A modern heating radiator is a fairly functional device. Using the thread or fittings, pipes of central or autonomous heating systems are connected to the battery. At first glance, it may seem that the heat exchanger is self-sufficient and there is no need to equip it with any other technical elements. But in case of unforeseen circumstances, a faucet for heating radiators, as well as various valves, can help. Let's look at the types of cranes for batteries that are used today, examine their capabilities, functionality. We also learn how to install them.
Purpose of shutoff valves
Modern heating systems can function quite normally without the need for additional appliances. The premises will be heated in any case. But there are many situations where the lack of shut-off valves and other similar equipment greatly affects usability.
For example, one of the situations is primitive accidents when the
radiator flows. To eliminate such an annoying problem, it is necessary to turn off the entire riser, the entrance of a multi-storey building, and in especially serious situations - even a whole residential quarter. Also, shut-off valves for heating allows you to adjust the performance of the
heating batteries. In the best case, when installing heat exchangers, they are equipped with simple ball valves. Most often there are three of them. One is designed to be installed on the coolant supply, the second - on the branch, and the third is mounted on the bypass. In addition, an adjustment valve is placed on the inlet. It can regulate the coolant pressure. The heating battery itself is equipped with a Mayevsky tap to facilitate air bleeding. Such a scheme is not a redundant option, although four devices are used here. In the kit, they allow you to solve a lot of useful tasks.
Functionality
A faucet for heating radiators will be extremely useful when it is necessary to dismantle the battery to clean it from blockages without draining the coolant. Also radiators are removed to eliminate leaks. Mayevsky type cranes can get rid of air jams that have formed in the system. Often air is formed in the upper parts of the heat exchangers.
There is a fundamentally different stop valve - these are taps for radiators with a thermostat. They are equipped with
thermostatic heads, with the help of which the heating of heating batteries is regulated. Such a complex allows you to reliably protect the heat exchanger and heating system from any breakdowns, allows you to control the efficiency of heat supply to the premises. Stop valves are significantly cheaper than any repairs due to radiator leaks.
Differences from ordinary
A familiar crane can perform a variety of functions, depending on what design the product and what is its operating principle. Also, functionality depends on the materials of which this or that device is made. Naturally, any faucets, or rather, valves of adjustable valves for heating appliances, are slightly different from traditional faucets that are available in every bathroom or kitchen. Stop valves must comply with some basic operational requirements. So, the maximum temperature of the coolant can be no more than 200 degrees. Pressure - from 16 to 40 atm. Cranes and other similar elements must be resistant to corrosion and mechanical wear.
To work in heating systems, special models of valves and valves are manufactured. Those who want to save money and want to install ordinary devices designed for working with cold water in the system should be told that this approach is fundamentally wrong. Devices designed for less aggressive conditions may simply not withstand the load and will quickly fail.
Types of valves for heating systems
The normal and efficient operation of any heating system depends largely on whether the locking elements are correctly selected. There are several varieties of cranes that are suitable for solving various problems.
Materials
For the production of valves, brass, steel, cast iron and plastic are most often used. For household heating systems, a brass tap is most preferred. The cost of such an element is higher than a steel product. But its characteristics can not be compared in effectiveness with any other materials. The temperature range and the working pressure that the material withstands are not comparable to plastic. Unlike steel and cast iron products, brass faucet is not subject to corrosion. This is a big plus.
Connection type
All locking devices for heating systems, regardless of type and type, are equipped with an American connection. This connection method allows the installation and removal of batteries without changing the design of the entire system. Often when installing individual heating systems, a ½ inch faucet is used for radiators. Less commonly seen are appliances with a ¾ inch connection type.
Ball valve
Such an element is called because of its device. The locking mechanism, which is located inside the device, has the shape of a ball with a hole. The principle of operation of such a device is simple. It consists in the fact that with a single turn of the handle, you can stop the flow of coolant through the pipes of the system.
This can be very useful if accidents happen (for example, a water pipe break). The ball element allows you to quickly and easily shut off the supply of hot water. If a screw crane for heating radiators were used for the same purpose, then it would take significantly more time to shut off the water supply. In addition to ball mechanisms, their analogues are also on sale. Here, the locking part may have a conical or cylindrical shape. However, in terms of performance, it is ball products that are most effective. Cone devices are inferior even in that they are subject to higher wear.
If you cut the device, then inside you can see a ball of metal and a gasket, which ensures tightness when the valve is closed. Recently, polymer ball valves have begun to appear on the market. They can be installed on any type of radiator. There are also metal products on sale. Often used brass or brass alloys.
Ball valves for heating radiators have only two working positions - hence their name. This is a stop valve. In the market you can also find cranes with three possible positions. They are also suitable for working with heating radiators. Their peculiarity is that there are three provisions. The coolant flow itself can be directed in two directions. The cost of ball valves is low. Elements have a simple design, their installation also does not require special skills and equipment.
About Choosing Ball Valves
As for the selection of this locking device, it is necessary to take into account the overall dimensions of the device, the type of metal or alloy. The material is very important, since when connecting the element to the radiator, galvanic pairs should not form.
When choosing, you must pay attention to the size of the hole in the locking part. There are full bore taps, standard and part bore. In full bores, the size of the inner hole is fully consistent with the inner size of the pipe. Due to this, after installing the device in the open state, it will not reduce the amount of coolant that enters the radiator.
The hole diameter of the locking part in standard valves is 20% less than the internal dimensions of the pipe. When operating such models, the heat transfer of the radiator is reduced by 10-15%. Partial bores have a very small hole in the shut-off ball - the flow rate of the coolant is halved.
Stop valve
This category of equipment is suitable for connecting radiators in a two-pipe system. Due to the design, these valves allow you to quickly block the flow of coolant into the radiator, while not requiring a complete shutdown of the heating system. Shut-off valves are also very convenient for draining water from a heat exchanger.
Regarding the feasibility of acquiring and installing this particular solution, from the technical side there is no particular difference between such a valve and a ball valve. If the simplest temperature regulator is installed on the pipe that supplies the coolant, then both options will work completely the same. However, shut-off valves have differences in design.
The ball valve can only be opened or closed.
A valve allows you to adjust the flow of hot water in the system. Also on the device there is no valve for turning. The cost of the shutoff valve is slightly higher than the ball valve.
Mayevsky cranes
Heating systems are a closed loop in which the coolant is constantly circulating. If an air plug appears in it, then the heat transfer of the system is significantly reduced. And this is the best thing that can happen. In such situations, there are risks of freezing the system. To eliminate such plugs in heating systems, a Mayevsky crane is used. The price of the device starts from 100 rubles. It is an inexpensive, but necessary and very effective device.
If you turn the valve on the tap all the way, you can hear how the air comes out, if any. After the whole plug comes out, the mechanism can be closed. Air is discharged from an opening with a diameter of 2 mm. This hole is located in a plastic gasket or in a brass body. On sale there is a simple or automatic Mayevsky crane.
The price of automatic solutions is higher and starts at 350 rubles. But such devices are much more convenient.
Adjusting cranes
These products belong to the group of locking and regulating devices. However, they completely block the flow of coolant, they are extremely rare. Therefore, if such a crane is installed in the system, then a ball valve is still necessary.
Control valves for heating radiators are devices with which they change the amount of heat transfer fluid that passes through the heat exchanger. So you can change the modes of heating the air in the rooms.
The principle of operation of the device is quite simple. The flow of hot water is regulated by a cone. The latter rises or falls due to the rotation of the handle. There are valves of this kind with a direct or lateral type of connection. As for the materials, it is bronze and brass. On sale you can find nickel-plated fittings from these materials. There are also stainless steel appliances. But this is very rare due to the high price.
What you need to know about control valves
By installing such a valve on the battery, you can significantly reduce the amount of coolant passing through the heat exchanger.
Even when the
control valves for heating are fully open, the throughput will be barely above half. Such equipment should be installed if the room is too hot. As one of the possible options - you can find a device whose throughput is greater. The disadvantage of such cranes is that due to the small throughput diameter, such devices are often clogged.
Mounting Features
Ball valves for radiators are most often installed on the reverse system. The valves are mounted on one or more batteries if the sum of the heat transfer indicators is more than 50% of the total value. Other devices are equipped with a valve on the feed pipe and a ball valve.
"American" is always equipped with one or two union nuts. This installation method is much simpler than a sleeve connection. For polypropylene pipes, ball valves made of metal are mounted using special couplings. Threads must be sealed. Mayevsky cranes are often equipped with a sealant. Therefore, they do not need additional sealing.
So, we found out the types and differences of valves.