HUUM DROP Series Electric Sauna Heater User Manual

June 12, 2024
HUUM

HUUM DROP Series Electric Sauna Heater

Product Information
The HUUM DROP Electric Sauna Heater is a high-quality sauna heating appliance designed for household and similar electrical use. It is compliant with EN 60335-2-53: 2011 safety standards for sauna heating appliances and infrared cabins. The set includes an element retainer for installation. Note that the HUUM DROP electric heater requires a control panel and stones for proper operation. The installation should be completed with these components. This installation and operation manual is intended for use by sauna owners, maintenance personnel, and certified electricians responsible for the installation of the heater. It is essential to read the instructions carefully before using the heater.

Product Usage Instructions
Before Installation
Before installing the HUUM DROP electric heater, please ensure to read the installation instructions. Pay attention to the following:  The manufacturer’s warranty is only valid if the heater’s
the output corresponds to the calculated volume of the sauna room.

Installation
Positioning of the Heater
Position the heater in a way that ensures a safe distance between flammable materials and the external surfaces of the heater.

Power Cable Installation
The input of the power cable is located on the back of the heater. The exact position of the cable on the wall can be measured in relation to the heater mounting plate, as indicated in Figure

| DROP 4| DROP 6| DROP 7| DROP 9
---|---|---|---|---
A| 4 in / 100 mm| 4.8 in / 120 mm| 5.3 in / 150 mm| 5.9 in / 150 mm
B| 23.3 in / 590 mm| 24.8 in / 630 mm| 25.9 in / 690 mm| 27.2 in / 690 mm
C| 17.1 in / 435 mm| 17.9 in / 455 mm| 18.5 in / 485 mm| 19.1 in / 485 mm
D| 6.7 in / 170 mm| 7.5 in / 190 mm| 8.1 in / 220 mm| 8.7 in / 220 mm
E| 12.2 in / 310 mm| 12.2 in / 310 mm| 12.2 in / 310 mm| 12.2 in / 310 mm
MIN gap| 47.3 in / 1200 mm| 47.3 in / 1200 mm| 47.3 in / 1200 mm| 47.3 in / 1200 mm

Note: The exact measurements for positioning can be found in Table 1.

The HUUM DROP electric heater can also be partially mounted inside the sauna bench or sauna floor. Refer to Figure 2 for the installation of the heater inside the sauna bench. The embedding flange for the HUUM DROP electric heater is an accessory available through your HUUM product distributor. Please refer to the provided user manual for the embedding flange for further instructions. Figure 2 also indicates the maximum permissible immersion of the heater.

Connecting to Power Supply
It is crucial to have a certified electrician handle the connection of the heater to the power supply. Refer to Table 2 for the electrical specifications based on output kW (240 V) and Table 3 for output kW (208 V).

| Output kW (240 V)| Amps A| Circuit Breaker A| Wire Size AWG
---|---|---|---|---
DROP 4| 4.5| 18.75| 30| 10
DROP 6| 6| 25| 30| 10
DROP 7| 7.5| 31.25| 40| 8
DROP 9| 9| 37.5| 50| 8

Attention: Non-heat-resistant cables with PVC insulation should not be used as power cables. If a junction box is used in the sauna room, it should be waterproof and positioned at a maximum height of 19.7 in (50 cm) from the floor.

LECTRIC SAUNA HEATER
Installation and operation manual
NB! The following instructions for electrical works must be carried out by a certified electrician.

NB! We strongly recommend a specialist to lay the stones on the heater.
NB! This appliance is not intended for use by persons (including children) with reduced physical, sensory, or mental capabilities, or lack of experience and knowledge unless they have been given supervision or instruction concerning the use of the appliance by a person responsible for their safety.
NB! Children should be supervised to ensure that they do not play with the appliance.
NB! The installation instructions for appliances for public saunas that do not have a timer shall state that a pilot lamp showing that the heater is switched on is to be installed in the attendant’s room. The previously provided manual does not contain this information. The safety of the products is based on EN 60335-2-53: 2011 “Household and similar electrical appliances. Safety. Part 2-53: Particular requirements for sauna heating appliances and infrared cabins”. The set includes:

  • electric heater;
  • wall mount;
  • installation and operation manual;
  • DROP 7 and 9 models of electric heaters includes a heat diverter and heating element retainer.

NB! HUUM DROP electric heater requires a control panel and stones.
The product installation should be complete. This installation and operation manual is intended for use by the sauna owner or maintenance person as well as the electrician responsible for the installation of the heater. Before using the heater, please read the instructions carefully.
NB! The electrical work described in this manual may only be performed by a certified electrician.

BEFORE INSTALLATION

Before installing the heater, please read the installation instructions and pay attention to the following:

  • Check before installing the electric heater that the maximum amperage of the main fuse matches the heater parameters.
  • Does the heater output (kW) match the volume (ft³ /m³) of the sauna room? In case there are any uninsulated brick, tile, glass or log walls in the sauna room, an additional calculated volume of 53 ft³ (1.5 m³) should be added to the sauna room for each such square meter of the wall. The suitable output of the heater can be found in Table 2 and Table 3.
  • Are minimal safety distances ensured at the installation site of the heater? Minimal safety distances between the sauna room’s ceiling and walls in view of installing the electric heater have been provided in Table 1.

NB! The manufacturer’s warranty is not valid if the output of the heater does not correspond to the calculated volume of the sauna room.

INSTALLATION

Positioning of the heater
The heater should be positioned in such a way that there is a safe distance between flammable materials and the external surfaces of the heater.

  • Check Table 1 for minimal safety distances between the heater, the sauna room’s ceiling, and the walls.
  • Place the heater in such a way that its location does not create dangerous situations during use and the possibility of accidental contact with the heater would be minimized.
  • Before installing, remove the protective film from the steel plate behind the heater.
  • Keep in mind that the full weight of the heater with stones is 143.3 lb (65 kg) and ensure that the wall structure is strong enough for it. Attach the frame of the heater to the wall.
  • NB! DROP 7 and 9 sauna heater set includes a heat diverter and heating element retainer for which installation instructions have been provided separately.

The input of the power cable is located on the back of the heater. The exact position of the cable on the wall is measured in relation to the heater mounting plate and has been indicated in Figure 1.

HUUM-DROP-Series-Electric-Sauna-Heater-FIG-1

Figure 1. Positioning of the heater
Installing an electric heater inside the sauna bench HUUM DROP electric heater can also be partially mounted inside the sauna bench or sauna floor.

  • At least 14.8 in (375 mm) of the submerged heater should protrude from the sauna bench surface;
  • To cover the edges of the immersion hole use the embedding flange of the HUUM DROP electric heater.

The embedding flange of the HUUM DROP electric heater is an accessory that you can request from your HUUM product distributor. A user manual for the embedding flange is provided with the product. The maximum permissible immersion of the heater has been provided in Figure 2.

Figure 2. Installing HUUM DROP electric heater inside the sauna bench
Connecting the heater to the power supply
NB! Only a certified electrician is allowed to connect the heater to the power supply.

  • The power cable of the heater must meet the requirements of UL 62 in US and CSA 49 in Canada.
  • The maximum current amperage in the cross-sectional area of the cable and circuit breaker has been provided in Table 2 and Table 3.
  • It is recommended to connect the unit to the mains without an earth-leakage circuit breaker(RCD).
  • In case there are any uninsulated brick, tile, glass or log walls in the sauna room, an additional volume of 53 ft³ (1.5 m³) should be added to the sauna room for each such square meter of the wall.
  • In case there are any uninsulated brick, tile, glass or log walls in the sauna room, an additional volume of 53 ft³ (1.5 m³) should be added to the sauna room for each such square meter of the wall.

Table 2.

| Output

kW (240 V)

|

**Room***

| Amps

A

| Circuit Breaker

A

| Wire Size

AWG

---|---|---|---|---|---
DROP 4| 4.5| 106-247 ft3

3–7 m3

| 18.75| 30| 10
DROP 6| 6| 177-353 ft3

5–10 m3

| 25| 30| 10
DROP 7| 7.5| 247-424 ft3

7–12 m3

| 31.25| 40| 8
DROP 9| 9| 282-530 ft3

8–15 m3

| 37.5| 50| 8

Table 3.

| Output

kW (208 V)

|

**Room***

| Amps

A

| Circuit Breaker

A

| Wire Size

AWG

---|---|---|---|---|---
DROP 4| 3.4| 106-247 ft3

3–7 m3

| 16.35| 20| 12
DROP 6| 4.5| 177-353 ft3

5–10 m3

| 21.63| 30| 10
DROP 7| 5.6| 247-424 ft3

7–12 m3

| 26.92| 30| 8
DROP 9| 6.75| 282-530 ft3

8–15 m3

| 32.44| 40| 8

ATTENTION! It is forbidden to use a non-heat-resistant cable with PVC isolation as the power cable. When using the junction box in the sauna room, it should be waterproof and located at a maximum height of 19.7 in (50 cm) from the floor.

  • Open the cover of the heater’s electrical box.
  • Take the cable into the electrical box through the rubber bushing.
  • Attach the power cable on the terminal block according to the circuit diagram. NB! The cable should first pass through the opening in the heater reflector.
  • Close the cover.
  • Fix the cable on the bushing with a cable strap.
  • Install the heater on the wall frame and ensure that it stays firmly in place.HUUM-DROP-Series-Electric-Sauna-Heater-FIG-5

Insulation resistance of the electric heater
During the first use of the heater, the insulation resistance of the heating element might prove to be temporarily lower than the standard. The reason for that is the moisture seeped into the insulating layer during storage in the warehouse and transportation. The moisture evaporates in 1–2 hours of heating the electric heater.

Laying of the heater stones

  • HUUM DROP electric heater requires approximately 121.3 lbs (55kg) of stones.

  • The stones with a diameter of 2-4 in (5–10 cm) are suitable for the HUUM DROP heater.

  • We recommend the use of round stones which complement the design of the heater and allow the water in the heater to move freely to the lower layers of stones.

  • Natural stones (e.g. olivine diabase, olivine), which are sold specifically for use in sauna heaters, are suitable as heater stones.

  • We recommend avoiding decorative stones as they do not accumulate enough heat and break easily. Broken pieces of stone inside the heater can block air holes and damage heating elements.
    NB! The defects due to the use of unsuitable stones are not covered by warranty.

  • Before laying, we recommend washing the stones clean of dust under running water.

Requirements for laying stones

  • Use gloves to protect your hands when laying stones.

  • Lay the stones one by one and don’t pour or throw them into the heater.

  • Start with bigger stones, placing them to the bottom and to the sides. Use smaller stones to fix the larger stones in place and to fill in the narrower gaps.

  • Try to lay the stones as tightly as possible, but leave some room for air to circulate in the heater.

  • Lay the stones between the heating elements as well. This will help support the heating elements and prevent them from coming into contact. Take care not to push the stones too hard or bend the heating elements.

  • Lay the outer surfaces of the heater tightly and make sure that the heating elements are not visible through the stones. Ladling water directly onto the heating elements shortens their lifespan and produces an excessively sharp heat.
    NB! If the heating elements are not properly surrounded by stones, the safety distances given in Table 1 do not apply, as additional heat radiation to flammable surfaces will occur. Make sure that the heating elements are not visible from between the stones!

  • Check the condition of the stones once a year to remove broken pieces and replace them, if necessary.

ATTENTION! TOO SPARSELY FILLED STONE CONTAINER CAUSES FIRE HAZARD!

HUUM-DROP-Series-Electric-Sauna-Heater-FIG-6

  1. Too tightly filled
  2. Partially filled
  3. Heating elements are bent
  4. Correctly laid stones

Safety railings
To prevent accidental contact with the hot heater it is recommended to install a safety railing around the heater.

  • You can build your own safety railing or use the special accessory HUUM DROP electric heater safety railing, which can be obtained from your
    HUUM distributor.

  • We recommend the use of materials with a low thermal capacity and poor thermal conductivity (e.g. wood) as the material for the safety railing.

NB! When using flammable materials (e.g. wood) as safety railings, it is essential that the prescribed minimum safety distances between the heater and flammable structures are complied with.
Controlling the heater

  • Only certified control panels designed for the control of an electric heater may be used to control HUUM DROP electric heater.
  • The output of the heater should remain in the interval determined by the control panel’s producer.
  • When installing the control panel, follow the installation and operation manual provided by the manufacturer.

SAUNA ROOM

Wall materials and insulation of the sauna room
In a sauna with electric heating, all massive heat accumulating wall surfaces (glass and concrete walls, brick, plaster, etc.) should be insulated to use the electric heater with optimal output. This prevents heat loss in the sauna room and overheating of the heater.

Sufficient insulation of the sauna room wall

  1. An insulation layer of 2-4 in (50-100mm) thickness is installed (foam insulation boards covered with a vapor barrier foil suit well).
  2. Aluminum foil or other reflective material on top of the insulation material without a vapor barrier. The joints are covered with foil tape.
  3. 0.4 in (10mm) ventilation gap (recommended) is left between the moisture barrier and the lining board with spacers.
  4.  0.5-0.65 in (12-16 mm) wooden lining board is suitable for interior finishing. Before installing the lining boards, check the power cables and reinforcements in the walls that are necessary for e.g. installation of a heater and a sauna bench.
  5. To prevent moisture from the floor, the distance between the board and the floor should be at least 4 in (100 mm).
  6. There is a minimum ventilation gap of 0.2 in (5 mm) between the wall and ceiling board.
  7. Wooden sauna surfaces should be coated with sauna wax or oil to prevent dirt being absorbed into the wood.

The ceiling of the sauna room
To optimize the heater’s output, the recommended height of the sauna room is 82.7 – 90.6 in (2100 – 2300 mm). In the case of a higher sauna room, it is advisable to lower the ceiling, thus reducing the volume of the sauna room.

  1. The minimum permissible height of the sauna room for the HUUM DROP electric heater is 74.8 in (1900 mm).
  2. The distance between the top step of the sauna bench and the ceiling should be between 43.5 and 51.2 in (1100 and 1300 mm).
  3. The ceiling of the sauna room should be insulated in the same way as the walls of the

ATTENTION! When covering the walls or ceiling with heat protection (e.g. with mineral tiles), a sufficient ventilation gap should be left between the materials.
Installing tiles directly on a wall or ceiling surface can cause dangerous overheating of wall or ceiling materials.
ATTENTION! Check with the authorities responsible for fire safety which parts of the firewall can be insulated. It is forbidden to insulate flues in use.

Darkening of the sauna room walls

Over time, the wooden materials used in the sauna room may begin to darken due to the high temperature. This is a natural process that does not pose a risk and is usually caused by the darkening of the wood protection product used. The darkening process can also be caused by the fine stone dust, breaking away from the heater stones and being lifted up by the airflow. By following the manufacturer’s instructions when installing the heater, flammable materials in the sauna room will not become dangerously hot.

ATTENTION! The highest allowed temperature for the wall and ceiling surfaces of the sauna room is 284˚F (140˚C).

The floor of the sauna room
Due to large changes in temperature, the heater stones also crumble over time. Together with the sauna water, particles released from the stones and fine stone dust are washed onto the sauna floor. Hot stone chips can damage plastic-covered floors under and near the heater. The splashes of heating stones and sauna water (especially for e.g. iron-rich water) can be absorbed into the light joint of the tile floor. In order to avoid aesthetic damage, ceramic tiles, and dark joint filler should be used under and around the heater.

Ventilation of the sauna
In order to ensure sufficient oxygen supply and fresh air, the sauna’s ventilation should be as efficient as possible (air should exchange six times an hour). The ventilation system depends on whether the building has a natural air inlet and outlet or forced ventilation.
Sauna ventilation consists of at least two, as a rule, three parts:

  • Supply air pipe. The supply air pipe diameter should be ∅ 2-4 in (50-100mm).
  • Exhaust air pipe. The diameter of the exhaust air pipe should be 2x the diameter of the supply air pipe, ∅ 4-7.9 in (100-200mm).
  • Drying pipe. In the absence of a drying pipe opening, the door may be left open for ventilation after using the sauna.

In the case of a sauna room with mechanical ventilation, there should be:

  1. Supply air pipe in the middle of the heater or higher (≥ 15.7 in / 400 mm).
  2. Exhaust air pipe in the opposite side of the heater (≤ 23.6 in / 600 mm from the floor).
  3. Drying pipe opening in the opposite wall of the heater under the ceiling. In the case of a gravity-based ventilation sauna room, there should be:
  4. Supply air pipe in the middle of the heater or higher (≥ 15.7 in / 400 mm).
  5. Exhaust air pipe in the opposite wall at least 7.9 in (200 mm) higher than the supply air pipe (≤ 23.6 in / 600 mm from the floor).
  6. Drying pipe opening in the opposite wall of the heater under the ceiling. The supply air pipe should be fitted with an adjustable valve.
  7. If the exhaust air pipe is located in the washroom, there should be a gap of at least 4 in (100 mm) under the door of the sauna room.
  8. Use the drying pipe opening as a final ventilation after a sauna session or in between water ladling sessions if there have been a lot of people in the room at once and there is excessive humidity or lack of air. Keep the drying pipe opening closed while having a sauna.

USING INSTRUCTION

Using the heater
ATTENTION! Always check that there are no foreign objects on, above, or near the heater before switching it on. This could cause a fire hazard. In order to use the heater, you will need to install a heater control system. The control system is not included in the set. Be sure to read the instruction manual of the control device of your choice before use.

Heating up the sauna room
When the heater is first switched on odors will emit from both the heating elements and the stones. In order to remove these odors, the sauna room should be thoroughly ventilated. In a properly insulated sauna room and with a heater of the right capacity, it will take around one hour to reach the desired temperature. The stones are usually heated to the correct water ladling temperature simultaneously with the sauna room.

Throwing water on heated stones
As the sauna room heats up, the air in the sauna becomes dry. You can raise the humidity in the sauna room by ladling water onto hot stones. By choosing the frequency and amount of water you ladle, you can adjust the humidity and the perceived heat of the sauna to your personal preference.

  • Try to throw water only on the heater stones and not on metal surfaces.
  • Start water ladling only when the stones are fully heated and the water evaporates completely.
  • Use only clean and warm water for ladling.
  • We recommend that you ladle about 2.7 oz (80 ml) of water on the stones at a time. If you want more steam, wait for a few minutes and then ladle the same amount again. This will allow the stones to dry out and heat up again in the meantime.
  • NB! Never ladle water when someone is in the immediate vicinity of the heater as hot steam can cause burns.

WARNINGS AND NOTES

  • The heater is designed to heat the sauna room to the temperature at which the sauna is enjoyed. It may not be used for any other purpose.
  • All maintenance work requiring special skills should be carried out by a trained professional.
  • Always disconnect the heater from the power source before carrying out any maintenance!
  • Before turning on the electric heater, always check the sauna room and heater.
  • The heater may be used only when it has been correctly filled with stones.
  • Do not cover the heater—this causes fire hazards.
  • Do not touch a working heater, it causes burns.
  • Ventilating the sauna room incorrectly may dry the wood too much and cause a fire hazard in the sauna. If necessary, seek professional advice when planning ventilation.
  • Never make steam by using a water hose.
  • Use sauna fragrances and oils only in the steam water. If poured directly onto the stones in the undiluted form can catch fire.
  • A layer of fireproof thermal insulation of at least 2 in (50 mm) is recommended under the board of the sauna room.
  • In the case of uninsulated saunas, e.g. various ready-made barrels and outdoor saunas, the calculated volume of the sauna room should be multiplied by 1.5 to determine the suitable heater output.
  • Sauna doors should always open outward.
  • Do not use the sauna for any other purpose than it is meant to be used.
  • Do not leave small children in the sauna unattended.
  • Sudden cooling after staying in the sauna room is not recommended for people with poor health. If necessary, consult a doctor.
  • Do not stay in the sauna for too long. Enjoy the steam as long as it is comfortable for you.
  • Keep this information in a secure place.

WARRANTY

General:

  • The purchaser is obliged to review the user manual of the product and follow the requirements stated therein.
  • The warranty does not extend to failures due to non-compliance with the rules of use provided in the manual.
  • The warranty is valid if the product has a technical defect or fault caused by the manufacturer.
  • The warranty covers the replacement of the product or of parts with manufacturing defects.
  • The warranty period is 5 years from the date of purchase. NB! The warranty is based on the presentation of the purchase receipt/invoice.
  • The right to submit a claim is valid on the condition that the product has been used only for the intended purpose and conditions.

Warranty terms

  • NB! The warranty does not extend to heating elements of the electric heaters, these are considered expendable parts.
  • The warranty does not cover the defects caused by normal wear and tear of the product.
  • The warranty does not apply to heater stones. Warranty does not cover the defects which are caused by:
  • Transport and other accidental damage to the product;
  • Careless or improper storage and use of the product and overloading;
  • Failure to comply with the instructions for the installation and operation of the product and safety requirements.

Warranty does not apply

  • If the product has been repaired by an unauthorized person, if non-approved parts have been added to the product, or if consumables are not accepted by the manufacturer have been used (e.g. heating elements);
  • If the set of products is not complete.

References

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