The smooth operation of any equipment for home heating will depend on many factors, including the right selection of components, the characteristics of each of which determine the degree of efficiency and reliability of the heating system in whole.
Warm water floors - modern equipment, the correctness of which is also provided by a number of devices that have a definite purpose.
In particular, maintaining the heated environment optimum temperature is directly related to the intensity of the heat supply in the water circuit, which is controlled by various types of valves. These regulating devices provides a three-way valve for floor heating, without equipping Heated floor which will not complete the functional system.
Get a superficial understanding of what kind of work is done by a three-way mixing valve, and how significant its role in the mixing unit, allowing any warm water circuit sexesRegardless of the number and configuration of circuits. For better orientation in the selection of the device's understand in more detail what constitutes this accessory, and what is its operating principle.
The main function of which is vested in the three-way valve
Heating System "radiant floor" is completely different from traditionally used by us, radiator heating. The thing is, that for heating circuits, lying on the floor in the body of the concrete screed, requires a low temperature of the coolant. Heated floors are considered low-temperature system, the connection to which the heating devices or to supply hot water via a mixing unit.
In order that the heating be carried out in compliance with sanitary regulations, must be a significant reduction in temperature of the water coming from the heating source in the water circuits. It is this function is assigned to the mixing unit, or as it is called in the professional environment, mix with knot. Autonomous boiler heats the water to the level of the operating mode 950FROM. Is slightly cooler water in the central heating system. For normal operation of heating floors optimum coolant temperature is 35-550C, which is obtained at the output of the mixer.
On a note: not to be confused with the mixing unit collectors. The first is a set of different components and assemblies that provide adjustment of the water supply in the water circuit, while the second is only a part of the entire control unit.
Mixing unit is a set of instruments and devices that meet their specific functions. If information about a collector, at least enough, and that's what the three-way valve, a few of us has an idea. The purpose of this device consists in mixing two different temperature fluid flows. Coming from the return pipe, water cooled down and the hot water running along the tube from the heating source by means of this mechanism is connected to one flow, the required temperature. The main part of this device - the core temperature sensing element which reacts on change of temperature of the aqueous medium, shrinking or expanding.
It is due to this structure, the work is carried out three-way valve directed to an automated adjustment of the coolant temperature in the system.
On a note: This device is used not only in the work of water underfloor heating, but also stands on equipping almost all autonomous heating systems running on liquid coolant.
The figure shows a diagram of the mixing unit for underfloor heating and place of the three-way valve.
Main features and functions of the device
Having a rough idea about the principles of the three-way valve, it is better to study in detail the operation of this mechanism. The name "three-way" defines the basic function of the device - through the two entrances to the valve enters the water of various origins:
- Hot coolant from the supply pipe connected to the heating device with a riser or a central heating system;
- The cooled water returning after passing through the water circuit.
Mixing together the valve in a certain proportion, flows out through the third conduit having a predetermined temperature value. The valve operates continuously, because the coolant is mixed, to ostyvshemu hot water cyclic operation principle is based underfloor: heating - -podmes heat transfer - heat transfer - podmes.
The process of mixing two flows at different temperatures coolant must be constantly monitored, better - automatically. Otherwise, the intensity of the heat insulated floor with room air will not be tied to temperature changes in the room, and have at least needed to change the temperature of heat medium heating manually.
Implement mix with the hot coolant in the automatic mode allows heat sensitive head, regulating throughput capacity of the valve according to the temperature of the mixed fluid to output a predetermined values.
Depending on the application and operating conditions, different types of three-way valves.
1. Heating systems
For heating system with radiators, working from an independent boiler, use the simplest type of device. Such three-way valves inexpensive and have a relatively simple design that allows you to install them yourself. Adjusting the mixing amount in this case is performed manually.
2. hot water system
DHW three-way valves are used to maintain secure communications in the system water temperature values, eliminating the likelihood of burns. The design of such devices is also quite simple and straightforward. From valve for heating systems, such devices are characterized by having special protective block overlapping in the absence of hot water in the cold water pipe.
3. Warm water floor
Devices of this type are the most difficult, because they are intended to maintain a predetermined temperature of the coolant in the heating circuits with reference to the room temperature. Using a mixing unit such devices allows to regulate the intensity of the heating housing in automatic mode,
Important! Using three-way valve in the heating system requires the installation of the circulation pump - to maintain the pressure in the water circuit is required to work properly mix with the node.
For underfloor crane equipped with an adjusting handle and the measuring scale by which the adjustment device.
Variants of using a three-way valve in the water underfloor heating systems
In a residential area small area (Toilet or bathroom), underfloor installed without mixing unit, wherein no technical necessity. For correct operation of the system is sufficient use of the model three-way valve with two shut-off valves.
On a note: full mixing unit (pump, manifold, safety valves) costs money, and equipment floor heating in the bath room costs to mix with the node exceed the cost of the water circuit device several times.
Such a device thanks to provide adjustment of the thermostat temperature of the water entering the heating zone.
In the heating system, designed to heat the entire living area, Mix with a node with three-way valve is required on a mandatory basis. Thermostatic three-way valves will guarantee a continuous supply of treated water to all heating circuit loop.
Example: Use for heating in the living room of 20 m2 a water loop heat lines of considerable length. Installation on a supply pipe control valve, equipped with electric drive, will allow the pair to the pump to provide the necessary coolant circulation. This scheme involves the installation of a valve at the junction of the return pipe to the bypass. Operation of the thermostatic head is configured so that when an excessively high temperature coolant water is circulated by a small circle.
Heating by means of underfloor heating residential premises in a house with two or more floorsIt involves the use of a large number of water circuits of varying lengths. Accordingly, it will be necessary to establish not one but several mixing sets.
In this case, the bundle is compatible three-way valve, servo and a controller that detects the coolant temperature boundary parameters are fed into the heating circuit water sexes. Warm water in this case will arrive after a certain ligaments immediately the heated room or to go to a collector, after which it will already be distributed over the heating pipes.
Selection of the valve and installation features
Choose the model of the valve is necessary with reference to the characteristics of the heating system.
Today it is fashionable to use for equipping the mixing sets three-way valves, equipped electric, although plain, the traditional model of its technological characteristics enough in what concedes complicated devices. At the time of purchase should pay attention to the nuances of the following:
- the availability of technical product documentation (certificates of quality, warranty of the manufacturer, instructions for installation and use);
- articles made from brass or bronze, preferably - these metals interact well with hot water, have a low coefficient of thermal expansion.
On a note: determine when purchasing the material from which is made a three-way valve may be conventional weighing. Take the device in your hand - if the product seems quite heavy, it is made of non-ferrous metal. Use cranes, made of powder composites molding, means to doom oneself to unnecessary costs and trouble.
- connections on the chosen model of the valve must match the installation site - if the thread pitch is different from what you use when installing the mixing unit, do not set the node succeed. Dimensions valves must be commensurate with the area of installation of warm floors - is impractical to mount bulky components for heating small area.
findings
Installation of the three-way valve - the task is not difficult, but requires compliance with technical regulations. Typically, mixing valves pose mixer to the supply pipe in the ground connection of bypass and the return pipe. The pump system is located behind the three-way valve.
After assembly, all of the mixing unit connection reliability and functionality of the valve is checked test run, the results of which commissioning performed if necessary.
Properly installed valve maintains a predetermined temperature in a heated room and provides a rational flow of coolant, and therefore - and heating efficiency.
