The floor thermostat is used to properly manage a modern heating system, which must constantly maintain a comfortable temperature in the house for living. The work is carried out using an element called an external temperature sensor, which ensures convenient control of floor and air space heating.
Installation of temperature controllers can be performed in any room where there is a heated floor. With the help of these devices, the desired degree of heating is set. For some models, the possibility of touch control, equipment with additional temperature sensors is provided. They can be programmed for the desired temperatures at different times of the day, the same for the days of the week.
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Varieties of thermostats for underfloor heating
When installing underfloor heating, the thermostat should be selected depending on the size of the heated area and the preferred power.
Mechanical thermostat
The simplest to control the device are mechanical type thermostats. They have a convenient control panel, which is often made in the form of a rotary knob with a printed temperature scale.
Mechanical thermostats do not consume electricity for operation, so their use seems to be more profitable. Some devices have a timer with which you can set the desired start time for heating.
The air temperature in the room is determined by a built-in bimetallic temperature sensor. Its work is based on the properties of gases or bimetallic elements: when the ambient temperature changes, they will change shape or volume. When the air temperature reaches the setpoint temperature, the circuit opens or closes. Such regulators have an on-off hysteresis, so that when the temperature setpoint is reached, the thermostat does not click back and forth.
Electronic thermostat
Electronic thermostats without the possibility of programming have gained no less popularity than mechanical ones. Thanks to them, it is possible to control the heat in the rooms with an accuracy of 0.5 ° C. Such a device is equipped with a convenient display that displays data on the floor temperature, both current and set.
If the system is turned on, this is indicated by a special sign that appears on the thermostat screen.Technical messages are also displayed on the display, and if malfunctions are detected in the underfloor heating system, the corresponding symbols are displayed. Management is carried out using the keys located on the outside of the panel.
The heating elements are powered by the same source as mechanical thermostats. Using electronic devices, you can change the heating on and off cycles, which saves resources and money to pay for them. The devices can continue to operate until the owners turn them off.
Programmable thermostat
If the area to be heated is large enough, the ability to save energy is important. This problem can be easily solved with the help of a thermostat with programming, which is used both when using a film for underfloor heating film, and with cable systems.
The principle of operation of a programmable type thermostat is almost the same as the circuit used in simple devices. The main difference is the addition of the ability to configure working modes by day. Temperature maintenance intervals can be set for any day of the week. Thus, it is possible to reduce energy costs by up to 70%.
For the operation of the device, periods are assigned when it is necessary to maintain heating at maximum power, or set the time for shutdowns. Processes are controlled automatically. You can make separate settings for weekdays and weekends. The set cycle will be repeated until the owners change the settings.
Thermostat for electric underfloor heating
Thermostats are equipped with a convenient sensor that makes it possible to maintain the desired temperature by periodically switching the circuit on and off. At the thermostat, in case of an increase in temperature, a relay is activated. A thermostat for floors with infrared action, which is powered by the mains, works on a similar principle.
Most often, when assembling a heating system, a suitable thermostat is included in the kit. If the system is not equipped with such a device, you can buy it. Such devices are available as standard - they are suitable for most commercially available systems.
All thermostats are equipped with external and internal temperature sensors. The internal one is designed to measure the temperature of the floors, the external one helps to control the heating of the air in the room.
The temperature sensor is a conventional resistance thermometer. The principle of operation of such sensors is based on the dependence of the resistance of the sensor on the temperature of the ambient air in which it is located. For example, for a Pt100 type temperature sensor at a temperature of 0 °C, its resistance will be 100 Ohm, similarly for a 50M sensor, only 50 Ohm. As the temperature rises, the resistance will increase.
Further, this measured resistance, the thermostat translates into degrees and, based on the set setting for regulation, performs the necessary actions, turns on or off the voltage to the warm floor.
Important! The type of temperature sensor must match the selected thermostat for underfloor heating. Otherwise, the resistance value of the sensor will not be correct and the regulation will not be correct.
When choosing a thermostat, it is necessary to take into account what is the highest value of the floor power.If this criterion is neglected, the power will not be enough, there will be a sharp drop in temperature. If necessary, the devices can be connected as a single network with power exceeding 3 kW. Installation is carried out at different ends of the room separately.
How to choose a thermostat for underfloor heating
Without a properly selected temperature controller, the full operation of the heating structure is impossible. With fully equipped heating systems, you can save both electrical energy and finances. The thermostat for underfloor heating performs simple tasks - with its help, the heating is turned on or off at a preselected time. The function can also be carried out in accordance with the indications of the device.
When choosing a control device for embedding in a heating system, it is necessary to take into account the power - it must correspond to the same indicator for the heating structure. Not only the comfort in the room, but also the safety of the floor covering depends on which thermostat is installed and how it works.
Among the models of thermostats, the following groups are distinguished:
- Devices that help you save money while working - they help reduce energy consumption if the owners of the home will be away for some time. During this period, the heating power is slightly reduced.
- Devices with the ability to program the floor heating temperature sensor. Using this function allows you to set the period when space heating will be performed at the required intensity.The command given by the timer is transmitted to the control device, after which it will maintain the set temperature at the desired level.
- Intelligent, capable of programming operating modes, where economical and heating are alternately applied. When using such a device, the command from it at the right time goes directly to the heating element. The time is determined depending on the user's pre-set settings or on changes in the atmosphere outside.
- Devices that include a built-in sensor-limiter. It helps protect both the floor covering and the heating element from overheating. The use of such a device is of particular benefit if a laminate is laid on the floor that does not tolerate large temperature changes.
The temperature control device is selected based on the area of the room. So, for a small room, a simple device is enough, the operation of which does not provide for the possibility of programming. For large areas, it is necessary to look for devices more difficult, providing for the possibility of programming. For such purposes, thermostats with special sensors that are installed inside the floor can be used.
Devices for adjustment are overhead or built-in - information about this is contained in the instructions attached to the product. When choosing, it is necessary to take into account the type of control, evaluate the ease of installation, configuration and use for existing conditions.
Installation of a regulator for a warm floor
When opening the front panel of the thermostat, you must follow the procedure indicated in the instructions. It should also have a connection diagram for the thermostat.To install a built-in type device, you first need to prepare a special recess for it. The location of the thermostat is chosen approximately at a height of 1 m from the floor. The home network must first be de-energized.
The installation of the regulator begins with connecting the power supply to the mounting box. A connected temperature sensor is placed between the thermostat and the heating elements, which is inserted into the corrugated pipe.
For the correct connection of the wires when connecting them to the thermostat, you must use the diagram provided by the manufacturer. Special terminals are provided for connecting wires. Those that feed the sensor are connected to sockets with special designations. The device is placed in a mounting box, the thermostat is aligned. If necessary, an RCD, a ground wire is installed. Then put the control panel in place and fix it with fasteners.
Setting thermostats
Different models of thermostats are able to work in automatic or manual mode. Programmable electronic devices allow you to organize the mode for the days of the week or time of day that users need. When thermostats are installed, a recessed type adjustment or calibration can be performed. One of the temperature sensors, if necessary, can be turned off.
The actions to be performed during adjustment, as well as the location of the sensors, are indicated by the manufacturer in the instruction manual. You can lock the device so that someone (such as children) cannot accidentally reset the settings.
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