KING FCM User Manual
Electric Floor Heating Mat Systems
mat
series
INSTALLATION
MANUAL
This installation manual includes factory guidelines for installing King Electric floor heating systems.
These guidelines must be followed to ensure warranty coverage. Contact King Electric for any questions
regarding proper installation of the heating cable.
IMPORTANT: Save these instructions!
800-603-5464king-electric.com
King Electrical Floor Heating Mat Installation Manual 2
Electric Floor Heating Cable Systems
www.king-electric.com
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
General Information ---------------------------------------------------------------
Typical Installations -----------------------------------------------------------------
3
3
4
5
6
Cable Test Log ---------------------------------------------------------------------
6.
STEP 2: Layout Planning and Product Selection ---------------------------------
7
7.
120 Volt Selection Table -----------------------------------------------------------
9
8.
240 Volt Selection Table --------------------------------------------------------------
9
9.
STEP 3: Thermostat Location --------------------------------------------------------
10
10.
Materials Required ------------------------------------------------------------------
11
11.
STEP 4: Electrical Rough-in New Construction -------------------------------
12
12.
STEP 4R: Electrical Rough-in for Remodel ------------------------------------
13
13.
STEP 5: Installing the Cold Lead ----------------------------------------------------
14
14.
STEP 6 : Installing the Mat -----------------------------------------------------------
16
15.
STEP 7: Install the Floor Sensor ------------------------------------------------------
18
16.
STEP 8: Apply Scratch Coat ---------------------------------------------------------
18
17.
STEP 9: Install the Thermostat ----------------------------------------------------
19
20
STEP 1: Inspect and Testing the Cable and Floor Sensor______________
Important Safeguards and Warnings ______________________________
Cable Test Log________________________________________________
18. Troubleshooting_______________________________________________
Table of Contents
King Electrical Floor Heating Mat Installation Manual 3
Tiles, Stone
Scratch coat
(optional)
Thin-set
Plywood subfloor
Backerboard
(optional)
Tiles, Stone
Scratch coat
(optional)
Concrete slab
Thin-set
(optional)
Insulation
General information
Electric floor heating is a simple, economical way to warm any floor providing years of lasting comfort whether it is used as
supplemental or the primary heating source. This installation manual provides guidelines, safety warnings and describes the
elements of properly installing the King Electric floor heating system which are:
1. How to design the proper layout for the room.
2. How to select the right product for the application.
3. How to properly install the system.
This installation manual DOES NOT provide detailed information regarding thermostat installation. It is important to thoroughly review
the thermostat installation manual included with the thermostat. For additional information regarding any aspect of the King Electric
floor heating system, please contact us at:
King Electrical Manufacturing Co.
9131 10th Ave South
Seattle, WA 98108
1-800-603-5464
www.king-electric.com
Directly on plywood Directly on concrete
Typical Installations
King Electrical Floor Heating Mat Installation Manual 4
WARNING: ELECTRIC SHOCK AND FIRE HAZARD!
Important Safeguards and Warnings
READ AND FOLLOW THE WARNINGS AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED IN THIS MANUAL.
FAILURE TO DO SO COULD RESULT IN ANY OF THE FOLLOWING: CABLE FAILURE, IMPROPER SYSTEM
OPERATION, PROPERTY DAMAGE, BODILY INJURY OR DEATH. THE WARRANTY IS INVALID IF THE
WARNINGS AND SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS ARE NOT FOLLOWED.
1. The instruction manual follows North American standard building construction conventions.
2. An electrical inspector may be required before, during and after the installation. It is recommended to
contact your local building department BEFORE beginning the installation.
3. DO NOT energize the mat before installation as it will cause overheating or damage to the cable.
4. Connect mats to rated voltage only. Be sure to size for conductors properly to carry the rated amperage.
5. This product is approved for indoor use only. Minimum installation temperature is 40 F .
6. Use only copper supply wires. Be sure to size for conductors properly to carry the rated amperage.
7. DO NOT cut the blue heating cable or attempt to alter the length in any way. The black cold lead can
be shortened, but only at the end of the cable where the power leads are exposed. DO NOT cut at the splice
between the cold lead (black wire) and the heating wire. (blue wire)
8. DO NOT install heating cable under any type of floor that requires nailing.
9. Ground fault protection (GFCI) is required when installed in wet environments such as a bathroom. Consult the
local electrical and building authority to determine and additional requirements in your area.
10. If the GFCI trips during normal conditions and cannot be reset, consult an electrician for service. NEVER
attempt to bypass or disable the GFCI system.
11. When installing cable in shower areas, the cable must be installed under the waterproofing membrane to
keep the cables dry.
12. DO NOT drill, nail of cut into any floors that have heating cable installed underneath. This could result in
contact with live electrical wires causing electrical shock.
13. DO NOT use staples, nails or similar fasteners directly on the cable. Use only factory the factory
recommended system to attach the mat. The use of any other fastening method will void the warranty.
14. Use a smooth plastic trowel only. NEVER bang or drop a tool on the cable. Care should be taken not to
nick or gouge cable.
15. DO NOT install the heating cable under a cabinet or other built-in. This will cause the cable to overheat.
16. DO NOT install the heating cable (blue wire) inside a wall. Only the cold lead can go into a wall stud.
17. DO NOT extend the heating cable beyond the room or area that it originates.
18. DO NOT attempt to repair damaged cable without a factory splice kit.
19. DO NOT overlap heating cables. Dangerous overheating will occur.
20. DO NOT allow the cold lead or thermostat sensor to cross or overlap the heating cable.
21. All cables must be completely embedded into a cement based mortar including the cold lead, cold lead
splice, heating cable, heating cable tail splice and thermostat sensor with the wire lead.
22. DO NOT bend the cable at sharp right angles. Always maintain a minimum 1” radius.
23. Maintain at least a minimum of 2” between heating cables.
24. Test and record the cable resistance at least 4 times during installation.
25. After installation of the cable, the installer must inspect and remove damaged or defective cables
before they are covered or concealed.
26. The installer should mark the appropriate circuit breaker reference label indicating which branch circuit
supplies the circuits to those electric space heating cables.
27. These products are to be installed in accordance with ANSI/NFPA 70, National Electrical Code (NEC) and
CAN/CSA-C22.1, Canadian Electrical Code, Part I (CEC).
28. Only UL Listed conduit, fittings, and/or other components are to be used.
29. Products are listed for installations with a maximum thermal resistance value of R-1 for floor covering that
can be placed on top of your product
King Electrical Floor Heating Mat Installation Manual 5
1.5 This test measures the resistance of the cable which verifies the
continuity (no breaks) and that the cable has the proper wattage rating.
A. Set the multi-meter to read ohms.
B. Connect the meter leads to the black and white old lead wires, DO NOT
connect the ground wire.
C. Compare the resistance reading to the value specified in the product
selection table, it should read 10%. If the reading
+
-
is different, contact King Electrical for support.
D. Record the readings on the cable tag and in the cable test log.
Resistance Test
Insulation Test
Resistance test:
STEP 1: Inspecting and testing the cable and floor sensor
1.1 Take the mat out of the box and inspect it for any physical damage.
1.2 Test the insulation and the resistance of the cable and record data in the CABLE TESTING LOG listed on page 6 of this
manual. This is test #1.
1.3 The cable and sensor must be tested and recorded a minimum of 4 times during the installation for the warranty to be
valid.
Insulation Test:
1.4 This test ensures that the insulation jacket of the cable is not damaged. A
low value on the meter indicates the cable
has been damaged and must be replaced. Follow the following steps:
A. Set the multi-meter to read ohms.
B. Connect the ground wire (braided un-insulated wire) to the black test lead of
the multi-meter and the red test lead to both the black and white wires of the
cold lead.
C. The meter should read “OPEN” or “OL”. If you get a different reading, the cable
is damaged, contact King Electric for support.
D. Record the readings on the cable tag and in the cable test log.
King Electrical Floor Heating Mat Installation Manual 6
Tests must be recorded for warranty
Resistance
( + 10%)
Insulation
Test
Model:
Volts:
Factory QC Test
TEST 1. Before installation
TEST 2. After installation, but before
embedding
TEST 3. After embedding
TEST 4. After floor tile
STEP 1: Inspecting and testing the cable and floor sensor.
1.6 FLOOR SENSOR TEST:
This test measures the resistance of the
floor sensor to verify the integrity of the
component.
A. Set the multi-meter to read ohms.
B. Connect the multi-meter leads to the
floor sensor wires.
C. The meter should read between 8-25k ohms
depending on the ambient temperature
when taking the test. If test results are not
between 8-25k contact King Electrical for
support.
D. Record the readings on the cable tag and in
the cable test log.
(continued)
Typical sensor values:
55F (13C ) ________ 17,000 ohms
65F (18C ) ________ 13,000 ohms
75F (24C ) ________ 10,000 ohms
85F (20C ) _________ 8,000 ohms
CABLE TEST LOG
Floor Sensor Test
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