Mike Dolt Enterprises
Mike Dolt Enterprises
User: IrishRugger, Location: Iowegia
Asked on: Monday, April 11, 2011 at 4:44 pm EDT
Answered on: Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at 4:03 am EDT
Question: I am bidding a one room addition to an existing home, as an option the home owner would like in floor heat for their tile floor. The room is about 320 square feet. Warm Tiles does not make a kit that would cover the entire area. They suggest combining two heat cable kits.Using two 240V kits, if the total amperage exceeds 16 Amps but does not exceed 24 amps they require a relay kit they manufacture in addition to their Programable thermostat. I spoke with their Tech support and they told me that using twoDFT2137 kits would cover approx 290 to 300 square feet, and both kits combined draw only a total of 15 amps in which case both cable kits could be terminated on the load side of a single 240V programmable thermostat that is good for 16 amps.My questions are:Has anyone ever done an installation using two cable kits and one thermostat?If so How did that work out were there any problems?Does anyone recommend using the relay kit in lieu of what Tech support says?I have installed a number of these cable kits and this is the first time I would have to combine two of them, I'm just looking for any heads up advice you may have to offer. Thank you
## Using Two Cable Kits and One ThermostatHas anyone ever done an installation using two cable kits and one thermostat? If so, how did that work out? Were there any problems?
Yes, it is possible to use two cable kits and one thermostat. However, the following considerations are important: Circuit Limitations
The total amperage drawn by the combined kits should not exceed the capacity of the circuit. In your case, using two DFT2137 kits (total 15 amps) does not exceed the 16 amp limit of a standard 240V thermostat, so it should work fine.
Connection
The cable kits must be connected in parallel on the load side of the thermostat. This means they should be connected to the same terminals on the thermostat, not daisy-chained.
Spacing
The distance between the cable runs should be the same as the recommended spacing for each kit.
Does anyone recommend using the relay kit in lieu of what Tech support says?
Tech support's recommendation to use a relay kit is intended to protect the thermostat if the total amperage exceeds 16 amps. However, since you are using two kits with a total amperage of 15 amps, a relay kit is not necessary.
Additional Advice Use a programmable thermostat that allows you to control the temperature of the floor. Install a floor sensor to ensure that the floor temperature does not exceed the recommended limits. Test the system thoroughly before covering it with tile.* Follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully for both the cable kits and the thermostat.
Conclusion
Installing two Warm Tiles cable kits and one 16 amp programmable thermostat is feasible for a 320 square foot room, provided that the total amperage drawn does not exceed 16 amps. Proper connections, spacing, and testing are crucial for a successful installation. Flag for review