Why does the electric floor heating thermostat get hot?

Thermostats used for electric underfloor heating have a limited switching capacity, i.e. the maximum heating element is electric mat, heating cable or infrared heating films – the power load must not exceed 3000 W. Connecting a heating element that is more powerful than allowed may cause the thermostat to overheat and pose a fire hazard. This is relevant both when using underfloor heating systems in bathrooms, as well as in residential or commercial premises.

Solution when the heating element exceeds the capabilities of the thermostat

Connecting a higher power heating element is effectively solved by magnetic contactor – a relay designed for use in high-current circuits. This solution ensures reliable electric floor heating systems performance and increases safety.

Connection principle:

1. Thermostat phase output (L Load terminal) is used to energize the contactor coil via the “A2” terminal.
2. Thermostat neutral output (N Load terminal) wire is connected to the contactor coil via the “A1” terminal.
3. The power phase wire is connected via the contactor input to terminal "1", and the output from the contactor to electric heating element output through terminal "2".

Multi-pole contactor – a solution for larger heating projects

If one thermostat controls multiple heating elements, e.g. more than one electric floor heating cable or infrared film section, required multipole contactorIt ensures that the system will operate safely and efficiently:

• Several phases The power wires connect via contactor terminals 1, 3 and 5, and the corresponding phases exits to heating elements – via terminals 2, 4 and 6.
• Ensure that the power of the connected heating elements does not exceed the rated current of the contactor.

For example: if five 4,700 W units are controlled electric floor heating mats, for a 3-pole 63 A contactor, two heaters can be connected to two poles and one to the remaining one.

Proper connection – a guarantee of safety

1. Neutral wire must not be returned through the thermostat. It must be connected directly to the neutral wire of the power supply via a terminal block.
2. Heating element ground wire must be connected to the power supply ground wire via a contact block.

These connection guidelines apply to all types of for electric heating systems – from standard electric floor heating cables to advanced infrared heating films.