A tubular electric heater can be used both for heating (as part of a radiator), and to provide dwelling with hot water. The first thing to do when you turn it on is to protect the system from possible damage to the electric heater, as well as create the conditions for its autonomous operation. A popular method for solving this problem is to use a thermostat for a heating element. This small device, also called a thermostat, will help solve many problems.
The composition of water heating equipment
The simplest water heating or heating element should consist of at least three elements - a water tank, a heating element - a heating element, and a temperature regulator. The tubular heater can be immersed and dry. In the first case, it is made of stainless steel, placed inside the tank. Water heating occurs when the water comes in direct contact with a heating element.
Dry heating elements are made of ceramic, located outside the water tank. Heating of the coolant occurs due to the transfer of thermal energy through the wall of the tank. Such elements are easily replaced in case of failure.
The temperature regulator for the heating element is designed to control and maintain the set temperature of the coolant, as well as for emergency disconnection of the tubular electric heater from the network if the boiling process begins (as a rule, this happens when the heating element breaks).
There are several types of thermostats, each of which is advisable to use with a certain type of tubular electric heating element.
Basic principles of work
Regardless of the design and execution, all thermostats operate according to the same scheme. For operation, the thermostat must be built into the tank, and also connected to the heater. The whole process of temperature control can be divided into 4 stages:
- The tumbler sets the required temperature range of the coolant.
- The temperature regulator for the heater with a programmed mode measures the degree of water heating and gives a command to turn on the device.
- When the water temperature reaches the set upper limit of heating, the thermostat opens the electrical circuit and turns off the heater.
- After cooling water, the whole process is repeated.
It should be noted that no matter what temperature range you set, the thermostat will turn off the heating element if the water starts to boil. This is necessary to prevent damage to the heating equipment.
During boiling, the process of intense vaporization begins. Along with the amount of steam, the pressure inside the tank rises. As soon as the pressure value exceeds a critical mark, the tank will explode. The temperature regulator for the heating element does not allow this to happen, opening the electrical circuit in advance.
Types of temperature regulators
The principle of operation of the device always remains the same. Only the principle of determining the temperature of the coolant depends on the type of thermostat. According to this, all temperature controllers are usually divided into rod, capillary and electronic.
Rod devices, as the name implies, have the shape of a rod with a length of 25 to 50 cm. The principle of determining temperature is based on the difference in the coefficient of specific thermal expansion of two metals. The rod thermostat is installed outside the water tank in a special tube.
The capillary temperature regulator of the heating element for heating water is a hollow tube, inside which a special fluid is “imprisoned”. With increasing temperature, it expands, begins to put pressure on the walls and acts on the membrane, which opens the circuit. When cooling, the reverse process occurs.
The operation of electronic thermostats is based on the ability of materials to change their ohmic resistance with temperature. As a result, the voltage in the device increases or decreases, which is recorded by special sensors and turn off or turn on the heater. Electronic devices are the most complex and expensive, but at the same time the most accurate.
Heating elements with built-in thermostats
A heating element separate from the thermostat is rarely used in practice. As a rule, such a solution has proven itself only in water heating boilers. Heating elements for heating radiators with a thermostat are much more widespread.
In such "combined" devices, the thermostat is located in a separate tube, and it is easy to replace it in case of breakage. When choosing devices in this category, you need to pay attention to the following points:
- Case material. It can be represented by "stainless steel" (the cheapest and most common devices), as well as copper. Copper appliances last longer, but also cost an order of magnitude more.
- Power. It is dangerous to choose appliances with a power of more than 2.5 kW for a home electrical network - there is a risk of overload and short circuit. When using more powerful heating elements, lay a separate power cable.
Choosing a heater with a temperature regulator for a battery , you should not focus on expensive models. Practice shows that the durability of devices does not depend on price. Service life is determined by water hardness, loads and stability of the power supply.
Scopes of TENOV with the thermostat
The scope of the heater with the built-in thermostat is quite narrow, due to the high energy consumption and short life. They received the greatest distribution in the water-heating equipment. Such a "water tank" is installed in the shower or in the kitchen and serves as the main or backup source of hot water.
Very rarely, tubular electric heaters are used for space heating. In this case, the element is installed directly into the radiator through a special fitting. The main advantages of installing a heater with a temperature controller in the heating battery are speed. With this simple solution, you can very quickly provide a home with a backup heat source.
Features of heating elements for cast iron batteries
Tubular electric heaters for conventional and cast-iron radiators are practically no different. The only exception is the plug material - it should be made of cast iron or an equally heat-resistant material.
In addition, the shape of the outer part of the housing where the thermostat is installed may also differ. The length of the heating element should be 5-10 cm shorter than the length of the radiator. Otherwise, the circulation of water and its heating cannot be achieved. Therefore, before buying, make sure that the heater with a temperature controller for cast-iron batteries is designed.
Temperature regulators in the market
Thermostats for the heater can be called a consumable. That is why it often goes separately from the heating element. To replace it, you just need to pick up a similar device on the market. To do this, find out:
- Dimensions, type and method of fixing the failed device in the tank.
- The maximum current with which the new thermostat will have to cope.
The best option would be to buy the same device that has become unusable. You can do this by contacting the store with a faulty thermostat. In most cases, sellers will pick up the necessary device for you.