How to select and connect the heating elements to radiators

With the onset of cold weather question home heating becomes more urgent. The dank offseason centralized systems often do not include "to the last", and then to help the townsfolk come freezing alternative heating systems.

One of the simplest solutions are considered to be heating elements for radiators that can be an effective supplement the heating system. In some situations, the device is quite cope with the role of the primary source of heat, for example in seasonal residence premises.

Before you decide to purchase the device, you need to know more about this information, right? We have prepared a review article about the device radiator heaters, classification, advantages and disadvantages. The material is designated the main criteria for the selection of the appliance and describes the features of its installation.

Heater radiator: why is it needed?

Like any other heater for heating the radiator for heating the heat carrier and to maintain its operating temperature. The device can be installed in virtually any heater having an internal cavity filled with fluid. Due to the scope of application is wide.

Radiator heating elements may act as the primary or additional heating source. They are very good as a source of heat for rooms with a relatively small area, which are periodically used during the cold season.

For example, various store room or garage heating. In this case the heater is mounted in a self-contained heat sink, usually it has impressive dimensions.

The battery is not connected to the heating system and filled with coolant that circulates only within the radiator body.

In such cases, as a coolant chosen technical oil with low viscosity, which makes it possible not to be afraid of complete freezing of the radiator after hours. It obtains an analog-type oil radiator, only larger.

Sufficiently well established radiator heating elements and as the primary heat source for lodges that are periodically heated. It is settling system similar to the above, but only the heating elements are mounted in the battery installed in each room.

The organization of such heating for buildings with permanent residence. In this case, the battery can be filled with plain water, as planned to prevent freezing of the system. However, such options are rarely used because of the high cost of electricity.

More broadly radiator heating elements are used as additional sources of heat. They can be integrated into an existing heating system with heat transfer fluid and be included in the job when the main heating for any reason does not work.

Particularly well this solution for homes with central heating. At a time when it is switched off, the heating elements literally save tenants apartments from freezing.

Another good option - connection of devices in the autonomous heating system solid fuel boiler. It will maintain a comfortable temperature in the rooms even at a time when the owner is not able to lay the fuel on time.

If there is the possibility of using multi-rate counter, it may be a practical alternative to the transition to nighttime electricity when it is relatively cheap. During the day the boiler re-work.

Practice shows that it is economically disadvantageous to use radiator heating elements, operating on gas as an additional heat source for autonomous systems. The fuel itself is relatively inexpensive, so replacing it with a more expensive energy does not make sense.

If used indoors boilers with LPG or diesel fuel, the benefits will be obvious. But only with the two-phase electricity meter.

How does the appliance

The design of the device does not differ from other types of heaters. Housing tubular electric heater made of a seamless or electric-walled metal tube. Its diameter can vary, and the section to be flat or rounded.

As carbon steel material most commonly used for manufacturing the casing, but may be selected and stainless steel, if the working surface of the device will be heated to temperatures in excess of + 45 ° C.

To protect the metal from corrosion and extend the service life of the heating element, steel case chrome or nickel. As heating element applies spiral of nichrome wire.

The element has a high resistivity, thereby quickly warming up. Spiral placed inside the housing, in the remaining free inner space - filler.

The housing has high electrical insulation properties and thus transfers heat well. The filler may be used purified quartz sand or periclase - so the mixture of crystalline oxides of magnesium.

After the body is filled with a filler, it is pressurized and bent, giving the necessary form. All insulators Waterproofing cover silicone compound.

Such a device can be installed in any type of radiator: Copper, iron, bimetal, etc. The apparatus is capable of producing up to 2.5 kW of power. Models intended for industrial use, give up to 6 kW.

The design of electric resistance is such that all incoming electrical power no residue device converts into thermal losses are practically absent.

The principle of operation of the device is extremely simple. When activated, it begins to heat up quickly, warming is in close proximity to the coolant. According to the laws of physics, the heated liquid is lighter than cold, so she starts to move upwards.

In its place, it falls colder coolant. After rising to the top of the radiator, heat fluid gives it its heat, cools and descends.

The cycle is repeated many times. Thus, the appliance generates unidirectional current inside the battery fluid. Its speed is higher, the larger capacity of the device.

From our experience, one of the best views of the coolant is considered to transformer oil. The liquid is warmed up quickly and did not cool down enough, gradually giving heat to the heatsink body.

Advantages and disadvantages of radiator heating element

tube-type heaters provide an opportunity to gather practical and reasonably efficient heating system primary or supplementary heating.

The advantages of the devices are:

1. Extreme simplicity of installation. With this operation master handle every beginning.
2. Low cost devicesTrue, meaning the price of one heating element, without any additional equipment.
3. greater reliability compared with oil radiators. In addition, with the heating elements maintainable battery. When equipment failure will replace the heater enough.
4. Availability of additional options and functional.
5. The ability to automatically control heating system, but additional hardware is required for this.

We have listed the main advantages of radiator heaters, consider them significant disadvantages. There are many. First of all, it is an impressive operating costs, due to the high cost of electricity. They can be reduced by completely automate the management of the heating system.

In this case, the heating elements will be included in the job only after the room temperature falls below a certain minimum value. On and off at a temperature achieving defined as comfortable. Work in this mode is the most economical.

However, automation equipment will require financial investments. If we consider purchase of PETN complete with heat sink and with automation, the cost of such a set will be much more cost electric heaters or oil cooler.

But with the latter the level of comfort provided in no way inferior, and in some ways even superior radiators with heating elements. For example, the latter require permanent installation, while electric heaters and oil coolers are more mobile and compact.

Moreover, like any other electrical device, during operation of the heating elements generate a magnetic field. Its danger for the organism has not been proven, as well as safety. So you should include the presence of such a field to negative as the device, because they are installed in the radiators, that is located in close proximity to people.

In other heating systems running on electricity, this disadvantage to some extent leveled. For instance, electric boilers are located in residential premises where the presence of a person momentarily.

One of the most significant disadvantages of radiator heaters - a relatively low efficiency. If we compare it with the performance of traditional systems operating with heat transfer fluid, it will be much lower.

This is due to the fact that in the first case the heating medium is moving at a fairly high speed. With this radiator warms up quickly enough and completely.

Functioning of PETN is unable to provide such a high speed. As a result, heating of the battery case will be uneven. The bottom temperature is much higher than at the top.

Considering that for security purposes should not be allowed heating batteries above + 70 ° C, this temperature will be present only in the lower part of the radiator, where there is a heater. Therefore, to avoid overheating, it is necessary to reduce its capacity by about a third.

Variety of tubular heaters for radiators

Despite the simplicity of the design in the market you can find different variations of radiator heaters. First of all, it varies power heaters. Pattern with a minimum power of "give" about 0.3 kW, with a maximum - 6 kW.

Differ execution device housing. Considering that the configuration and arrangement of the radiators may be different, there are heating elements on the left or right-hand thread.

May vary, and the diameter of the device. It is connected with the cross plug plugs radiator, place where the appliance is installed. Standard size - 40 mm.

Fundamental distinction between devices intended for installation in the radiators of different materials, no. Their design is similar, but the diameter may vary. On sale you can find single and double heating elements.

The latter is more convenient to use. At the time of inclusion activated once both elements, due to which there is the most rapid warming of the coolant. After that one of the elements is switched off, thus saving energy. Some models are equipped with additional functionality.

Manufacturer uses only two functions:

1. Turbonagrev. It allows maximum force the increase in temperature in the room. The device is necessarily embedded thermostat which allows you to change the intensity of the heat.
2. Antifreeze. This mode prevents possible thawing of the entire system when the temperature drops to negative values. PETN automatically maintains the minimum allowable temperature, while consuming little electricity.

In addition, heaters for radiators differ in length and presence or absence of the thermostat.

How not to make the wrong choice

Radiators for heaters are quite simple in the choice, since it does not require a special variety performance and technical characteristics. The following points should be considered before buying.

Calculation of electric heaters power

In order to properly determine the necessary power, it is desirable to know the thermal and technical rules in force in the area. In a pinch, you can use the average figure, which can be used in central Russia and make some corrections if necessary.

Accordingly, at 10 kV. meters heated area, provided that the heater is used as a main heating requires 1 kW its capacity.

If the device is used as an additional heating power requirement is 3-4 times lower. In addition, when choosing a device should take into account the specific character of the radiator heating element.

By virtue of its design features it can operate smoothly with only 75% of the heat output of the radiator. In larger power overheating, and it will always be off occur.

On this basis, calculated capacity of the device. The exact values ​​of heat emission of a radiator can be found in its technical documentation. However, an average of one section of an aluminum heat battery has a 180 W iron - 140 watts.

Calculated for example, a heater is suitable for 10-section radiator. Multiply the data by 10 and we get that for aluminum battery should take the heater power up to 1.35 kW, for cast iron - up to 1 kW.

Design features of the device

For each radiator should be chosen suitable to him in size and direction of the heater thread. The equipment has a different length of the rod, which could affect its performance.

In case of insufficient length PETN equipment can not ensure a sufficiently high rate of circulation of the coolant, thereby heat radiator is uneven and insufficient.

The best is the option, when the rod PETN 60-100 mm does not reach the inner wall of the opposite edge of the radiator. It is also important to choose the right body shape and diameter of the device.

Different models may vary plug material. For a correct choice should examine the recommendations of the manufacturer, where he describes the types suitable for use with a particular heating element heaters.

Availability of automatic control

In commercially available devices with built-in automatic control or without it. The first variation of the most convenient and does not require the cost of acquisition of additional equipment. In this case, the lower portion heating element is embedded thermostat housing with the sensor measures the coolant temperature.

If the built-in automation is not, the appliance does not have a thermostat. In this case, it is desirable to connect using a detector measures the air temperature in the room.

I must admit that this equipment is not so popular and in demand that large European companies engaged in its production.

In stores you can find radiator heating elements made of Turkish, Polish and Ukrainian brands. In terms of quality and functionality they are approximately the same.

Difficult to say, products which firms should prefer. But it must be wary of the Chinese TENam, as is often possible to obtain a product of poor quality.

Additional information about the selection for heating heating element is provided in this article.

Features installation of radiator heaters

Set the device is quite simple. That the operation took place without any difficulty, it is still in the store to get acquainted with his bundle. Ideally, with the TAN in the box will be laid all the necessary elements for a secure connection and fasteners. If any parts are missing, you need to purchase them immediately.

Another important point: before assembly make sure that the system is free from water. For this reason, in multifamily housing optimally carry out the work in the summer, when the central heating is switched off.

Actually assembly is to dismantle the plug at the bottom of the radiator and the subsequent installation at its place of heating device. To the joint turned tight, be sure to set the gasket made of rubber. Not be amiss and pretreatment section sealant joint.

TAN can only be installed at the bottom of the radiator, the fluid circulation can be carried out without hindrance. The item is inserted in the battery pack horizontally, otherwise there may be problems with operation.

allowed to connect to use PETN grounded receptacle. It is advisable to install a voltage stabilizer to protect the device from power surges.

Include a device to the network is possible only after the radiator liquid filling, or the unit fails. Maintainable design with TAN. If necessary, the device can be easily removed and repaired, and more often replaced by a new one.

Given the rigidity of the process water, experts recommend regularly heater descaling. To do this, the device is removed from the battery, and then purge.

It is possible to use a mechanical method, when the scum carefully removed with sandpaper or a stiff brush of metal. This should be done very carefully, because the heating elements are very sensitive to mechanical damage and are easily damaged.

In addition, you can use a chemical method. In this case, the device is handled with special substances. It is important not to damage the lining of rubber.

Conclusions and useful videos on the topic

The videos are presented rational advice on the use and connection of heating appliances.

As a self-install the heater to the radiator:

We offer an overview of the heater for cast iron radiators:

Heating element for aluminum radiator:

Radiator electric heaters - a good way to additional heating arrangement for premises of different purposes. They are relevant for villas, garages and buildings that are used from time to time.

In such heating elements rarely recommend as the main heating. Still, they use a lot of electricity, so you can find another, less expensive way to Ardagh their homes.

To look for an effective instrument for supplementary heating? Or have experience with radiator heaters? Please leave comments and ask questions on the topic. Communication unit located below.