Insulation Resistance problem with elektra underfloorheating

[dannyhull]

Hi,

Can anybody help just tried testing 2 brand new coils of elektra underfloor heating cable and got a dead short reading of 0.0 mega ohms between live conductors and a reading of greater than 1000 between live conductors and earth on both cables has anybody had a similar issue or can anybody advise getting no answer from the manufacturer and supply uheat as it is weekend

 

[DHTiling]

The ohms test is between the live and neutral.. not earth..?

 

[dannyhull]

Hi Dave,

Thank you we have tested between the live conductors at 1000v expecting to see a reading of above 10m ohms and got 0.0 ohms is this normal

 

[Stewart]

What equipment are you using to test the mats......... some of the larger mega testers sometimes have problems reading the ohms of the mat, try using a smaller tester. The reading should be similar to the one stated for that size of mat + or - 10 ohms, they're never exact. If you are still getting a a 0 ohms reading then the mat may be faulty. The tester i use cost me a fiver and i have never had any probs with it. I also use a continuity alarm whilst installing, to make sure I know right away if i damage the mat.

 

[DHTiling]

Try upping the resistance and see if you get a reading.. have you got a spark to do the final test..

Not sure on the electra if a continuity test works on that are just a resistance reading... If you are stuck then we can pass you onto a our sparky forum to get faster qualified advice.. Electricians Forum | Electrical Advice Forum | An electrical forum for electricians in the UK

 

[dannyhull]

Thanks for the help.
My brotherinlaw is a qualified electrician and he has tested it with a very good tester and he suggests its faulty.
So I thick my best option is to unfortunatly wait until Monday to speak to elektras technical department.

 

[DHTiling]

I think so as well.. let us know how you get on plz..

 

[The Legend; Phil Hobson RIP]

Hi and :welcome: hope you get sorted

 

[White Room]

Hi and welcome

 

[Dan]

Thanks for the help.
My brotherinlaw is a qualified electrician and he has tested it with a very good tester and he suggests its faulty.
So I thick my best option is to unfortunatly wait until Monday to speak to elektras technical department.

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.

 

[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..?

 

[DHTiling]

Can this Insulation test be done with a multi meter pete..?

 

[pjrich]

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

Insulation resistance is generally done by the Spark, all electrical installs have to be checked for insulation resistance so they will have the kit.

 

[pjrich]

Can this Insulation test be done with a multi meter pete..?

Dave, no a multimeter can not be used for insulation resistance - uses a minimum of 500V dc to inject a current through the mat. So it proves that no current will leak to earth.

 

[DHTiling]

Sound...


i have not seen any spark i have used do that test then..:lol:...

 

[pjrich]

Sound...


i have not seen any spark i have used do that test then..:lol:...

They may have used something like this, which is a multifunction tester which will do all the tests a sparks need.