Insulation Resistance problem with elektra underfloorheating

[Stewart]

That might be the issue though, seems funny both mats are faulty. Large mega testers often can't read the small amount of ohms that well. A cheaper smaller tester with not such a high capability can often be what's needed.

If you've been posted out two brand new heating mats and BOTH are faulty, I'll eat my hat.

Please do report back tomorrow.

Do you have a picture of the hat by any chance............... just in case.

 

[pjrich]

Insulation resistance should not be done between live & neutral, you will get a reading of zero because the resistance of the heating cable is low.

Insulation resistance is checked between live+neutral & earth.

Trust this helps.

 

[dannyhull]

Thank you eveybody for your help

Spoke to uheat today very helpful people, told me to test between the live/neutral and earth which as the correct reading so my cables are fine:hurray: I will fit the cable and tiles and let you all know my comments on how the heating performs but so far seems very good and looking forward to warm feet.:cheesy:

 

[Dan]

Thank god I don't have to eat my hat! It's freezing outside and I've shaved my hair too short as the clipper head fell off!

The hat was one like this one:

I'd give your sparky mate a slap too! (only kidding).

 

[DHTiling]

Insulation resistance should not be done between live & neutral, you will get a reading of zero because the resistance of the heating cable is low.

Insulation resistance is checked between live+neutral & earth.

Trust this helps.

Is this just on your heat mats..?

All the ones i have installed, i use my multi meter and check continuity between live and neutral and do an Ohms reading this way as well and i always get the same reading that is on the tag or in the booklet.. never a 0 reading..

 

[diamondtiling]

Is this just on your heat mats..?

All the ones i have installed, i use my multi meter and check continuity between live and neutral and do an Ohms reading this way as well and i always get the same reading that is on the tag or in the booklet.. never a 0 reading..

That exactly what I do Dave, I have a fluke tester and it always gives me a reading that is the same as the label. Never had to test the earth, varme kits dont have an earth wire.

 

[Stewart]

Is this just on your heat mats..?

All the ones i have installed, i use my multi meter and check continuity between live and neutral and do an Ohms reading this way as well and i always get the same reading that is on the tag or in the booklet.. never a 0 reading..

I'm the same as you Dave....... ohms reading from live and neutral and that's the way the manual tells me too. As for the mat alarm sensor while installing, this is connected to live, neutral and earth.

 

[pjrich]

Is this just on your heat mats..?

All the ones i have installed, i use my multi meter and check continuity between live and neutral and do an Ohms reading this way as well and i always get the same reading that is on the tag or in the booklet.. never a 0 reading..

Not just our mats, all should be checked for insulation resistance - ensures theres no leakage to earth.

What you describe with the multimeter is the resistance check of the mat, which also must be done before and after the install.

 

[pjrich]

That exactly what I do Dave, I have a fluke tester and it always gives me a reading that is the same as the label. Never had to test the earth, varme kits dont have an earth wire.

As said to Dave, checking with multimeter the resistance is definatley the right thing to do but insulation resistance should also be checked.

If the mat has not earth then it does not comply with the requirements of the 17th edition wiring regulations.

 

[DHTiling]

Thanks for that, so in theory this IS the sparks job.. but a test on the mat is sufficient by the tiler..?