Cast iron batteries are a standard heating device adapted to the operating conditions of central heating. The characteristics of the cast iron heating radiators correspond to the requirements of the system. They are resistant to corrosion and not too demanding on the cleanliness of the coolant, insensitive to pressure drops and durable.
Design features of cast iron radiators
The batteries look the most traditional. The design includes several sections, interconnected by nipples. Heat-resistant rubber or paronite is used to seal the joints. The channels for the coolant inside have a circular or elliptical cross section. One-, two- and three-channel sections are produced.
The batteries are cast from gray cast iron. The material is resistant to wear and tear - radiators serve for over 50 years. Salts are not deposited on the walls, fine debris or sand does not damage. Even after 30–40 years, the diameter of the working channels remains almost unchanged.
The size of the cast iron battery depends on the number of sections. The size is selected based on the size of the heated room. But if the width of the product is determined by the number of elements, then the height and depth depend on the device of the sections themselves.
The appearance of the product is unattractive. More modern models come with a flat front panel. Decorated with forged items.
Advantages and disadvantages
The advantages of the product are due to the material rather than the design. Main pluses:
- Cast iron conducts heat well and accumulates it. The radiator heats up longer than a steel or bimetallic one, but it gives off heat after the boiler is turned off for a long time. An hour after stopping heating, the residual heat transfer for cast iron models is 30%, while for steel models it is only 15%.
- The water used for central heating is not clean. Salts, mechanical impurities, sand destroy the pipeline material. Debris is deposited on the walls: the working diameter decreases over time, the heat transfer efficiency decreases. Cast iron is not afraid of salts, abrasive particles. After 30 years, the batteries perform as efficiently as they did the first day after release.
- Cast iron batteries do not withstand constant high water pressure, however, water hammer is not afraid of it. This option is used when arranging heating with natural circulation.
- Radiators last at least 50 years. If you change the gaskets in time, even longer. Usually they are replaced not because of leaks or low efficiency, but in order to make the interior more modern.
- The price is the lowest among heaters.
Cons of radiators:
- The main drawback is its considerable size and heavy weight. The 8-section model weighs over 60 kg. They are difficult to transport, lift to the upper floor, or mount.
- If, when the heating is turned off, high thermal inertia is an advantage, then when turned on it turns into a disadvantage. The room is warmed up for at least 12 hours.
- To service the batteries, a large volume of coolant and a more powerful boiler are needed. For central heating, this is not a hindrance, since the system was originally designed to transfer a large amount of coolant. This is a significant disadvantage for an autonomous one.
- There is no need to talk about design. Rough heavy radiators hardly fit into the interior.
The advantages of a cast iron battery are well manifested in central heating systems. The disadvantages are visible when equipping autonomous heating.
Specifications
The choice of cast iron batteries is small. Most of the older models have been abandoned. In new ones, they are trying to reduce the volume of the coolant, improving heat transfer due to a larger number of channels and creating a flat surface.
The technical characteristics of the most popular models are shown below.
| Brand | Working pressure, atm | power, kWt | Heating area for 1 section, sq. m | Water volume in 1 segment, l | Weight of 1 segment, kg |
| MS-140 | 9 | 0,12–0,16 | 0,244 | Up to 1.45 | 5,7–7,1 |
| World Cup1 | 9 | 0,075–0,11 | Up to 0.165 | Up to 0.9 | 3,3–4,8 |
| World Cup2 | 9 | 0,1–1,14 | Up to 0.207 | Up to 0.95 | 4,5–6,3 |
| World Cup3 | 9 | 0,1–0,15 | Up to 0.246 | Up to 1.38 | 4,8–7 |
Models are selected mainly in terms of power. Comparison of the characteristics of the sections allows you to quickly calculate the required dimensions of the heater.
Height
Low heat sinks look more attractive even with a standard configuration.
The size
Product dimensions vary greatly:
- height - from 33 to 95 cm;
- depth - from 8.5 to 20 cm;
- width - from 4.4 to 10.8 cm;
- the center distance varies from 22 to 90 cm.
See labeling for size information. If the model is non-linear, no depth is specified.
The most important parameter - the length of the battery itself - depends on the power. The more sections, the more area the radiator can heat. However, there is also a limitation: if the length of the battery is 4 times the height, it must be connected from both sides, and this is not always possible and convenient.
Power
- room volume;
- insulation quality;
- water temperature;
- the power of one section of a cast-iron radiator - this indicator is indicated in the product passport.
On average, at a normal level of heat loss for heating 3 cubic meters of air in a room, 1 kW is required.
The calculation is performed as follows: the area of the room is multiplied by 100 and divided by the capacity of the sections of the selected model. For example, with an area of 10 sq. m. and a segment power of 150 W receive 10 * 100/150 = 6.67. Round the result up - to heat the room, you need a radiator with 7 sections.
It is advised to increase the calculated value by at least 15%. For heating a bedroom with an area of 10 sq. m. recommend buying batteries for 9-10 cells.
Consider the height of the room. With the same area, but with a ceiling height of not 3.5, but 4 m, at least 12 sections will be required for heating with a radiator of the same power.
Other factors are also taken into account. If the room has 2 windows, it is better to install 2 batteries of 5 sections in order to evenly distribute heat and neutralize cold air.
Selection rules
The recommendations are simple:
- The most important thing is the correct calculation. The power of the section is estimated and the efficiency of the entire heater is calculated. If the sections are not enough, an increase in the temperature of the coolant will not fix the matter, the room will be cold.
- You need to find the height. If the product is mounted under a window, at least 20–15 cm should remain between the battery and the window sill, and at least 5 cm between the floor and the lower edge of the product. For large windows, low radiators are chosen and compensate for the low height with a large number of sections. High radiators are mounted near blank walls.
- Batteries with a flat surface have a higher efficiency and a more attractive appearance. Models with art casting, with decorative coating fit perfectly into the interior in retro, classic, rustic style.
- Radiators are fixed on the wall with special brackets. However, there are outdoor models. The latter are used if the walls cannot withstand such a heavy load.
The appearance of the batteries can be radically changed by covering them with a decorative grill or screen.
Cast iron radiator manufacturers
Such products are produced not only by Russian factories and enterprises of the CIS countries. There are many foreign manufacturers offering cast iron radiators in retro or techno style. The models of domestic companies are cheaper.
Minsk plant of heating equipment
One of the most famous manufacturers. Produces two- and three-channel cast iron batteries in a variety of designs. There are classic radiators and models with a flat surface - they are more efficient, since they give off heat better, as well as options with a pattern on the surface. The number of sections is determined by the customer.
Santekhlit (Russia)
The factory offers classic models. The depths of the sections and the heights vary widely. There are models with a depth of only 11 cm. They are easy to place under a narrow modern window sill. The length of the battery is determined by the number of sections.
Viadrus (Czech Republic)
The company offers products more suitable for autonomous heating. Radiators can easily withstand a constant pressure of 12 bar and are very durable. They meet the European quality criteria.
The design of the radiators is attractive. The plant produces 8 lines in different designs and in 27 standard sizes. There are models with a flat surface, with an exquisite pattern on the sections, with sections of an unusual irregular shape.
