When it comes to installing a heated towel rack, your choice of controller—and how you wire everything—can make all the difference in the finished look and long-term usability of your bathroom. Whether you’re a homeowner planning your dream renovation, a contractor double-checking best practices, or a designer looking for sleek solutions, this guide will help you understand exactly what you need for a flawless installation.
Below, we walk through the five most common heated towel rack configurations using the Touch Digital Heat Controller (TDHC), Remotely-Wired Touch Digital Heat Controller (TDHCR), and the all-important Concealed Wall Box (CWB). We’ll address the most frequent points of confusion, like how many CWBs are needed, what happens to those boxes after wiring, and how to ensure your setup meets all electrical requirements.
PRO TIP:
Before starting any installation, always review and follow all local and national electrical codes. Installations should only be performed by qualified professionals, and you may need permits or inspections depending on your jurisdiction.
Quick Primer: What’s What?
Touch Digital Heat Controller (TDHC): A wall-mounted control panel, typically installed near the heated towel rack itself for a direct hardwired connection. Comes with its own electrical wall box.
Remotely-Wired Touch Digital Heat Controller (TDHCR): Lets you place the control panel anywhere convenient—such as in line with your bathroom light switches or elsewhere in the room—with wiring run discreetly through the wall to the rack(s) or bar(s). Also includes its own wall box.
Concealed Wall Box (CWB): Enables a hidden, code-compliant connection in the wall. While the box itself is drywalled over, the small tube from the CWB remains visible, protruding through the drywall to connect directly to the towel rack or Modello i bar. No cover plate or trim is needed—the tube is as unobtrusive as possible.
CONFIGURATIONS
Standard Rack with Touch Digital Heat Controller (TDHC)
What you need:
- One heated towel rack
- One Touch Digital Heat Controller (TDHC) with its included wall box
How it works:
This is the simplest and most common configuration for a single rack. The TDHC’s wall box is installed at the bottom right corner where the heated towel rack will be mounted—not at light switch height. This ensures that the controller is within reach and that the wiring to the rack is direct and clean. The towel rack is hardwired straight to the TDHC inside the wall.
Why choose this setup?
It’s the ideal route for most bathrooms with a single rack. No concealed wall box is required, and the setup is direct and easy for both the homeowner and the installer.
Safety note:
Double-check your wiring plan with a licensed electrician to make sure your installation meets code.
One Rack with Remotely-Wired Touch Digital Heat Controller (TDHCR)
What you need:
- One heated towel rack
- One Remotely-Wired Touch Digital Heat Controller (TDHCR) with its included wall box
- One Concealed Wall Box (CWB)
How it works:
Install the TDHCR panel wherever is most convenient for daily use—this could be in line with your other bathroom switches or tucked in an easy-to-reach but out-of-the-way spot. The TDHCR gets its own wall box. The towel rack is wired to a CWB installed in the wall at the rack’s mounting location (again, usually bottom right). After wiring, the CWB is covered with drywall, but the connector tube remains visible, poking through to allow the rack to be wired in. There’s no trim plate or cover; the exposed tube is minimal by design.
Key tip:
We get a lot of questions about covers for the CWB—there aren’t any! The visible part is just the small tube needed for a code-compliant, direct wire connection to your rack.
Why choose this setup?
You want the flexibility to place the control panel wherever you like, independent of where the rack is mounted.
Multiple Standard Racks with Remotely-Wired Touch Digital Heat Controller (TDHCR)
What you need:
- Two or more heated towel racks
- One Remotely-Wired Touch Digital Heat Controller (TDHCR) with its included wall box
- One Concealed Wall Box (CWB) per rack
How it works:
This configuration is perfect for spaces that need more than one heated towel rack. The TDHCR panel is installed at your preferred location, and each rack is wired to its own CWB at the mounting spot. The CWB for each rack is drywalled over, except for the connector tube, which sticks out for final wiring. All racks connect back to the single TDHCR controller, provided you do not exceed the system’s amperage limit.
Why choose this setup?
Best for larger bathrooms or shared spaces, this method keeps wall clutter to a minimum while still giving you centralized control.
Code note:
When planning multiple racks, consult an electrician to ensure the total amperage is within safe limits for your circuit.
Single Modello i Bar with Touch Digital Heat Controller (TDHC)
What you need:
- One Modello i bar
- One Touch Digital Heat Controller (TDHC) with its included wall box
How it works:
Install the TDHC (with wall box) in the bottom right corner where the Modello i bar will be mounted. The Modello i is hardwired directly to the controller, keeping the installation streamlined and direct. No CWB is needed for a single bar.
Why choose this setup?
If you’re going for a minimalist, modern look with just one Modello i bar, this keeps things simple, reliable, and tidy.
Multiple Modello i Bars with Remotely-Wired Touch Digital Heat Controller (TDHCR)
What you need:
- Two or more Modello i bars
- One Remotely-Wired Touch Digital Heat Controller (TDHCR) with its included wall box
- One Concealed Wall Box (CWB) per Modello i bar
How it works:
For larger or more luxurious layouts, install the TDHCR panel wherever is most convenient. Each Modello i bar gets its own CWB at the mounting location, and just like with standard racks, the CWBs are drywalled over with only the necessary connector tube protruding to connect the bar. All bars are wired back to the TDHCR.
Why choose this setup?
Ultimate flexibility for custom designs—multiple bars, one accessible controller, and a streamlined look.
Final Notes & Planning Tips
- One concealed wall box per rack or bar: For any setup using the Remotely-Wired Touch Digital Heat Controller, you’ll need one CWB for each item you install.
- Minimal visible footprint: The CWB’s connector tube is intentionally small; no covers or plates are needed, and most of the installation is hidden behind drywall for a clean result.
- Always follow code: Confirm with your electrician that your installation meets all local and national electrical codes—never skip this step.
Ready to plan your installation or want to learn more?
Check out our product pages and start mapping out your perfect heated towel rack setup today.
Touch Digital Heat Controller (TDHC)
