GSM Boiler Control: how does it work? Features and Recommendations

New control technologies at a distance allow using GSM-systems to use previously inaccessible ways of controlling the operation of many units, in particular a heating boiler. First of all, it is necessary to determine whether it is really necessary to remotely control the GSM boiler.

In many cases, you can do with Salus programmable or daily thermostats, which have a large range of boiler control, as well as all kinds of heating: radiator, floor and convection. Wired and wireless modules are produced, which significantly increase the comfort and save energy.

Control tasks for heating at a distance

The private house needs constant supervision, and heating gives the greatest concern. Many do not live in a country house in the winter and are forced to leave the boiler working, so as not to unfreeze the system. At the same time, a lot of fuel is consumed and we have to look for ways to save it.

Automated systems allow you to manage autonomous heating. They also need control, which can now be implemented using a smartphone or mobile phone. With the increased need for comfort and changing standards for heating equipment of an individual home, GSM - remote control of the boiler is required.

In addition to the heating system, there are many other household appliances with which it can work. It is especially important to connect a security system that will provide independent monitoring of the house without the help of special services.

Advantages of the control system by cell phone

In order to have a full understanding of the possibilities of using heating control systems at a distance, you need to know their advantages:

• Creation of additional comfort;
• Maintenance of an economic mode of operation of a boiler, due to what expenses for power resources are reduced to 50%;
• Receiving information by phone about emergency situations, switching off the supply of electricity or gas, leakage of coolant;
• Reducing the load on heating increases the service life of the equipment;
• Engineering systems are gradually combined into a common network, which reduces maintenance costs and creates a special "smart house" comfort.

To control the boiler through GSM, it is not necessary to be a professional. You just need to know the basic principles and basic rules for working with it.

It is not necessary to thoroughly understand all the intricacies of setting up and servicing equipment. In any case, it is installed by specialists and, if problems arise, will give the necessary consultation.

GSM System Features

GSM - boiler control - performs the following functions.

1. Maintain the boiler's normal operating mode and key elements of the entire house heating system.
2. Setting individual temperature in different rooms.
3. Protection of the heating system from defrosting at a distance.
4. Remote activation of the boiler before visiting the house on a day off.
5. Monitoring and diagnostics of the operation of autonomous heating via mobile communication.
6. Creating an economical thermal mode in a home with a low power setting, when none is available, and turning it on for normal operation before returning.

Management of heating at a distance can be made not only through mobile communication, but also via the Internet.

Principles of organization of management of heating at a distance

The modern control system of the GSM boiler in a private house is a complex electronic complex where all elements are combined into a common network. The parameters are controlled by the built-in control units. Heating components should be connected to the electronic control unit, and it, in turn, with the user.

The main properties of the heating management system at a distance are:

• Connection of electric thermostats and sensors with boiler automation;
• Adaptation of the control system with autonomous heat supply;
• The possibility of influencing the heating parameters under the influence of external conditions: climate, temperature in the house, leakage of coolant and other emergencies;
• The possibility of controlling heating at a distance in order to create the necessary microclimate or an economical mode of operation in the absence of the owners.

Controllers are installed on the critical parts of the boiler, through which the parameters are changed. All of them are connected to an external control node - a programmer or a thermostat. It can be configured manually through the console, but it also has control over the Internet or mobile phone.

Functionality of the programmer

• The number of connected components (control circuits) is from 1 to 12.
• Setting modes - normal, comfortable, economical.
• An additional control module is the transmission by telephone of information via SMS about the temperature of the coolant, the occurrence of an accident,
• The presence of wired channels or wireless communication between heating components.

Functional capabilities of the GSM module

The boiler control module is not included in the package, it should be purchased separately, and then connected to a controller, for example, Defro St 57 Lux. After the configuration it will be possible to receive information in the form of SMS about boiler parameters and emergency situations.

Reverse control is also performed by sending SMS of the specified format. They allow you to adjust the temperature of the boiler's heating medium and in the heating circuits, start the boiler after shutdown, etc. In some models, the activation function of the command is provided after a certain time.

Functional capabilities of the module:

• Work for 1, 2 or more phone numbers;
• Receiving data on 4 or more channels, for example, the temperature of the boiler, boiler, warm floor and indoors;
• Remote control via SMS messages by the temperature of the coolant and water in the boiler;
• Receiving information about problems: overheating, failure to work, etc .;
• Connection to another circuit, for example, opening the gate or burglar alarm, lighting, watering plants, etc .;
• Independent work in the event of a power outage;
• -кода для предотвращения подключения третьих лиц. Use PIN code to prevent third parties from connecting.

The module is connected to the boiler controller via the connector. They are also fed from the network. The SIM card is installed and the numbers of the two phones are entered. Information will be sent on them in the form of SMS messages. To control the boiler, commands are issued in the form of digital sets. This produces a response message about the execution or error if the code is not selected correctly.

Important! For trouble-free operation of the boiler together with remote control, auxiliary elements are required: coolant flow control devices, sensors, safety valves.

How the GSM module works

The functionality of each module is limited and is determined by the following factors:

• Number of channels and sensors;
• Level of management and control;
• The possibility of regulation.

The sensors monitor the temperature, pressure and presence of carbon monoxide. For most modules, analog sensors that output signals of a certain level are suitable. Digital control is more suitable for connecting a security alarm or home appliances equipped with a USB interface, RS-485 or RS-232. Users note the occurrence of false positives of infrared motion sensors when the heating is running.

To control the operation of the boiler through feedback, the relay units that connect the power of the gas boiler or the switching modes with the corresponding terminals are most often used.

Control of the GSM boiler with a minimum set of functions of the module provides control and transmission of the readings of the coolant temperature sensors, indoors and outdoors. Based on these data it is possible to evaluate the quality of the heating operation.

The module sends a message to the user in the following cases.

1. On request, the sensor readings are transmitted.
2. The readings are outside the specified limits.

The maximum and minimum allowable parameter values are set in advance. When they are out of range, the user receives an SMS message about this. Typically, the temperature of the coolant is set within the range of 50-90 ° C. If the temperature has fallen below 50 ° C, then the boiler does not heat, and a check of the equipment is required to prevent the system from freezing.

Modern modifications of GSM modules with special applications can display statistics on the operation of the boiler in the form of creating temporary timelines, sending important messages and operating parameters of the boiler.

Control of electric boilers

It is easy to connect GSM - control the boiler Protherm, "Evan" and other units running on electricity. The module operates from its own power source when the power is cut off. In the absence of electricity, it goes to work in an economical mode with some limitation of functionality. When the power is restored, it reboots itself, and also it can be done remotely. With the electricity cut off, the GSM boiler control continues and the module will give an indication and the boiler parameters will change. The user will not receive false information about the system malfunction, as he will also receive data on the power failure by phone.

The device is connected to the boiler automation, then, depending on the temperature sensor, the module relay is switched on in the room, which is a command for supplying voltage to the boiler's heating elements. When the temperature in the room reaches the set value, the relay turns off and the heating stops.

The cost of acquiring the GSM module

The control unit of the boiler sometimes costs more than the unit itself, since the devices appeared on the market recently. With mass distribution, they, of course, will become cheaper, and now they have to pay 150-200 $ for them.

Conclusion

Management of the GSM boiler can improve the comfort of living, save on energy, eliminate malfunctions and prevent accidents. With the expansion of the functionality of GSM modules, the costs for them pay off even now.