The socket thermostat is a device used to control the operation of household heaters that are powered by a 220 V mains.
Scope of application
Electric heaters are used as additional heat sources in cases where the power central or autonomous heating systems insufficient, as well as when they fail. Unfortunately, in our country, such a situation is not uncommon, and given the rather low temperatures in winter, the popularity of various kinds of electric heaters becomes understandable.
Some of these devices are equipped with built-in thermostats that allow you to control the operation of the heating element depending on the ambient temperature. However, adding this product to the design significantly affects the cost of the heater. In addition, the location of the temperature sensor in close proximity to the heat source does not contribute to the accuracy of measuring the temperature in the room.
Most modern models of heaters, at best, have the ability to work in several modes with the expenditure of a certain percentage of their power, and they are also equipped with protection against overheating of the heating element.
In order to ensure the control of a heater of any type with high accuracy, a thermostat is designed that is connected to household socket.
Internal organization
The design of this product is quite simple, its main elements are a temperature sensor and a switching device (electronic key), which is designed to close or open an electrical circuit.
The thermostat in the socket can be equipped with a built-in or remote temperature sensor. In the first case, the product is extremely compact and easy to use. In addition, its price is much lower than that of analogues with remote sensors.
Their main drawback is obvious - to ensure the correct operation of the heater, the socket must be at a sufficient height from the floor and located almost in the center of the room. In addition, it is often difficult to eliminate the influence of the heating element on the temperature sensor due to the insufficient length of the electrical cable.
As for the models of thermostats with remote sensors, the possibility of placing the measuring device in any convenient place provides much more convenience in the operation of heaters.
Controlling the operation of the temperature controller is not particularly difficult, it is enough to set the necessary parameters on its display using the buttons, plug the device into a power outlet and connect the heater.
Thermoregulators for infrared heaters
To date, the use of infrared heaters as the main or additional heating systems for apartments or country houses is gaining wide popularity.
The operation of such devices is controlled from a remote thermostat, permanently installed in the mounting box and located in the most convenient place. When choosing a location for such a device, one should take into account the possible influence of a heater or other consumers of electricity on it.
The undoubted advantage of such regulators is their wide functionality. Electronic devices allow you to set complex programs for infrared heaters.In this way, you can program the heating system to maintain different temperatures at certain times of the day and even day of the week.
The disadvantages of such devices include the need for their stationary installation, which can only be done when carrying out repairs in the room.
The main characteristics of the thermostat
Like other electronic devices, this device is characterized by a rated current, which determines the power of the heater connected to it.
Important! When choosing a thermostat for a particular model of electric heaters, you need to select a device that has a certain power reserve.
Another significant technical characteristic is the supply voltage. For the vast majority of models offered on the market, it is 220 V. At the same time, there is a fairly large spread in the allowable voltage deviation value. In cases where its drawdowns are not uncommon, better models should be installed.
There are electronic and electromechanical regulators. The latter are distinguished by higher reliability and ease of operation, however, they have lower accuracy and are significantly inferior to electronic counterparts in the ability to configure various operating modes.
Advantages of thermostats
Advantages of using thermostats for connecting electric heaters:
- It is possible to control the operation of the heating system depending on the temperature in the room.
- Significant energy savings.
- Easy to install and operate the device.
- Possibility of using it with any type of electric heaters.
When using this device, as well as any elements of the home electrical network, you should strictly adhere to the rules of electrical safety. It is unacceptable to connect it to a faulty or disassembled outlet.
