Gas Patio Heater Regulator

It is important to know how to utilize a propane patio heater if you want to stay warm in the cold weather. Matthew Griffith, prevention section chief of the Montreal fire department, advised that customers should look for products that have safety certifications.

The patio heater should be properly attached and there shouldn't be any fire-prone material in the vicinity.

Pressure Regulator

Gas regulators are mechanical devices that we use in our cars and homes every day without giving them a second thought. Their invention, which took place 135 years ago, has revolutionized the way propane and natural calor gas patio heater are used for cooking, heating, and welding with oxy-fuel. There are many variations in the design of regulators but their basic function is the identical. The regulator utilizes an element that senses pressure typically a fabric-reinforced diaphragm to regulate the position of the valve plug, and to limit the flow of gas.

The diaphragm is linked to the valve stem with rods that go down through the set spring, up through the diaphragm and into the valve. The pressure of gas coming from the pipeline or the house is detected by this mechanism and it adjusts position of the valve plug to align it to the demand of the house. As the gas consumption in the home decreases, so does the pressure between the regulator and the house. This causes the diaphragm of the regulator to shrink downwards, and it moves the valve plug closer to the orifice, restricting flow. As the demand in the home increases the valve will open further which increases the flow of gas.

When the valve plug is closed, it is held in place by the set spring force until the demand of the house drops, which opens the valve to increase the flow. This process, also known as sizing, is the fundamental operation of the regulator.

When the valve is opened it creates pressure up in the main chamber of the regulator, which is attached to the hose outlet port via a venturi tube (see the image). This pressure is controlled by changing the screw or handle located on the outside of the regulator. When the screw is turned counterclockwise it moves up and reduces the pressure; when it is turned clockwise it lowers the pressure.

When selecting a pressure regulator, remember that the maximum and minimal 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 use. Choose a hose which is whistle-free, which will feature alternating rings of different sizes to prevent resonant sound from building up across the length of the hose.

Thermocouple

Thermocouples operate on the premise that metals of different composition in contact with each other at their ends can produce a voltage, even if they are at wildly different temperatures. They are used to measure the temperature differences between two points in a system, and convert this data into an electrical signal that can then be read by a thermocouple meter or other instrument. Thermocouples are superior to other sensors, like thermistors. They are able to measure extremely high temperatures and work in harsh environments.

A pair of different metals is connected at one end of the sensor, forming the measuring (aka hot) junction, while the other is maintained at a set temperature, known as the reference (aka cold) junction. Thermocouples are passive devices which means they don't require power in order to function. The voltage generated is proportional to the difference in temperatures between the reference and measuring junctions. The thermocouple manufacturers and organizations that offer metrology standards, for example NIST provide reference tables for the function E (T). displaystyle scriptstyle e(T) for each specific thermocouple type.

There are three main types of thermocouple junctions- an exposed, grounded and weld wire. The exposed style of junction is a bit higher than the protective sheath, and offers the fastest response. A thermocouple that is grounded is recommended for use in environments with corrosive elements. A welded-wire thermocouple is physically separated from the sheath using mgO powder. This stops moisture or gas from penetrating and causing problems.

The welded wire thermocouple is also a benefit in being more resistant to vibration. It is recommended to use in harsh environments and with pressures up to 3000 psi. A thermocouple that has been damaged is usually due to an insufficient 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 can lead to an inaccurate reading, or even damage the instrument. A sensor that's not properly calibrated or installed can cause a malfunctioning thermocouple.

Thermostat

Gas patio heaters unlike electric heaters which are hardwired to the wall are portable and run on natural gas or propane. Thermostats control the flow of energy to these cylinders in order that they don't overflow, but can still provide warmth when needed. The thermostat is able to detect the temperature of air passing over it. The thermostat also determines when the room is at a comfortable temperature and turn off the heating.

The most common type of thermostat is a digital one. It uses a microcontroller to convert an electrical resistance into the temperature measurement. It is able to do this much more accurately than the older mercury switch thermostats that used a coil of mercury with three wires that moved in accordance with the temperature. This enabled it to tilt a mercury switch connected to the electrical circuit of an air conditioning or heater unit, turning it on or 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 around 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, closing the valve.

You can also program thermostats to change the temperature at different time of the day. You can cut down on energy consumption by programming your heating to turn on and off while you are at work, or asleep, instead of being on all the time. You can also set your thermostat to turn on earlier so that you will arrive home to an appropriate temperature. Thermostats often have an element called the heat anticipator that prevents the heater from turning off too early. This is due to the fact that different areas of the house typically reach the set temperature before the thermostat does.

Pilot Light

While many modern heating and home systems have eliminated pilot lights, older homes and furnaces still use these devices to light the gas in the chamber for burning. If the pilot light is ever extinguished, it's important to know how to light it safely.

A pilot light generates a small gas patio heater flame which heats a thermocouple. The thermocouple generates electricity and keeps the gas valve open. When the pilot flame ceases to burn, the thermocouple cools down and stops producing electricity, thus closing the valve. Pilot lights are used in the majority of propane and natural appliances, including water heaters, fireplaces, barbecues, grills, furnaces and hot tubs.

Relighting a pilot light requires that you first shut off the gas valve in the appliance. Then you need to remove any doors or panels that could be blocking accessing the pilot light. Locate the pilot light tube and carefully follow the steps on the front of the appliance for opening it. After you've relit the pilot, turn the gas valve knob back to "on".

The main reason to leave a pilot light on is for safety reasons. If you accidentally extinguish the pilot light, the gas constantly venting from the tube can build up in your house until an electric spark or static charge sparks the gas, causing an explosive explosion. To prevent this from happening, pilot tubes have an integrated cutoff valve.

Aside from the safety concerns the burning of a pilot light is also a significant amount of energy. A pilot light burns between $7 and $18 worth of gasoline each month, according to various studies. This waste of fuel also puts an additional burden on the air cooling system in summer. Another concern with a pilot light is that it attracts spiders, which could spin webs that can clog pilot tubes. Also, a constant flame can emit trace amounts of the compound mercaptan, which causes the rotten egg odor that is present in natural gas or electric patio heater. If you are ever concerned about these issues, consider purchasing a gas flame patio heater fire with a remote control or replacing a fireplace with a more efficient, modern model.