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Let’s tell you what the work of an instantaneous water heater is, how it is superior to a storage water heater and inferior to it. After all, when buying a boiler, you need to take into account the features of its design, ease of use.
How a flow boiler works
The device differs from the storage device only in the absence of a tank for water accumulation. In the body there is a flow heating element through which a stream of water passes. It heats up quickly, which allows you to get hot water as soon as you open the tap.
Inside the case are:
- TEN in a protective case. Most often it is a tube made of plastic or brass. The advantage of such a heater is its resistance to scale.
- Power regulator. Switches work between heating elements, is a button.
- Relays and sensors. The latter are responsible for the heating temperature, control of the amount of liquid, protection against switching on without water. The relays are triggered when the temperature is exceeded, turning off the heating element.
Consider the electrical circuit of the Termex boiler:
As you can see in the picture, all nodes can be found and replaced if necessary.
Principle of operation
Since the flow boiler operates with high power, reliable wiring is required for connection. A standard connection is made with a three-core cable, where L is a phase, N is zero, E is ground.
After turning on the equipment, electricity is supplied to the flow sensor. If the water pressure in the system is sufficient, the sensor closes the contacts. After that, the heating element relay is activated, and heating starts. Thermal sensors turn on in case of overheating. The circuit is completed by a light on the panel that lights up when the boiler is running.
Here is a detailed diagram of the device device:
Model Features
Models of different brands may differ according to several criteria.
Heating element type:
- Open – consists of a plastic case with a spiral inside. When power is applied, the coil heats up and transfers heat to the passing stream.
- Closed – the principle of operation is the same, only the spiral is enclosed in a case made of brass or copper. It is more fireproof.
Management:
- Mechanical (hydraulic) type. It is adjustable with a switch and has 6 power modes. The system consists of a block and a membrane that, when flowing, shifts and pushes the shutdown button. The downside of mechanics is inaccuracy – it may not work with insufficient pressure.
- Electronic type. Contains microprocessor and sensors. This precise system allows you to maintain the set temperature, as well as adjust the power to save energy.
Varieties:
- Closed type (pressure). Provides high pressure pipes to serve multiple draw points. You will be able to use the shower and faucet in the kitchen at the same time. In this case, the water temperature will not decrease.
- Open type (non-pressure). Connected to one point of the fence. They have a compact body, so they can be installed separately on a faucet or shower.
Advantages and disadvantages
To make a choice, compare the pros and cons of the operation. Today, many customers prefer flow technology because of its compactness and speed.
The flow heater instantly heats the flow and dispenses the required volume of water. The main thing is to correctly calculate its amount for the family.
Advantages:
- Cheapness. Compared to a storage boiler, a protochnik can be purchased cheaper.
- Ease of operation. Turned on – washed – turned off.
- Compactness. You can place it above the washbasin, in a niche, in a cabinet.
- Profitability. Power consumption occurs only when turned on. The rest of the time, the equipment does not consume either water or electricity.
- Does not require maintenance and cleaning. Since scale does not form on the walls and parts, there is no need to replace the anode and clean the tank.
- There is no chance of bacteria and micro-organisms growing because water does not accumulate in the tank.
Disadvantages:
- The high power of the product requires the organization of separate wiring.
- It is used to heat water no more than 40 degrees. Moreover, the quality of heating directly depends on the temperature of the flow at the inlet. For example, the device heats water by 20 degrees. At +15°С at the inlet the temperature will be +35°С, and at +8°С only +28 degrees.
- If you need a lot of water, the electricity consumption will be high.
It turns out that the protochnik is suitable for a small family of two people. In other cases, it is better to opt for storage products.
Features of connection and operation
To keep the equipment running for a long time, follow the recommendations of experts:
- Non-pressure boilers are installed near the intake point, otherwise they will not function. When connecting to a metal pipe, observe safety measures – use a dielectric sleeve. Pressure products are also recommended to be installed near the mixer in order to reduce heat loss.
- If the water in the water supply is of poor quality, install cleaning filters. This will extend the life of the heater.
- It is forbidden to mount the device in an unheated room.
- When placing in the bathroom, make sure that splashes do not fall on the equipment, or choose models with increased protection.
- If the pressure in the line is reduced, set the thermostat to an average level. Otherwise, the device will not start.
Keep in mind that:
- For normal operation of mechanical models, there must be sufficient pressure in the line.
- If the water does not heat up well, you need to set the temperature on the panel. In electronic models, settings are automatically saved.
- After use, turn off the taps and unplug from the outlet.
Before buying a boiler, be sure to consider not only the cost and power of the equipment, but also the benefits of further operation.