To regulate the circulation of the coolant and the degree of its heating in the heating system, a collector is installed for the water warm floor. The mixing unit also performs other functions: it measures the pressure in the heating system, ensures a uniform supply of the coolant, helps to eliminate air from the heating circuit.
The collector uses a simple operating principle, but without its help, a heating system using more than one water circuit can not efficiently work and heat the room.
Do I need a mixing unit?
A legitimate question, especially when you consider the decent value of the collector. It is necessary to recognize, water warm floors without a mixing unit can normally work, but only under condition that they have one heating circuit. What does this mean in practice?According to the manufacturer's recommendations, the length of the pipe to be laid in the heated floors should not exceed 70 m. If we take into account that at the maximum gap between the pipes, this amount will be enough only for 7 m², it is not difficult to calculate, for heating the average size of the room it will be necessary to lay three loops at once.
In most cases, warm floors are laid right away for several rooms: hallway, bathroom, kitchen, etc. Ensure a uniform supply of coolant without connection to the boiler room collector is unrealistic. But if you need to heat only one small room, then you can do without the mixing unit.
Installation without a manifold has several drawbacks, among which: the supply of a coolant with a temperature identical to that of a common heating system, the inability to automatically remove air plugs and control pressure.
The principle of the collector of the warm floor
Mixing unit for systems of water-heated floor has a simple, but quite effective device, consisting of the following units:- Circulating pump - is installed on the flow of the coolant. The pump allows you to set and maintain the required pressure in the heating system, and also regulates the rate of circulation of the liquid along the water circuit.
- The knot of the admixture is essentially a control valve, which is responsible for replenishing the water circuit with hot water. The principle of the sub-assembly is the following: the temperature sensor gives a signal to open the valve and add the heated coolant to the system until the temperature of the liquid reaches a certain set temperature. After that, a signal is sent to close. The sensor is a servo-drive for the collector.
- Distribution manifold - has several outlets for simultaneous connection of several water circuits. On the comb are installed flowmeters, which allow controlling the flow of coolant through the zones.
- Air vent or air exhaust system - the simplest collector does not have an air vent valve. Usually the separators are installed in ready-made mixing units made by well-known manufacturers. The purpose of the separator is to automatically remove air from the water circuit.
The operating principle of the device and water reservoir floor heating is somewhat different from the type of valve used to regulate the coolant flow.
How to properly assemble and connect the collector
Usually, the water manifold assembly diagram underfloor embedded in the finished package the mixing unit. According to the plan, the master who performs the assembly will need:- Install the frame - the collector is mounted in a horizontal position directly on the wall, or in a carved out niche. The only condition of installation is free access to the arrow of heating pipes. It is also possible to install a collector cabinet with your own hands. The cabinet will hide the wiring from prying eyes, which is especially important if a bathroom or a hall is used under the boiler room.
- Connection to the boiler - the coolant is supplied from below, the return goes on top. Boundary cutters are always installed in front of the frame. Immediately behind the faucets is a pumping group. To maintain the required temperature, the heated coolant is used only partially. The pump not only creates the necessary pressure in the heating system, but also helps to mix the cooled water from the floor contour and the heated water coming from the boiler.
- A permeable valve with a temperature limiter is installed. A distributing comb is installed behind the valve. The layout of the collector on warm floors is as follows. Pipes that go to the warm floor are fixed from above, from the heating system from below. If it is necessary to assemble the distribution manifold of a warm water floor with your own hands, shut-off valves with a built-in thermostat are installed in the comb.
Practice shows that the best option is to purchase a finished structure. Building a collector even by a professional and self-adjusting valves is a laborious process, which requires certain skills and experience to perform. - Connecting a collector to a warm water floor requires the use of special accessories. Use compression fittings consisting of a supporting sleeve, clamping ring and intermediate brass nut. After installation, the collector is adjusted.
- Pressure testing of the collector - after the end of the installation work, it is necessary to check the sealing of the connections. For this purpose, the completed collector group is connected to the pump (pressurizer). With the help of a pressure test device, the pressure in the system is pumped. The water circuit is left under pressure for 24 hours. If the pressure values did not change, then the installation of the collector of the warm floor with their own hands was carried out correctly and the mixing unit is ready for operation.
At first glance, assembling the collector by your own hands seems to be quite simple. But as practice shows, it is better not to start the installation without having the necessary tools and special skills.
How to adjust the temperature of the floor by the collector
The control unit allows you to precisely adjust the temperature of the circulating coolant. What is it for?In conventional boilers, water is heated in the range from 60 to 85 ° C. The temperature of the warm floor according to the manufacturer's recommendations should not exceed 30 ° C.
The adjustment by the collector group is performed as follows:
- The mixing valve mixes the hot heat carrier with the cooled water. The adjustment process is performed manually or with the help of a servo (it is not included in the basic version of the collector and is purchased separately).
- With the help of shut-off valves - the floor assembly assembly has several ball cutoffs, usually installed on the feed and return for each power circuit. Shut-off valves regulate the flow rate of the heating medium for each zone of the heating system.
It is possible to balance the collector in such a way as to establish the most comfortable temperature not only for different, but even separate areas in one room. How to open the flowmeters depends on the necessary intensity of heating.
Components for the collector should be selected only one manufacturer. It is even better to purchase a ready-made mixing unit. As practice shows, only in this case, the connection circuit of the collector group, will be 100% workable.
How to choose a collector for a water floor
The device of the collector cabinet allows to choose different systems of regulation and supply of the heat carrier. Each manufacturer has several options for regulating and mixing equipment, but basically the choice is limited to the following devices.- The design with a three-way valve is a versatile device. The technology of installing a collector with a three-way valve allows for additional installation of servo drives and weather-compensated automation. Typically, the hydraulic frame is installed for large rooms. After that, the valve itself creates the optimum working pressure, regulates the temperature and the supply of the coolant.
- Two-way scheme of reservoir piping - a feature of this solution is that the heating of the coolant is carried out in a constant mode. The mixing unit works as a simple mechanism. The feed of the heated heating medium is carried out continuously, but the valve regulates the amount of feed. As a result, it is possible to avoid overheating and ensure an even warm-up of the room.
Even the most modern universal manifolds with a two-way valve have one significant drawback - the inability to use rooms above 200 m². An obligatory component for assembling a collector with a two-way valve is the thermostatic adjusting units. It will also require the use of flowmeters.
The self-made distributor manifold can be assembled at personal discretion with any number of nozzles. Professionals are advised to leave a few bends for a possible increase in heating circuits in the future.
Calculation of the parameters of the mixing unit must be entrusted to professionals. It's quite difficult to do all the necessary calculations on your own. Specialists will select the most suitable materials for assembling the assembly.
Frequent errors in the assembly and installation of the reservoir
There are several common mistakes, usually allowed when assembling or installing a mixing unit:- Wrong balancing valve settings. Calculation of the load on the water circuit is calculated even before the installation of the heating system. The water supply is carried out according to previously obtained results.
- No air valve in the comb. Even if the design does not provide a separator, it is installed without fail. The emerging air congestion is the main reason why warm floors lose their efficiency.
- Errors in the location of the supply manifold. The coolant is supplied from the upper, not the lower bar.
- Installation of several pumps without the use of check valves. The use of control valves in this case allows to eliminate the possibility of circulation of the heat carrier through the disconnected pump. Schematic diagram of the installation of a non-return valve is designed to prevent the leakage of the coolant. Independently and properly fill the warm floors again is quite problematic.
- Absence of the competent scheme of connection of a water warm floor without a collector. Self-assembly of the collector is quite a complicated process, but subject to the recommendations, perform the installation yourself, it is possible.
Provided that only one water circuit is connected, you can do without mounting the manifold at all. In any case, it will be necessary to correctly calculate the heat load of the heating system, and this requires the help of a specialist. During the implementation of the project, the optimum variant of the location of the manifold will be calculated.
When the device of the water heating circuits is safely finished, before connecting the screed, it is necessary to connect the pipes of the warm floor to the collector. This is done to check the integrity of the circuits and to identify factory defects or possible pipe defects that may occur during installation.
The operation for testing the pipelines must be carried out necessarily, otherwise in the event of an accident after starting the heating will have to destroy the floor covering. After the screed is tightened and the solution hardens, it is connected to the main pipelines and the system is put into operation. About how to properly collect the collector for the warm floor and combine it with the mixing unit, will be told in this material.
The role of the collector in floor heating systems
The collector is an element without which floor heating will not do, all pipelines from heating circuits join it. Since the temperature of the coolant fed to the boiler room network is too high for the work of warm floors, a mixing unit always works with the collector, which ensures a water temperature in the range of 40-45 ºС.
Mixing units and collectors for warm floors fulfill the task of preparing the coolant of the required temperature and feeding it to all circuits.
To understand how the entire node works, let's examine the collector device in more detail. It consists of two horizontal tubes connected to the supply and return lines. The body and parts of the collector are made of such materials:
- brass;
- stainless steel;
- plastic.
The figure below shows a detailed scheme of the collector of the warm floor, usually in this kit it is supplied by the manufacturers:
On the feed tube there are branches with thermostatic valves (actuators), on the return there are branches with flow sensors. On top of the thermostats there are plastic caps for manual adjustment, their twisting leads to the pressing of the rod and the shutoff of the flow. Flowmeters or flow sensors standing on the return pipe of the collector for a warm water floor serve to visually observe the amount of flowing water and perform hydraulic balancing of the system.
Note. In the cheapest versions of the collectors, the flow sensors can be absent.
In order to control the pressure and temperature, a thermometer with a manometer is installed on the collector, and a special valve is used to lower the air. The complete set includes plugs, bends, taps and staples for fixing the unit to the wall or to the metal racks of the cabinet. Many suppliers practice the complete assembly of the whole assembly, where there is a distributor manifold in combination with a pump and a two-way or three-way valve.
Operating principle
The operation of the unit is as follows: the coolant circulates through all the circuits of the floor heating, driven by the pump. The flow in each circuit is regulated by the valve manually or automatically, from the capillary or servo. When the temperature in the supply or return pipeline (depending on the circuit) decreases less than the set value, a two- or three-way valve starts mixing hot water from the system, and the coolant flows from the return to the common network. The figure shows the operation of a collector with a surface temperature sensor and a two-way valve:
Scheme of the mixing unit exists several, they use different parts, but its task remains unchanged: maintain the necessary temperature in the floor heating system and control the flow rate of the coolant in the supply branches.
To assemble the collector of the warm floor supplied in the complete set is not difficult. The tubes for the supply and return coolant are already equipped with valves and flow sensors, they must only be twisted together if the collector is divided into 2 or 3 branch sections. Then, for convenience of further assembly, the tubes are better fixed to the standard brackets, then the distributor will be a single unit. Then plugs, elements of connection, stop valves and control devices are installed.
Note. Each set of products includes instructions, with its help and should be assembled and installed a collector of the warm floor.
The next step is to mount the collector to the wall, and after that you can put the circulation pump and the valve. Do this in the reverse order is not worth it, then it will be inconvenient to attach the entire assembly in assembly. The pump and the valve with the thermal head or servo drive are installed in accordance with the selected scheme, after which the main heating pipes coming from the boiler are connected to them, and to the outlets - pipes from the heating circuits. There are situations when the distributor is installed not in the boiler room, but in a corridor or another room, then it is better to use a decorative storage cabinet for installation.
Since the cost of a factory-made sewer is quite high, such a unit can be manufactured independently. True, the pump and the valve for the mixing part, as well as the stop valves will still have to be purchased. The most popular way to assemble a self-made collector is to solder it from polypropylene pipes and fittings. This will require PPR pipe sections with a diameter of 25 or 32 mm, tees and bends of the same size and valves. The number of fittings and valves depends on the number of heating circuits. From the tools you will need a soldering iron for polypropylene pipes with nozzles, scissors and tape measure.
Before making a collector made of polypropylene, it is necessary to measure and cut off sections of the pipe in such a way that after joining the tees are as close as possible to each other, otherwise the assembly will not look aesthetically pleasing. Then the taps are welded to the cranes and transitions, and to the resulting collector - the remaining fittings for connection to the pump.
It should be noted that a self-made collector for a warm floor, made by own hands, will have some drawbacks. For example, there are no thermostatic valves on the supply manifold, and there are no flow sensors on the return line. If they are not available, the system will have to be adjusted manually, and this does not always give good results. Of course, all these elements can be installed and connected separately, but then the labor costs will be such that it is easier to purchase a finished product from plastic, whose value is quite democratic.
Conclusion
Despite the apparent complexity of the mixing and distribution unit, it is not so difficult to assemble it. In the complete set with a product usually there is a detailed instruction, it also should be guided. It is more difficult to manufacture the distributor with one's own hands, but this is always advisable, since it is still necessary to buy components, and even difficulties with setting up the collector.
Popular in recent times, the heating system of buildings using a warm floor requires attention in the design, selection of components and equipment. For manufacturing, more components and products are required than for a system with radiators. This is due to many factors, but the main is the need for competent distribution of the coolant along the branches and controlling its heating.
One of the mandatory nodes is the distributor manifold (comb) to which the pipes that run in the floor are connected. It performs several functions and without them the device of a warm floor is problematic. Despite the fact that the collector group for the warm floor is made by many manufacturers and is supplied to the market in many modifications, there is often a desire to save and create it yourself.
How is this process going, from which you can collect the distribution manifold yourself and what materials are used for this? Let's try to answer these questions.
The collector for the warm floor is used in heating systems with the following objectives:
- distribution of flows;
- temperature control.
Its main purpose is to supply the coolant with the required temperature and quantity to each branch of the warm floor. For this purpose, a mixing unit including a pump, control valves and a bypass (in some versions) is installed with the collector.
The need for temperature control is due to the fact that the boilers are mainly prepared with a much higher temperature than required for warm floors. And in order to translate it into the required parameters, water is mixed with a "return" until the desired temperature is reached.
Types of collectors
In addition to material and technical characteristics, the reservoirs differ in the type of regulation. They can be either without regulation at all, or with the use of flow meters, manual shut-off valves and automatic devices.
Without regulation
The collector for the warm floor with its own hands without regulation makes it possible to create a cheap version of the distribution system. It does not use any regulating devices, and the coolant flows are distributed depending on the hydraulic characteristics of the system. Despite the cost, this option should not be used, as it is not convenient to use and can create difficulties in the future.
With manual regulation
To establish such variant of a collector are aspired basically those who tries to save on the equipment. This is not always a bad thing. Savings allow you to send funds to the place where they are more needed. What are the pros and cons of this option?
The manual regulator has the right to life and can fulfill its function in maintaining the required amount of coolant in each branch. In this case, the temperature of the heating medium is regulated in the mixing unit, and the quantity for each loop is set manually by setting once. Further the system works independently. Well-proven brass collectors of this type.
Especially relevant is the option for the installation of a warm floor as an additional comfort element in the heating system. When the main heating is carried out by radiators, or other devices, and the warm floors only create an additional comfort. For a basic heating system in the form of a warm floor, it is better to provide more serious automation.
One of the options for regulating the flow of coolant to each branch from the collector is the use of a balancing flowmeter. This element makes it possible to regulate the flow of the coolant and visually control it.
The device consists of a rod with a flange, which allows to control the conditional passage in the pipeline. It includes a window with a graduation, through which it is possible to visually determine the specific flow rate of the coolant through the observed branch. Adjustment is carried out by an adjusting ring under a cap. The connection to its manifold is carried out by means of a thread.
The manifold with flowmeters is very often used in modern systems because of its low cost and good performance characteristics.
With automatic regulation
Recently, often installed warm floors, which are installed collectors with automatic regulation. For this, servos are used for each loop. In combination with thermal sensors of a warm water floor, they allow to regulate the heat carrier flow in each branch as a function of the temperature sensor readings.
For this purpose, the necessary section passage is established. Such systems are more expensive than options without regulation or with manual, but rather flexible and allow you to get comfortable living conditions. Do not forget that automatic systems require competent regulation, without which they will not show their full functionality.
What can be done from the collector
Supplied to the market standard collectors for the warm floor are made of different materials: this is polypropylene, and steel, and various alloys. The greatest distribution was obtained by metal elements because of its quality, strength and reliability.
Separate combs with a different number of polypropylene taps are available, which can be assembled with each other and create manifolds of different sizes. The same applies to brass elements.
If the task of installing a collector for a warm floor is not from the factory elements, you can use pieces of pipes, tees and other elements of the heat supply network. Suitable steel pipes of large diameter, which cut into pipes for connecting pipelines. There are also options for the use of polypropylene tees, which are interconnected with the use of truncated pipes. As a result of this action, a comb of the desired size and characteristics is obtained.
Production of a collector by one's own hands
If you decide to assemble a self-made collector for a warm floor, you must have some experience and understanding of the design of the heating systems. First of all, it is necessary to get acquainted with the principle of work and the task of the collectors, then make a competent calculation and directly manufacture.
Calculation
The scheme of the collector of the warm floor is selected based on the characteristics of the particular system. First of all, it is necessary to calculate and select the sections of the pipelines. Before manufacturing it is necessary:
- According to a pre-designed scheme to determine from which branches will consist the system of the warm floor and their characteristics.
- Calculate all the parameters of the system: the temperature of the hot water, which is supplied to the collector, the flow of the coolant through all the branches of the warm floor, the location of the sections.
- It is important to find out the presence and quantity of other heaters, except those that will be connected to the distribution manifold.
- Select the regulation and control system to be used in the distribution manifold.
- It is necessary to determine the location of the collector, since its design and location of the branch pipes depend on this. The implementation of this item makes it possible to connect the collector of the warm floor optimally.
To create a good distribution manifold, which will allow you to competently control the warm floors in the house, it is important to pay special attention to the selection of all components and parts. They should be designed to work in such systems.
In order for the selected collector to perform its function qualitatively and not create additional hydraulic resistance for flow and noise movement, one should be guided by the selection of such a rule: the diameter of the distribution manifold should be chosen so that its cross-sectional area is equal to or greater than the cross-sectional area of all pipelines that are connected to the device. The same applies to the collection manifold.
That is, for example, if 4 pipelines with an internal diameter d = 20 mm are connected to the manifold, then the cross-sectional area of the collector should be: S = 4 (πd² / 4) = 1256 mm². That is, the diameter of the pipe for the collector will be at least 40 mm. This rule for heating network equipment is described in particular in such a normative document: STO RAO UES of Russia "Heat points of heating networks".
Accessories
When selecting a set of elements entering the collector, you need to focus on such products:
- A comb, which is a piece of pipe with incisions cut into it to connect the pipeline to the warm floor. They can be purchased separately, welded from metal or soldered from polypropylene elements. For the collector which is on the supply, it is necessary to have a control valve on each circuit.
- The air vent, which is connected to the top of the product to relieve the air gathered in the system.
- Brackets, which allow a qualitative installation of the collector of the warm floor on the construction structure. They can be chosen among the standard ones or made independently.
- Drain cock, thanks to which it is possible to carry out removal of the coolant from the system.
- Tees and connecting elements.
- Fasteners for connection of metal-plastic or polyethylene pipelines of a warm floor.
This standard set of elements is suitable for manifolds of different materials.
Directly the collector unit for the warm floor besides the collector itself includes a large number of additional elements that allow to regulate and control the system. It includes a three-way or two-way valve, pump, shut-off and control valves. The connection scheme of the collector in each version depends on the type of equipment selected.
Assembly
The production of a collector is no different from working with elements of a heating network. If polypropylene is used, all components are soldered in compliance with tightness, cranes and other elements are connected. It is necessary to monitor the location of the nozzles so that they can be conveniently connected.
Steel collectors
When installing a collector for a warm floor made of steel pipes, you need to have a skill in welding. For work, a large diameter steel pipe of circular or square cross-section is taken. Cut lengths for the manifold parts from the pipe. The pipe sections are welded on both sides with tightness, after which round steel pipes are welded to them, to which pipelines can be connected. For the installation of metering and regulation devices in the nozzles should be prepared places for the device of air release and other components. To protect against corrosion, such a collector requires painting.
Before collecting the collector for a warm floor it is important to assess all risks and possible savings, and then start working. It is not necessary to consider the collector as an independent system: it is an important part of the mixing unit, and if there was an idea to assemble it yourself, it is worthwhile to pay attention to the possibility of independent production of the entire assembly. To do this, it is important to select competently all components, three-way valves, pump and shut-off valves. It is necessary to comply with all requirements for the installation of heating equipment.
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Proper installation of the system "warm floor" requires exact compliance with the requirements of the technology of these works. It is also necessary to take care of the installation of mandatory elements, to which should be attributed collector for underfloor heating . Its main function is to provide the temperature regime for the coolant pre-set by the thermostat.
In the absence of a collector in a floor heating system, it is difficult to ensure that this heating system can most effectively maintain a comfortable temperature in the room.
We choose a collector for a warm floor
Even before you decide on a suitable a collector for a water-heated floor , you should make sure that it fits the chosen system of the warm floor.
Carry out such verification for two reasons:
- Due to the different cost of distribution manifolds;
- Given that this component has an impact on the security of the system.
Collectors for the warm floor are used in the heating system in order to maintain the temperature of the coolant in the pipe in a strictly defined range, which is determined by the thermostat. During the circulation of heated and cooled coolants, they converge in the mixing assembly of the reservoir, which acts as its main part, where they are mixed.
Key parameters
Today, the market offers a collector for the warm floor of a variety of options. The same applies to the mixing units with which they can be completed. To select the most suitable variant of these elements, it follows that be comfortable with accommodation and the appropriateness of use for the room.
When choosing a collector for a warm floor, the first thing to consider is that it will be compatible with the selected system. This is manifested in the fact that the required pressure must be maintained, which will ensure a directed flow of the coolant. On sale it is possible to meet models of collectors, which can be made of brass and stainless metal. It is this parameter that should be paid attention to when choosing, because the cost of this element depends on it.
Along with this attention deserves such a characteristic as degree of complexity of the model. Say, as an alternative, a collector equipped with a sensor that provides monitoring of the fluid flow, drain valves and Mayevsky cranes can serve as an alternative, which ultimately provides the system with increased reliability.
If we analyze the assortment of proposed reservoirs, then in a fairly large number of models are offered complete with a thermoregulation unit. At the same time, a common option is the collectors, which are equipped with various measuring devices, temperature sensors, air removal units that control the flow, and other additional devices.
A collector stands alone, in the construction of which flowmeters are provided. Such a device may well be considered a complete mixing unit. The presence of two thermometers allows to eliminate heat losses during system operation.
Each such heating circuit maintains a strictly defined temperature, which is provided by a special device equipped with brass combs and flowmeters. If we consider in more detail the design of such a reservoir for the water floor, then it is possible highlight the following elements:
- thermal head, in the design of which a submerged probe is provided;
- thermostatic mixing valve;
- case with a special thermometer;
- air vent.
The main thing for which the thermostatic valve is designed is to provide the hot water supply in the right amount. The operation of this element excludes the occurrence of system disruptions. As for the thermal head equipped with a submerged probe, then, providing control of work processes in the system, it takes care that there are no various malfunctions.
At the same time, a large selection of collector options for a warm floor system is often one of the main reasons that explains why it is so difficult for a consumer to make a decision in favor of a specific model.
While choosing the appropriate variant of the reservoir, the greatest attention should be paid to following important criteria:
- the area of the room in which the installation of the warm floor is planned;
- the purpose of using the room and the users themselves;
- the amount that the consumer is willing to allocate for the acquisition of the collector.
If it is a question of purchasing a collector for a room that has a small area, then it is possible to choose plastic models of these devices for it. This option will be preferable because it does not require special requirements in terms of adjustment.
In the category of available models, you can include distribution manifold for a warm floor, which is most often equipped with a flowmeter and has the option of selecting a temperature regime.
Connection diagram and instruction
Start work on connecting the collector should be only when the pipes for the coolant will be laid, and also the collector cabinet will be installed in its place. For the last element, you can choose a place in the wall, although other options are possible. Here, it is important that after placing it does not create inconvenience and at the same time it could connect pipes. The peculiarity of the following scheme of connecting the collector is that the work on connecting the collector, pipes and boiler can be done by one's own hands.
Connection procedure
The order of work says that first of all it is necessary to equip the collector with shut-off valves and thermometer.
A simpler solution is to purchase a collection set that provides everything you need. In doing this, the owner does not have to spend the time, effort and money to find and purchase shut-off valves, which must be equipped with outline outputs, including feed and return. This allows you to simplify the installation process of the collector of the warm floor, the connection of coolant pipes, and in addition to this, if necessary, disconnect any circuit, which will not affect the operation of the remaining elements of the system.
Devices of this type are presented in the assortment of such companies as Valtec, Watts and REHAU.
To connect collectors, cranes and pipes amongst themselves, it is best to use compression fittings or special connectors, in the design of which a brass nut, support sleeve and clamping ring are provided.
Sometimes it happens that the elements connected to each other differ in diameter. In this case, the work can be done only if the adapter is fitted.
If we talk about the simplest version of execution, it will include conventional manifold and shut-off valves.
If you try to describe the procedure for installing this device in the warm floor in general, it will look like this:
- first, the supply and return pipes are connected to the manifold using stopcocks;
- To the same collector, the heat transfer pipes of the warm floor system are supplied.
Although the above scheme is quite simple, it is not often used. The reason for this is related to the fact that the heating system affects the efficiency of the system: it is enough to reduce the flow of the coolant, and you can soon feel how the floor heating begins to decrease.
Do it yourself
Many owners are interested in creating a collector of a warm floor with their own hands. The fact is that every year more and more people realize the advantages of using floor heaters of this type in the house. But not all masters immediately decide on carrying out such work, because they imagine how much laborious and complex there will be these works.
To ensure that the self-made collector can properly cope with the task assigned to it, its design must take into account the characteristics of the floor heater.
It should be borne in mind that when installing a manifold that involves the connection of a control valve, you will have to spend a lot of money. However, these efforts will not be in vain, since the owner will be able to adjust the desired flow rate for each specific branch of the system. In other words, after the completion of the installation it will be possible for any room to determine which temperature regime should be maintained.
In some situations, it is permissible install servo drives, which will act as complementary valve elements: their main task will be to ensure the automation of processes. When using the usual installation scheme of the water-floor collector, it should be borne in mind that its design necessarily provides for two collectors:
- serving;
- returnable.
The first is necessary in order to ensure overlapping and opening contour at the necessary time points, for which micrometric valves are used.
As for the return manifold regulating valve, its purpose is to select the optimum value of the falling pressure.
During the direct use of the system, it is not always possible to make each circuit provide the same length and load. The main reason that the temperature of the room heating in different areas will differ is that the pipes used for the underfloor heating system are characterized by different lengths. For this reason it is necessary to solve water blockage problem, for which the adjustment valves are used.
Conclusion
To ensure high-quality heating of the room with the help of a floor heating system, it is necessary to install all the elements of this system. The collector is one of the key elements, so the installation procedure should be carried out as carefully as installing all other elements. Do not assume that the presence of a single thermostat will be enough to create a comfortable thermal regime in the room.
System Efficiency The warm floor can be provided only by using the thermostat in combination with the collector. This combination will not only allow you to select the optimum temperature for each room, but also to achieve significant savings in heating.
The device of a water-heated floor is impossible without the installation of a collector. This device is designed for distribution of coolant flows through the pipeline system. From the choice of model, skilled installation in many respects will depend on the efficiency of heating and safety of use. Therefore, before performing the work, it is necessary to find out the correct connection of the collector of the warm floor and its construction.
Collector arrangement
At first glance, the device layout is simple. It includes 2 combs, one of which is necessary for distribution of heated water along the system's mains. The second one serves to collect the cooled liquid and transport it further into the return pipe of the heating system.
In addition, the design has several control elements. They are designed to regulate the temperature of the coolant, the pressure inside each of the pipes and the rate of water flow in them.
In addition, it is necessary to distinguish the following functional features of the device:
- Providing an optimal temperature regime, depending on the settings of the control unit.
- Safety of the elements of the system.
- Control of the water-heated floor with the help of thermostats connected to each of the heating circuits and two or three-way valves in the mixing unit.
The general scheme of the collector of the warm floor consists of several parts.
The main in them, as already mentioned above - the entrance and the weekend. On each first group, thermostats are set, which change the intensity of the flow of hot water. They are connected to the outdoor control unit. Flowmeters are installed on the return manifolds, with which the intensity of the coolant motion also changes.
The mixing unit consists of a circular pump and a two-way valve. Since the water in the heating system has a temperature of about 75-80 ° C, and the operating mode of the warm floor is 50 ° C - it is necessary to reduce the heating level of the coolant. To do this, using a valve, the incoming hot water is mixed with the already cooled comb.
Control elements
Adjustment of the floor heating collector is not possible without special appliances. With their help, the optimum heating mode of the system is established, the flow of water in the pipelines is regulated. Each of them performs a certain function.
- Water temperature sensor
Installed on the inlet and outlet nozzles of the device. These devices do not affect the operation of the system, but indicate the current heating value. The difference in values can be useful in calculating performance. Also they serve as an indicator of the violation of the heating mode.
- Central thermostat with servomechanism and sensor.
It is mounted on the inlet manifold of the inlet manifold and is connected to a return pipe with a cooled coolant. The temperature sensor is placed in the comb body. The body of the thermostat has a rotary knob, which sets the desired temperature level. From the sensor, the device receives an indication of the degree of heating of the water. Depending on this, the flow of cold and hot coolant is regulated.
- Servo drives on the inlet manifolds
According to the principle of operation, they are completely analogous to a thermoregulator, but with small additions. With their help, the volume of water flow for each contour of the water floor is regulated. Depending on the model, this can be done in manual or automatic modes. For the latter, servos with built-in temperature sensors are used, which can be connected to a common remote thermoregulator.
- Flowmeters
Optional devices for installation, which, however, can be effective elements for manual control of the operation of the water-heated floor. They are installed on the return manifold pipes and are locking mechanisms with a glass bulb.
When the head rotates on the body, the rod in the device changes its position. This affects the volume of fluid passing through it. For clarity, a measuring scale is indicated on the surface of the flowmeter, indicating the flow rate of water l / min.
Connection rules
In most cases, a ready collector is purchased, in which all the elements are selected according to technical specifications. If you have experience in assembling such structures, you can build the device yourself. How to properly connect the warm floor, take into account the parameters of the general heating system and the technical properties of the combs? To do this, you must follow certain installation rules.
Attention
First it is compiled, where the dimensions of the pipes, the places of their laying and the connection with the heating are indicated. It is necessary to calculate the throughput of each of the combs, their diameter and material of manufacture are selected. The most commonly used products are stainless steel or copper.
The location of the device is selected based on the following rules:
- The mains should be approximately equal in length.
- The section of the wall where the collector cabinet for the warm floor will be installed must have free access. Furniture or other parts of the interior do not interfere with a full inspection of the device, carrying out preventive or repair work.
- The connection point of the device must be higher than the rest of the system elements.
A security system is mandatory. It consists of an air valve and a bypass. When the water temperature rises sharply, it expands. The air valve bleeds excess air, normalizing the pressure in the pipes. The bypass is necessary for operative water shut-off in case of emergencies.
After the installation of the collector, the pipes of the warm floor are connected to it. It is mandatory to check the quality of joints, their tightness and reliability. The system is started before the main cover is installed. By changing the temperature regimes with the control unit, the heating quality of each line is checked, the pipes are inspected for leaks. After that, you can start installing the floor covering.
Exploitation
The scheme of the collector of the warm floor is relatively simple. But during its operation it is necessary to periodically check the operability of individual elements and the entire system as a whole. To do this, it is recommended to schedule a check of equipment and conduct preventive work of this nature:
- Monitoring the health of the elements of the device.
- Checking the parameters of the coolant in each of the mains - speed, temperature. For this, it is necessary to periodically read the control devices.
- Control of the integrity of the piping connections to the combs, absence of leaks and depressurization.
- Observance of the temperature regime of the system by means of data collection from thermometers.
Carrying out these simple procedures, you can maintain the uninterrupted operation of the entire system and its individual parts. But the main condition is professional connection of the collector of the warm floor. From the correctness of this stage of installation depends on the operability of the device and its performance.