All about cables for heated floors - types, characteristics, selection and installation rules


An electric heated floor can become not just an additional source of heat, it can be used as the main type of heating. It is relatively economical and quite easy to install. However, before you start installing it, you need to figure out which cable for underfloor heating is best to choose. The efficiency of the entire system often depends on this.

Cable for underfloor heating photo

Cable classification

Products can be classified as follows:

  1. Resistive single-core. Here the heat transfer is the same almost along the entire length. The disadvantage of such a cable may be local overheating of some areas of the floor covering. As for installation, you need to make sure that both ends are at the same point.
  2. Resistive two-wire. Here one core serves to generate heat, and the second to conduct electric current. When installing such a product, it is not necessary to mount the two ends of the cable at one point. Another advantage of this material is that the two-core cable contains a return core and is additionally covered with a layer of insulation, which makes it safer for use.
  3. Self-regulating. This product is able to independently regulate its power, depending on whether the room temperature has decreased or increased. In addition, the presented product is very well protected from mechanical, chemical or electrical damage. That is, the floor is completely protected from the possibility of overheating. Its device is quite simple: two wires carrying current are placed parallel to each other. There is also a semiconductor matrix inside the cable, which is a heating element. The entire structure is covered with steel braiding and an outer insulating shell.


The main difference between a single-core cable and a two-core cable is that the end of the first will have to be returned to the thermostat.
There are some other features. For example, a resistive single-core or two-core heating element has good power and ductility, which allows it to be used in rooms of complex design. As for the self-regulating wire, it is considered more expensive, powerful and more economical. In addition, it is very reliable and will last for a long time.

Forged swing metal gates

Forged structures are decorations for barriers made of metal. Despite the huge number of models of modern devices that provide unimpeded entry into the territory of a personal plot, it is the swing design that is in high demand and deserved trust of owners of private houses located within the city or beyond.

Swing gates

It is swing structures that are installed in most cases. Such devices can be:

  1. Completely transparent, made from individual rods bent into an intricate pattern.
  2. Partially or completely deaf, not allowing strangers to see what is behind the openwork fence.

Advantages and disadvantages

To achieve this goal, craftsmen create structures in two ways:

  • cold forging;
  • hot.

Cold forging Hot forging

The main advantages of forged gate leaves are a high level of strength and resistance to mechanical damage. During the work, specialists carry out calculations with particular accuracy of the level of load on the supporting structure

It is also important that such products:

  • universal;
  • exclusive;
  • can have any shape;
  • compatible with all building materials that were used in the construction of the fence.

However, there are also certain disadvantages that make you think about the extent of the need for work related to the installation and installation of openwork gates. Among them:

  1. Heavy weight.
  2. The need for careful preparation and high-quality installation of supports that will have to withstand significant weight.

Despite all the existing difficulties, installing gates attracts many homeowners due to the opportunity to create various compositions, decorate the entrance to the territory not only with simple drawings, but also with complex ornaments, equip the structure with automation, install video surveillance and an intercom system.

How to choose the right heating cable for a heated floor?

In order to make the right choice, the following conditions must be taken into account:

  • Product cost. A cheap wire can quickly fail because it does not have the necessary quality parameters. Therefore, it is better to buy a more expensive cable that will last longer.
  • Installation cost. In the case of a resistive one, the master will have to additionally buy a temperature regulator, which is not required by a self-regulating wire. That is, the presented cable is best used for small rooms where the regulator is not really needed. Resistive type wire is better suited for large rooms.
  • Application area. If a rug will be laid on the floor in the room, it is better to use a self-regulating wire, as it will prevent local overheating.


Electrolux Twin Cable floor heating equipment

  • Functionality of heated floors. Before choosing a heating cable for a heated floor, you need to understand what functions it will perform. For example, if a direct-acting heated floor is installed in the room, then it is better to use a resistive two-core or single-core cable, or a thermal mat. Such products are laid in a thin layer of screed immediately before installing the floor covering. This installation allows you to quickly warm up the floor surface to 27 degrees in a short time. If the heated floor will serve as heat accumulation, then it is better to lay a self-regulating or two-core resistive cable. The fact is that the system in this case will have to warm up a fairly thick layer of concrete (5-15 cm).

As you can see, the choice of cable is accompanied by a large number of nuances that cannot be ignored. Otherwise, it will be difficult to achieve adequate operation of the heated floor.

Rexant 15MSR-PB 2M


​Photo: https://market.yandex.ru

The model is suitable for installation indoors or outdoors. Installation is carried out using fastening tape or by winding it onto a pipe in a spiral. The heating cable is connected to the supply cable, and at its reverse end there is a Euro plug that plugs into a grounded socket. Power - 30 W, cable thickness is 8.44 mm. The shell is resistant to abrasion and rapid wear. For safe use of the kit, the owner has the opportunity to connect it to a residual current device.

Self-regulating heating cable REXANT 15MSR-PB 2M

Advantages:

  • easy installation
  • high strength
  • versatility
  • shielding

Flaws:

  • very short length

Heating cable requirements

If you rely on state standards, it is important not to forget about the following general requirements for a heating cable:

  1. If a heated floor system is to be used in an apartment, then it should be an additional, and not the main, source of heating.
  2. In wooden houses with a wooden base, you need to install a wire whose power will not exceed 2 kW.
  3. To heat ramps or stairs located outside the premises, a wire with a rated power of 4 kW is used.
  4. To install one circuit, it is necessary to use a continuous piece of cable. It is advisable to install one circuit in one room if its area does not exceed 25 m2.
  5. The transition of a wire from one room to another is not allowed. In the transition area it may simply break.
  6. To install the product, you must use only those spare parts and accessories that are sold with it.

What wire gauge is needed?

The maximum current for thermostats is 16 A, the load is 3.5 kW. If the floor is connected to one thermostat and the total power of the system does not exceed 3.5 kW, then a pickup point with a cross-section of 1.5 mm2 is suitable for operation. If this figure is higher, then you should pay attention to models with a larger cross-section. So a model with a cross section of 2.5 mm2 can withstand a load of 25A.

The maximum current of the regulator should not be greater than the total current consumed. Otherwise, there is a risk that the thermostat will fail. Using an additional relay or another thermostat can solve the problem without replacing the wire.

If you still find it difficult to choose a section, it is recommended to pay attention to the data in the table.

Rules for laying underfloor heating cables

Most often, the heating wire is laid in a “snake” pattern. In this case, the following requirements must be met:

  • Loops should not be allowed to form in the cable. Individual sections should not intersect.
  • The distance between the heating system and metal structures is 5 cm, the system and wooden structures is 3 cm. The maximum distance from the heated floor to other heat sources is half a meter.
  • It is important to observe the laying step, which is 6-10 outer diameters of the wire.
  • All that part of the cable that is hot must be contained in a homogeneous insulating material.
  • The cable pitch for arranging a direct floor is 10 cm. If the installation is located inside the screed, then 20 cm.


Scheme for laying and connecting cable heated floors

  • A thermostat is used to connect the cable. That is, it cannot be connected directly to the network (there are some exceptions in the case of a self-regulating cable).
  • The thermostat is placed at a height of 50-150 cm from the floor.
  • A mandatory element of electric heating systems is a temperature sensor, which must be placed at a distance of half a meter from the wall. A copper wire is used to connect it.
  • Twists in the system are not allowed. Cable connections are made only through special terminals in junction boxes.
  • The system must have circuit breakers installed to prevent power surges.
  • You cannot install the heating wire yourself. Only a highly qualified craftsman with the appropriate permit should work here.

IQWatt IQ Pipe CW


​Photo: https://market.yandex.ru

The kit includes a heat-shrinkable end cap and a thermostat along with the cable. When the ambient temperature drops to a certain value, the heating power increases. The thermostat can withstand more than 100 thousand operating cycles. This guarantees stable operation of the kit for 15 years. The bending radius is 25 mm, the maximum current is 1.6 A. The presence of a two-meter power cable and a European-type plug ensures quick connection of the cable to a grounded network. When wondering which self-regulating heating cable to choose, you can safely give priority to this model.

Pipe heating kit IQWATT IQ PIPE CW-2m

Advantages:

  • convenient installation
  • long service life
  • protection against burnout
  • extended equipment
  • convenient connection

Flaws:

  • length only 6 meters

Step-by-step installation plan

So, installation of a heating cable consists of several stages:

  1. Preparing the base. A cement-sand screed, the thickness of which is at least 3 cm, must be poured onto the subfloor. To lay the wire connecting the thermostat to the system, you will have to drill a channel whose diameter is 2 cm.
  2. Installation of heat-reflecting substrate.
  3. Laying the reinforcing mesh to which the cable will be attached. If this step is omitted, the wire will need to be secured to the mounting tape. We must not forget that the product does not fit under furniture.
  4. Laying the wire.
  5. Installation of heat sensor. It is placed in a special corrugated tube and placed in a pre-made groove.
  6. Pouring cement screed. It should have a small thickness, only 4 cm. After the thermal cable is hidden under the solution, it is necessary to check its performance: ohmic resistance and insulation resistance. Laying the flooring can be done only after the solution has dried thoroughly - no earlier than a month.

Scarecrow

If you need to scare away birds, you should make a device from compact discs. They need to be secured to a hoop and attached to the board.

Eastec SRL 10-2 CR


​Photo: https://market.yandex.ru

Along with the cable, the package includes everything necessary for connecting to the electrical network: connection set, input coupling, power cord with plug. The food coating does not emit harmful substances, which guarantees safety of use in the water supply system. Cable power is 10 W, minimum bending radius is 25 mm. If necessary, the model can be easily divided into lengths from 20 to 120 centimeters. It features minimal energy consumption and is guaranteed to last more than 15 years.

EASTEC MICRO 10 – CTW, SRL 10-2CR M=10W, heating cable with food sheath

Advantages:

  • convenient installation
  • extended equipment
  • high strength
  • non-toxic materials

Flaws:

  • low-power

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Aura FS Inside 10-6


​Photo: https://market.yandex.ru

The Aura FS Inside package includes a Euro plug and a universal coupling for quick connection and ease of insertion of the cable into the pipe. The shell is made of food-grade polymer - it does not emit toxic waste upon contact with liquids, which guarantees the safety of using water for any purpose. The length of the 60-watt cable is 6 meters. Modified polyolefin is used as core insulation. The kit is capable of stable operation in difficult conditions and can be mounted at subzero temperatures. The minimum bending radius of 15 mm allows the cable to be wrapped around very thin pipes.

Self-regulating heating cable AURA FS Inside 10-6

Advantages:

  • protection class - IP68
  • wear resistance
  • quick installation
  • durability
  • versatility

Flaws:

  • fragile shell

Results

There is no clear answer to the question of whether it is better to use a single- or double-core cable for electric floor heating. Both varieties work effectively.

To correctly select a heated floor modification, it is necessary to calculate the specific thermal capacity and room parameters. In large rooms, it is recommended to use a two-core heating section; a single-core heating section has less heat output. In rooms with complex configurations, it is easier to install a two-core floor cable, since its second end does not need to be connected to the thermostat.

Comparison table:

Single-coreTwin-core
Installation locationbathrooms, corridors, hallways, balconies, loggias, winter gardens, pool pathskitchens, living rooms, bedrooms, children's
Installationmore complex, due to the need to connect the two ends of the cable to the thermostatsimple - connection to the thermostat at one end
Electromagnetic radiation level0.2-0.4 µT, which is approximately 60 times lower than the permissible norm0.02-0.05 µT, which is approximately 300 times lower than the permissible norm

In our store you can buy single-core and double-core electric heated floors both in the form of heating cables and mats. The price depends on their power. There is delivery in Moscow and to the regions.

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