Tips For Explaining Gas Patio Heater Regulator To Your Mom
Gas Patio Heater Regulator
If you're looking to cozy inside the cold winter air with a propane patio heater, you need to be aware of how to make use of this device. Matthew Griffith, prevention section chief of Montreal's fire department, said that consumers should choose items that have safety certifications.
The patio heater should be properly attached and there shouldn't be materials that could ignite nearby.
Pressure Regulator
Gas regulators are a simple mechanical devices we drive by daily in our cars and at home without giving them a second thought. Their invention, made 135 years ago, has revolutionized the way natural gas and propane are used for heating, cooking, and oxy-fuel welding. The fundamental purpose of regulators is the same, but there are many variations. The regulator uses an element that senses pressure typically a fabric-reinforced diaphragm, to control the position of a valve plug and limit the flow of gas.
The diaphragm connects to the valve stem with rods that run through the set spring, over the diaphragm and into the valve. This mechanism detects gas pressure in the house or pipeline and adjusts the valve plug's position to match the demand. As the consumption of gas in the home decreases and the pressure decreases between the regulator and the house. The diaphragm expands downwards and the valve plug is moved closer to the orifice in order to stop flow. As the gas demand increases in the home, the valve opens more, increasing the flow.
The valve plug stays shut until the demand of the house decreases. The valve then opens to increase the flow. This process is referred to as sizing and it is the basic operation of the regulator.
As the valve opens the pressure builds up in the main chamber of the regulator, which is connected to the port for hose outlet via the venturi tube (see the image). The pressure can be regulated by adjusting the screw or handle on the outside of the regulator. When the screw is turned counterclockwise, it raises the pressure. When it is turned clockwise, it decreases the pressure.
When selecting a pressure regulator take into consideration that the maximum and minimum nominal pressure is set by commercial standards, not the pressure of the gas in the supply line. The regulator must also be compatible with your hose. Find a hose that is labeled as whistle-free, that has alternating rings of different sizes to stop resonant sounds from accumulating along the length of the hose.
Thermocouple
Thermocouples operate on the concept that two different metals in contact at either end generate a voltage potential even if they are at different temperatures. They are used to determine the temperature differences between two points in a system, and transform this information into an electrical signal that can be read by a thermocouple meter or other instrument. Thermocouples are superior to other sensors, like thermistors. They can measure extremely high temperatures and operate in corrosive conditions.
A pair of metals that are dissimilar is joined to one end of the sensor to create the measuring (aka hot) junction, while the other end is kept at a constant temperature, also known as the reference (aka cold) junction. Thermocouples operate as passive devices, which means they don't require power to operate. The voltage generated is proportional the temperature difference between the measuring junction and the reference junction. Manufacturers of thermocouples and organizations that offer metrology standards, such as NIST provide reference tables for the function E (T). displaystyle scriptstyle e(T) For each particular type of thermocouple.
There are three main types of thermocouple junctions: an exposed, grounded and weld wire. The exposed type of junction extends out of the protective sheath and offers the fastest response time. A thermocouple that is grounded is recommended for use in environments with corrosive elements. A welded wire thermocouple is physically isolated from the sheath by mgO powder to prevent the penetration of moisture or gas that could lead to errors.
A thermocouple that is welded has the added benefit of being more resistant to vibration. It is recommended to use it in harsh environments that require pressures up to 3000 psi. When a thermocouple is damaged, it is usually caused by a lack of the polarity. If the sheath has not been polarized, both ends of the thermocouple could have different voltages at their measurement junction. This can result in an incorrect reading or damage the instrument. A sensor that isn't properly calibrated or placed in the right place can also cause a faulty thermocouple.
Thermostat
Contrary to electric heaters, which need to be wired into the wall gas patio heaters are portable and utilize propane or natural gas cylinders to fuel. gas fired patio heaters regulate the flow energy to these cylinders, so that they don't overflow, however they can still provide warmth when needed. The thermostat does this by measuring the temperature of air that is passing through it. The thermostat also senses when the room has been cooled to a comfortable temperature, and switches the heating off.
The most popular type of thermostat is one that is digital. It utilizes a microcontroller that converts a fluctuating electrical resistance into a measurement of temperature. It is able to do this more accurately than older mercury switch thermostats that used a mercury coil with three wires inside that moved based on temperature. This enabled the thermostat to tilt a mercury switch that was connected to an electrical circuit that was used to power the air conditioner or heater by turning it off and on.
Another type of thermostat is one that is mechanical. The thermostat is opened when the wax in the small cylinder begins to melt, which is about 180 degrees F. (Different thermostats have different opening temperatures). A rod that is connected to the valve then presses into this wax and opens the valve when it's hot. As the room cools, the wax expands, and the rod is pulled back into the cylinder, closing the valve.
You can also program thermostats to alter the temperature at various time of the day. This allows you to conserve energy by setting your heating to turn on and off when you are at work or sleeping, instead of being constantly on. You can also set the thermostat to turn on earlier, so that your home is an ideal temperature when you arrive back from school or work. Thermostats are also usually equipped with a feature called the heat anticipateor which stops the heater from switching on too soon. This is because different parts of the house typically attain the temperature set before the thermostat itself.
Pilot Light
While many modern heating and home systems have eliminated pilot lights, older homes and furnaces still rely on these devices to light the gas in the burner chamber. It's essential to know how to safely restart the pilot light if it ever goes out.
A pilot light produces a small flame that heats the thermocouple. This produces electricity and holds the gas valve open. If the pilot flame ceases to burn, the thermocouple cools and ceases to generate electricity, thereby closing the gas valve. Pilot lights are used on most propane and natural gas appliances, like water heaters.
To relight the pilot, you first need to shut off the gas on the appliance. Then, you have to take out any doors or panels that could be blocking getting to the pilot light. Follow the instructions on the front to open the pilot light tube. Once you've re-lit the pilot light, return the gas valve knob to the "on" position.
Safety is the primary reason to keep the pilot light on. If it's accidentally shut off and the gas that's constantly venting out of the pilot light tube may accumulate in your home until sparks from an cigarette lighter or static electricity ignites it, causing an explosion. To prevent this from happening, the pilot tubes come with a built in cutoff valve.
A constantly burning pilot light is not only dangerous, but it also wastes energy. The pilot light consumes between $7 and $18 worth of gas each month, according to different studies. This waste of fuel also puts more strain on the air cooling system in summer. Another concern with pilot lights is that it could attract spiders, which could spin webs that can clog pilot tubes. Also, a constant flame can emit trace amounts of the compound mercaptan, which creates the rotten egg smell that is found in natural gas. If you're ever worried about these issues, you should consider purchasing a gas fire with a remote control or replacing your fireplace with a more effective, modern design.