Regulator for heating radiator: design features,

Traditionally, the regulation of the temperature of radiators of heating was carried out by means of ordinary valves. That is, an ordinary faucet was installed on the coolant supply pipe, by means of which the flow of heated water could be increased or, on the contrary, reduced.

This solution, despite its simplicity of execution, had one major drawback, the regulation was carried out with their own hands with an eye to the personal perception of the microclimate or the thermometer.

A more technologically advanced and at the same time simple way to control the temperature parameters is to install a device that can determine the need to increase or decrease the flow rate of the coolant itself.

Such a device is a heating radiator heating regulator - a thermostatic head. This device is also known by such names as a thermal head or a thermostat and is used to automatically maintain specified temperature parameters within a given room.

Design features

A modern automatic temperature controller on a radiator is installed on the coolant supply pipe and is externally a small device in a closed case.

The thermostat constructively consists of two parts:

• a valve that closes and opens the flow of coolant;
• thermostatic element that sets the valve response interval.

The housing is similar in configuration to the radiator valve body, but instead of the usual valve, there is a thermostat on the body. On the surface of the thermostatic head is applied a graduation corresponding to the temperature regimes. In accordance with the graduation, you can set the desired mode, which will be supported automatically.

According to the principle of action, thermal heads are divided into two categories: mechanical and electronic.

Let us consider in more detail the device of these modifications.

• The design of the mechanical regulator, despite the effectiveness of the application, is simple. The device is based on a closed hermetic construction - bellows. The bellows is filled with a fluid that is sensitive to pressure drops - liquid or gas.

Important: Gas-filled device modifications are especially sensitive to changes in ambient temperature and pressure. For this reason, such devices should be installed on those batteries, on top of which there is no forward protruding edge of the sill.

As the air temperature in the room rises, the medium pumped into the bellows expands. As a result, the shut-off valve, which partially or completely stops the flow of coolant into the battery, closes.

By reducing the intensity of coolant flow, the battery cools down, and the air temperature in the room drops. As a result, the medium pumped into the bellows is compressed and the valve opens the flow port.

A distinctive advantage of the devices is the smoothness of the adjustment, since the liquid is sensitive to pressure drops and smoothly closes the valve just as much as is necessary to equalize the temperature;

• Electronic modification of thermostats is more convenient to use and is more stable in terms of maintaining temperature.

Of course, the price of electronic devices is higher than the cost of mechanical regulators. But this difference is fully justified by the simplicity of operation and the accuracy of maintaining the given temperature parameters at the required level.

At the heart of the electric thermostat is a programmable microprocessor. If a mechanical device is tuned to one mode of operation, then an electrical modification can be programmed for each day of the week.

For the functioning of electronic devices using standard AA batteries. For ease of use, a battery charge sensor is provided in some versions of the thermostats.

In addition to these differences, we note the following distinctive characteristics:

• Modern thermostats can be made in direct or in angular execution. The choice of one or another modification is relevant from the point of view of simplicity and efficiency of installation work;
• Regulators are manufactured with a different cross section of the valve throughput. For this reason, it is possible to choose models for arranging one-pipe and two-pipe systems;
• Regulators are made with a remote or integrated sensor. The choice of a particular model is determined by the design features of the radiator and the installation site.

Which thermostat is better

Let's try to figure out which thermal head to choose, so that the adjustment of radiators is simple and effective.

Which device to choose - with a liquid or gas-filled bellows?

As a rule, sellers in specialized stores on this occasion do not have a unanimous opinion, since both these modifications have characteristic advantages.

• Gas-filled bellows regulators are distinguished by a greater response of the sensing element to changes in air pressure in the room;
• Liquid type modifications are not so fast in response, but their response is more accurate.

Immediately, we note that the type of medium pumped into the bellows does not affect the reliability and durability of the device.

Which device to choose - with built-in or with remote sensor?

1. Thermostatic elements with built-in sensor should be installed so that free air circulation is provided around them. If this rule is neglected, the device will be heated by streams emanating from the battery, which, in turn, will cause incorrect alarms;

Important: In order to prevent overheating of the regulator, the sensor is installed horizontally.

1. Thermostatic elements with remote sensor are installed in the following cases:

• if the leading edge protrudes beyond the front surface of the radiator;
• if the window sill is closer to the battery at a distance less than 100 mm;
• if the radiator is installed in a niche;
• if the depth of the heater is more than 160 mm;
• if the thermostat during operation will be covered with thick curtains.

Installation of regulators

Before deciding on the order of the installation work, find out how the proximity of the curtains affects the location of the regulators:

• By closing the battery, equipped with a thermostat, a heavy curtain or a decorative screen, we isolate the heater from the rest of the room.. As a result, the regulator is not triggered by the change in air temperature in the room, but by the change in air between the battery and the curtain;
• Of course, the air in this gap will warm up faster than in the rest of the room, and therefore the thermostat will not work correctly.. Therefore, when choosing a place for installation, we try to find an arrangement where the heater and the regulating element in particular will be open.

Installation instructions are simple. The valve body is mounted on the inlet of the battery. On the valve there is a mark in the form of an arrow indicating the direction of flow of the coolant. When installing the valve is positioned so that the arrow points toward the battery.

To install the valve with the sensor will not require any special tools sufficiently adjustable wrench.

The process of setting the device may vary depending on the model. However, most devices allow you to set temperatures in the range from + 10 ° C to + 25 ° C.

In the majority of mechanical thermostats in the process of setting, not a specific temperature is set, but a mode corresponding to the temperature. The list of modes can be found in the user manual, which is attached to the acquired thermostat.

Conclusion

Despite the fact that the market has a wide range of regulators, the best solution for comfortable operation of the heating system is thermostats.

According to statistics, the correct installation of an electric thermal head allows saving up to 20-30% of energy when operating an autonomous system. Moreover, the same temperature in all rooms is a guarantee of comfort and coziness.

Have any questions? More useful information can be found by watching the video in this article.