SunTouch R4 Relay 15 Amps Heating Systems Instruction Manual

: June 13, 2024
: SunTouch

Table of Contents

SunTouch R4 Relay 15 Amps Heating Systems
Product Information
Product Usage Instructions
Specifications
FCC STATEMENTS
Installation
Operation
Troubleshooting Guide
Limited 3-Year Warranty
CONTACT
References
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Download This Manual (PDF format)

SunTouch R4 Relay 15 Amps Heating Systems

Product Information

Model: 1140-01, 500980

Specifications

Power supply: 120/240 VAC, 60 Hz, 3 W
Maximum load: 15 A, resistive
Maximum power: 1800 W at 120 VAC, 3600 W at 240 VAC
GFCI: Class A (5 mA trip)
Approvals: UL 943, UL/CSA 60730, UL 991

Product Usage Instructions

Installation

Ensure power is not applied to the product until it is fully installed and ready for final testing.
Turn off power to the circuit being worked on before performing any work.
Do not connect to a circuit operating at more than 150 V to the ground to reduce the risk of electric shock.
Supply 120 VAC to 120 VAC cables and 240 VAC to 240 VAC mat or wire to prevent overheating and fire hazards.
Do not exceed 15 amps on this control.
For retrofit installations, cut out drywall and chisel out the bottom plate to route wire to control.
Detach the display front from the base before connecting wires to the back of the relay.
Secure wire connections by gently tugging them to prevent arcing, overheating, and fire hazards.
Align the top edge with the base and rotate the bottom towards the base to snap it into position.
Ensure the mortar has fully cured before operating the system for more than a brief test.

Features

Extends the area controlled by a SunStat® ConnectPlus™ thermostat
Built-in GFCI
Status indicators
Wired and wireless connections to thermostat
Up to 10 wired R4 Relays per thermostat
Up to 6 wireless R4 Relays per thermostat
Wireless R4 Relays report energy usage to thermostat
3 Year warranty

Specifications

Power supply 120/240 VAC, 60 Hz, 3 W
Maximum load 15 A, resistive
Maximum powe r 1800 W at 120 VAC 3600 W at 240 VAC
GFCI Class A (5 mA trip)
Approvals UL 943, UL/CSA 60730, UL 991
Ambient conditions 32°F to 86°F (0°C to 30°C) < 90% RH non-condensing

WARNING

Read this manual BEFORE using this equipment.
Failure to read and follow all safety and use information can result in death, serious personal injury, property damage, or damage to the equipment.
Keep this manual for future reference

FCC STATEMENTS

The antenna used for this radio must be properly installed and maintained and must provide a separation distance of at least 7.9 inches (20 cm) from all persons. This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules and with Industry Canada license-exempt RSS standard(s).

Operation is subject to the following two conditions:

This device may not cause harmful interference,
This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment. This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates uses
and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one of the following measures

Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
Increase the separation between the equipment and the receiver.
Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
Connect the equipment to an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.

Box Contents

SunStat® R4 Relay
Screwdriver
Installation manual
Machine screws (2), 6-32

Items Needed

Electrical box (must be UL listed and proper size)
- Vertical 1-gang box
Conduit, flexible or rigid (if required, must be UL listed and proper size)
Electrical wiring cable (UL listed)
- Minimum 14 AWG to 12 A
- 12 AWG to 15 A
Nail plate
Hot glue gun and hot glue

Location

Indoor location only
Do not install where there is electrical interference from equipment, appliances, or other sources
Install away from all water sources such as sinks and at least 4 ft (1.2 m) away from showers and bathtubs
Consider easy access to wiring

NOTICE: The R4 Relay is compatible with the SunStat® ConnectPlus thermostat. Do not connect to other models.

Important Safety Information
WARNING: This is a safety alert symbol. The safety-alert symbol is shown alone or used with a signal word (DANGER, WARNING, or CAUTION), a pictorial and/or a safety message to identify hazards.When you see this symbol alone or with a signal word on your equipment or in this manual, be alert to the potential for death or serious personal injury.

This pictorial alerts you to electricity, electrocution, and shock hazards.

WARNING: This symbol identifies hazards that, if not avoided, could result in death or serious injury.
NOTICE: This symbol identifies practices, actions, or failure to act, which could result in property damage or damage to the equipment.

Installation

WARNING: Installation must be performed by qualified persons, in accordance with local codes, ANSI/NFPA 70 (NEC Article 424) and CEC Part 1 Section 62 where applicable. Prior to installation, please consult the local codes in order to understand what is acceptable. To the extent this information is not consistent with local codes, the local codes should be followed. Regardless, electrical wiring is required from a circuit breaker or other electrical circuit to the control. It is recommended that an electrician perform these installation steps. Please be aware local codes may require this product to be installed by an electrician.

The following cautions must be observed:

NEVER put the system into full operation until the tile or flooring installer verifies all cement materials are fully cured (typically two to four weeks after installation).
ALWAYS use insulated copper wires rated for 90°C (194°F) and 600 V minimum. Do not use aluminum.
ALWAYS wire all circuits as Class 1, electric light & power circuits.
ALWAYS mount the thermostat to a grounded electrical box.
ALWAYS seek help if a problem arises. If ever in doubt about the correct installation procedure, or if the product appears to be damaged, the factory must be contacted before proceeding with the installation.

WARNING: To prevent the risk of personal injury and/or death, make sure power is not applied to the product until it is fully installed and ready for final testing. All work must be done with power turned off to the circuit being worked on.

To reduce the risk of electric shock, do not connect to a circuit operating at more than 150 V to the ground.

Power Supply
Pull power supply wiring to the control location.

Leave about 6 to 8″ (15 to 20 cm) of wire for connections.
This wiring should be size 12 or 14 AWG, in compliance with local code requirements.
A qualified person should run a dedicated circuit from the main circuit breaker panel to the control location. If a dedicated circuit is not possible, it is acceptable to tap into an existing circuit. However, there must be enough capacity to handle the load (amps) of the floor heating system being installed, and any appliance likely to be used on the circuit such as a hair dryer or vacuum cleaner.
Avoid circuits that have ballasted lighting, motors, exhaust fans, or hot tub pumps to reduce the likelihood of interference.
The circuit breaker should be rated 20 amps for total circuit loads up to 15 amps. A 15-amp circuit breaker may be used for total circuit loads up to 12 amps.
A GFCI (ground-fault circuit interrupter) or AFCI (arc-fault circuit interrupter) type circuit breaker may be used, but is not necessary.

WARNING: Make sure 120 VAC is supplied to 120 VAC cables and 240 VAC is supplied to 240 VAC mat or wire. Otherwise, dangerous overheating and a fire hazard could result. Do not exceed 15-amps on this control.

Bottom Plate Work: Drill or chisel hole for routing the power lead conduit at the bottom plate as indicated. This hole should be directly below the electrical box.

Floor Heating Mat or Cable Power Lead Installation

The shielded power lead can be installed with or without electrical conduit (recommended for added protection against nails or screws), depending on code requirements. Remove one of the knock-outs in the electrical box to route the power lead. If an electrical conduit is not required by code, install a wire collar to secure the power leads where they enter the box. If conduit is required by code, install 1/2″ (minimum) conduit from the bottom plate up to the electrical box. For multiple power leads (multiple cables), install 3/4″ conduit.
Secure a steel nail plate over the cutout in the bottom plate to protect the wires against baseboard nails later.

Communication Rough-in Wiring
The ConnectPlus can connect wirelessly to the R4 Relay (see Operation > Wireless Pairing). If a wired connection is desired, follow these steps.

Pull 18 AWG to 24 AWG 2-conductor wire from the ConnectPlus location to the R4 Relay location
The wire may be up to 100 ft (30 m) long
For additional R4 Relays, pull additional wire between R4 Relay locations
Strip the wire ends to 1⁄8″ long

R4 Relay Wiring
Before connecting the wires to the back of the relay, detach the display front from the base.
While holding the base section in one hand, with the other pull gently up holding the sides of the thermostat towards the bottom (near the RESET button), pivoting away from the base.

Power Wiring

Connect the ground wire from the power supply to the ground wire from the floor heating power lead
If the electrical box is metal, use a short length of wire to connect the ground wires to the bonding screw
Connect the floor heating power lead conductors to the LOAD 1 and LOAD 2 terminals
For 120 VAC connections, connect the power supply black (L) wire to the L terminal and the white (N) wire to the N terminal
For 240 VAC connections, connect one of the power supply wires to the L1 terminal and the other to the L2 terminal

Low Voltage Wiring
ConnectPlus and additional R4 Relay connections are made to the terminal block by inserting the wires into the openings and tightening the screws. Three holes are provided for wire access from the back. Wires must be routed in the channel to the right of the terminal block so that the display front can be re-attached. Any low-voltage wiring that passes through the inside of the electrical box must be rated at least 90°C 300 V.

ConnectPlus—connect to RELAY and COM terminals, matching connections on the ConnectPlus
R4 Relay—connect to RELAY and COM terminals, matching connections on the other R4 Relay

WARNING: Make sure the wire connections are secure by gently tugging on them. Otherwise, arcing could occur, causing dangerous overheating and a possible fire hazard.

Finish ConnectPlus™ Installation

Ensure all connections are secure
Carefully press the wires into the electrical box
Do not use the thermostat to push the wires
Secure the thermostat base to the electrical box with the screws included
Do not overtighten
Re-attach the display front
- Line up the top edge with the base
- Rotate the bottom towards the base and snap it into position

NOTICE: Make sure the mortar has had time to fully cure before operating the system for more than a brief test.

Top Icon: Power Indicator is on when power is supplied to the R4 Relay
Middle Icon : The heating Indicator is on when the R4 Relay is heating
Bottom Icon: Wireless Indicator
- When paired with ConnectPlus
- Blinking when the paired connection is lost

Operation

Power Up

Switch on the circuit power supply at the breaker
The Power Indicator will illuminate

Heating Operation
The R4 Relay provides additional capacity for spaces that are larger than a SunStat® ConnectPlus thermostat can control. The R4 Relay energizes the connected mat or cable any time the thermostat determines that heat is required. When the thermostat signals the relay to operate, the Heating Indicator is illuminated.

GFCI Testing and GFCI Light Operation

Press the TEST button on the GFCI monthly to verify that it is operational. The GFCI RESET light will flash red. To resume normal operation, press the RESET button.
If pressing TEST does not display a flashing red GFCI RESET light, protection is lost, and the unit will need replacement.
If the GFCI RESET light continues to flash after pressing the RESET button, protection is lost, and the unit will need replacement.
If the GFCI trips during normal operation, press the RESET button to resume operation. If it trips again, the floor heating system should be inspected and tested by a qualified electrician.
If the GFCI TEST light stays on solid, a welded relay has occurred, and the unit will need replacement. Power Off
Suspend R4 Relay operation by turning off the connected or paired ConnectPlus Wireless Pairing
Put the ConnectPlus into pairing mode: Menu > Settings > Paired Devices > Pair Device
Press and hold the RESET button on the R4 Relay for 3 seconds
To unpair the R4 Relay and reboot, press and hold the
RESET button on the R4 Relay for 10 seconds

Troubleshooting Guide

It is strongly recommended that a qualified, licensed electrician install the heating cables and related electrical components. If problems with the system arise, please consult the troubleshooting guide below.

WARNING: Any electrical troubleshooting work should be performed with the power removed from the circuit, unless otherwise noted.

Limited 3-Year Warranty

SunTouch warrants this control (the product) to be free from defect in material and workmanship for a period of (3) years from the date of original purchase from authorized dealers. During this period, SunTouch will replace the product or refund the original cost of the product at SunTouch’s option, without charge,
if the product is proven defective in normal use. Please return the control to your distributor to begin the warranty process.
This limited warranty does not cover shipping costs. Nor does it cover a product subjected to misuse or accidental damage. This warranty does not cover the cost of installation, diagnosis, removal or reinstallation, or any material costs or loss of use.
This limited warranty is in lieu of all other warranties, obligations, or liabilities expressed or implied by the company. In no event shall SunTouch be liable for consequential or incidental damages resulting from the installation of this product. Some states or provinces do not allow limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts, or the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above exclusions or limitations may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific legal rights and you may also have other rights that vary from state to state