Gas Patio Heater Regulator
If you're planning to warm inside the cold winter air with a propane patio heater, it's important to know how to properly make use of this device. Matthew Griffith, prevention section chief of Montreal's fire department, said that consumers should choose products that are safe to use.
The patio heater should be properly connected and there should be no fire-prone material in the vicinity.
Pressure Regulator
Gas regulators are mechanical devices we drive by every day in our vehicles and at home without giving them a second thought. Their invention, 135 years ago, has revolutionized the method in which propane and natural gas are used for cooking, heating, and oxy-fuel welding. The basic role of regulators is exactly the same, however there are many variations. The regulator uses an element that senses pressure, typically a dialythm made of fabric, to control a valve's position and restrict the flow of gas.
gas flame patio heater joins the stem of the valve with rods that run through the set spring and diaphragm before entering 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 with the demand from the house. As the consumption of gas in the house decreases the pressure between the regulator and the house decreases as well. The diaphragm is deflated downward and the valve plug moves closer to the orifice to limit the flow. As the demand for gas in the house increases the valve expands which 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, called sizing, is the fundamental operation of the regulator.
As the valve opens it creates pressure up in the main chamber of the regulator, which is connected to the port for hose outlet by venturi tubes (see the image). This pressure is regulated by the adjustment of a handle or screw on the outside of the regulator. When the screw is turned counterclockwise, it increases and decreases the pressure. However, when it is turned clockwise it lowers the pressure.
When selecting a pressure regulator make sure to keep in mind that the minimum and maximum nominal pressures are determined by commercial standards and NOT the pressure at the supply line. The regulator should also be compatible with the hose you choose to use. Find a hose marked whistle-free. It should have alternating rings with different sizes. This will prevent resonant noises from building across the length.
Thermocouple
Thermocouples work on the principle that metals of different composition when in contact at their respective ends can generate an electric current, even when they are at very varying temperatures. They are used to determine the temperature differences between two points in a system, and convert this data into an electrical signal that can then be read by thermocouple meters or any other instrument. Thermocouples are superior to other sensors, such as thermistors. They are able to measure extremely high temperatures and operate in corrosive conditions.
A pair of dissimilar metals is joined to one end of the sensor to create the measuring (aka hot) junction, while the other is kept at a constant temperature, referred to as the reference (aka cold) junction. Thermocouples operate as passive devices, meaning they don't require power in order to function. The voltage generated is proportional to the temperature difference between the measuring and reference junctions. Manufacturers of thermocouples as well as organizations that provide 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 main types of thermocouple junctions- an exposed, grounded, and wire that is welded. The type of junction that is exposed extends out of the protective sheath, and has the fastest response. A grounded thermocouple is recommended for testing in corrosive environments. A thermocouple welded to a wire is physically isolated from the sheath using mgO powder to stop the penetration of moisture or gas which could cause mistakes.
A welded wire thermocouple also offers the added benefit of being more resistant to vibration. It is recommended to use in harsh environments and at pressures as high as 3000 psi. When a thermocouple is damaged, it is usually caused by a lack in polarity. If the sheath has not been correctly polarized, the two ends of the thermocouple might have different voltages at their junction for measurement. This could result in an incorrect reading or damage the instrument. gas patio heater amazon that isn't properly calibrated or installed can also result in a malfunctioning thermocouple.
Thermostat
Unlike electric heaters which have to be hardwired into the wall, gas patio heaters are portable and use natural gas or propane cylinders for fuel. Thermostats regulate flow of energy into these cylinders to ensure that they do not overflow, yet still provide heat as needed. The thermostat does this by detecting the temperature of the air that is passing through it. The thermostat also can tell whether the room is at a comfortable temperature and turns off the heating.
Digital thermostats are among the most commonly used. It utilizes a microcontroller in order to convert an electrical resistivity into an indication of temperature. It is able to do this more accurately than older mercury switch thermostats, which utilized a mercury coil with three wires that moved based on temperature. This allowed the thermostat to tilt a switch made of mercury that was connected to an electrical circuit for an air conditioner or heater, turning it on and off.
Another type of thermostat is one that is mechanical. The thermostat is opened when the wax inside the small cylinder begins to melt, which is about 180 degrees F. (Different thermostats have different opening temperatures). A rod that connects to the valve presses into the wax and opens the valve when it's hot. As the room cools, the wax contracts and the rod is pulled back into the cylinder, thereby shutting the valve.
You can set thermostats to change the temperature at various time of the daytime. You can cut down on energy consumption by setting your heating to switch off and on when you are at work, or sleeping, instead of having it on all the time. You can also set your thermostat to turn on sooner to ensure that you arrive home to an appropriate temperature. Thermostats often include a feature called the heat anticipator, which stops the heater from turning on too early. This is because different parts of the house typically attain the temperature set before the thermostat does.
Pilot Light
While many newer homes and heating systems have eliminated pilot lights, older homes and furnaces still use these devices to ignite gas in the burner chamber. If the pilot light is ever snuffed out, it's vital to know how to relight it safely.
A pilot light creates a small flame which heats the thermocouple. This thermocouple generates electricity, and keeps the gas valve open. When the pilot flame stops, the thermocouple cools down and stops producing electricity, thereby closing the valve. Pilot lights are utilized in most natural and propane-fueled appliances, including fireplaces, water heaters furnaces, ranges, barbecues and hot tubs.
To relight a pilot, you first need to shut off the gas at the appliance. You will then need to remove any panels or doors that might be blocking access to the pilot light. Follow the instructions on the front of the unit to open the pilot light tube. After you've re-lit your pilot light, return the knob on the gas valve to the "on" position.
Safety is the main reason for leaving a pilot light on. If it's accidentally turned off the gas constantly venting out of the pilot light tube may build up in your home until a spark from the smoking cigarette or static electricity ignites it and triggers an explosion. To avoid this, the pilot tubes come with an inbuilt cutoff valve.
A constantly burning pilot light is not just dangerous however, it also consumes energy. A pilot light burns between $7 and $18 worth of gasoline each month, according to numerous studies. This wasted fuel also places a heavier load on the air cooling system during summer time. Pilot lights can attract spiders which can spin webs and clog the pilot tubes. Additionally, a flame that is constant can release trace amounts of the compound mercaptan, which produces the rotten egg smell that is present in natural gas. If you are ever concerned about these issues, consider buying a remote-controlled gas fire or replacing your fireplace with a more effective, modern model.