Why We Do We Love Gas Patio Heater Regulator (And You Should Too!)
Gas Patio Heater Regulator
If you're planning to warm with the cold outside with a propane patio heater, you need to know how to properly use the appliance. Matthew Griffith, prevention section chief of Montreal's fire department, said that consumers should be looking for products that are safe to use.
It's also important to make sure that there are there aren't any combustible materials in the vicinity and that the patio heater is properly attached.
Pressure Regulator
Gas regulators are mechanical devices that we drive through every day in our cars and homes without a second thought. Their invention, which took place 135 years ago, has changed the way propane and natural gas are used for heating, cooking and oxy-fuel welding. There are a variety of variations in the design of regulators, however their fundamental purpose is the identical. The regulator utilizes a pressure sensing element, often a fabric-reinforced diaphragm, to control the position of the valve plug, and to limit the flow of gas.
The diaphragm joins the stem of the valve with a rod which runs through the diaphragm and set spring and finally into the valve. The pressure of gas coming from the pipeline or from the house 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 consumption of gas in the house decreases and the pressure between the regulator and the house decreases too. This causes the diaphragm to shrink downwards, and it moves the valve plug closer to the orifice, limiting the flow. As the demand for gas in the house grows the valve expands and increases the flow of gas.
The valve plug is shut until the demand of the house decreases. The valve then opens to increase the flow. This process is called sizing and it is the basic operation of the regulator.
As the valve opens, a pressure is built up in the main chamber of the regulator, which is attached to the port for hose outlet by venturi tubes (see image). The pressure is controlled by changing the screw or handle located on the outside of the regulator. When the screw is turned counterclockwise it increases and decreases the pressure; when it is turned clockwise, it reduces the pressure.
When you are choosing a regulator for your pressure make sure to keep in mind that the maximum and minimum nominal pressures are set by commercial standards and NOT the pressure at the supply line. The regulator must also be compatible with the hose you are using. Make sure you choose a hose that is whistle-free. It should feature alternating rings that are different sizes. This will stop resonance noises from forming throughout the length.
Thermocouple
Thermocouples are based upon the principle that two dissimilar metals in contact at either end create a voltage potential even when they are at extremely different temperatures. They are used to identify temperatures that differ between points of a circuit and convert that information into an electronic signal that can be read by thermocouple gauges or any other instrument. Thermocouples offer a number of advantages over more common sensors, such as thermistors for instance, the ability to measure extremely high temperatures and operate in harsh environments.
The measuring (or hot) junction is formed by connecting two dissimilar metals at one end, and the other end, known as the reference (or cold) junction, is maintained at a constant temperature. Thermocouples are passive devices, meaning they don't require power in order to function. The voltage generated is proportional to the difference in temperature between the reference and measuring junctions. Manufacturers of thermocouples as well as organizations that offer metrology standards, for example NIST, provide reference tables for the function E (T). displaystyle scriptstyle e(T) For each type of thermocouple.
There are three types of thermocouple connections: exposed grounded and welding. The exposed style of junction protrudes out of the protective sheath and offers the fastest response time. For measurements in corrosive conditions it is recommended that a grounded thermocouple be employed. A thermocouple welded-wire is physically isolated from the sheath with mgO powder. This prevents gas or moisture from leaking into the sheath and causing problems.
The thermocouple that is welded also has the added benefit of being more resistant to vibration. It is recommended for use in harsh environments and at pressures as high as 3000 psi. If a thermocouple becomes damaged, it's usually caused due to a lack of the polarity. If the sheath hasn't been polarized, both ends of the thermocouple could have different voltages at their measurement junction. This can lead to an incorrect reading or damage the instrument. A malfunctioning thermocouple could be caused by a poorly installed or calibrated sensor.
Thermostat
Contrary to electric heaters, which need 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 don't overflow, yet still provide heat as needed. The thermostat does this by measuring the temperature of air that passes over it. The thermostat also senses when the room is cooling down to a comfortable temperature, and turns off the heating.
The most popular type of thermostat is a digital device. It uses a microcontroller that converts a changing electrical resistance into a reading of temperature. It can do this much more accurately than earlier mercury switch thermostats that used mercury coils with three wires that moved in accordance with the temperature. This enabled it to tilt the mercury switch connected to the electrical circuit of a heater or air conditioning unit, turning it on or off.
Mechanical thermostats are another kind. It is tiny cylinders filled with wax that starts to melt at a certain temperature that is perhaps 180 degrees F (different thermostats are open at different temperatures). When the wax is hot, a rod attached to the thermostat opens the valve. As the room cools, the wax expands and the rod gets pulled back into the cylinder, closing the valve.
You can set thermostats to change the temperature at different times during the day. You can reduce energy usage by programming your heating system to switch off and on when you are working, or sleeping, instead of being on all the time. You can also set the thermostat to come on earlier so that your home is an ideal temperature when you return from school or work. Thermostats typically come with a feature known as a heat anticipator, which stops the heater from coming on too early. This is because different parts of the house typically reach the set temperature before the thermostat itself.
Pilot Light
Many newer heating systems, homes, and furnaces have done away completely of pilot lights. However older homes still make use of them to ignite gas in the burner chamber. If the pilot light is ever shut off, it's crucial to know how to re-light it in a safe manner.
A pilot light generates a small flame which heats the thermocouple. The thermocouple produces electricity, and keeps the gas valve open. If the pilot flame goes out the thermocouple cools and ceases to generate electricity, closing the gas valve. Pilot lights are used on a majority of natural gas and propane appliances, including water heaters.
To relight the pilot, you must first shut 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. Follow the directions on the front of the light to open the tube for the pilot light. After you've relit the pilot then turn the knob of the gas valve back to "on".
Safety is the primary reason for leaving a pilot light lit. If it's accidentally shut off the gas constantly escaping from the pilot light tube may build up in your home until a spark from a spark from a cigarette lighter or static electricity ignites it and causes an explosion. To prevent this from happening, pilot tubes are equipped with an integrated cutoff valve.
Aside from natural gas gas patio heater concerns the burning of a pilot light also wastes a significant amount of energy. Different studies have proven that a pilot light can consume between $7 and $18 worth of gas per month. This waste of fuel also puts more strain on the air conditioning system during summer use. Another issue with the pilot light is that it could attract spiders, which could spin webs that clog the pilot tubes. Additionally, a flame that is constant could release trace amounts the mercaptan compound, which creates the rotten egg smell found in natural gas. If you're ever concerned about these issues, consider purchasing a gas fireplace with a remote control or replacing your fireplace with a more efficient, modern model.