Three-way mixing valve - features of the device and

14-04-2018

Mixers

The three-way mixing thermostatic valve is designed to mix two streams of fluid (hot and cold) into one, which must correspond to certain temperature parameters. The main control unit is a temperature-sensitive element, which measures the temperature of the mixed stream and regulates it due to the fact that it is compressed or expanded under the influence of heating or cooling.

Consider the main features of the selection and operation of such sites.

In the photo: a three-way mixing valve with a thermal head allows independent regulation of the heat flow.

Features of the functions

The principle of operation of the three-way mixing valve is very simple at first glance: the two nozzles enter fluid flows and go to the third in a mixed state. But in fact, the device is much more complicated due to the fact that the temperature must be regulated. In addition, there are different areas of application, consider them in more detail:

Use in the heating system	In this case, the simplest option is used - a three-way mixing valve. Its advantage is the low price and simplicity of the design - the installation of the crane can be done by hand without the involvement of professional experts. The main disadvantage is that the adjustment must be carried out manually
Application in the water supply system	This type of device allows you to maintain a certain temperature in communications and has a so-called protection against scalding. The system is simple: in the construction there is a special block of temperature protection, which, when the supply of cold water stops, also blocks the hot stream
Use in systems of a heat-insulated floor	Three-way thermostatic mixing valve for underfloor heating allows you to maintain a constant temperature, which is very important for such structures. With it, the heating becomes as autonomous as possible, you can not even appear indoors for weeks, and a certain temperature level will be constantly maintained in it.

Note! When installing a valve with a warm floor, a circulation pump must be present on the circuit. Its presence ensures the proper functioning of the mixing unit and the provision of constant pressure in the system.

The crane differs from the valve in the presence of the adjusting knob and scale, which is used for adjustments

Features of selection and installation

The system works correctly and correctly only in those cases when the three-way thermomixing valve corresponds in its characteristics to the nature of use. It is important to choose the best option, and how to do it, will tell a small instruction outlined below.

Motorized Devices — Modern Options for Adjusting Flow Temperature

What to look for when buying

There are no trifles, every nuance is very important:

The first step is to examine the technical documentation for the product. It must comply with the established standards and have certificates confirming the quality, otherwise it is impossible to guarantee the performance of the valve in our conditions. It is also important that the instruction is in Russian, it should contain recommendations for installing and adjusting the equipment.

It is also important to choose a quality material.. Most often bronze or brass is used for these purposes, these materials are suitable for working with hot water as well as possible, since they have a low rate of expansion when heated and are excellent in resisting corrosion processes.

Tip! The easiest way to quickly assess the quality of a structure is to take it in hand and evaluate the weight. High-quality products weigh a lot, this indicates that the walls are thick and made of high-quality metal, and not of powder composition.

And, of course, it is necessary to choose the elements of the appropriate size and with the corresponding fastening elements. This is an important factor, as the thread pitch can be different, in addition, it can be both internal and external.

Compact devices are used for small circuits.

Mounting devices

The installation of the nodes is quite simple, however, it is very important to follow a few recommendations:

This is the correct layout of the valve in the system.

It is important to locate the node exactly where it will be most correct: in front of the mixers near the supply line.
Installation is performed in such a way that the electric drive is connected to the network near the device, otherwise you will have to lay a cable or use extension cords.
All fasteners must be sealed with a fum-tape and carefully tightened. But you should not be zealous, because you can break the thread.

Three-way mixing valve for underfloor heating is installed as follows:

The right scheme is the key to effective work.

The valve is installed at the inlet to the circuit, while it must be located in front of the circulation pump for heating in order to minimize exposure to high temperatures.
The cold circuit starts from the return line, so it is important to lay it near the location of the valve.
After assembling communications, be sure to check the operation of the components and the tightness of the connections using a test run.

Conclusion

Three-way devices allow rational use of coolant and maintain the temperature in the system within the limits of the settings. Video in this article will allow to understand the issue in more detail and better understand some of the nuances.