Gas Patio Heater Regulator
It's crucial to know how to use a propane patio heat if you are looking to keep warm in the cold weather. Matthew Griffith, chief of the prevention department at Montreal's Fire Department, advises that consumers be looking for products that have safety certifications.
It's also crucial to ensure that there aren't any combustible materials in the vicinity and that the patio heater is securely attached.
Pressure Regulator
Gas regulators are mechanical appliances that we use in our homes and cars every day without even giving them a second glance. Their invention, made 135 years ago, has revolutionized the method in which propane and natural gas are used for heating, cooking, and welding with oxy-fuel. There are many variations in the design of regulators however their primary purpose is the same. The regulator uses a pressure sensing element, often a fabric-reinforced diaphragm, which controls the position of the valve plug and restrict the flow of gas.
The diaphragm joins the stem of the valve with rod that runs through the diaphragm and spring and finally into the valve. The gas pressure coming from the pipeline or the house is sensed by this mechanism and it adjusts position of the valve plug to align it with the demand from the house. As the consumption of gas in the house decreases, the pressure between the regulator and the house also decreases as well. This causes the diaphragm of the regulator to shrink downwards, and it moves the valve plug closer to the orifice, limiting the flow. As the demand for gas increases in the home the valve will open more, increasing the flow.
When the valve plug is shut, it is held in place by the set spring force until the demand from the house drops, which opens the valve to increase the flow. This process is called size and is the primary function of the regulator.
As the valve opens, a pressure is built up in the main chamber of the regulator, which is attached to the outlet port of the hose with a venturi tube (see picture). The pressure can be regulated by adjusting the screw or handle located on the outside regulator. When the screw is turned counterclockwise it expands and decreases the pressure; when it is turned clockwise it lowers the pressure.
When you are choosing a regulator for your pressure make sure to keep in mind that the minimum and maximum nominal pressures are established by commercial standards and NOT the pressure at the supply line. The regulator must also be compatible with your hose. Look for a hose labeled whistle-free. It should have alternating rings of different sizes. This will prevent the resonant sounds from building up along the length.
Thermocouple
Thermocouples are based on the idea that two different metals in contact at each end generate a voltage potential even when they are at extremely different temperatures. They are used to detect 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 offer a number of advantages over other sensors, such as thermistors for instance, the ability to measure extremely high temperatures and operate in harsh environments.
The measuring (or hot) junction is created by joining two metals that are not compatible at one end, while the other end, the reference (or cold) junction, is kept at the same temperature. Thermocouples create small voltages however, they are passive devices that don't need power to work. The voltage produced is proportional to the difference in temperatures between the measuring and reference junctions. Manufacturers of thermocouples as well as organizations that offer metrology standards, such as NIST provide reference tables for the function E (T). displaystyle scriptstyle e(T) For each specific type of thermocouple.
There are three types of thermocouple junctions- an exposed, grounded, and weld wire. The exposed type of junction is a bit higher than the protective sheath and provides the fastest response time. A thermocouple that is grounded is recommended for testing in corrosive environments. A welded wire thermocouple is physically separated from the sheath using mgO powder to prevent the penetration of moisture or gas that could cause errors.
A thermocouple welded to a wire 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. A thermocouple that is damaged is usually caused by an insufficient the polarity. If the sheath hasn't been polarized, both ends of the thermocouple might have different voltages at their measurement junction. This could result in an inaccurate reading or even damage to the instrument. A defective thermocouple may result from an incorrectly calibrated or installed sensor.
Thermostat
Gas patio heaters, unlike electric heaters that are wired to the wall are portable and are powered by natural gas or propane. Thermostats regulate the flow of energy to these cylinders, so that they don't overflow but they still provide heat when required. The thermostat achieves this by detecting the temperature of the air that is passing through it. The thermostat can also detect when the room is at a temperature that is comfortable and turn off the heating.
The most common type of thermostat is one that is digital. It utilizes a microcontroller that converts a changing electrical resistance into a reading of temperature. It is able to accomplish this more accurately than earlier mercury switch thermostats which used a mercury coil with three wires in it that would move depending on the temperature. This enabled it to tilt the mercury switch connected to the electrical circuit of the air conditioning or heater unit, and turn it on or off.
Another type of thermostat is one that is mechanical. The thermostat is opened when the wax inside a small cylinder starts to melt, which is about 180 degrees F. (Different thermostats have different opening temperatures). When the wax is hot, a rod 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.
There are also thermostats that can be programmed to change at different times of the day. This can help you save energy by setting your heating to come on and off when you are at work or sleeping, instead of being constantly on. You can also set your thermostat to come on sooner so that you can get home to an appropriate temperature. Thermostats usually include a feature called the heat anticipator, which prevents the heater from turning on too early. This is due to the fact that certain areas of the home reach the desired temperature before the thermostat.
Pilot Light
Although many modern heating and homes have eliminated pilot lights older furnaces and homes still rely on these devices to light the gas in the chamber for burning. If the pilot light is ever snuffed out, it's vital to know how to relight it in a safe manner.
A pilot light creates a small flame which heats a thermocouple. The thermocouple produces electricity, and keeps the gas valve open. When the pilot flame go es off, the thermocouple cools down and ceases to produce electricity, thereby closing the valve. Pilot lights are utilized on the majority of propane and natural gas appliances, such as water heaters.
To relight a pilot, you must first turn off the gas on the appliance. Then, you must remove any doors or panels that might be blocking accessing the pilot light. Follow the instructions on the front of the unit to open the pilot light tube. Once you've reopened the pilot, turn the gas valve knob back to "on".
The main reason to leave the pilot light on is for safety reasons. If it's accidentally turned off and the gas that's constantly venting out of the pilot light tube may build up in your home until a spark from an cigarette lighter or static electricity ignites it and triggers an explosion. To prevent this, pilot tubes are equipped with an integrated cutoff valve.
In addition to the safety issues, a constantly burning pilot light also wastes a significant amount of energy. Numerous studies have revealed that a pilot light can burn between $7 and $18 worth of gas per month. This waste of fuel also puts an additional burden on the air cooling system during summer time. Pilot lights can attract spiders that can spin webs, and clog up the pilot tubes. Also, a constant flame can emit trace amounts of the compound mercaptan, which causes the rotten egg odor that is found in natural gas. If you are ever concerned about these issues, consider buying a remote-controlled gas fire or replacing a fireplace with a more efficient, modern design.