must be protected with a special coating. For this purpose, PVC film is most often used, which is evenly spread throughout the entire space.
When using laminate, it can be mounted directly on PVC film in compliance with safety precautions. If you plan to use a soft covering such as linoleum or carpet, then on top of the PVC film you need to install a hard flooring made of chipboard or OSB boards. This is necessary to protect the infrared film from being crushed and exposed to excessive load.
Composition of the “pie” of infrared heated floors.
Safety precautions
Installation of infrared heated floors must be carried out in compliance with all safety standards and rules for working with electrical equipment. Ignoring this issue may result in system failure or fire due to short circuit or overheating. First of all, for any heated floor you must adhere to the following rules:
- if the total power of the system is more than 2.0 kW, the connection must be made via a separate branch from the electrical panel;
- it is also advisable for such a system to use an RCD, the characteristics of which must be clarified in the instructions for the specific type of heated floor;
- we select the cross-section of the supply electrical wires based on the value of the current that will pass through it;
Selecting the wire cross-section.
Burnt film due to point load.
An example of a film fire under a cabinet leg is shown in the photo above. If you follow all the rules and requirements for installing heated floors, you will receive a durable and economical system for heating your house or apartment. Such systems can also be installed on the floor of a balcony or loggia.
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How to connect an infrared heated floor
At the moment, many people are looking for non-traditional heating systems for installation both in a private house and apartment. There are many heating options that reduce your electricity consumption while still heating your space efficiently. In order to save the family budget and obtain high-quality heat in the house, the optimal solution is to connect an infrared heated floor, which embodies all the requirements and wishes of the home owner.
There are several stages of installing a warm electric floor, but connecting the system to a centralized power supply is considered the most labor-intensive. Installation procedure and infrared floor connections is not too complicated and can be performed without the involvement of specialists. If the connection of the infrared heated floor is not done correctly, then the equipment may soon fail or malfunction.
The design of heated floors provides for the use of a thermostat, which maintains a certain temperature for heating the room. The thermostat is used in the design of heated floors to turn the power on and off depending on the readings of the heat sensor installed directly on the IR film. This material will tell you the features of connecting an electric infrared floor.
Do you need a thermostat (thermostat)?
In theory, it is possible to connect an infrared heated floor without using a thermostat, but if you take into account the fact that in order to maintain the temperature in the house you will have to constantly turn the heating on and off yourself, there is no reason for this. If the control system does not have a thermostat, then electricity consumption will increase significantly, which will lead to unnecessary waste. It is also worth considering that if you do not use a thermostat in the heating system, there will be difficulties connecting to the main power supply.
When it comes to choosing the right thermostat, it is important to choose the right power of the device. In most cases, preference is given to devices with a power of three kilowatts, which is quite enough for high-quality and reliable operation of the heated floor. The thermostat can be connected either to an outlet or directly from electrical panel. When purchasing a device, it is important that it comes with detailed instructions, thanks to which you can connect the entire system without significant difficulties. The connection diagram for an infrared heated floor is, in fact, not complicated, and anyone can figure it out, but it is better to trust such work to professionals.
As for installing the thermostat, there are no special requirements for this. It can be installed at any time available space, where convenient, the only thing worth considering is the location of the infrared film. The connection contacts should be located on one side in close proximity to the regulator.
The correct location of the device allows not only to minimize the number of wires used, but also to ensure, if necessary, free access to the control system regulator. Today, two installation options are used: external and hidden.
Outdoor mounting option provides for fixing the device directly to the wall. The main advantage of this method is the ease of operation, however, from an aesthetic point of view, the second option is more suitable. The hidden installation option requires the manufacture of a special recess in the wall in order to position the device as neatly as possible. During this installation, grooves are made in the wall for wiring, after which everything is leveled to its original form.
In most cases, the thermostat is located at a level of 1.2 or 1.5 meters, however, there are models that are installed no higher than 30 cm from the floor surface. Such devices are equipped with ultra-sensitive sensors that guarantee high-quality and reliable operation of the entire heating system.
Wire cross-section for heated floor
The first thing I want to note is that all wires MUST be copper. The mats use a copper busbar, and when copper is connected to aluminum, oxidation and burnout of the contact occurs. Therefore, if you don’t want problems in the future, we use only copper wires.
When choosing wiring for infrared heated floors, it is important to take into account the square footage and power of the heated film. It is important to correctly calculate the total consumption of each meter of material. Today on the market there is different types IR films, their power can vary from 150 to 500 watts per square meter.
For example, in a house, a room of 18 m2 is covered with infrared film. Film power 150 W/m2. We get the total power of the heated floor - 2.7 kW (150 W * 18 m2). For this power, a wire with a cross section of 1.5 mm2 is suitable. You can verify this by looking at the GOST calculation tables. But I still recommend taking it power cable cross-section not less than 2.5 mm2. Since manufacturers often underestimate the cross-section, so to speak, with a margin.
What brand of wire is best to use? Connect electrical underfloor heating strips preferably using stranded copper wire. Unlike single-core (monolithic), it has good flexibility, which will come in handy for laying under a laminate. One of these is the PV-Z brand wire, which has many cores in its design. This wire is convenient because it is more flexible and there will be no difficulty in laying it.
Connection terminals
In each set film heated floor There are special terminals that connect to the power system. The design of the terminals is quite simple and there will be no difficulties with their installation. The power wire is inserted into the clamp and laid directly on the copper element of the film material, after which it is crimped with pliers.
Also included in the IR film kit is bitumen insulation, which serves as an additional fixing element and protects the connecting components from moisture and debris.
Installing a floor temperature sensor
The heat sensor is mounted directly under the heating film in the lower part of the heating element strip using bitumen tape. It is worth considering that for a perfectly flat floor covering, it is necessary to make a recess in the area where the sensor is located.
It is better to install the heat sensor under soft floor coverings in a place where there will be minimal load, so that the device is not damaged during operation. A good option there will be a location in a place where no one will walk. Correct installation sensor can guarantee your floors a smooth and even surface.
Connection diagram for infrared heated floor
Each section of infrared film should two wires come out and connect to the thermostat contacts. There are two ways to connect wires to infrared warm floor. In both options, a parallel connection scheme between sections is used.
The first method is that from each piece of film the supply wires (phase and neutral) are led out into a socket box or distribution box, where the wires are connected in parallel to each other. After which their conclusions are connected to the thermostat.
The disadvantage of this connection is large number connected wires. In addition, to connect the wires you need to put them in some kind of box. Where can I get it if the renovation has already been completed?
The second method is simpler. The connection is made using the daisy chain method. For example, a phase wire approaches the busbar of one piece of film, is connected to a terminal and then goes to the terminal of another piece of film. And so on. Moreover, the connection should be made with a single wire (there is no need to cut it near the terminals).
The neutral wire is connected in the same way. As a result, we get a parallel connection without desoldering.
Connecting the terminals to the film
Initially connecting infrared heated floor performed in a certain correct sequence. The heating film must be positioned correctly during installation. The best option will be if all connection contacts are located near the wall in close proximity to the thermostat.
Thanks to this arrangement of heating strips, you minimize wire costs, which will help you save some money on installation. Strips of infrared heating film are laid with the copper conductor down so that the matte part of the material remains on top.
To connect the terminal, it is necessary to separate the lamination by 8 - 10 millimeters in order to delaminate the copper and silver busbar; only in this case can reliable and high-quality fixation and power conduction be obtained.
The contacts to the bus are installed exclusively in the center so that one part is in contact with the copper conductor, and the other is with inside films. When everything is aligned, you can crimp it with pliers, but it is important that the terminals do not spark and that the fixation is secure.
If during installation it is necessary to cut off part of the heating fabric, then all areas of the copper busbars must be well insulated. The copper and silver elements are completely insulated with bitumen film, which is included in the kit.
When laying heated floors, it is important to initially take care of the location of the wires in the heat-reflecting material. It is necessary to make a recess or cutout so that at the end of all work the surface of the flooring is perfectly flat. You can place the wires along the seams of the heat-reflecting film, thus saving installation time.
In order to connect the wires to the contact terminal, they should first be cleared of insulation. Especially for such cleaning, an appropriate tool is used, which is available to any electrician. It is necessary to connect a heated floor to electricity with skill, since the service life depends on the professionalism of the technician.
The wire, stripped of insulation, is inserted directly into the contact clamp, after which it is crimped with pliers or another tool. After crimping, you should definitely check the fixation of the wire and the clamp.
All connection points are insulated with bitumen tape, which is included in the kit. Each connection requires two pieces of tape, one on the outside and one on the inside where the wire connects to the copper strip.
Connecting a heated floor to a thermostat
In parallel with the calculation of the location heating film you need to decide where the thermostat will be installed. The procedure for connecting the thermostat is not complicated, and it should be done in accordance with the diagram that comes with the device. Each thermostat comes with instructions and a diagram describing correct connection and operation of the device.
If you do not have special education, then connecting the thermostat to electrical network It is better to entrust it to a qualified specialist.
It is important to consider the power of heating equipment and additional electrical appliances, which will be powered from the network. If the total amount of power exceeds 2 kW, then it is better to install a separate machine, thereby ensuring reliable operation of the electrical wiring in the house.
Connection from a nearby outlet
This option consists of powering the thermostat from nearest socket. The socket must be connected with a wire of at least 2.5 mm2. Installation is carried out in a regular socket box. To do this, you need to make a hole in the wall for the box and grooves for the wires. It is convenient if the wall is made of plasterboard. Then there is no need to make any grooves.
For example, you decide to install a thermostat near an outlet. The phase and neutral from the adjacent socket are supplied to the place of its installation. We lay the supply wires of the heated floor and the wire from the temperature sensor in the groove.
After that everything wires are connected to the thermostat according to the instructions that come with the diagram. The phase and neutral from the socket are connected to the corresponding terminals of the temperature controller (outer terminals). Two terminals on the opposite side for connecting the sensor. The remaining two terminals are connected to the phase and zero from the infrared film. On the reverse side, everything is quite clear: 220 Volts – Load – Sensor.
It must be taken into account that if powerful devices are connected to the outlet and at the same time, the heated floor will work; the outlet line may be overloaded, which will lead to a shutdown circuit breaker in the shield. It all depends on the power of the floor and the connected device.
Connection from the panel with a separate cable
If the film heated floor is installed over large areas (20 m2 or more), it is recommended to connect the infrared heated floor with a separate line. A separate cable line is laid from the electrical panel to the location of the thermostat. This line connects through your circuit breaker.
Today, non-traditional heating systems are quite widely used in modern houses and apartments. They are good sources of heat and help to significantly reduce electricity costs, which has a positive effect on the family budget. And that is why the question “how to connect an infrared heated floor” is so relevant. In this article we will look at how to properly connect an IR floor.
Technical characteristics of infrared heated floor
Before connecting this heating system, you should understand some of its features. Characteristics of IR floor:
- consumed power forty-five - 67 W/m2.
- The width of the film thermal coating is 50 cm.
- The maximum permissible length of thermal film coating is eight meters.
- power supply - 220 V at 50 Hz.
- The melting point of the film infrared heated floor is 130 C.
- content of infrared rays in the emission spectrum – 95%;
- The length of the IR beam is five to twenty micrometers.
How to connect an infrared heated floor - the importance of proper installation
Warm film IR coating is an alternative widely used method of heating a room of any parameters, which is powered from the mains. In this system, the area is heated from a special film (which contains a carbon mixture), heated by copper conductors on the sides. To avoid the problem of burning contacts, the design has a protective silver coating.
To connect a warm infrared floor you will not need a lot of effort and expense, it is only important to adhere to certain installation rules. We will consider all the connection steps below, and if you do not follow them, you may encounter certain breakdowns and improper operation of the system. The causes of the problems may be:
- Violation of electrical system installation diagram standards.
- Incorrect calculations regarding the ratio of the area of the room and the warmest floor covering.
- Use when installing materials that are not intended for the equipment of such a heating system.
- Violation of the installation stages of steam and heat insulation layers.
- When pouring screeds, use mixtures that are not suitable for IR film floors.
- Inaccurate calculation of the type of electrical supply wire and cross-section regarding the total load.
- Using materials with low thermal conductivity as the final layer. It is strictly not recommended to use natural carpet textile coverings on such a heating system.
If you stick to all these simple rules and right connect infrared heated floor, you will receive an economical, durable and safe heating system.
How to properly connect an infrared heated floor - steps
At the moment, many people are looking for non-traditional heating systems for installation both in a private house and apartment. There are many heating options that reduce your electricity consumption while still heating your space efficiently. In order to save the family budget and obtain high-quality heat in the house, the optimal solution is to connect an infrared heated floor, which embodies all the requirements and wishes of the home owner.
There are several stages of installing a warm electric floor, but connecting the system to a centralized power supply is considered the most labor-intensive. Installation procedure and infrared floor connections is not too complicated and can be performed without the involvement of specialists. If the connection of the infrared heated floor is not done correctly, then the equipment may soon fail or malfunction.
The design of heated floors provides for the use of a thermostat, which maintains a certain temperature for heating the room. The thermostat is used in the design of heated floors to turn the power on and off depending on the readings of the heat sensor installed directly on the IR film. This material will tell you the features of connecting an electric infrared floor.
Do you need a thermostat (thermostat)?
In theory, it is possible to connect an infrared heated floor without using a thermostat, but if you take into account the fact that in order to maintain the temperature in the house you will have to constantly turn the heating on and off yourself, there is no reason for this. If the control system does not have a thermostat, then electricity consumption will increase significantly, which will lead to unnecessary waste. It is also worth considering that if you do not use a thermostat in the heating system, there will be difficulties connecting to the main power supply.
When it comes to choosing the right thermostat, it is important to choose the right power of the device. In most cases, preference is given to devices with a power of three kilowatts, which is quite enough for high-quality and reliable operation of the heated floor. The thermostat can be connected either to an outlet or directly from electrical panel. When purchasing a device, it is important that it comes with detailed instructions, thanks to which you can connect the entire system without significant difficulties. The connection diagram for an infrared heated floor is, in fact, not complicated, and anyone can figure it out, but it is better to trust such work to professionals.
As for installing the thermostat, there are no special requirements for this. It can be installed in any accessible place where it is convenient; the only thing worth considering is the location of the infrared film. The connection contacts should be located on one side in close proximity to the regulator.
The correct location of the device allows not only to minimize the number of wires used, but also to ensure, if necessary, free access to the control system regulator. Today, two installation options are used: external and hidden.
Outdoor mounting option provides for fixing the device directly to the wall. The main advantage of this method is the ease of operation, however, from an aesthetic point of view, the second option is more suitable. The hidden installation option requires the manufacture of a special recess in the wall in order to position the device as neatly as possible. During this installation, grooves are made in the wall for wiring, after which everything is leveled to its original form.
In most cases, the thermostat is located at a level of 1.2 or 1.5 meters, however, there are models that are installed no higher than 30 cm from the floor surface. Such devices are equipped with ultra-sensitive sensors that guarantee high-quality and reliable operation of the entire heating system.
Wire cross-section for heated floor
The first thing I want to note is that all wires MUST be copper. The mats use a copper busbar, and when copper is connected to aluminum, oxidation and burnout of the contact occurs. Therefore, if you don’t want problems in the future, we use only copper wires.
When choosing wiring for infrared heated floors, it is important to take into account the square footage and power of the heated film. It is important to correctly calculate the total consumption of each meter of material. Today there are different types of IR films on the market, their power can vary from 150 to 500 watts per square meter.
For example, in a house, a room of 18 m2 is covered with infrared film. Film power 150 W/m2. We get the total power of the heated floor - 2.7 kW (150 W * 18 m2). For this power, a wire with a cross section of 1.5 mm2 is suitable. You can verify this by looking at the GOST calculation tables. But I still recommend taking it power cable cross-section not less than 2.5 mm2. Since manufacturers often underestimate the cross-section, so to speak, with a margin.
What brand of wire is best to use? Connect electrical underfloor heating strips preferably using stranded copper wire. Unlike single-core (monolithic), it has good flexibility, which will come in handy for laying under a laminate. One of these is the PV-Z brand wire, which has many cores in its design. This wire is convenient because it is more flexible and there will be no difficulty in laying it.
Connection terminals
In each set film heated floor There are special terminals that connect to the power system. The design of the terminals is quite simple and there will be no difficulties with their installation. The power wire is inserted into the clamp and laid directly on the copper element of the film material, after which it is crimped with pliers.
Also included in the IR film kit is bitumen insulation, which serves as an additional fixing element and protects the connecting components from moisture and debris.
Installing a floor temperature sensor
The heat sensor is mounted directly under the heating film in the lower part of the heating element strip using bitumen tape. It is worth considering that for a perfectly flat floor covering, it is necessary to make a recess in the area where the sensor is located.
It is better to install the heat sensor under soft floor coverings in a place where there will be minimal load, so that the device is not damaged during operation. A good option would be to be located in a place where people will not walk. Proper installation of the sensor can guarantee your floors a smooth and even surface.
Connection diagram for infrared heated floor
Each section of infrared film should two wires come out and connect to the thermostat contacts. There are two ways to connect wires to an infrared heated floor. In both options, a parallel connection scheme between sections is used.
The first method is that from each piece of film the supply wires (phase and neutral) are led out into a socket box or distribution box, where the wires are connected in parallel to each other. After which their conclusions are connected to the thermostat.
The disadvantage of this connection is the large number of connected wires. In addition, to connect the wires you need to put them in some kind of box. Where can I get it if the renovation has already been completed?
The second method is simpler. The connection is made using the daisy chain method. For example, a phase wire approaches the busbar of one piece of film, is connected to a terminal and then goes to the terminal of another piece of film. And so on. Moreover, the connection should be made with a single wire (there is no need to cut it near the terminals).
The neutral wire is connected in the same way. As a result, we get a parallel connection without desoldering.
Connecting the terminals to the film
Initially produced in a certain correct sequence. The heating film must be positioned correctly during installation. The best option would be if all connection contacts are located near the wall in close proximity to the thermostat.
Thanks to this arrangement of heating strips, you minimize wire costs, which will help you save some money on installation. Strips of infrared heating film are laid with the copper conductor down so that the matte part of the material remains on top.
To connect the terminal, it is necessary to separate the lamination by 8 - 10 millimeters in order to delaminate the copper and silver busbar; only in this case can reliable and high-quality fixation and power conduction be obtained.
The contacts to the bus are installed exclusively in the center, so that one part is in contact with the copper conductor, and the other is located on the inside of the film. When everything is aligned, you can crimp it with pliers, but it is important that the terminals do not spark and that the fixation is secure.
If during installation it is necessary to cut off part of the heating fabric, then all areas of the copper busbars must be well insulated. The copper and silver elements are completely insulated with bitumen film, which is included in the kit.
When laying heated floors, it is important to initially take care of the location of the wires in the heat-reflecting material. It is necessary to make a recess or cutout so that at the end of all work the surface of the flooring is perfectly flat. You can place the wires along the seams of the heat-reflecting film, thus saving installation time.
In order to connect the wires to the contact terminal, they should first be cleared of insulation. Especially for such cleaning, an appropriate tool is used, which is available to any electrician. It is necessary to connect a heated floor to electricity with skill, since the service life depends on the professionalism of the technician.
The wire, stripped of insulation, is inserted directly into the contact clamp, after which it is crimped with pliers or another tool. After crimping, you should definitely check the fixation of the wire and the clamp.
All connection points are insulated with bitumen tape, which is included in the kit. Each connection requires two pieces of tape, one on the outside and one on the inside where the wire connects to the copper strip.
Connecting a heated floor to a thermostat
In parallel with the calculation of the location heating film you need to decide where the thermostat will be installed. The procedure for connecting the thermostat is not complicated, and it should be done in accordance with the diagram that comes with the device. Each thermostat comes with instructions and a diagram describing the correct connection and operation of the device.
If you do not have special education, then it is better to entrust the connection of the thermostat to the electrical network to a qualified specialist.
It is important to consider the power of heating equipment and additional electrical appliances that will be powered from the network. If the total amount of power exceeds 2 kW, then it is better to install a separate machine, thereby ensuring reliable operation of the electrical wiring in the house.
Connection from a nearby outlet
This option consists of powering the thermostat from nearest socket. The socket must be connected with a wire of at least 2.5 mm2. Installation is carried out in a regular socket box. To do this, you need to make a hole in the wall for the box and grooves for the wires. It is convenient if the wall is made of plasterboard. Then there is no need to make any grooves.
For example, you decide to install a thermostat near an outlet. The phase and neutral from the adjacent socket are supplied to the place of its installation. We lay the supply wires of the heated floor and the wire from the temperature sensor in the groove.
After that everything wires are connected to the thermostat according to the instructions that come with the diagram. The phase and neutral from the socket are connected to the corresponding terminals of the temperature controller (outer terminals). Two terminals on the opposite side for connecting the sensor. The remaining two terminals are connected to the phase and zero from the infrared film. On the reverse side, everything is quite clear: 220 Volts – Load – Sensor.
It must be taken into account that if powerful devices are connected to the outlet and at the same time, the heated floor will operate, the outlet line may be overloaded, which will lead to the circuit breaker in the switchboard turning off. It all depends on the power of the floor and the connected device.
Since the temperature regulator allows you to save more than 25% of electricity and at the same time make heating as efficient as possible, in this article we will consider the rules for connecting an infrared heater through a thermostat. Electrical installation work very simple, and now you will see it.
Required tools and materials
In order to quickly and easily install an infrared heater on the ceiling, you will need the following tools:
- Drill or screwdriver (drill holes for fastenings).
- Pliers (for shortening wires).
- Indicator screwdriver (determine phase and zero).
- Metal detector (optional, used to search for wiring and metal objects in the wall, so as not to accidentally hit these objects when drilling holes. You can do it yourself using improvised means.
- A simple pencil and a construction tape (mark the mounting points on the wall).
As for additional materials, to install and connect an infrared heater you may need:
- Demountable electrical plug.
- Three-core copper cable, cross-section 2.5 mm2.
- Wall mounts (purchased as needed, as only ceiling brackets are included in the kit).
Having collected all the necessary list of materials and tools, you can proceed to mounting and connecting the heater..
Main process
Hanging the case
First you need to determine the installation location of the infrared heater in the house (or apartment). As we said above, the housing can be placed both on the ceiling and on the walls, depending on the individual preferences of the owners.
The first thing you need to do is mark out the mounting locations yourself. To do this, use a tape measure to measure the same distance from the ceiling to the selected area. It is also recommended to use a building level, with which you can level the brackets in a horizontal plane.
After marking, proceed to drilling. If the ceiling (or wall) is made of wood, drill holes with a drill. If you have to deal with concrete, you cannot do without a hammer drill. You need to drive dowels into the created holes and screw in the brackets, after which you can install the infrared heater in its place.
Please note that the design of the unit varies. Some products have guides that are fixed into brackets. A simpler option is chains attached to the ceiling (special holders attach to them). Also on the market you can see infrared heaters on a leg, which are simply placed on the floor.
Electrical installation work
As we said at the beginning, the process of connecting an infrared heater to the network will be carried out using a temperature controller. 
First you need to connect the contacts of the collapsible electrical plug to the thermostat terminal blocks, which are installed in the product body. Each “socket” has its own designation: N – zero, L – phase. It should be noted that there are at least two of both zero and phase terminals (from the network to the regulator and from the regulator to the heater). Everything is quite simple - you strip the wires, insert them into the seats until they click (or tighten the screws). Be sure to ensure that the connection is correct. 
For your attention here are the correct connection diagrams:
As you can see, connecting an infrared heater through a thermostat is quite simple, the main thing is not to mix up the wires and tightly tighten them in the terminal blocks.
A very important point is making the right choice regulator location. You should not install the product next to a heater, because in this case falling warm air will negatively affect the accuracy of measurements. It is best to place the device in a more distant area, at a height of one and a half meters above the floor.
Also note that you need to install the controller in the coldest room, otherwise the problem will not be completely solved. As for the number of infrared devices served by one temperature controller, it all depends on the power of the heaters. Typically, one 3 kW controller is used for several products, with a total power of no more than 2.5 kW (so that there is a reserve of at least 15%).
So that you can clearly see the entire connection process with your own hands, we provide these lessons for viewing:
Video instructions: connecting an infrared heater with your own hands
Infrared panels are gaining more and more popularity every year. They are easy to use and provide quick heating of the room, and the built-in thermostat allows you to set the desired heating temperature in a few clicks. Moreover, installing infrared heaters yourself is quick and easy if you follow the instructions. Other advantages of this equipment include:
It is not surprising that many people are interested in installing infrared heaters themselves. This process does not require special skills and takes from 25 minutes to an hour and a half.
Attention! Please take your time before purchasing special attention power selection. For example, for a room of 20 m2, a device of up to 2000 watts is needed. For 8 m2, 800 watts is enough. Detailed information about the equipment is available on the manufacturer's website. If the room is too large, you can install several devices.
Preparation
Required Tools
In order for the installation of an infrared heater to proceed as expected, you must have the following tools:
- screwdriver;
- pliers;
- roulette.
If necessary, more complex equipment can be used. For example, if you are interested in installing several infrared heaters with your own hands, it is best to use a pyrometer for calculations. It will allow you to determine the warmest and coldest places in the room. Based on the information received, you will select the optimal location for each device.
Safety precautions
Important! Keep in mind that installing infrared heaters yourself involves working with electricity. Therefore, maximum caution must be maintained.
There is a set of measures that will prevent accidents both during installation and during operation:
The device must not be turned on until installation is complete. The device must have an appropriate degree of protection if the panel is installed in a bathhouse or sauna. If all these rules are followed, the installation of an infrared heater will be quick and easy.
Important! It is better not to install the panel above a sofa, bed or table. Move it a little to the side - this will allow you to use the device with greater comfort.
When installing infrared heaters with your own hands, the distance between the ceiling and the body must be at least 3 millimeters. IN country houses the panels are taken outside to heat the external space, for example, a summer kitchen. In such cases, to increase efficiency, it is necessary to place thermal insulating material or foil under the housing.
Installation
Installation process
To make the installation of an infrared heater as simple as possible, it is better to place the panel with the connector facing the wall. Most models have self-clamping contacts. The delivery package includes elements for attaching the device to the ceiling.
The installation process includes the following steps:
As you can see, installing infrared heaters with your own hands is not particularly complex process. The panels can also be mounted on the wall, but the heating effect will be significantly less.
Installation different models IR heaters:
Network connection
Important! It is best to lay the wires in a decorative box.
The device is connected to a thermostat, which will maintain the desired temperature. This is done through three terminals: “ground”, “phase” and “zero”. Accordingly, the supply cable must be three-core. As an option, you can use PVA 3x1.5.
