Thermoregulator for TEN: types and principle of operation

The tubular electric heater can be used for both heating (in the radiator) and for providing the home with hot water. The first thing to do when turning it on is to protect the system from possible damage to the electric heater, and also to create 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 a lot of problems.

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 thermostat. The tubular heater can be submersible and dry. In the first case it is made of stainless steel, placed inside the tank. Heating of water occurs by direct contact of water with TEN. Dry heating elements are made of ceramics, located outside the water tank. Heating of the heat carrier is due to the transfer of thermal energy through the wall of the tank. Such elements can easily be replaced in case of their failure.

The thermostat for TEN is designed for monitoring and maintaining the set temperature of the heat carrier, as well as for emergency shutdown of the tubular electric heater from the network in the event that the boiling process commences (as is usually the case with a TET fault).

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 design and execution, all thermostats function in the same way. For operation, the thermostat must be integrated in the tank, and also connected to the TEN. The entire process of temperature control can be divided into 4 stages:

1. The tumbler sets the required temperature range of the coolant.
2. The thermostat for the heater with the programmed mode measures the degree of heating of the water and gives the command to turn on the device.
3. When the water reaches the set upper heating limit, the thermostat opens the electric circuit and disconnects the heater.
4. After cooling the water, the entire process is repeated.

It is worth noting that, regardless of which temperature range you have set, the thermostat will shut off the heating element if the water starts to boil. This is necessary to prevent damage to heating equipment. During boiling, the process of intensive evaporation begins. Together with the amount of steam, the pressure inside the tank also increases. As soon as the pressure value exceeds the critical mark, the tank will explode. The thermostat for TEN does not allow this to happen, beforehand, breaking the electrical circuit.

Types of temperature regulators

The principle 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 thermostats are usually divided into rod, capillary and electronic.

Rods, as the name implies, have the shape of a rod with a length of 25 to 50 cm. The principle of determining the temperature is based on the difference in the coefficient of specific thermal expansion of the two metals. The rod thermoregulator is installed outside the water tank in a special tube. The capillary thermoregulator TEN for heating water is a hollow tube inside which a special liquid is sharpened. As the temperature rises, it expands, begins to press against the walls and act on the membrane, which opens the chain. On cooling, the reverse process occurs.

The work of electronic thermostats is based on the ability of materials to change their ohmic resistance together with temperature changes. As a result, the voltage is increased or decreased in the device, that special sensors are registered and turned off or the heater is turned on. Electronic devices are the most complex and expensive, but at the same time the most accurate.

Heating elements with built-in thermostats

The heating element is rarely used separately from the thermostat. As a rule, such a solution has proved itself only in water-heating boilers. Heating elements for radiators with a thermostat are much more common. In such "combined" devices, the thermostat is located in a separate tube, and it is easy to replace when broken. When choosing devices of this category, you need to pay attention to the following points:

1. Material of the body. It can be represented by "stainless steel" (the cheapest and most common devices), as well as copper. Copper appliances last longer, but cost an order of magnitude more.
2. Power. For a home electric system, choosing devices with a power output of 2.5 kW is dangerous - there is a risk of overload and short circuit. If using more powerful TEN, lay a separate power cable.

Choosing for a battery heater with a thermostat, you should not focus on expensive models. Practice shows that the durability of the devices does not depend on the price. The service life is determined by the hardness of the water, the loads and the stability of the electrical network.

Areas of application of heaters with a thermostat

The scope of the heater with a built-in thermostat is rather narrow, due to its high energy consumption and short service life. The most common are in water-heating equipment. This "water tank" is installed in the shower room or in the kitchen and serves as the main or reserve 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 thermoregulator in a heating battery are the speed. With the help of this simple solution, you can quickly provide the house with a backup source of heat.

Features of heating elements for cast-iron batteries

Tubular electric heaters for conventional and cast iron radiators are practically the same. The exception is only the material of the plug - it should be made of cast iron or heat-resistant material. In addition, the shape of the outer housing part where the thermostat is installed can also differ. The length of the heating element must be 5-10 cm shorter than the length of the radiator. Otherwise, water circulation and heating will not be achieved. Therefore, before buying, make sure that the heater with thermostat for cast-iron batteries is designed.

Thermoregulators on the market

Thermoregulators for TEN can be called an expendable material. 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:

1. Dimensions, type and method of fixing in the tank of the failed device.
2. The maximum current that a new thermostat will have to cope with.

The best option would be to buy the same device that has become unusable. This can be done by contacting the store with a faulty thermoregulator. In most cases, sellers will pick up the necessary device for you.