Gas Patio Heater Regulator
It's important to understand how to use a propane patio heat if you want to stay warm in the cold winter. Matthew Griffith, chief of the prevention section at the Montreal Fire Department, says that shoppers should be looking for products that have safety certifications.
The patio heater should be properly connected and there shouldn't be fire-prone material in the vicinity.
Pressure Regulator
Gas regulators are mechanical appliances that we use in our vehicles and homes every day without giving them a second glance. Their invention, which took place 135 years ago, has revolutionized the method in which propane and natural gas are used for cooking, heating and welding with oxy-fuel. The basic purpose of regulators is the same, however there are many variations. The regulator uses an element that senses pressure which is usually a fabric reinforced diaphragm, to control the position of the valve plug, and to limit the flow of gas.
The diaphragm connects to the valve stem with a rod that runs through the set spring, over the diaphragm, and finally into the valve. The pressure of gas coming from the house or the pipeline is sensed by this mechanism, and it adjusts the position of the valve plug to match it to the demand from the house. As the gas consumption in the home decreases as does the pressure between the regulator and the house. The diaphragm expands downwards and the valve plug moves closer to the orifice in order to limit flow. As the demand in the house increases, the valve opens further and increases the flow of gas.
When the valve plug is shut, it is held in place by the set spring force until the demand of the house decreases, which then opens the valve to increase the flow. This process is referred to as sizing and it is the basic operation of the regulator.
When the valve is opened the pressure builds up in the main chamber of the regulator, which is attached to the outlet port of the hose via venturi tubes (see image). This pressure is controlled by the adjustment of a handle or screw located 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 choosing a pressure regulator make sure to keep in mind that the maximum and minimal nominal pressures are established by commercial standards and NOT the pressure at the supply line. patio heater gas regulator should also be compatible with the hose you are using. Find a hose that is labeled as whistle-free, that has different sized rings that alternate to prevent resonant sounds from building up across the length of the hose.
Thermocouple
Thermocouples operate on the premise that different types of metals when in contact at their respective ends can generate the voltage even if they are at wildly different temperatures. They are used to determine the temperature difference between two points in a system, and transform this information into an electrical signal that can be read by thermocouple meter or another instrument. Thermocouples have several advantages over conventional sensors such as thermistors, for instance, the ability to measure extremely high temperatures and to function in environments that are corrosive.
A pair of different metals is joined to one end of the sensor to form the measuring (aka hot) junction, while the other end is kept at a constant temperature, known as the reference (aka cold) junction. Thermocouples produce small voltages, but they are passive devices that don't require power to perform their functions. The voltage generated is proportional the temperature difference between the measuring junction and the reference junction. The thermocouple manufacturers and organizations that offer metrology standards, such as NIST provide reference tables for the function E (T). displaystyle scriptstyle e(T) for each type of thermocouple.
There are three primary kinds of thermocouple junctions: an exposed, grounded and wire that is welded. The exposed type of junction protrudes out of the protective sheath and provides the fastest response time. A thermocouple grounded is recommended for use in environments with corrosive elements. A thermocouple welded to a wire is physically separated from the sheath with mgO powder to prevent penetration of gas or moisture that could cause errors.
A thermocouple welded to a wire has the added benefit of being more resistant to vibration. It is recommended to use it in abrasive environments with pressures of up to 3000 psi. If a thermocouple becomes damaged, it is usually caused by a lack in the polarity. If the sheath hasn't been correctly polarized, the two ends of the thermocouple could have different voltages at their measurement junction. This could result in an inaccurate reading, or even damage the instrument. A sensor that's not properly calibrated or installed could cause a malfunctioning thermocouple.
Thermostat
Gas patio heaters, unlike electric heaters that are wired to the wall, are portable and are powered by propane or natural gas. The thermostats regulate the flow energy to these cylinders in order that they don't overflow, but can still provide heat when required. The thermostat detects the temperature of air passing over it. The thermostat also can tell whether the room is at a temperature that is comfortable and shuts off the heating.
Digital thermostats are among the most commonly used. It utilizes a microcontroller in order to convert an electrical resistance into the temperature measurement. It can do this more accurately than the older mercury switch thermostats that used mercury coils with three wires that would change according to temperature. This enabled it to tilt a mercury switch that was connected to the electrical circuit of a heater or air conditioning unit, turning it off or on.
Another type of thermostat is a mechanical one. The thermostat opens when the wax contained in the small cylinder begins to melt, which is about 180 degrees F. (Different thermostats have different opening temperatures). When the wax is hot, a rod that is connected to the thermostat opens the valve. As the room cools, the wax expands and the rod is pulled back into the cylinder, shutting the valve.
You can also program thermostats to alter the temperature at different time of the daytime. You can cut down on energy consumption by programming your heating system to switch off and on when you are at work, or asleep, instead of having it always on. You can also set your thermostat to come on sooner to ensure that you arrive home to a comfortable temperature. Thermostats are also usually equipped with a feature known as the heat anticipator, which prevents the heater from turning off too early. This is because some parts of the home are at the desired temperature before the thermostat.
Pilot Light
Many newer heating systems, homes and furnaces are no longer entirely with pilot lights. However older homes still rely on them to ignite gas in the burner chamber. If the pilot light ever shut off, it's crucial to know how to relight it safely.
A pilot light generates a small flame that heats the thermocouple. This produces electricity and keeps the gas valve open. When the pilot flame goes off the thermocouple cools and ceases to produce electricity, thus closing the valve. Pilot lights are found in a wide range of propane- and natural gas-powered appliances, including fireplaces, water heaters, furnaces, ranges, barbecues and hot tubs.
To relight a pilot, you must first turn off the gas at the appliance. Then, you must remove any doors or panels that could be in the way of getting to the pilot light. Locate the pilot light tube, and follow the steps on the front of the appliance for opening it. Once you've re-lit the pilot light, return the gas valve knob to the "on" position.
Safety is the primary reason for leaving the pilot light on. If you accidentally shut off the pilot light, gas constantly venting from the tube could build up in your home until an electric spark or static charge sparks the gas, causing an explosive explosion. The tubes designed for pilots include an inbuilt cutoff valve to stop this from happening.
A constant burning pilot light is not just hazardous however, it also consumes energy. Numerous studies have revealed that a pilot light could consume between $7 and $18 of gas every month. This waste of fuel also puts an additional burden on the air cooling system in summer. Another issue with a pilot light is that it can attract spiders, who can spin webs that can clog pilot tubes. A constant flame can emit trace quantities of the compound Mercaptan which is responsible for the rotten-egg smell in natural gas. If you are ever concerned about these issues, you should consider purchasing a gas fire with a remote control or replacing a fireplace with a more effective, modern design.