7
TROUBLE SHOOTING -
Checking Ohm resistance and circuit
continuity
CAUTION:
TURN OFF ELECTRICITY BEFORE TROUBLESHOOTING
SYSTEM
If the system fails to heat, make sure the GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit
Interrupter) has not been tripped. If it has, fi nd the fault and rectify.
Check for continuity and resistance level with an Ohmmeter. Compare
the reading with the resistance recorded on the UL label.
Make sur
e the breaker or fuse is delivering power to the system.
If the system fails to heat after these checks, call your installer. Be sure
to tell the installer the Model Number of your system. This will be found
on the UL label, generally stored for safe keeping or taped on the fuse
or breaker box door.
Checking for breaks
If you have the round lead, the ohm resistance should be measured from
the black wire #1 to the black wire #2 without touching the yellow-green
wire, which is the ground connection. These ohm resistance measurements
should come within 15% (plus or minus) of the original measurement
indicated by the factory on the UL label (see page 4). When checking ohms
resistance, make sure your hands do not touch the ohmmeter’s probes, or
that will include your internal body resistance and render the measurement
inaccurate. Checking for ohm resistance between the two conductor wires
assures you there is no break in the cold lead conductor and the heat
resistance wire. It does not assure you that there is no electrical short in
the circuit.
If you have the fl at (4mm x 10mm) wire, test between the black lead and
the white or red or yellow wire.
Checking for electrical short
In the construction of the Environ II heaters, the ground is the foil sheet.
In some rare instances, a sharp object can puncture the foil over a heat-
ing element and pierce through the insulation of the heater wire, thereby
allowing the electricity to fl ow to the ground through the foil sheet. If this
situation occurred it would immediately trip the GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit
Interrupter).
However, to check if you have a short, and you have the round lead,
measure the ohms resistance between:
1.
the black wire #1 and the yellow-green ground wire, and
2.
between the black wire #2 and the yellow-green ground wire.
If you have the fl at (9/64” x 13/32”, 4mm x 10mm) measure
between the red or yellow or white wire and the ground wire and
between the black wire and ground.
There should be no continuity between these wires and the ohms reading
should be infi nity (not zero). If your meter shows a particular number of
ohms resistance between these wires, your heating panel has an electrical
short. Take note of the ohms resistance number and call WarmlyYours at
1-800-875-5285. You will need to replace this heating panel before you
continue the installation of the fl ooring material over the heaters.
TESTING
Each and every Environ II panel is subjected to careful testing before it
is shipped from the factory, and is packed in a stout cardboard tube to
protect it in transit. However, damage does sometimes occur in storage
or transit, and sometimes during installation. We strongly recommend
you test your panels:
•
After unpacking them but before you install them, and
•
After you have installed them but before you install the
fl oor covering (i.e. while the panels are still exposed), and
•
After installation of the carpet or wood laminate but before
the thermostats are connected.
A simple test is a visual inspection to make sure there is no visible
damage to the heater, and in particular to the cable component in the
heater. A simple electrical inspection can be done with an ohms meter to
make sure the ohms resistance is what it should be (see page 4). Ohms
resistance can vary signifi cantly depending on the ambient temperature
and an allowance of +/- 15% from the norm is acceptable.
