Types of radiator connection nodes and their purpose

Bottom connection of batteries provides for the location of the branch pipes at the bottom of the structure, on both or one of the sides. The bottom connection of the radiator is most often used in private houses to mask communications.

The need for a connection point

The connection of heat sources with the route from the bottom provides for the presence of pipes at the inlet and outlet. One of them is used for water supply, the second for drainage. The scheme is intended for:

• easy docking of heating elements;
• ease of replacing radiators if repairs are needed;
• compactness of the interchange;
• hiding ugly communications;
• equipping the heating main with a cooling valve with a tube probe;
• simplification of installation of sectional batteries with bottom pipes of heaters.

When the system is removed from the walls, the lower L-shaped structures are formed.

Pros and cons of technology

The best option for using a unit for connecting a heating radiator with a lower type of supply is a two-pipe system. Communications exclude heat losses and have several advantages:

• uniform heating of the top and bottom of the batteries;
• ease of serial connection of pipes;
• high-quality heating of rooms, which allows you to implement only a two-pipe method;
• masking radiator elements in the floor or walls;
• quick dismantling and replacement of elements;
• the possibility of installing a pipeline made of polypropylene, copper, PEX, bimetal, aluminum, steel.

The disadvantages of the lower supply include the need to complete each battery with air vents, the impossibility of equipping it with a circulation pump.

Bottom inlet heating system compatibility

The organization of the bottom supply is not carried out in communications with a natural type of circulation. The reason lies in the direction of the water - from the bottom up, against the force of gravity. If there is a two-way system, it is necessary to place the valve on the return pipe. The element has a higher flow capacity in comparison with the standard case, which allows the use of powerful circulation pumps.

One-sided bottom connection is complicated by the hydrodynamic resistance of the radiators due to the presence of two opposite channels and a small nominal bore. It is problematic to select shut-off and control valves - it is represented mainly by models with remote thermostats.

One-way injectors have a built-in bypass, making it difficult to adjust the water flow. An injector device with a separate throttle and thermostat head cannot be installed due to lack of space.

Types of connection nodes

The H-shaped unit located at the bottom makes it easier to set up, overlap the radiators and drain the coolant from them. Depending on the type of contour reinforcement, there are several types of structures.

Single pipe

The coolant moves along the highway to the heating devices. Due to the drop in water temperature, the battery warms up well only in the first circuit, the latter remain cold. To compensate for temperature differences, a bypass wiring is used. The thermal compensation system divides the inlet flows into two parts. One goes to the radiator devices and begins to heat the case. The second at this moment moves to the next device.

Two-pipe

Radiators warm up evenly without a bypass. In the presence of a lower unit, a "binocular" design is used in the form of fittings with adjustment and closing valves. One branch pipe is output to the supply, the second to the return.

Combined

A line with a bypass channel inside is used in one-pipe and two-pipe wiring. On a heating main, from one pipe, the bypass opens slightly, from two it closes completely.

Types of fittings for assembly

You can connect communications in the lower way using three types of fittings:

• Straight. They are used to connect radiator modules to the branch pipes coming out of the floor in a vertical position. The direct fittings scheme provides for fittings with an "American" (union nut) or compression adapter sleeve.
• Corner. Pipes are led out of the wall at a minimum height from the floor surface. The elbow is connected with an American located at the ends of the pipes.
• Cocks for closing the system and adjusting the temperature. The fitting is built into the battery case and provides a quick connection to two-pipe wiring. With the help of ball or valve valves with recessed tips, you can adjust the return flow, flow, turn off the radiators.

Parts of the steel pipeline are fixed with a union nut with a Eurocone connector.

Specificity of installation of radiators with bottom connection

It is required to connect the radiator elements, regardless of the method, with an indent from the wall surface by 5 cm, from the window sills - by 5-10 cm, from the floor - by 8-10 cm. For self-installation you will need:

• L-shaped or T-shaped tubes;
• level and pipe cutter;
• special multiflex units;
• FUM tape;
• thermal insulation material;
• nuts.

The supply is carried out at the stage of repairing a dwelling or building underfloor heating in the walls, between the heating devices and the floor or in the floor. The sequence of work depends on the shape of the reinforcement.

L-shaped branch pipes

Heating elements can be connected as follows:

1. Installation of a nipple and a block of ball valves.
2. Putting the thread clamp on the nipple.
3. Flaring the tube to prevent the rubber seal from slipping.
4. Installing the element in the corner fixture.
5. Conclusion of the structure in the block of ball valves and bait.
6. Making markings for fasteners of the retainer and dismantling pipes.
   
7. Drilling a hole and driving a complete dowel into it with a self-tapping screw.
8. Re-assembly of connecting pipes with fixing on the ceiling.
9. Supply of the main pipe to the connecting pipes. It will be necessary to move the thermal insulation layer 2 lengths of the sleeve.
10. Sleeve fixation and pipe flaring.

The structure is installed on the ceiling with dowel hooks. To prevent the pipes from jumping out from under the screed, a step of 0.5 m is made.

T-shaped pipes

The connection process is implemented as follows:

1. Putting on the threaded connection on the branch pipe.
2. Flaring the element.
3. Fixation with a sliding sleeve.
4. Masking the knot with decorative overlays to match the color and texture of the finish.

Before starting the connection, plastering and leveling of the surface is carried out.

After completing the installation work, manual or thermal valve adjustment is performed. In the first case, three-way or ball valves are used before and after the radiator. The temperature is set manually or programmed. For lower batteries, thermostatic control valves are best suited.

Node connection diagram

The connection of the lower unit is performed according to several schemes.

Via bypass

Bypass is implemented through:

• Built-in duct with adjustable orifice diameter. It can be connected to one-pipe communications for an even distribution of water temperature. By means of eccentric nuts, pipe bends with any axial distance can be connected.
• A remote element to raise the inlet temperature with subsequent equalization in the system. The tube is connected through a fitting with a built-in thermostat. The coolant will be directed to the top of the battery through the bypass and flow down. To regulate the return flow, an air vent is built into the upper part.

Bypass reduces heat losses by 20%.

Through the injector

The injection, or lower side method, provides for the presence of special devices. The injectors are made in the form of a branch pipe installed in the pipe body at the outlet. A feature of the scheme is the direction of the hot coolant into the battery through the inlet near the branch pipe and return through it to the return line. On the side of the injection device is a valve regulator, screw or automatic thermostat.

Tichelman's wiring

Relevant for a one-pipe heating system. The main line is retrofitted with a passing wiring with the same total distance for the supply and return lines.

Using flow extenders

The device is mounted at the bottom, it has no taps at the top. The coolant circulates, moving to the middle of the battery, and then exits at the end. It rises and pushes the water out through the outlet. Flow extenders are not used in gravity communications.

Using an adapter

The element is screwed in at the bottom, a stainless pipe is directed to the top. Heating pipes to the adapter are connected from below.

Which radiators are suitable

Manufacturers produce batteries under the bottom connection with outlet and inlet pipes at the bottom. Universal models have 4 gaps for lines, so they can be cut in any way. Heating pipes are thrown on two entrances, the rest are hidden by plugs. It is allowed to connect the radiators in the lower way under the side cut-out. You will need a special mounting kit to mount the pipes to the wall, in it, or under the floor.

Fixation is made from below on the brackets. The element should be slightly inclined in the direction of the reverse movement of the coolant. Thus, air pockets are quickly removed from the system.

The bottom way of connecting radiators is suitable for heating one-pipe and two-pipe types. With the help of special fittings and devices, the technology is implemented in an apartment and a private house.