BVF H-MAT 100-150 Series User Manual

Important Safety Notices

Safety Notice: Danger! Electric shock and electrical fire risk! Improper installation of the BVF H-MAT system can cause electric shock or fire, leading to personal injury and material damage. Always read this information carefully.

• Use only a double-sensor thermostat suitable for electric floor heating control.
• Installation should be performed by a qualified electrician familiar with sizing, installation, and operation of floor heating systems, adhering to local legal requirements.
• The BVF H-MAT is for floor heating use only. Remove any sharp objects or contaminants from the floor that could damage the system.
• Never install or use a damaged BVF H-MAT heating mat. Do not attempt to repair or modify a damaged system.
• The BVF H-MAT heating mat must not be installed on or in direct contact with insulating materials. If unsure about the substrate's quality or insulation capacity, consult a professional. Deviating from standard layer configurations may void the warranty.

General Information

This manual details the application of the BVF H-MAT floor heating system, covering layout design, selecting the correct heating mat size, and installation procedures. Thorough study of this material before installation is highly recommended.

BVF H-MAT System

Technical Specifications

Typical Areas of Use and Installation

The BVF H-MAT is designed for indoor floor heating. Installation requires careful preparation of the subfloor and adherence to electrical safety standards.

Diagram Description (Figure 1): Illustrates a concrete floor installation with layers: 1. Cover (e.g., tiles), 2. Tile adhesive/floor levelling compound, 3. BVF H-MAT heating mat, 4. Concrete subfloor, 5. Floor insulation, 6. Foundation.

For direct surface heating with materials like wood flooring, laminate, PVC, or carpet, a thin levelling compound is recommended.

Important Information: Read instructions before installation. Check resistance four times during installation. Use only for indoor floor heating. Install with tile adhesive or levelling compound. Minimum installation temperature is +5°C. The heating cable cannot be cut or shortened. Cables must not cross or touch each other (maintain at least 5 cm distance). Use appropriately sized copper cable for connections.

Designing Floor Heating and Choosing the Product

Pre-installation Planning

1. Assess the surface: Measure the area to be heated, excluding fixed fixtures like showers, toilets, or kitchen cabinets. Calculate the total heated area.
2. Check power supply: Ensure the 230V grid voltage is available and sufficient capacity exists. Request an upgrade if necessary.
3. Design the system: Plan the optimal placement of the heating mat for full coverage. Position the thermostat considering the 2.5m connection cable length and the floor sensor's location. Maintain default cable spacing for even heat distribution; increasing spacing can lead to cooler spots.

Choosing the Right Product

Select a BVF H-MAT heating mat that matches the calculated heated area and required capacity. Refer to the tables below for specifications.

BVF H-MAT Electric Heating Mats (150 W/m²)

BVF H-MAT Electric Heating Mats (100 W/m²)

Installation

Tools Needed

For installation and check-up, you will need:

• Scissors
• Tile cutter
• Cable stripping tool
• Measuring tape
• Screwdriver
• Electric measuring device / multimeter

1. Drawing the Layout

Create a sketch of the planned layout, marking areas covered by fixed furniture and fixtures. Calculate the heated surface area and determine the placement for the thermostat and floor sensor.

2. Copying the Drawing to the Floor

Transfer the layout outlines onto the floor, leaving space for fixed installations. Roll out the heating mat, ensuring the connection cable's starting point is within 2.5 meters of the thermostat's planned location.

Important Information: Ensure the connection point (cable) is inside a conduit pipe. The heating cable itself must not be placed in a conduit. Place the floor sensor exactly between two heating mats, at least 65 cm from the wall, within a conduit for potential replacement.

3. Sensor Installation

Place the thermostat's floor sensor lead in a conduit pipe for easy replacement. Route the conduit to the thermostat's wall box, partly embedding it in the floor. Secure the conduit end with tape to prevent filler material from entering the sensor. Ensure the sensor is equidistant between heating mats.

4. Subfloor Preparation

Clean and vacuum the subfloor to remove any contaminants that could damage the cable. Ensure the floor is flat; fill any gaps or uneven areas.

5. Resistance Reading (1st Time)

Measure resistance between the blue and brown terminals using a multimeter and compare with table values (Section 3.2). Record the reading on the warranty card. Also, measure resistance between blue/brown and grounding; it should read infinite. Refer to Chapter 5 for more details.

6. Placement of the Heating Mat

NEVER CUT OR SHORTEN THE HEATING MAT! The mat has adhesive backing for secure placement. Begin installation with the connection cable and sensor positioned correctly. Lead them to the thermostat connection point. Install the mat evenly on the marked areas. You can reposition it before the adhesive sets. Cut the mesh to turn the mat around corners or obstacles. Ensure the mat is in full contact with the floor. Avoid walking on the mat; if necessary, wear soft-soled shoes. Use adhesive or tape to secure the mat if the cable floats. Carefully route the cable around obstacles by removing it from the mesh if needed. Remember, cutting the cable is prohibited.

7. Resistance Reading (2nd Time)

Perform resistance reading as described in Section 5.

8. Covering

Before covering, check the sensor's fixing. Apply a thin layer of tile adhesive according to manufacturer instructions, ensuring it fully covers the heating cables.

Important Information: Do not activate the heating system until the tile adhesive is completely dry (minimum 2 weeks).

9. Resistance Reading (3rd Time)

Perform resistance reading as described in Section 5.

10. Placing the Cover

Install the floor covering according to the manufacturer's instructions.

11. Thermostat and Electrical Connection

A qualified electrician must connect the thermostat and electrical supply. After connection, perform the final resistance reading and record it on the warranty card (See Section 13). Note: Label the circuit breaker for the heating system on the switchboard.

Check-up

To ensure the 10-year warranty validity, perform resistance readings and record them on the warranty card. Four resistance and insulation checks are required during installation.

5.1 Reading Insulation Resistance

This check verifies the cable's electrical insulation integrity. Connect the grounding to the black lead and the other two terminals to the red lead of the multimeter. The device should display "open" or infinite resistance. Record the reading on the warranty card.

5.2 Reading Heating Mat Resistance

Set the multimeter to the 200-2,000 ohm range. Connect the leads to the brown and blue terminals. Compare the reading with the table values (max variance ±10%). Record the reading on the warranty card.

Important Information: Perform resistance reading of the thermostat's NTC floor sensor before placing and covering.

Troubleshooting

Heated Floor/Cover Guidelines

• Ensure even heat radiation; avoid placing large objects or furniture without legs directly on the floor.
• Do not cover the floor with materials that have high thermal insulating properties (thick rugs, mattresses, etc.) during operation.
• Protect floor covering from moisture and prolonged wetting.

Control

1. Calibrate the thermostat using a room thermometer, as default settings may vary from actual room temperature. Refer to the thermostat's user manual for details.
2. For individual heating, set the thermostat to dual (floor+room) sensor mode. The thermostat will display air temperature and use the floor sensor to limit the floor surface temperature.
3. Set the floor sensor disable temperature to 29-31°C. Refer to the thermostat's user manual for details.
4. If using a programmable thermostat, utilize its programming features for efficient operation.
5. The BVF H-MAT system is not a heat storage system. Consider shorter heating-up times when programming cycles. Heating time may vary based on floor temperature and thickness.
6. During the heating season, avoid turning the system off. Set back the air temperature by 3-4°C when not in use to prevent walls and structures from cooling down excessively. If premises are unused for extended periods, use the frost protection program.

Disclaimer

This installation and user manual was prepared with the best knowledge available at the time of publication. The distributor is not responsible for printing errors in online or printed versions and reserves the right to amend technical specifications without prior notice. BVF Heating Solutions is a registered brand of BVF Heating Solutions Ltd. All rights reserved.