Types of Electric Towel Rails

 

Standard

Kudox: Standart Electric Towel RailsSimplicity and ease of use

They have a fixed temperature electrical cartridge element with a built-in thermostat. They also incorporate a thermal fuse as a safety feature.

 

 

 

 

Thermostatic

Kudox: Thermostatic Electric Towel RailsHigh-End Features

The electrical element senses the internal water temperature and this can be adjusted up and down. This gives you surface temperature control. The thermostatic element also features a 2 hour button which can either change the temperature for 2 hours or turn off after 2 hours. They also incorporate a thermal fuse as a safety feature.

 

 

LST – Low Surface Temperature

Kudox: Low Surface Temperature Electric Towel Rails

 

Extra-Care

Low surface temperature (LST) towel rails should be fitted in certain buildings, used by children, the elderly or any other vulnerable people. This includes schools, nurseries, healthcare premises, homes for the elderly and most publicly accessible buildings. Complies with NHS Estates Health Guidance Notes on Safe Hot Water & Surface Temperature

They have a fixed temperature electrical cartridge element with a built-in thermostat.

The surface temperature will never exceed 43°C.

What else do I need ?

Just a 3 Amp Unswitched Fused Connection into your bathroom

It needs to be less than 1 meter away from the Towel Rail, as this is the length of the lead.

Kudox: 3 Amp Unswitched Fused Connection

What's inside the box ?

What's inside the Towel Rail Box?

Installation Tools Required

Kudox: Installation Tools Required

Heat Distribution in Electric Towel Rails

Heat Distribution in Electric Towel Rails

Liquid filled Electric Towel Rails have a heating element fitted into one of the vertical collectors that heats up the liquid inside the rail. They are in principle similar to a kettle; however, the larger volume and the requirement for a safer surface temperature does not allow changes in temperature to be immediately spread across the rail.

As there is no internal flow inside the rail, the heat is spread by diffusion, which means that the warmer particles of liquid will move up and horizontally to the coldest spots of the rail whilst the cooler ones move down and towards the heating cartridge. This is why the lower bars will not be as hot as the middle section; the fluid inside the lower bars has already traveled through most of the rail and it is making its way back to the heating rod of the element. At this point, it has already transferred most of the heat that it carried.

The top bars will not be either as hot as the rest of the rail, our rails are filled to the 90% of their capacity to allow the 10% for expansion of the liquid to prevent overpressure.

IEE Bathroom Zones Suitability

All Kudox Electric Towel Rails are rated IP55 for installation in IEE Bathroom Zones 1 & 2 along with the all areas outside the zones.

They are not suitable for installation in Zone 0. It is the responsibility of the installer to assess the actual installation environment to establish suitability in the specific location.

Despite an IP rating that allows installation in Zone 1, we recommend careful consideration of suitability of the installation environment before installing in Zone 1. We do not recommend installation inside a shower enclosure but over-bath installation may be suitable in certain situations.

IEE Bathroom Zones Suitability

Installation Guide

Fixing the Towel Rail

Step 1

Check that the wall is strong enough to hold the weight of the towel rail. Mark your preferred bracket positions on the wall and drill holes for the fixings you intend to use. The diameter of the Wall Plugs supplied is 8mm and they are only suitable for solid walls. You will need alternative fixings for other wall types.

Step 2

Screw the Bracket Bases to the wall using the Washers & Wall Screws provided or alternative fixings.

Step 3

Loosely fit the Bracket Stems to the towel rail with the Bracket Fronts & Bracket Screws. Rotate the Bracket Stems as shown in the diagram below.

Kudox: Bracket position for Flat & Curved Rails

Step 4

Align the Bracket Stems with the Bracket Bases and push the towel rail back into position.

Step 5

Tighten the central Bracket Screws with a screwdriver.

Step 6

Insert the Mini Screws into the holes in the underside of Bracket Bases and tighten with a screwdriver to fix the Bracket Stem into the Bracket Base

Step 7

Push the Cover Caps into position on the Bracket Fronts.

Electrical Connection

Step 8

Cut the cable to the desired length and strip the outer sleeve for approximately 40mm. Cut the coloured wires to the correct lengths and strip off approximately 5mm of the insulation on each one.

Step 9

Connect the wires to a fused connection unit fitted with a 3A fuse and tighten the cord clamp.

Step 10

Place the fused connection unit onto the back box and tighten the two holding screws.

Flex Location and Length

Straight Towel Rails

The flex can be either side just by flipping the rail horizontally.

Kudox Straight Towel Rails

Curved Towel Rails

The element needs to be swapped to the other vertical bar using a spanner key.

Kudox Curved Towel Rails

Thermostatic Towel Rails

The element needs to be tightened 180º and the rail flipped horizontally.

Kudox Thermostatic Towel Rails

Kudox Digital Controller

All Kudox Standard Electric Towel Rails are compatible with the Kudox Digital Temperature Controller.

Kudox Towel Rail Digital Temperature Control

Troubleshooting Guide  - Electric Towel Rails

Temperature Issues
Problem Possible Cause Solution
The entire towel rail does not get hot Problem with the connection. Electrics should be checked – Refer to Electrical Issues tab...
Check that you have followed the Installation Manual steps accordingly 
The fluid level is below 90%

Top-up the towel rail by removing one of the top plugs and fill it with water only allowing around 10% of the height for expansion when the water gets hot.

If you are refilling a towel warmer from empty then a combination of 85% water and 15% corrosion inhibitor is recommended.

The towel rail hasn't been on for long enough. Standard Electric Towel Rails should be turned on for at least 4 hours to reach their peak temperature.
Some of the towel rail does not get hot enough.
(Usually bottom, top and opposite side to the element inlet)
Fluid level It should be approximately 90% full
When an electrical element is used to heat a liquid filled towel rail or radiator you will not get identical performance as you would with it connected to a central heating system. There is no circulation; therefore, it will take longer to heat up and will be noticeably hotter nearer the element. See heat distribution...
After a few hours continuous use the heat would have spread but there will still be temperature variances across the surface but this is not a fault.
The towel rail gets too hot. Fluid Level It should be approximately 90% full
Element Size
(only for dual fuel towel rails or converted to electric)
Check that the correct size element is fitted because oversizing can cause the surface temperature to get too high.
Towel rails feel very hot to the touch; especially chrome plated ones because they conduct heat very well. We aim to achieve a maximum surface temperature of 65°C on chrome towel rails and 83°C on painted towel rails. If the towel rail gets hotter than the temperatures stated the element might be oversized or faulty.
Electrical Issues
Thermostatic Model