The boiler automation is responsible for regulating the temperature of the coolant in heating systems . However, in practice there are heating circuits with several circuits, each of which requires water with a certain temperature. To make this possible, a three-way valve is introduced into the system. The principle of operation of this device is based on the separation of liquids with different degrees of heating.
Three way crane design
Outwardly, this device looks like an ordinary brass or bronze tee with a valve mounted on its upper edge. It is rigidly connected to the regulatory sector - a spherical plate of metal, which mixes two fluid flows. The mixing tee has two inlets for hot and cold water, and one outlet for supplying mixed heat transfer media.
The indicator, according to which the group to which the three-way valve belongs, is the principle of operation. It is based on a change in the position of the valve, with which the position of the regulatory sector changes. The tap, to varying degrees, blocks two fluid flows.
By changing the amount of hot and cold water that enters the main system, the temperature of the coolant is regulated. Depending on the type of control, there are:
- manual;
- electric;
- Thermostatic three-way valve.
The principle of operation of each device has fundamental differences.
Manual three-way cranes
Manual cranes have special rotary knobs - lamb - which controls the flow of coolant. By setting the valve in a certain position, it is possible to change the amount of heated and cold water that enters the system.
Uneven and prolonged heating of radiators located at a considerable distance from the boiler is the main disadvantage that a three-way manual tap has. The principle of operation of this device does not allow to constantly vary the amount of incoming liquid with varying degrees of heating.
Electric three-way cranes
The main difference between the cranes of this type is the presence of a servo drive and an electronic control unit, with the help of which the temperature of the coolant is regulated. The main advantage of the device is the ability to maintain a given degree of heating of the fluid in automatic mode.
Servo-drive can be equipped with any three-way valve. The principle of operation of such devices is based on the interaction of the control unit and the electric motor. The unit measures the temperature of the medium at the outlet and gives commands to the mover. That, changing its position, regulates the amount of warm and cold liquid entering the system.
Thermostatic three-way valves
In the design of the presented tap there is a thermostat - gas or a special liquid. It is placed in the cavity provided for this inside the valve and reacts even to minor changes in the heating of the current medium.
As the temperature rises, the liquid or gas expands and pushes a special piston that blocks access to hot water.
The principle of operation of a three-way valve with a thermostat requires its precise adjustment before being introduced into the system. For this, limit temperatures are set, thereby controlling the degree of heating of the coolant. The main advantage of the device is absolute autonomy.
3-way isolating valve
The equipment described above is designed to mix liquids of different temperatures. The principle of operation of the three-way isolating valve type has several serious differences. As the name implies, it is used to separate one stream of water from another. Unlike mixers, in the dividing tap there is only one inlet pipe and two outlet pipes, which are located on the same axis.
In these devices, the adjusting sector with a change in temperature of the main fluid blocks the openings of the outlet pipes. Such equipment is most often used to switch the fluid flow from one piping system to another, which allows you to adjust the amount of water simultaneously in different heating circuits and in other designs.
Features of the choice of devices
The first thing you need to pay attention to when choosing a three-way valve is the principle of operation of the device. Manual control structures are suitable for low-cost heating systems, for example, for a country house, where you visit once a season.
Electrical devices can be used in the heating circuits of buildings designed for permanent residence. If you rely on ease of operation and reliability, it is better to choose taps with a thermostat.
For systems with a high coolant temperature, it is not recommended to purchase a three-way valve, the principle of which is based on the expansion of a liquid or gas - they will quickly fail. In such structures, special fittings should be installed.
It is important that the diameter of the pipeline coincides with the diameters of the inlet and outlet nozzles of the crane. Only in this case, the throughput of the circuit will not suffer, and the installation will be performed without additional elements.
Esbe is particularly popular among our compatriots and around the world, using the Esbe three-way valve, the principle of which is based on the expansion of thermoregulatory fluid. Such devices are highly reliable and accurate, suitable for most heating systems.
Responsibly select three-way valves for complex heating circuits. Otherwise, you risk getting an ineffective system that will not cope with its responsibilities.