Cast iron heating radiators: design features, the formula

Cast-iron Soviet heating radiators are well known to many owners of old apartments or country houses, in which heating equipment has not changed for more than twenty years.

Today, instead of the old untidy batteries, you can buy lighter, stylish and inexpensive heaters designed for arranging autonomous or centralized systems.

It would seem that heavy cast-iron structures have completely lost their relevance, but in fact these devices are still being manufactured. Moreover, modern cast iron radiators are readily acquired by people in different countries of the world and it turns out that there are a number of obvious reasons for this.

In this article, we will talk about what a modern cast iron radiator is, and what are its advantages and disadvantages. Based on the information presented in this article, you will be able to draw the appropriate conclusion and decide whether to buy such batteries for building heating systems or not.

Basic information

Pig-iron radiators on legs or their analogues, intended for wall mounting, are heating devices of section type. These devices are intended for operation in systems of centralized heating in buildings for residential, public and industrial purposes.

A distinctive feature of these devices is considerable thermal power with relatively compact dimensions. The choice of this category of heating devices for operation in centralized systems is not accidental, since cast iron is resistant to corrosion despite the low quality of the heat carrier.

Radiators made of gray cast iron KCH30-6F, strong and durable, as the statistics of operation of individual models has more than 70 years.

However, such a resource is a unique case, because after 30-40 years there is a complete degradation of intersection gaskets that need replacing. Moreover, for three to four decades, the internal channels filled with coolant, become speckled with relief.

The appearance of reliefs is caused by the presence of a large number of microweights in the coolant, which for a long time affect the internal surfaces like abrasive particles.

As a result, the rough walls accumulate various deposits on themselves and the capacity of the channels decreases sharply. Therefore, choosing what to buy steel radiators or cast iron, pay attention to the quality of the coolant in the system.

Construction features

In accordance with the number of channels in one section, single-channel and two-channel types of cast-iron radiators are different. The capacity of heating devices (the volume of coolant that is able to pass in a certain period of time) depends on the number and diameter of the channels.

Heating cast-iron appliances vary in the number of sections and in frame sizes. The standard complete set makes 4-8 sections with a possibility of building. The center distance and the number of sections is selected in accordance with the configuration of the window opening and the distance from this opening to the floor and in accordance with the floor space.

Which cast iron radiators are better? The best characteristics will be demonstrated by properly selected equipment.

Important: If the number of sections exceeds the required rate, the room will be hot and will have to keep the window open most of the time. The fact is that the centralized heating system does not imply the possibility of temperature control, and therefore it is necessary to compensate for the excessive heating of the air with the help of ventilation. Conversely, if the number of sections is insufficient, the room will be cold.

When choosing batteries, in addition to the number of sections, it is necessary to take into account such parameters as center distance and product depth.

The center distance is the distance from the center of the upper inlet to the center of the lower hole. In modern devices, this distance can range from 350 to 1500 mm. The depth of the sections is from 50 to 140 mm.

A variety of sizes allows you to choose the device that will best suit the design of the heating system.

The formula for calculating the number of sections

Before you install radiators for space heating with your own hands, you need to calculate the appropriate number of sections.

Important: In order to increase or decrease the number of sections, a special radiator key is used. The key is inserted through the battery inlet to the required number of marks. Each mark on the key corresponds to the width of the sections, as a result, the battery can be shortened or increased as much as necessary.

The calculation of the width of the heaters can be done in two ways: by means of an online calculator and independently using the following formula.

According to the standard, in order to maintain an optimum room temperature in the room, heating devices should produce 100 W of power per 1 m ?. For calculations, we apply the following formula I = S * 100 / P.

In this formula

• I - the required number of sections;
• S - area in the premises;
• P - heat transfer of one section in accordance with the passport data of the product.

For cast iron batteries with a 500 mm center distance, the “P” value is 145 W.

In addition to the previously listed factors, it is advisable to take into account such moments as:

• type of glazing, as different windows are characterized by various parameters of tightness;
• the number of external walls, since the more of them, the greater the heat loss;
• availability of space above the room (attic or heated attic);
• ceiling height in the room (coefficient is 1 if the ceiling height is 2.5 meters);
• the number of windows in the room.

Advantages and disadvantages

Modern beautiful cast iron heating radiators demonstrate the following advantages and disadvantages that should be considered when choosing the appropriate option.

Benefits:

• Corrosion resistance, what is especially relevant in relation to centralized systems with low quality coolant;
• High heat emission;
• High power and, as a result, fast warming up of air in the room;
• Long service life (at least 25 years old);
• Low hydraulic resistance;
• Big diameter of section of channels and, as a result, moderate scale formation;
• Ability to select the required number of sections;
• Universality of installation (on the wall, on the floor or on the floor in combination with wall holders);
• Simple installation instructions using the available tool;
• High maintainability, due to the possibility of replacing the damaged section.

Disadvantages:

• The high price of modern models, in comparison with aluminum and bimetallic counterparts.
• Great weight and, as a result, inexpediency of installation on fragile walls. Moreover, since each section on average weighs at least 7 kg, it’s impossible to do the installation yourself without helpers.
• Smooth outer surface and as a consequence of the complexity of care. The fact is that it is difficult to erase dust from such a surface.

Marking and packaging features

Marking of cast iron radiators manufactured in accordance with GOST 8690-94 is located in the lower side of the sections. The marking contains information about the manufacturer (trademark), in addition, the marking indicates the year of production and GOST for cast iron radiators. With other parameters of the device can be found in the passport heater.

For transportation and long-term storage, cast-iron radiators are packed in containers that can protect against precipitation and mechanical damage.

Conclusion

Despite the fact that the market offers a wide range of heating equipment, the modern euro cast iron radiator remains in demand. Moreover, in many specialized stores today you can buy not the usual boring "harmonicas", but design models with artistic casting or painting.

There are questions that need clarification? In this case, we recommend to watch the video in this article.