How to choose the right heating cable for underfloor heating?

Electric underfloor heating can become not just an additional source of heat, it can be used as the main type of heating. It is relatively economical and easy to install. However, before starting its installation, it is necessary to figure out which cable for a warm floor is better to choose. The efficiency of the entire system often depends on this.

Products can be classified as follows:

There are some more features. For example, a resistive single-core or two-core heating element has good power and ductility, which makes it possible to use it in complex rooms. As for the self-regulating wire, it is considered more expensive, powerful and more economical. In addition, it is very reliable and will last a long time.

How to choose the right heating cable for underfloor heating?

In order to make the right choice, you must consider the following conditions:

• Product cost. A cheap wire can quickly fail, as 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 resistive, the master will have to additionally buy a temperature controller, 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, then it is better to use a self-regulating wire, as it will not allow local overheating.

Complete set of underfloor heating Electrolux Twin Cable

• Functionality of a heat-insulated floor. Before choosing a heating cable for underfloor heating, you need to figure out what functions it will perform. For example, if a direct-acting warm 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 the installation of the floor covering. This installation allows you to quickly warm up the floor surface to 27 degrees in a short time. If the warm floor will perform the functions of 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 rather large 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 warm floor.

heating cable requirements

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

Underfloor heating cable laying rules

Most often, the heating wire is laid according to the "snake" scheme. In this case, the following requirements must be met:

• The formation of loops in the cable must not be allowed. Separate sections should not intersect.
• The distance between the heating system and metal structures is 5 cm, the system and wooden structures - 3 cm. The maximum distance from the warm 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 in a homogeneous insulating material.
• The cable pitch for arranging a direct floor is 10 cm. If the laying is located inside the screed, then 20 cm.

Scheme of laying and connecting cable underfloor heating

• 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.
• An obligatory element of electric heating systems is considered to be placed at a distance of half a meter from the wall. A copper wire is used to connect it.
• Twisting in the system is not allowed. Cable connections are made only through special terminals in junction boxes.
• The system must be equipped with circuit breakers that will not allow power surges.
• You cannot install the heating wire yourself. Only a highly qualified master with the appropriate permission should work here.

Step by step installation plan

So, it consists of several stages:

That's all the features of choosing and installing a heating cable for underfloor heating. In any case, before work, you need to consider all the nuances of laying. And finally, a video of the installation with detailed comments: