Electrode boilers: reviews, specs, prices, photos

Electric ion (electrode) boilers are designed for operation in autonomous heating systems. The principal difference between the devices from models with a heater is a special type of heater, which is a block of electrodes. Innovative types of automation allowed to improve traditional heating appliances and create on their basis modern electrode boilers. Feedback from experienced users and the opinion of independent experts will help us get to know more closely the technical characteristics, varieties and prices of the most famous models.

Principle of operation of electrode boilers

Heating of the heating medium in the heating system is due to the splitting of the water molecules. The resulting multiply charged ions, which are obtained as a result of this process, move actively towards positive and negative electrodes, thus allocating a large amount of energy. As a result, it turns out that the electric electrode boiler raises the temperature of the liquid without the use of heating elements.

The heating process is accompanied by a decrease in the electrical resistance of the conductor. This can lead to a dangerous situation - electric arc breakdown. To prevent an undesirable phenomenon, a certain amount of table salt should be added to the coolant. The size of the proportions is always indicated in the passport to the boilers. The increase in power in the electrode aggregates occurs simultaneously with the heating of the coolant. The increase in current is directly proportional to the decrease in electrical resistance.

Features of use in everyday life

Ion boilers can be incorporated into existing heating systems. But before doing this, it is necessary to take a number of preventive actions preventing the wear and tear of the device. The washing of the system and the filtration of the coolant must be a mandatory condition.

As practice shows, it is possible to connect heating boilers electrode in combination with other types of heating devices (solid fuel or gas appliances). If necessary, several ionic units can be connected in parallel.

Advantages of electrode heaters

The operation of an autonomous heat source allows you to manage not only the microclimate and thermoregulation in the house, but also the cost of heat. At the same time electrode boilers have a number of obvious advantages in comparison with TEN- and induction devices.

Efficiency

All the water that enters the electric electric boiler is heated almost instantaneously and in full. Due to the lack of uncontrolled inertia of heating the coolant in the structure, a very high level of efficiency is achieved - up to 98%.

Durability

Constant contact of the electrodes with the heat transfer fluid does not lead to the formation of a scale layer. And, accordingly, the rapid failure of the heater. This is due to the fact that in the design of the device there is a constant change of polarity - the alternate motion of ions in different directions at a rate of 50 times per second.

Compactness

The principle of electrode heating of the liquid makes it possible to reduce the volume of the heat generator by several times in comparison with TEN devices of similar power. Small sizes and low weight of equipment are very advantageous features, with which electrode boilers are marked. The testimonials of experienced users confirm the convenience of using household appliances, ease of installation and the possibility of their location in any premises.

Automation of management

The presence on the external panel of the devices of the digital adjustment unit allows to regulate the intensity of the boiler operation reasonably. Operation in a given mode helps save up to 40% of the electrical energy in the house.

Fire safety

In the event of system depressurization or water leakage, you may not be afraid of electric shock. Without a coolant, there will be no current flow, so the boiler simply stops operating.

Noiselessness

The absence of sound waves ensures quiet operation.

Ecological integrity

The principle of the electrode boiler implies a complete absence of combustion products or other types of waste. It is not required also a stock of fuel resources.

Negative moments in the operation of ion heat generators

As most users emphasize in their reviews, for all their attractiveness, electric heating boilers electrode have certain drawbacks in the device and operation:

• The need to use only prepared water with specified resistivity parameters creates difficulties in achieving compliance with standards;
• The impossibility of using alternative types of coolant - antifreeze, distilled water or oil;
• For normal operation of the boiler, it is necessary to ensure a constant circulation of the coolant in the system, otherwise the water may boil if the speed of movement decreases, and if the flow increases, the boiler will not start;
• Stainless electrodes are able to work for a long time without failures, but gradually they dissolve in water, so it is very important to monitor their condition and make a timely replacement.

In addition, a significant disadvantage can also be considered the high cost of electrical energy. However, if there is no possibility to organize a gas or solid fuel heating scheme in the area of residence, the electrode heating system can become the only reliable source of heat in the house.

What are the economics and reliability of ion heaters

Electrode boilers for a private house are in any case an advantageous acquisition. High profitability in their work consists of a combination of several indicators:

• Reduced inertia of heating;
• A uniform increase in the temperature of the entire volume of the coolant;
• Construction of a two-pipe closed system;
• Use of automation to control the temperature of the coolant and the ambient air in the room;
• A simple design using innovative materials;
• High efficiency of the boiler.

Due to what else is the saving in the operation of electrical appliances?

Regular maintenance and technical works are the services that do not require electrode boilers. User reviews also note the lower cost of ionic units compared to other types of electric heating.

Electrode boilers "Galan" - worthy representatives of domestic heat engineering

Among the large number of ionic electrical assemblies produced in the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus, devices marked by military equipment standards are prominently displayed. Practical implementation is based on conversion developments of industrial enterprises that produce heating units for ships of the navy.

Structurally, the heating boiler for the house of the brand "Galan" is a casing of cylindrical shape made of tubular steel with a diameter of 6 cm and a length of 31 cm. Inside there are concentric tubular electrodes through which the current is supplied to the heat carrier. Well heated water by forced circulation is intensely carried through pipes and batteries. After reaching the optimum flow rate, the pump can be switched off.

Advantages of ionic devices :

Electrode boilers "Galan" are able to independently adjust to the power consumption and shut down in case of exceeding the set temperature parameters. The safety automatics also works if there is a short circuit, overheating of the supply wires or leakage of the coolant.

For severe climatic conditions in Western Siberia, the best choice for individual heating is the "Galan" electrode boiler. The price of the device differs considerable availability - in comparison with other types of electrical analogs - and does not exceed 20 thousand rubles.

Especially for models of boilers "Galan" several years ago a special coolant was developed - antifreeze "Potok". The distinctive qualities of the innovative fluid are enrichment with additives that prevent the formation of scale on the walls of the heat generator. For ordinary water, a mixture has been developed for rinsing the system, which successfully dissolves rust, scales and protects the internal surfaces from possible corrosion.

The younger brother of the ion boiler

The family of electric aggregates "Galan" includes several types of heating devices. Among them is the electrode boiler "Ochag". It has the smallest dimensions in comparison with other models. The weight of the device is only five hundred grams. The volume of the coolant in the system is 70 liters. At the same time, the "baby" is able to develop power up to 5 kW, which makes it possible to efficiently heat a room with a volume of up to two hundred cubic meters.

In the market are known devices "Geyser" and "Vulkan" with a power output from 9 to 50 kW. The basis for their development was also the electrode boiler "Galan". The price of the units, depending on the capacity, is in the range of 3500-14 000 rubles, which can not but be attractive to potential buyers.

What is the electrode boiler EOU?

Energy-efficient heating system of flow type differs from analogous electrode devices by an increased level of reliability and durability. Excellent indicators of EOU are achieved due to the basic material - thick-walled tube. To produce electrodes, a more reliable material is also used, which allows creating a heat flow inside the boiler at an increased rate. The large diameter of the rods also increases the productivity of the heating device.

Unlike other types of ion heat generators, the electrode boiler EOU represents a wide range of models, which causes additional interest of buyers. It is noteworthy that the units can work in closed heating systems without recirculating pump. The ionization chamber has small dimensions, so there is a sharp heating of the coolant and, correspondingly, an increase in pressure up to two atmospheres.

The temperature sensor connected to the relay provides a certain operating mode, to which the electrode boilers are configured. The testimonials of experienced owners confirm that the active work time of the EOU boiler is only two to nine hours per day. No doubt, such indicators relate to the undoubted merits of the heating device.

Production of an electric ion heat generator in-house

Possessing the basic skills of repair and electrical works, and also having studied the thermal scheme of heating, it is quite possible to make an electrode boiler independently. The price of such an installation will be an order of magnitude different if compared with the factory unit. In addition, this work will be an invaluable experience.

First of all, it is necessary to determine how the circuit of the electrode boiler will be included in the general system. There are usually several options:

• Single-phase connection;
• Three-phase connection;
• Parallel bundle;
• Integration of automatic control and adjustment units.

You can also make an electrode boiler yourself, and then use it for hot water supply or a device of a warm floor.

Materials that will be needed in the work:

• Pipe made of stainless steel with a length of 250 mm and a diameter of 80-100 mm;
• welder;
• Electrodes;
• Terminals for neutral wire and ground;
• Insulators for electrodes and terminals;
• A metal tee and a coupling.

Before you start creating an electrode device, you should understand for yourself a few important points:

• The boiler housing must be necessarily grounded;
• On the outer pipe only the neutral wire leaves the network;
• The phase must be fed exclusively to the electrode.

Installation work

The main stages of the ion boiler.

1. The scheme of the heating network is planned. There is a choice:

• Single-circuit - it is intended only for heating;
• Double circuit - provides heating and water heating for household needs.

2. Installation and grounding of the electrode boiler will successfully neutralize static electricity.

3. Selection and installation of heating radiators, the material of which normally interacts with water.

4. Device automatic adjustment devices.

Technological process

The steel pipe serves as the base of the boiler. A block of electrodes is placed in its middle with a tee. On the other side of the pipe a coupling is attached, which serves as a connection to the branch pipe.

Between the tee and the electrodes it is necessary to arrange the insulating layer. Its role is the thermal protection and tightness of the enclosure. For this purpose, a heat-resistant plastic is used, at the ends of which a thread connecting the electrode and the tee should be made.

On the outside of the boiler, a screw is welded, to which the zero terminal and ground are to be fixed. For greater reliability it is recommended to attach one or two bolts. The appearance of the resulting design looks unattractive. To hide it from the eyes, you can decorate with a decorative finish, which has the properties of electrical protection. In addition, the facade coating will limit unwanted access to the device.

Thus, you can easily assemble the electrode boiler by yourself. Next it is necessary to cut the received device into the heating system, fill it with water and turn on the heating.

Let's sum up the results

Detailed understanding of the device and the principle of the operation of electrode boilers, you can draw several important conclusions.

The possibility of economically achieving a high level of capacity and rapid heating of large volumes of water has a great influence on the overall dimensions of heat generators. Compact devices with a minimum weight can easily be installed anywhere in the house.

If there is a need to heat a room with a large area (500 or more square meters), it is quite possible to create a scheme for connecting several electrode boilers. It should be noted one more positive point - when ionic heating is not required permission and monitoring of boiler inspection.

Of all the radiators currently available for heating, the electrode boiler seems to be the most acceptable solution. Simple and economical equipment is capable of giving warmth to our house and heating hot water for domestic needs.