What is it for and how does a thermal head on a heating radiator work?

Ensuring a comfortable temperature in the home is an important task. For its implementation, various devices are used, including thermal heads on a heating radiator. They allow you to control the heating temperature in the room and more efficiently use the coolant. To work effectively, it is important to choose the right device. To do this, you need to know as much information as possible about the properties and characteristics of the device.

Structural features

The thermal head consists of the following parts:

• body;
• bellows;
• locking mechanism;
• pusher;
• stock;
• spring;
• seals;
• fasteners.

The valve is responsible for the amount of heat carrier passed through.

Usually the body material is transparent or colored plastic. The bellows are made of brass or steel. Stainless steel springs are responsible for opening and closing the stem. One puts the stem in its original position after closing the valve, and the other after opening.

There is a locking piece on the top of the body. It allows you to fix the settings. To prevent the element from sticking, it is recommended to dismantle the thermal heads after the end of the heating season.

Varieties of thermal heads

There are 3 groups of thermal heads:

• manual;
• electronic;
• mechanical.

All of them perform the same function, only the principle of operation differs.

Manual Thermal heads are similar in appearance to a faucet. By turning the regulator, the desired indicator on the coolant is achieved. They are installed instead of classic ball valves. They are distinguished by their reliability and low cost. The downside is inaccurate settings and inconvenience of use. Also, the regulator may become loose due to frequent use.

Mechanical thermal heads have a more complex design. In this case, the set temperature is maintained automatically. It is based on a bellows in the form of a cylinder, inside which there is an agent in a liquid or gaseous state. When the temperature rises above the stated rate, the stem begins to move. The channel section narrows, the throughput decreases and the temperature drops to the declared value. The advantages of mechanical regulators include ease of use, accuracy of adjustment, automatic adjustment of the mode. The disadvantage is the higher cost.

Electronic models run on batteries. The stem moves under the action of a microprocessor. They have advanced functionality - setting the temperature by time and days of the week, determining the mode in the room, no heating in the absence of tenants in the house. The main disadvantages of such products are the high cost, the need to replace the batteries. Advantages - ease of use, complete automation of the process, wide temperature range.

Installation rules

The thermal head must be installed correctly. Manufacturers give the following connection recommendations:

• The housing must be protected from direct exposure to UV rays. Otherwise, the accuracy of work is impaired.
• The thermal head must be open. Do not place it behind furniture, protective boxes or other obstacles.
• The device must not be placed above the heating system. Then a temperature mismatch will be noted.
• The piping must not exert pressure on the valve.
• During installation, the remote control is set to maximum.Before the installation itself, the movement of water in the circuit is blocked, and then the liquid is drained.
• Installation is only permitted parallel to the floor in a horizontal position. The thermal head cannot be placed vertically.

Then you can proceed with the installation.

Installation sequence

The installation of the thermal head begins with cutting the pipes. It must be carried out at a short distance from the radiator. Next, the old shut-off valves are demonstrated, the valve shanks are separated and screwed into the battery plugs.

Then the piping is assembled and mounted and the pipes are connected from the sides from the batteries. By turning the lever, the required temperature regime is set. Thermostatic head for radiators can be installed at the inlet or outlet of the system.

When choosing an installation site, the manufacturer's recommendations must be followed. Basically, the installation height is 0.4-0.6 meters from the floor. It is for this value that the temperature regime is calibrated. These criteria are met for top feed. If it is lower, you need to adjust the thermal head to a colder temperature.

Customization features

For the radiator thermostat valve to function properly, a preset must be made. It is required to turn on the heating in the room and close the doors and windows. A thermometer is placed at a certain point, after which the settings are made. The device configuration scheme is as follows:

• Turn the thermal head to the left until it stops. This will open the coolant flow.
• Expectation of a temperature rise of 5-6 ° C compared to that which was in the room.
• Turn all the way to the right.
• Waiting for the temperature to drop to the initial one. Gradually loosen the valve. Stop rotation in case of positive noise or heatsink heating.

The last position set is optimal and corresponds to a comfortable temperature.

Common mistakes

Correct installation requires care from the master at every stage of the work in order to avoid mistakes. The most common problem is the vertical position of the head. It leads to the fact that the room ceases to be heated, since the thermostat itself heats up from the incoming air.

The wrong installation location is often chosen. Do not install the regulator at a point where the air temperature is very different from the average for the room. Due to the wrong choice of the installation site, the use of the thermal head loses its meaning.

Criterias of choice

Temperature control products are produced by many well-known companies. These include Buderus, Danfoss, Oventrop. They have their offices in all major cities.

To find the best device, you should rely on the following criteria:

• Thermal valve on which the head is fixed. There is a clip and threaded connection.
• The type of thread on the thermal head itself. It comes in the form of a nut with shutters or a round one.
• The presence of a skirt. It hides the work area and makes the look more attractive.
• Material. The cheapest devices are made of plastic, the most expensive ones are made of metal. The first are unreliable and short-lived.
• The quality of the material. The use of cheap plastic makes the construction cheaper, but durability and runtime suffer.
• Work item type. There are liquid, gas, electronic, paraffinic.

  

• Smooth turning of the handle. Affects the accuracy of setting characteristics.
• The presence of additional characteristics. There are wireless models with WiFi, various sensors and other control and regulation devices.
• Graduation, scale length.
• Is there an anti-vandal protection.
• Appearance.

The stores offer ready-made kits consisting of a valve and a thermal head. These items can be purchased separately if desired. In particular, for radiators Rifar and Kermi you have to purchase a thermostat separately. Danfoss devices are very popular.

It is also worth choosing in advance which thermal head will be used according to the control method. A thermostatic head for a heating radiator with sensors and an automation system is more convenient, but not suitable for all types of batteries.

For cast iron heaters, only models with manual adjustment are suitable. This is due to the heat capacity of the material and its high inertia.