Thermal heads for radiators are needed to create the optimal temperature regime in the house. The functioning of the heating is more efficient in determining all the heating points of the system - in each individual room. Manual adjustment of heating cannot provide high accuracy and timeliness of making compensations.
Why do I need to install a thermostat?
By using a thermal head for radiators, the heating system becomes more efficient. In a timely manner, the flow of hot water through the pipe decreases with an increase in the external air temperature, thereby reducing the heating power.
In classical heating systems, cone valves are used. Ball valves are also common , having a number of features:
- They are used only in two positions: opening and closing. It is difficult to set intermediate positions, and the risk of leakage outside the extreme positions of the ball also increases. This does not have a thermal head for radiators.
- There is no automatic control, all water flow adjustments are made manually.
- The ball valve instantly delivers pressure to the system, which can lead to mechanical damage to the radiator tubes and joints.
- Thermal heads for radiators use natural physical properties and can work autonomously without additional maintenance.
Device device
Consider the inside of a thermal head for radiators. The principle of operation of the device is based on the use of physical quantities: tensile forces of a spring and expansion of gases under the influence of temperature exposure. Outwardly, it looks like a corrugated shell, varying in size.
The safety margin of the spring is enough for the entire service life of the device. Thermal heads can be without power and with it: from the battery and mains. Simple designs are preferred, but remote sensor systems are more accurate.
Sensors are used for the temperature transducer: solid (springs or plates), liquid (the principle of operation like a thermometer), gas (substances are lighter than air). The heating agent in the radiator may be water or a specialized fluid with additives. The last point to consider when choosing the type of thermal head.
What should be considered?
With proper execution of the heating system, a thermal head is used for the radiator. Testimonials from experienced plumbers show that automatic adjustment saves money, consumes resources, and also frees a person from constant temperature control in the room. The set heating indicator will be kept within the error specified by the device manufacturer.
However, installer errors will cause a huge deviation in performance due to the following factors:
- The sensitive sensor capsule should be horizontal. It is recommended to install the device at the base of the radiator. If this cannot be avoided due to pipe wiring, the following conditions are taken into account.
- The sensor capsule must be open. Curtains, furniture, decorative grilles and close proximity to wall coverings interfere with the correct operation of the sensitive element.
- If the location will inevitably be in a niche, then a thermal head for a radiator with an external sensor is used here. The sensing element is located directly on the wall in the room, but not above the radiator. Avoid drafts where cold air often moves from windows and doors.
- It is not recommended to close the thermal head with curtains, as well as to install the sensor element vertically with the horizontal purpose of the device.
Errors are made by the installation of the radiator and the sensor directly under the wide windowsill, which delays the heated air and distorts the measurement results. The package of most devices contains the product passport, but not all conditions for the correct location are indicated there. Only experienced installers are able to accurately take into account even such an insignificant nuance for the average person as a draft due to the open window.
How does the system work?
The sensor device can be schematically represented as a regular valve or faucet with a thermal head for a radiator. The thermostatic valve is in contact with the hot liquid . In its simplest form, it is a spring with a piston. The elastic element is connected to the working volume, in which there is a gaseous substance that is sensitive to temperature.
The clamping force is regulated by the rotary dial knob, so the required temperature in the room is set. Depending on it, there is a piston that shuts off the fluid flow. The device is mounted with union nuts, this allows you to change the element in case of failure of parts of its design. An additional fluid supply through ball valves is provided in case of breakdown of the automatic control system.
What determines the heat transfer of radiators?
The type of connection of the heating pipes affects the overall performance of the entire system. According to the reviews of installers, the optimal connection scheme for radiators is “bottom-down”. For such structures, an optimal loss of heat transfer coefficient and a minimum number of connections are observed.
One-way or series connection of radiators is less efficient. The last element in the circuit practically does not heat, and the first heats the room to uncomfortable temperatures. A versatile method of supplying pipes is found in private homes with enviable popularity, with this type, there is an entrance on the one hand, and fluid drain on the other.
In the latter case, heat transfer loss will be 12%. A versatile method is optimal in terms of power distribution, but the design requires a lot of space and the number of connections. Thermal heads themselves are divided according to the installation method:
- Corner - needed in parallel connection systems and with horizontal supply.
- Direct - used in a sequential pipe laying scheme.
You can use any connection scheme, only before work is it recommended to take into account the nuances of installing radiators and thermal heads.
Features of the sensor
Thermal heads for radiators with a lower connection are needed when using a heating system in private homes. One-story buildings do not tolerate unnecessary communications, so pipes to the radiator are brought from the floor. With this arrangement of the sensitive sensor, additional positive points appear:
- Below is the cold air, and control takes place at the coldest point in the room.
- The most accurate regulation occurs with installed thermal heads for each individual supply. But such measures are more costly.
- More accurate temperature measurements are obtained when radiators are connected in separate parallel branches. A bypass pipeline passes through each, and the connection to the inlets takes place at a height of not more than 5 cm. This ensures high efficiency of the heating devices.
Types of manufacturers
The leading brands in the production of heating systems are the following:
- Kermi panel radiators (Germany) are equipped with Oventrop thermal heads;
- bimetallic Rifar (Russia);
- tubular Zehnder (Germany);
- steel panel Prado (Russia).
Kermi radiators are popular: therm-x2 plan-v typ11 is smooth, therm-x2 profil-v profile. It is found in markings: FTV, PLV - with lower eyeliner; FKO, PLK - from the side; Ph O - hygienic.
Types of shut-off and control equipment for radiators:
- Oventrop - manufacturer Germany: multiflex CE series for single pipe systems; ZB series for two-pipe; ZBU customizable; F - composed of brass and soft seal. Oventrop uni with integrated valve.
- Danfoss — The following types: RA5062, RA5065, RA2920, RA2940, RA2994, RA5068, RA5074. They differ structurally and are designed for a specific power of the radiator.
Each manufacturer produces competitive models that differ in cost and principle of action. Consider two types of thermal heads for radiators: Danfoss and Aventrop.
The first type of heating controllers
Oventrop is a thermal head for Kermi radiator, and also pipes under this brand are issued. The manufacturer completes its products with valves of this type only. Plastic pipes "Oventrop" have a coating of EVON, which is a protection against the harmful effects of oxygen.
Oventrop thermal heads for radiators have been tested in production. Liquid regulators allow you to create the optimal heating control system, reduce resource consumption and maintain the required temperature with a given accuracy. Installed them in Kermi radiators.
The second type of heating controllers
Thermal heads for Danfoss radiators can be made in the following variations:
- RTD-G - more throughput, larger connection diameter. They are used in a single-pipe heating circuit or in private homes when the two-pipe system is not equipped with a circulation pump.
- RTD-N - a two-wire radiator supply circuit; a circulation pump is present.
For Danfoss models RA2920, RA2940, RA2994, only horizontal positioning of the regulator is selected. Take into account items that introduce measurement errors in case of improper installation of devices on radiators. Convection flows should be considered when choosing a vertical sensing element.
The Danfoss RA5062, RA5065 models have a long capillary tube, this design reduces measurement errors for any arrangement of thermal heads. Types RA5068 or RA5074 are used in inaccessible areas, they have a remote temperature sensor.
Regulator selection options
The first item when choosing locking and regulating equipment is the type of heating system: one-sided, versatile, "bottom-down". The second is the size of the sensor and valve design, throughput, temperature range. Equally important is the type of sensor: gas, liquid, solid.
Gas filling is more sensitive to changes in ambient temperature. However, accuracy is lost. Liquid thermoheads change the flow when the value fluctuates by a fraction of a degree. The mounting method and location of the sensor, the option of displaying information are selected.
There are models with remote control, with LCD screen when working on batteries. Because of its practicality, the simplest designs with an integrated sensor have gained distribution.
Installation procedure
Remote control is required when installing radiators inside the enclosures, under the grilles, in a niche. Installation of thermal heads begins with the emptying of the heating system. Before draining, it is recommended to cool the radiator so as not to burn yourself. The construction materials of the thermal head are quite soft and it is not recommended to tighten the fastening nuts.
It will be better to use a torque wrench. On the body of the device there is a flow direction indicator, for proper operation it is better not to confuse it. After assembling the sensor, the optimal temperature is set and proceed to the start of the liquid in the system.
It is recommended to bleed air from pipes and radiator. To do this, there is a drain valve, which is unscrewed and part of the liquid is drained into a special container until the bubbles exit.
Additional activities and maintenance of regulators
The selected temperature on the sensor is maintained automatically. The heating system requires annual maintenance after the cold season and before the start of winter. The liquid often deteriorates without the use of coarse filters and when tap water is used as the working material.
Rust appears inevitably due to poor-quality parts of the boiler, pump, valves. Solids appear from boiling liquids. During operation, it is recommended to periodically check the heating of each radiator by touch.