Connecting the manifold floor heating and automatic temperature control.
After all works on installation of water heaters circuits, the moment of their connection to a collector arrives.
In this article we will consider the step-by-step sequence of how to do it correctly, when and what tests should be carried out and what mistakes you can expect in this case. We also touch the issue of automatic regulation of the temperature in the rooms.
Installation of heating pipes begins with the connection of the free end of the pipe to the connector of the supply manifold comb.
With most modern manufacturers, such as Rehau, this is done using a threaded connection under the Eurocone. It is considered one of the easiest and most reliable today.
Eurocone often comes under a diameter of 17mm, while the mass of users collects its system of underfloor heating from the 16-th pipe. In this case you have to calibrate the tube to a given size.
You can use the original cross-linked polyethylene pipes from Rehau, which are of diameter 17, then everything should fit without additional gestures.
Someone widens the wall with a metal scissor. It seems to fit, but you can not get a perfectly smooth contact in this way.
That doesn’t make for a very good connection. With frequent temperature fluctuations, this is very likely to leak in the future.
Then you put the union nut on the tube, put the crimp ring and the stop sleeve there.
After that you hand tighten the end of the tube to the connection fitting.
In order not to tear the connector on the manifold, the final tightening should be made with two wrenches. Use one of the hexagon sockets on the joint and the other one to tighten the clamping joint.
When installing flexible pipes the connection of the collector at the floor is better to be provided with a turnbuckle.
At the entrance to the screed, a protective jacket from corrugated pipe or thermal insulation must be put on the pipes. The recommended length is at least 0.5 m.
25 cm will go outside and the other 25 cm will be in the screed itself.
The supply of heating circuits should be laid with a pitch of 100 mm.
The assembly of the circuit is finished by connecting the other end of the pipe to the respective socket of the return flow manifold.
In the area where the pipes are connected to the collector, where the distance between the pipes is minimal or they are close to each other, they should also be placed in thermal insulation or corrugation.
This will prevent the screed from overheating and reduce the surface temperature near the collector itself. Connect all other circuits one after the other in exactly the same way.
It depends on the type of flowmeter. So check the documentation. In one case, the stem must be deflected by the flow of water downward, so it starts the supply.
And in the other one, on the contrary, the stem goes up.
You can distinguish them by the scale. The ones for flow zero will be at the very top and the scale will accordingly increase to the bottom.
The return ones have zero at the bottom and the scale increases at the top.
Once connected, it’s time to fill the system with water.
How to adjust flow rates on your Underfloor Heating System
You should not do this through the heating boiler but directly through the drain and fill cocks. These are on the back of the manifold plug.
Make sure to close all supply ball valves from the boiler.
Then using a special key you close all the circuits except one. This is where you will start filling the system with water.
Also close all but one of the valves on the flowmeter.
Now you can connect the water hose to the drain cock on the supply pipe.
A hose is connected to the return header to drain off the water. Then you can slowly start up the water.
Drainage hose from the return comb down into the drain or just into a bucket and wait until all air has evaporated.
As soon as water starts to flow, the valve in the circuit in question can be turned off and the next one can be started. The whole procedure is repeated again.
Only then open the ball valves on the manifold and finally vent the remaining air through the air vents.
Before pouring the screed, the pipes of the underfloor heating must be checked for leaks.
Tests are carried out with cold water. In doing so the test pressure should exceed the operating pressure by 1.5 times.
Generally the pressure test takes about 3 hours. During the first hour, every 10 minutes the decreasing pressure is brought to the required pressure.
And during the next two hours make a control measurement.
The pressure in the working and serviceable system, should not decrease from the original, more than 2 bars.
At the end, you are satisfied with all the readings and finally fill the screed and install the entire system. And after a while, these wet spots will show themselves in all their glory.
As an exception, if the temperature at your facility is negative, underfloor heating systems can be pneumatically tested with compressed air or inert gas.
The tightness of each connection will be checked using a foaming test compound.
Hydraulic test is usually documented by a test report.
Then the hydraulic balancing of the individual heating circuits. To do this, use a special wrench to set the value set by the designer on the fine adjustment valves.
If you do not have such valves, you set the estimated flow rate of the coolant for each heating circuit. This is done using flow meters.
They are used to set the flow rate, so that all circuits are aligned with each other. After all, the length of each may be any, and the coolant you have to pass evenly through all circuits, not just the shortest.
After pressing and checking for leaks, the pipes are filled with screed. In doing so the system must be filled with cold water and kept under pressure.
When the screed is stable, a thermal test is carried out. This takes approx. 7 days.
The heat test is also documented in a protocol.
If the floor heating is branched and heats many rooms it is advisable to equip it with automatic regulation.
This prevents you from having to continually adjust the valves on the manifold.
The installation of the automatic control system begins with the installation of a terminal block in the control cabinet on the din rail.
It is mounted directly above the distribution manifold.
First of all supply mains voltage to this socket.
Then the actuators are installed on the return comb of the distribution manifold.
They are connected with two-wire cables, to the appropriate terminals.
It is important to make sure that all actuators for the heating circuits in one room are connected to the terminals of one thermostat on the terminal strip.
In heated rooms the thermoregulators themselves should be installed.
They are installed at a height of 130 cm from the floor.
Observe the rules and do not place them where there may be an influence of extraneous factors on the actual temperature in the room.
Choosing the comb for underfloor heating
When buying a shower head from a manufacturer, you need to look at all the components in the kit. There must also be some safety elements. a safety valve and a valve for evacuating air. In case of unreasonable changes of the set parameters of the system, the specified elements will normalize its operation.
One important purchase criterion is cost. The devices can be simple or include additional units, such as flow rate controllers, drain valves, control sensors. In addition, in some situations it is better to buy additional heating.
Depending on the configuration provides additional sensors. Sometimes more collectors are required. Typically, when there are several heating circuits in an apartment.
If the room is small, then the simplest installation is suitable and the comb. And for a large apartment with several different circuits, it is better to install a better and, accordingly, more expensive equipment, guaranteeing greater reliability.
Manifold for floor heating systems. flow meter adjustment.
Header for underfloor heating
Room heating with water underfloor heating is considered one of the most effective ways in terms of energy savings and uniform heat distribution. As you know, the heating is carried out through pipes with coolant, laid in the screed. Each room is a separate closed circuit, or even a few. Control their work produces a common node. a comb for floor heating. Information on how this unit functions, the nuances of its assembly and regulation is offered to your attention in this article.
Water underfloor heating, how the temperature is regulated?
The water floor heating is a low-temperature heating system. It has a flowing heating medium that rarely exceeds 41°C. So if we lower the temperature of the boiler to 50°C, the radiators on the second floor will be cold, but it will still be hot on the first floor where the underfloor heating is installed. This is how the underfloor heating loop works. About what it is and how to make a water heated floor here.
It’s all about the fact that the control unit of water underfloor heating is not connected with the boiler automation and is implemented on a three-way thermostatic valve. It is responsible for supplying the system with a coolant of a certain temperature. If it is not, then we can walk on the floor only in slippers with thick soles and feel like a frying pan.
The water underfloor heating control unit regulates the amount of hot water coming from the boiler and mixes it with the already cooled water that has returned through the system cooled. This is how you adjust the temperature of all underfloor heating circuits. This control unit for water underfloor heating is commonly referred to as the underfloor heating node. As the name implies it mixes the cold water with the hot water and creates an optimal temperature.
If you already have a floor heating system installed you can adjust the temperature by finding the control unit (water floor heating manifold) and turning the temperature regulator (usually clockwise to reduce the temperature and anticlockwise to raise the temperature) (see green regulator discrete value /. 1 °C).
Important! The temperature of the underfloor heating system is regulated gradually. After adding 1 to 2 °C, you have to wait at least two hours. This is due to the high inertia of the system. There is no quick change. Keep this in mind.
The standard sub-assembly has a discrete value in the control and is usually 1 °C. Т.е. one click 1 °C added or subtracted. wait.
How to regulate the temperature of the underfloor heating
Water underfloor heating allows you to create a great microclimate in the room. This is achieved by an even distribution of heat energy. But for continued effective underfloor heating, you should understand how to adjust the underfloor heating. This article will look at several methods of adjustment.
To put the underfloor heating into operation, it is necessary to wait until the screed is completely dry. This can take up to three weeks. If time does not wait, you can speed up the drying process by adding 1 degree of heat each day. You can do this only after 14 days.
Moisture must come out of the concrete evenly. Otherwise the screed will start to crack, and this will compromise the integrity of the heating pie.
Immediately before start-up, all taps of the heating circuits on the manifold must be fully opened. Also opens the three-way valve to maximum. At the end turn on the circulating pump. After this step you can begin to adjust the temperature of the coolant.
Methods of temperature adjustment will depend entirely on the equipment used. If, for example, a system with a temperature controller and actuator is installed, the setting is made in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. In this case, the adjustment is carried out automatically. Now consider the manual method of setting the temperature using a thermal head.
Thermostatic head installation can be carried out both in the flow and return of the heating medium.
First of all, the system upstream of the floor heating must be completely filled with thermal fluid and vented. But it is important not to rush here, otherwise airlocks can form. If the connection is made from a boiler, close all taps before introducing water into the heating circuits. Afterwards, open the supply/return loop on one loop and fill it with coolant. Air from it must go through the air vent. Now turn on the circulation pump so that the coolant starts to move in this loop. And you turn on the boiler to a temperature of 35°. You should feel the return and supply hot water in the heating loop. If everything works properly, close this loop and open a new one. Using this method, pump and check each loop of the heating circuit. When you have adjusted each loop, open all the taps and adjust the desired temperature by touch. In some loops you need to open the tap completely, in others it is enough to slightly open it.
The temperature of the coolant in each circuit may be different. There are several reasons for this, such as the length of the loop. The shorter the loop, the faster it warms up and vice versa.
This is how you manually adjust the temperature. It only needs to be done once a year. But here it is important to consider a nuance. Underfloor heating system is inertial. What this means in practice? If you have made changes on one of the loops, you will have to wait a few hours to feel a clear change in indoor temperature.
If you have installed flow meters on the manifold, the difference between the readings can be up to 0.5 l.
If the manifold is equipped with a three-way valve, it can be adjusted by means of a servo drive. In this case, the mixing valve will control the temperature value according to the pre-set parameters. You can turn the three-way valve several times and adjust it as you wish, but the adjustment of the mixing valve is much more complicated.
If you have connected underfloor heating to central heating at your own risk, just having a mixing valve will avoid side problems. Your neighbors will not know you have underfloor heating because there will be no temperature imbalance.
Another method of temperature control in the water heating floors. use mixing module. This module has the following components in its kit:
- Three-way valve.
- Thermometer.
- Bypass.
- Circulation pump.
- Thermostatic head.
- Relay maximum allowable temperature.
Although the whole set has a great price, the efficiency of the mixing module is very high. However, the mixing module only works if it is assembled according to the European model. In a heating system, the coolant must have a temperature not lower than 65 ° C. As for the underfloor heating system, the mixing module dilutes the coolant and starts it in the heating circuits according to the set parameters. In our country often the temperature control is carried out on the boiler itself. This leads to a temperature imbalance.
There is also another method of how you can adjust the water heated floors. For this purpose, a servo drive and a room thermostat are installed. Based on the temperature in the room, the thermostat gives a signal to the actuator to pump the hot water.
This technique works even with a homemade manifold, whether with a sub-module or a three-way valve. It all depends on your finances.
So, we’ve looked at a few methods of how you can adjust the coolant in your underfloor heating system. If you use other techniques and methods, we’d be interested to hear about them. Write your Комментарии и мнения владельцев at the end of this article.
Learn the intricacies of adjusting a warm water floor from the following video:
Consumer ecology. Homestead: For water underfloor heating to work as it should, not only does it require strict adherence to the rules of the installation process and the use of appropriate materials. Today we will tell you about the setting of heating loops and the principles of adjustment of underfloor heating.
Underfloor heating is seldom used as the sole source of heating. Heating by floor heating is only possible in regions with mild climate or in rooms with a large area where the heat removal is not limited by furniture, furnishings or the low thermal conductivity of the floor covering.
It is almost always necessary to combine radiator circuits, DHW preparation devices and underfloor heating loops in one heating system.
Typical scheme of the combined heating system with the connection of radiators and underfloor heating circuits. This is the most technologically advanced and easy to set up, but requires a significant initial investment. 1. heating boiler; 2. safety group, circulation pump, expansion tank; 3. collector for separate two-pipe connection of radiators in the “star” diagram; 4. heating radiators; 5. floor heating collector, includes: bypass, three-way valve, thermostatic head, circulation pump, combs to connect the floor heating circuits with flow meters and reducers; 6. floor heating circuits
There are quite a large number of variations of the execution of boiler piping, while in each individual case, the principles of the hydraulic system are different. However, if you ignore the extremely specific options, there are only five ways to coordinate the operation of heating devices of different types:
- Parallel connection of the underfloor heating manifold to the heating unit line. The point of connection to the mains is always made before the radiator network connection point, the heating medium supply is provided by an additional circulation pump.
- Primary and secondary ring type connections. The mains, wrapped in a ring, has several flow taps in the supply side, the flow rate of the heat carrier in the connected circuits decreases as the distance from the heating source. Balancing the flow rate is performed by selecting the pump flow rate and limiting the flow rate with regulators.
- Connection at the extreme point of the coplanar manifold. The movement of the coolant in the floor heating loops is ensured by a common pump located in the generator part, while the system is balanced according to the principle of priority flow.
- Connection via a hydraulic separator is ideally suited for a large number of radiators, large flow rate differences between the circuits and long heating loops. This variant also uses a coplanar collector, while a hydrodistributor is necessary to eliminate the pressure drop that prevents the circulation pumps from working correctly.
- Local parallel connection of the loop via an unibox. This variant is well suited for short floor heating loops, e.g. if only the floor in the bathroom needs to be heated.
The simplest version of the connection of the floor heating loop to the radiator heating system with a coolant temperature of 70-80 ° C. 1. The high-temperature circuit supply and return line; 2. The floor heating circuit; 3. The unibox.
It must be remembered that the nature of the underfloor heating may also vary depending on the scheme of laying the coil. The optimal scheme is considered “snail”, in which the tubes are laid in pairs, which means that the entire area is heated almost evenly. If the floor heating is arranged in a “snake” or “labyrinth” arrangement, the formation of colder and warmer zones is practically guaranteed. This disadvantage can be eliminated, inter alia, by the correct setting.
Before you start adjusting floor heating it is very important to have a clear idea of the purpose of the adjustment. The principle of operation of water underfloor heating is fundamentally different from other heating devices. The main difference is the operating temperature of the coolant.
If the radiator network is fed at a temperature of up to 80 ° C, then the heating of the coolant flowing into a warm floor coil is limited to 40-42 ° C. This is necessary for comfort and safety reasons. In normal mode, the temperature at the floor surface varies in the range 22-26 ° C, a higher heating causes unpleasant feelings.
There are two ways of regulating the temperature of liquid floor heating. The first of these involves controlling the temperature in the flow area of the manifold by mixing in a portion of the cooled coolant from the return area. Technically this solution is realized by installing a three-way valve with RTL thermostatic head. This head differs from the radiator head in that it is based on the temperature of the coolant, not air. With this method of control the flow in the loops is kept constant, with a small amplitude varies only the temperature of the heating medium.
The second method of regulation involves limiting the flow of hot coolant in the circuit. In this case the thermostatic head is also installed, but it is located on the two-way valve, which interrupts the return flow circuit. With this type of control, supply and return are connected by a bypass circuit, the flow through which is controlled by a limiting valve with pre-calibrated capacity.
The principle of this regulation is based on the high inertia of the underfloor heating system. During operation, the coolant is supplied to the loops at the nominal temperature of the heating unit, only the total flow rate varies periodically. Thus, the screed is heated cyclically, i.e., a substantial heat capacity of the accumulating layer is required to smooth out temperature fluctuations.
In both cases an important rule applies: The thermostatic fittings are always based on the return temperature of the loop or the collector. The device may be mechanical or electronic, even a conventional thermometer. The need for proper positioning is due to the fact that it is almost impossible to judge the effectiveness of the regulation by the value of the supply temperature, because the length of loops can vary significantly.
Underfloor heating operation cannot be adjusted if the flow of the heating medium in the loops varies spontaneously. This phenomenon is characterized by air s, so the heating system must not only be properly organized technically, but also correctly primed.
Automatic air vent valves must be installed on both branches of the floor heating manifold in order to fully fill the system. If the loops are level above the manifold, the supply connection to the latter must be made via a deaerator. The floor heating system must be filled separately from the other heating circuits, i.e. the generator and radiator circuits must be filled in advance and the cut-off valves at the manifold inlets shut.
To fill the system with thermal fluid connect a hose from the water supply or a pump to the drainage outlet of the supply branch of the manifold. Accordingly, to a similar outlet of the return branch it is necessary to connect a hose to bleed air, the return end of which is either taken out into the street, or lowered into a tank volume of 30-40 liters.
The manifold and its piping are filled first in the floor heating system. In doing so the flow meters in the supply branch must be fully open, and the regulators in the return branch must be closed. Then you need to sequentially fill each loop with the heating medium until a clear water without air bubbles flows from the bleed hose. Underfloor heating must be filled at minimum flow to evenly press the air out of the system. When all the floor heating loops are filled, the heating system can be put into operation and balanced.
The hydraulic balancing of floor heating loops involves rationing the flow in each coil. Depending on the length, different amounts of incoming coolant may be required to ensure that the coolant cools to exactly the designed value when passing through the loop. The flow rate required is quantitatively defined as the ratio of the heat load in the loop to the product of the heat capacity of the water or other heat transfer medium by the temperature difference between the flow and return in the loop: G = Q / s (t1. t2).
It is often recommended to determine the flow rate of the heat carrier according to the capacity of the circulation pump, i.e. to divide the flow rate by the ratio of loop lengths. Such advice should be avoided: in addition to the fact that the length of each coil is quite difficult to calculate, one of the most important rules is violated. select the equipment parameters based on the needs of the system, and not vice versa. Attempts to distribute the flow rate in this manner almost always result in the flow rate in the loops being significantly different from the calculated values, which makes further adjustment of the system impossible.
The flow meter adjustment itself is quite simple. In some models, changing the capacity is done by turning the body, in others. by turning the stem with a special wrench. The scale on the flow meter indicates the flow in liters per minute, just set the float position accordingly.
Almost always when you change the flow capacity of one flow meter the flow capacity in the other loops changes, so adjust several times, sequentially calibrating each outlet. If such variations are particularly pronounced, this indicates a lack of flow capacity of the control valve through which the manifold is connected, or that the capacity of the circulation pump is too low.
When adjusting underfloor heating by mixing and limiting, the way of setting the desired heating medium temperature is slightly different. It also matters whether the proportional adjustment is done on the fly or whether the adjustment is done manually. The latter is only permissible for the mixing control method and only if the flow rate of the heating medium in the other circuits of the system changes insignificantly.
Manual adjustment of the three-way valve requires monitoring the return temperature, which can be done using a thermometer sleeve, or a clamp-on feeler gauge.
The temperature should not be measured immediately, but based on the length of the loop and the flow rate of the coolant in it. The temperature must be measured after a sufficient period of time for the coolant in the floor heating system to refresh two or three times.
The aim of the regulation is to ensure a constant temperature difference between flow and return. In this case the temperature difference is determined by the floor heating project and is calculated on the thickness, screed material, as well as the direction and pitch of the coil pipes.
Setting the distribution of floor heating
Automatic proportional adjustment is much easier. Main control element. RTL thermostatic head or unibox valve.
Water meter design
The construction of the flowmeter is mechanical, the material is plastic or/and metal (brass). The upper segment of the measuring-adjusting models has a transparent tube with graduation.
There is a float inside, so the device is called a “float”. This element is fixed to the stem, supported by a spring (the flow changes the pressure, compresses / uncompresses it). At the bottom inside there is a valve associated with the described elements, which according to their position changes the flow of fluid.
Principle of operation and installation of the underfloor heating manifold
In the arrangement of warm flooring, many people prefer special distribution mechanisms. combs for a warm floor. With their help, you can improve the efficiency of such heating equipment, as well as achieve better performance. With such a device, floor area heating will be maximal and energy costs practically invisible.
Before you start to understand the design of the manifold for underfloor heating, the principle of operation and other features of the mechanism, you need to understand what it is designed for and what its benefits are. Node provides a balanced operation of heating systems in the flooring, distributing heat potential evenly over the entire area.
As the heat carrier is often used an ordinary liquid, which comes from the boiler or the central line to a special node, where the mixing with the liquid takes place. Water starts to move along the circuits that are under the floors.
The underfloor heating system has a complex scheme, which consists of several circuits and different lengths of pipes. It needs to receive a different volume of water, which forces the installation of special distribution elements. If the fluid enters the boiler without distribution, much of it will end up in the smallest circuit. This phenomenon will cause intensive overheating, and in long circuits heat will be significantly lacking.
The correct arrangement of the comb for the floor heating with their own hands. is the best way to achieve the optimal flow rate in a particular area, taking into account the needs of the system in the heating medium. This approach allows you to warm evenly and a small bathroom, and a large living room or bedroom.
In addition, the comb for warm floors is able to reduce the temperature of the coolant to certain indicators (the fluid from the boiler and the central pipeline is subjected to a temperature of 70-80 degrees Celsius, which negatively affects the consumption of fuel). As a result, there is a natural need to cool the coolant, for which is used such a unit as a comb. Inside the mechanism there are special sensors and valves that maintain the temperature regime at a certain level, which is set by the consumer.
To understand the structural features of the comb is not difficult at all. Even an inexperienced buyer who does not have professional skills will be able to understand what is the device of such a node and how to use it. So, among the constituent elements of the comb stand out:
- Supply manifold.
- The return header.
- Fixing elements for mounting and assembly.
- Stopcocks.
- The thermometer.
- Drain cock.
- A device that drains the system air.
- Pump.
- Feed valve in the heating coil.
If we consider each part individually, we should pay special attention to the supply manifold. It is a horizontal tube with two or more branches and special flow meters for certain loads.
The return flow manifold has a similar appearance, because it is also designed as a pipe with branches. However, the principle and task of this mechanism is very different. Thermostatic valve or “thermostatic head” instead of flow meters. This part regulates the temperature mode in different areas of the underfloor heating system.
Two manifolds are fixed by means of mounting brackets. As for the shut-off valve, it completely blocks the mowing line of supply and “return”, which are directed to the comb from the boiler or centralized mains.
The task of the thermometer is obvious and is to monitor temperature conditions in the manifold system. Drain cocks drain water for repair work or basic maintenance of the system. A Mevsky cocks, a device for air bleeding, prevents an unexpected decrease in the efficiency of heating.
Pumping equipment ensures the correct movement of heat transfer fluid through the system, which is necessary for maximum efficiency. In addition, the combinations can be equipped with additional elements, including fittings, corners, tees and other connecting elements.
To maintain the temperature regime in the system at the same level, a certain amount of hot water from the boiler or common mains is added to the moving heat carrier. For this purpose, a 2- to 3-way supply valve is installed in the unit.
Two-way valves are fixed just before the comb. In addition, they have remote temperature sensors installed near the “return” manifold. The mechanism can remain in two states. “closed” and “open”. They are changed by changing the position of the stem.
The principle of operation of the system is quite simple. After starting the system the 2-way valve opens and the heating medium from the system flows into the comb. Then the cooled down water from the “return” valve is supplied, and the finished product flows into the supply header. At this time the temperature will be measured by a remote sensor. If the fluid has already reached a certain temperature, the valve will close and further flow of the thermal fluid will be shut off. The circulation process continues in this manner.
After some time the temperature of the liquid decreases and falls below normal. Then the thermostatic head of the valve will lift the spindle and the warmest water will flow to the heating medium in the heating coil.
By design the 2-way valve is a complex but reliable system, which practically does not yield to mechanical damage. It is made of high quality, temperature-resistant materials, so there is virtually no chance of water penetrating under the floor covering. But in terms of accuracy and smoothness of regulation, these products are slightly worse than three-way valves.
Trying to perform the installation of the comb circuit with their own hands, it is impossible not to consider the principle of three-way valve. It works more smoothly than the previous element, because it consists not of two, but of three. к. consists of three rather than two inlets. One node receives the coolant from the boiler, the second. from the outgoing collector, and the third is connected to the line from the collector “return”. Connect such a valve to the floor heating is not difficult. The principle of operation of the system can be broken down into these steps:
- 1. At the beginning of operation, the three-way valve has the mixing line closed, while the boiler supply remains open. The heated liquid begins to flow into the comb.
- 2. A sensor located in the comb notifies the temperature exceeded, which causes displacement of the shut-off mechanism in the valve and the opening of the mowing line. the heating medium line is closed and the hot fluid fills up with the cooled fluid from the return line. If the temperature exceeds the permissible norm, the supply from the boiler will be suspended.
- 3. In the next step the temperature of the heat carrier will begin to return to normal, while the shut-off element will not change its position.
- 4. After a few cycles of the coolant flow the temperature of the fluid will drop noticeably. This phenomenon will be detected by the valve and the locking assembly will close the swash line.
The operating principle of this valve ensures smooth and precise temperature regulation. It also allows you to most effectively “prepare” the coolant for the underfloor heating system with a size of up to 150 square meters. Despite the advantages of the three-way valve, it has significant disadvantages. One of them is not high enough reliability.
Having understood the principle of operation, the scheme and features of installation of the comb, you can proceed directly to the selection of this design. In order not to make a mistake and make the right decision, you need to consider these parameters:
- Manifold material.
- The number of loops, the maximum pressure and fluid flow.
- Is there support for full automation, how many sensors to measure performance indicators installed, are there thermostats or electronic devices allowing more fine-tuning.
- Manufacturer.
The comb models available on the market are based on the most diverse materials. One of the most popular is brass. It is characterized by the highest strength and durability, but it is not cheap. Casting method is used in the process of such construction.
Also in particular demand are products made of stainless steel, which are created with a welding machine. In terms of strength, they are almost as good as the previous type, but have a significant disadvantage. the inability to cope with the effects of corrosive processes.
Following simple tips, you can choose a reliable and high-quality comb, which will make the heating of the flooring as productive as possible. In this case, the connection comb of the floor heating will take very little time.
How to adjust a warm water floor manually preparation and input
Manual adjustment is carried out with the help of an ordinary faucet, which is called a thermostatic head. It is mounted on the return and supply. Using a tap allows you to not burden the system with automation and additional equipment. This significantly reduces costs, but creates a number of inconveniences. Quality and fast adjustment of a warm water floor with a thermal head. a myth. The tap will have to turn often, and to determine the temperature to rely solely on personal sensations.
Important! Adjustment of water heating floors by rotameters (flowmeters) which establish on an input in each contour (a place of installation collector) is considered more convenient. All you need to do is control the permissible differences in the readings of the devices
Correct adjustment of underfloor heating with a thermal head requires compliance with the norms of commissioning of the entire system. Otherwise the system of main or auxiliary heating of the air masses below the room will not function properly.
Typically, the modern scheme of “underfloor heating” is quite complex, represented by several circuits with different lengths of pipes and the amount of heat carrier, so the role of such a node as a combs, should not be underestimated.
With two-way valve
The main difference of the standard scheme of “comb” equipped with a two-way valve, represented by a continuous supply of water from the “return” without using special fittings cut-off type. In this case, the mixing unit for the underfloor heating system performs a periodic addition of boiling water when the heat carrier cools down below the set parameters. This type of circuit has proven excellent in practice, but only when the circuits are not excessively large.
- 1. two way supply valve;
- 2. Circulation pumping equipment;
- 3. temperature sensor;
- 4. balancing type valve device;
- 5. non-return valve.
The valve device of the feeder type is characterized by a built-in liquid sensor-thermostat which cuts off or adds a certain amount of hot thermal fluid as needed. Stable temperature settings around the perimeter make the operational life of the design as high as possible. The advantages of this option is represented by smoothing of sharp jumps in conditions of low throughput of the valve device.
With three-way valve
Modern and highly efficient mixing units installed in underfloor heating systems with a three-way valve are categorized as universal equipment. This design involves mixing the boiling water with the return directly inside the enclosure and has a combined feeder valve function with bypass-type balancing. A damper with an adjustable position is integrated in the tap.
This type of control valves is equipped with special weather controllers, thermostats and servo drives, so it is best suited for installation in multiple circuits for the heating of very large rooms.
The main disadvantage of construction with a three-way valve is the possibility of hot heat carrier intake and the risk of excessive pressure inside the system, which negatively affects the pipes and markedly reduces their service life. The complexity of the most precise temperature control is due to the high bandwidth, so even a slight turn of the flap can cause a noticeable change in temperature inside the system “underfloor heating” by 3-5 ˚ C.
Special thermostatic regulators are used to control underfloor heating systems. What they are and how to choose a thermostat for your needs is explained in this article: https://pol-master.com/tepliy-pol/termoregulyator-dlya-teplogo-pola.html.
