Purpose of heating controllers
Universal controller
The main purpose of this electronic device is to change the parameters of control devices connected to it to correct their operation. The simplest example of an elementary control element of this kind can be considered an automatic control protection system in gas boilers. But controllers for heating and hot water supply have wide functionality.
They are an electronic unit with the ability to control the main elements of the heating system. To do this, it provides the ability to program parameters depending on the data received, from external temperature and pressure sensors. Thus, a controller for a heating boiler can regulate the operation of a heated floor collector or individual thermostats on radiators.
The general characteristics of electronic control units include the following:
- System flexibility. To connect to heating components, you do not need to reprogram the device. In most cases, manufacturers provide several operating modes for one connection terminal;
- Possibility to choose a convenient location for installing the control panel. The Honeywell heating controller can be mounted at a distance of up to 100 m from the control element;
- Monitoring the functioning of not only heating systems, but also hot water supply;
- If you have a GPS unit, you can receive data online about the state of the heating and send commands to change its parameters.
The function of connecting the device to a computer is also important. A similar additional module is installed on the Aries heating controller. It is noteworthy that it is not included in the required package.
The controller can be installed on an old gas boiler. To do this, just change the heating pad to a new modular one.
How to choose a thermostat for boilers
The desire to be independent from the capricious central heating system is understandable. And you can save a lot on utility bills if you get the opportunity to manage the process yourself. But assembling your own system based on a boiler is not so simple. Vitaly Nesterenko, , will talk with Komsomolskaya Pravda about how to choose a thermostat .
Why does a boiler need a thermostat?
So, you have decided to install a heating boiler, for example, electric or gas. Now you need to learn how to use it correctly. This is why a thermostat is built into the system. So, with this device, the equipment turns on when the temperature drops below the set point, or turns off when the desired thermal mark is reached. The best thermostats for boilers allow you to set the operating mode of the heating system, when the temperature will be 4-5°C lower if you are not at home. It would seem, what is 4°C? In fact, such a measure will reduce heating costs by up to 30%.
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What are there
Some boilers immediately come with a built-in thermostat. Such systems have a number of limitations and often come with an inflated price tag. Third-party thermostats are mechanical, electronic and touch. With the first, everything is simple - an on/off key and a rotary button to control the temperature mode. In electronic thermostats, the control is finer and there is a programmable mode in which you can set the time, start date or repeatable daily mode. The most advanced are sensory. They have controls that are understandable to the modern user, and often have remote control via the Internet and smartphone.
Finally, among the best boiler thermostats you can find both wired and wireless models. The first ones are clear - they are physically connected to the boiler. It’s simple and reliable, but already during the installation process the wires need to be laid somewhere. Wireless thermostats have recently come into use. Control is carried out using radio signal transmission. That is, one block is mounted in close proximity to the heating boiler, connecting to the equipment terminals. The second unit is placed at the thermostat. This is really convenient, but there may be interference between the receiver and transmitter.
Thermostats for gas and electric boilers
Not all thermostats are suitable for both gas and electricity. There are much more models for the second type of boiler, because, in fact, the principle of operation is almost the same as that of electric floors, only the power is higher. With gas, for obvious reasons, everything is somewhat more complicated. For such heating boilers, I recommend choosing wireless models (this way we minimize the risk of a short circuit) and, at a minimum, with a programmable operating mode. The latter allows you to seriously save the resource of gas equipment.
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Selecting a heating controller
Example of a controller connection diagram
In what cases is it necessary to install a heating control controller? First of all, this device is necessary when residents are often absent from the house or apartment. By connecting the electronic unit to external temperature sensors (outside and indoors) and the boiler control terminals, you can use the built-in software to set up an automatic change in the intensity of the burner operation.
How to choose the optimal controllers for heating systems? The easiest option is to consult with specialists. But nowadays it is difficult to find one, since this product is relatively new. Therefore, it is recommended that you first study the basic selection parameters yourself:
- When comparing a controller for a heating boiler, you should make sure that the installed equipment has the ability to connect to the control unit. Most often, the boiler is characterized by one-stage or two-stage external control. This applies only to gas models - coordination with solid fuel models is impossible;
- Number of managed components. For a Honeywell heating controller, this value can reach 15 depending on the specific model;
- Availability of GPS unit. As mentioned above, this function makes it possible to remotely control the heating;
- Software update frequency. The modern controller of heating and hot water systems TRM 32 can be connected directly to a computer. You can always find the latest software version on the manufacturer's website.
An additional function is to adjust the operation of the components according to the configured heating schedule. This feature is provided in the Aries heating controller. You should also pay attention to the accuracy of measurements. In professional models, this indicator should not exceed ±0.01 scale.
Repair of heating controllers is rare. But it is still recommended to choose a manufacturer that has service centers in the region where you live.
ON WHICH BOILERS CAN THE ZONT THERMOSTAT BE INSTALLED?
ZONT, in its main purpose, is a simple room thermostat, but only implemented on a hardware platform using a GSM/GPRS modem and WEB technology. The principle of its operation and the method of connection to any gas or electric boiler is exactly the same as that of conventional thermostats. It connects to the connector for the room regulator and controls the boiler, maintaining the set temperature according to the readings of its temperature sensor. To do this, the thermostat turns the boiler on or off by closing the contacts of its output relay.
Thus, if your boiler provides the ability to control commands from a room thermostat, then the ZONT thermostat can be used with it; in particular, the following manufacturers are supported: EVAN, NIBE, ProTherm, Vaillant, BAXI, ARISTON, Beretta, BOSCH, Buderus, VIESSMANN, DAKON, NAVIEN, Thermona, Electrolux, RusNIT and many others.
*Not all brands of supported boilers are listed.
Review of popular controller models
Having decided on the required parameters of controllers for heating and hot water supply, you can begin to analyze the products offered. Despite the large assortment, the market is oversaturated with low-quality models. Their actual parameters do not correspond to the declared ones, which subsequently leads to incorrect operation of the heating. Let's look at truly popular and reliable examples of heating control controllers.
Honeywell
Honeywell controller
Among the entire product range of the company, the Smile SDC7-21N model occupies a special place. In addition to an affordable price, it is characterized by optimal functionality, which is important for heating system controllers.
It is important for the consumer to know the characteristics of an electronic device. It should be immediately noted that for optimal operation of the Honeywell controller in the heating system, you will need to purchase additional modules - terminal blocks for connecting system components, a set of temperature sensors, a 3-way mixing valve and actuators. After assembling the controller, it will be possible to control heating and hot water according to the following parameters:
- The ability to regulate the operation of the boiler burner with two-stage control;
- Simultaneous control of 2 cascade type boilers. But for this you will need to install an additional temperature sensor at the output of the second one;
- The controller for the heating system can regulate the direct and mixing circuit depending on the street and room temperature;
- DHW pump control;
- Possibility of setting a 7-day heating control program.
In its minimum configuration it will only work as a controller for a heating boiler. But this will not prevent you from purchasing additional modules and upgrading the system over time. The cost of a complete set is about 45 thousand rubles.
It is best to purchase a complete set of equipment, since all its components are guaranteed to work normally when connected to each other.
Thermostat.
This device, due to the air temperature sensor installed in it (optional - heated floor or other sensor), monitors the ambient temperature readings and maintains the necessary microclimate in the house or a separate room. The user simply adjusts the required temperature value on the thermostat. Basically, thermostats are divided into two types - mechanical or electronic. According to the method of signal transmission, they can be: wired, wireless, controlled via wifi, internet and gsm. With the help of these regulators, installing them in each room in the building, you can create the so-called “zone control”.
Heating system controller.
The main control device, which receives signals from thermostats, sensors and other devices included in the system. The controller for regulating the temperature in heating systems processes the signals and then sends their commands to the actuators.
The listed technical means constitute an automated heating control system that requires minimal human intervention. At the same time, it is characterized by safety and high precision in maintaining the microclimate.
We invite you to learn more about the heating boiler control panel.
