{"id":52,"date":"2021-02-11T19:06:43","date_gmt":"2021-02-12T00:06:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/basichvac\/chapter\/baseboard-heat\/"},"modified":"2023-03-02T11:34:00","modified_gmt":"2023-03-02T16:34:00","slug":"baseboard-heat","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/basichvac\/chapter\/baseboard-heat\/","title":{"raw":"Baseboard Heat","rendered":"Baseboard Heat"},"content":{"raw":"Click play on the following audio player to listen along as you read this section.\r\n\r\nhttps:\/\/media.bccampus.ca\/id\/0_9kwmqux0?width=608&amp;height=80&amp;playerId=23449753\r\n\r\nThe simplest form of fixed electric heat is the <strong>[pb_glossary id=\"201\"]baseboard heater[\/pb_glossary]<\/strong>. These small, modular units with their long horizontal profile are installed underneath windows and other areas of high ambient heat loss.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_51\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"451\"]<img class=\"wp-image-50 \" src=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/accessibilitytoolkit\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/336\/2021\/01\/Baseboard-heater-1024x799.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"451\" height=\"352\" \/> An example of a baseboard heater, both with the cover on, and with the heat fins and wiring connections exposed.[\/caption]\r\n\r\nEnergized at 240V in households to maximize heat production, baseboard heaters are commonly controlled by <strong>[pb_glossary id=\"228\"]line-voltage thermostats[\/pb_glossary]<\/strong> installed in each room or heated area though some can also be controlled by built-in thermostats installed directly into the unit housing.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_51\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"432\"]<img class=\"wp-image-51\" src=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/accessibilitytoolkit\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/336\/2021\/03\/Baseboard-control-circuits.png\" alt=\"Two circuit diagrams, each with 2 lines and a 240 V fixed heating load. One has a 240V DPST thermostat. The other has a 240V SPST thermostat.\" width=\"432\" height=\"311\" \/> Control methods for 240V baseboard heaters.[\/caption]\r\n\r\nBecause line-voltage thermostats directly control the flow of current to the heater element they must be <strong>[pb_glossary id=\"183\"]rated[\/pb_glossary]<\/strong> for whatever value of current flows through them.\r\n\r\nBaseboard heaters are rated for their power output, in watts, and are generally available in 250W increments, thus allowing installers to select the appropriate size of heater for the area being heated. To find the current requirements of a device, divide the rated power by rated voltage.\r\n\r\nFor example, a thermostat rated 3kW at 240V would be able to handle 12.5 amps of current.\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[latex]12.5\\text{ A}=\\dfrac{3000\\text{ W}}{240\\text{ V}}[\/latex]<\/p>\r\nWhen installing any kind of baseboard heaters, care must be taken not to install any other electrical equipment above them. No receptacles may be installed above a baseboard heater because of the risk of a cord resting on the heater and getting damaged by the heat. If a receptacle is required in a section of wall that also has baseboard heat, some manufactures will provide spacing inside the heater for installation of a receptacle.","rendered":"<p>Click play on the following audio player to listen along as you read this section.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" id=\"kaltura_player\" title=\"2.11 Baseboard Heat\" src=\"https:\/\/api.ca.kaltura.com\/p\/148\/sp\/14800\/embedIframeJs\/uiconf_id\/23449753\/partner_id\/148?iframeembed=true&#38;playerId=kaltura_player&#38;entry_id=0_9kwmqux0&#38;flashvars[leadWithHTML5]=true&#38;flashvars[streamerType]=auto&#38;flashvars[localizationCode]=en&#38;flashvars[sideBarContainer.plugin]=true&#38;flashvars[sideBarContainer.position]=left&#38;flashvars[sideBarContainer.clickToClose]=true&#38;flashvars[chapters.plugin]=true&#38;flashvars[chapters.layout]=vertical&#38;flashvars[chapters.thumbnailRotator]=false&#38;flashvars[streamSelector.plugin]=true&#38;flashvars[EmbedPlayer.SpinnerTarget]=videoHolder&#38;flashvars[dualScreen.plugin]=true&#38;flashvars[Kaltura.addCrossoriginToIframe]=true&#38;wid=0_wrgitl80\" width=\"608\" height=\"80\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" sandbox=\"allow-downloads allow-forms allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-top-navigation allow-pointer-lock allow-popups allow-modals allow-orientation-lock allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox allow-presentation allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>The simplest form of fixed electric heat is the <strong><a class=\"glossary-term\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-describedby=\"definition\" href=\"#term_52_201\">baseboard heater<\/a><\/strong>. These small, modular units with their long horizontal profile are installed underneath windows and other areas of high ambient heat loss.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_51\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-51\" style=\"width: 451px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-50\" src=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/accessibilitytoolkit\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/336\/2021\/01\/Baseboard-heater-1024x799.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"451\" height=\"352\" srcset=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/basichvac\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/336\/2021\/01\/Baseboard-heater-1024x799.png 1024w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/basichvac\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/336\/2021\/01\/Baseboard-heater-300x234.png 300w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/basichvac\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/336\/2021\/01\/Baseboard-heater-768x599.png 768w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/basichvac\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/336\/2021\/01\/Baseboard-heater-1536x1199.png 1536w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/basichvac\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/336\/2021\/01\/Baseboard-heater-2048x1599.png 2048w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/basichvac\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/336\/2021\/01\/Baseboard-heater-65x51.png 65w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/basichvac\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/336\/2021\/01\/Baseboard-heater-225x176.png 225w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/basichvac\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/336\/2021\/01\/Baseboard-heater-350x273.png 350w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 451px) 100vw, 451px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-51\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">An example of a baseboard heater, both with the cover on, and with the heat fins and wiring connections exposed.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Energized at 240V in households to maximize heat production, baseboard heaters are commonly controlled by <strong><a class=\"glossary-term\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-describedby=\"definition\" href=\"#term_52_228\">line-voltage thermostats<\/a><\/strong> installed in each room or heated area though some can also be controlled by built-in thermostats installed directly into the unit housing.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_51\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-51\" style=\"width: 432px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-51\" src=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/accessibilitytoolkit\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/336\/2021\/03\/Baseboard-control-circuits.png\" alt=\"Two circuit diagrams, each with 2 lines and a 240 V fixed heating load. One has a 240V DPST thermostat. The other has a 240V SPST thermostat.\" width=\"432\" height=\"311\" srcset=\"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/basichvac\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/336\/2021\/03\/Baseboard-control-circuits.png 826w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/basichvac\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/336\/2021\/03\/Baseboard-control-circuits-300x216.png 300w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/basichvac\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/336\/2021\/03\/Baseboard-control-circuits-768x552.png 768w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/basichvac\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/336\/2021\/03\/Baseboard-control-circuits-65x47.png 65w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/basichvac\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/336\/2021\/03\/Baseboard-control-circuits-225x162.png 225w, https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/basichvac\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/336\/2021\/03\/Baseboard-control-circuits-350x252.png 350w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 432px) 100vw, 432px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-51\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Control methods for 240V baseboard heaters.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Because line-voltage thermostats directly control the flow of current to the heater element they must be <strong><a class=\"glossary-term\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-describedby=\"definition\" href=\"#term_52_183\">rated<\/a><\/strong> for whatever value of current flows through them.<\/p>\n<p>Baseboard heaters are rated for their power output, in watts, and are generally available in 250W increments, thus allowing installers to select the appropriate size of heater for the area being heated. To find the current requirements of a device, divide the rated power by rated voltage.<\/p>\n<p>For example, a thermostat rated 3kW at 240V would be able to handle 12.5 amps of current.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">[latex]12.5\\text{ A}=\\dfrac{3000\\text{ W}}{240\\text{ V}}[\/latex]<\/p>\n<p>When installing any kind of baseboard heaters, care must be taken not to install any other electrical equipment above them. No receptacles may be installed above a baseboard heater because of the risk of a cord resting on the heater and getting damaged by the heat. If a receptacle is required in a section of wall that also has baseboard heat, some manufactures will provide spacing inside the heater for installation of a receptacle.<\/p>\n<div class=\"glossary\"><span class=\"screen-reader-text\" id=\"definition\">definition<\/span><template id=\"term_52_201\"><div class=\"glossary__definition\" role=\"dialog\" data-id=\"term_52_201\"><div tabindex=\"-1\"><p>Small modular fixed electric heating loads. Rely on passive convection to heat a room, controlled by local thermostats.<\/p>\n<\/div><button><span aria-hidden=\"true\">&times;<\/span><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Close definition<\/span><\/button><\/div><\/template><template id=\"term_52_228\"><div class=\"glossary__definition\" role=\"dialog\" data-id=\"term_52_228\"><div tabindex=\"-1\"><p>A common way to refer to a 240V thermostat.<\/p>\n<\/div><button><span aria-hidden=\"true\">&times;<\/span><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Close definition<\/span><\/button><\/div><\/template><template id=\"term_52_183\"><div class=\"glossary__definition\" role=\"dialog\" data-id=\"term_52_183\"><div tabindex=\"-1\"><p>Meaning the component is designed to be safely operated within certain tolerances. EG: A 240V Rated switch could safely switch a 120V load, but not a 480V load.<\/p>\n<\/div><button><span aria-hidden=\"true\">&times;<\/span><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Close definition<\/span><\/button><\/div><\/template><\/div>","protected":false},"author":90,"menu_order":5,"template":"","meta":{"pb_show_title":"on","pb_short_title":"","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":[],"pb_section_license":""},"chapter-type":[],"contributor":[],"license":[],"class_list":["post-52","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry"],"part":37,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/basichvac\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/52","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/basichvac\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/basichvac\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/basichvac\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/90"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/basichvac\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/52\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":337,"href":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/basichvac\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/52\/revisions\/337"}],"part":[{"href":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/basichvac\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/parts\/37"}],"metadata":[{"href":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/basichvac\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/52\/metadata\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/basichvac\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=52"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"chapter-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/basichvac\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapter-type?post=52"},{"taxonomy":"contributor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/basichvac\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contributor?post=52"},{"taxonomy":"license","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/basichvac\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/license?post=52"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}