Heaters are used today in many areas of human activity. They may have a thermostat for more convenient operation. These products can be divided into two varieties:
- out of control;
- controlled.
Among the first it should be highlighted:
- thermal cable;
- thermal carpet;
- immersion heaters;
- coil heaters.
Controlled heating elements are divided into immersion and flow elements, as well as heaters that contain a filter.
The use of thermostatic heaters
The heating element with a thermostat has found its wide application today. It becomes part of the heating systems for aquariums, as well as the design of household appliances. If we are talking about the first variety, then it can be classified into:
- submersible;
- flow-through;
- heating cables;
- heating mats.
The first ones look like an elongated cylinder or flask andare used for lowering into the aquatic environment. As for the flow heating elements, they can be used to save interior space and achieve the creation of an aerated warm water flow.
Heating cables are designed for installation in the ground of the aquarium and allow you to warm the water evenly. Heating mats are used for installation under the aquarium. One of the most common is the heater, which becomes part of household electrical appliances. For example, storage boilers.
The plastic box contains a switch triggered by a temperature sensor. The shape of the heating element may be different, it all depends on the design and power of the device. A heating element with a thermostat in this case can provide a different degree of heating, which is controlled by the position of the mechanical contact. It is controlled by a handle located at the bottom of the box. Here are the terminals for the supply of electric current. The thread serves as a fastener for the heater.
Description of different types of thermostatic aquarium heaters
Today, there are several varieties of aquarium heaters, but the principle of their operation remains the same. It consists in electrical heating in a sealed environment. The thermostatically controlled immersion heating element is available in titanium, glass or plastic.
It has a body, a heater, and the whole structure has the shape of a cylinder, so it is convenient to lower it intoaquatic environment. The flow heater has a plastic housing and is located in a vertical position. Heating cables additionally create water circulation, but heating mats are ready to additionally ensure the stability of the aquarium. When choosing such equipment, it must be borne in mind that 1 watt of power is needed for 1 liter of water. Sometimes this value drops to 0.75 per liter.
The need to use an aquarium heater with thermostat
Aquarium heating element with a thermostat during operation almost eliminates human activity. If you use a heater without a thermostat, then this entails the need to control the operation. As soon as the water temperature reaches the desired value, the device will have to be turned off manually. If you use an element with a thermostat, then it will be possible to create a suitable microclimate inside the aquarium, which will not differ in temperature drops.
Modern devices are quite compact and easy to handle. They can be electronic or mechanical. The former provide higher accuracy, and most of them have information boards. Among the shortcomings, low reliability and high cost should be highlighted.
Mechanical aquarium heater with thermostat is more common. It is reliable and stable in operation, and also has a low cost. Real figures, however, will be distorted by several degrees. Therefore, a separate thermometer should be used for a more accurate setting.
Classification of heating elements for an aquarium by safety level
The heating element with a temperature controller for water is also divided according to the durability of the work, as well as the level of safety. Thus, on sale you can find built-in and remote devices. The latter will be located outside the aquarium and will not be affected by the aquatic environment.
Due to the fact that waste products do not affect the element, the service life of the device will be increased. To adjust the operating mode, a temperature sensor is used, located in the aquarium and connected to a thermostat. As for the built-in heaters, they are located in a sealed housing together with a heating element. This configuration allows for ease of use and compactness.
Such devices are popular among aquarists and are made in the form of an elongated flask, inside which there is a thermostat and a heater. For greater thermal conductivity, the flask is filled with ceramic filler. This thermostatic aquarium heater is airtight thanks to a plastic or rubberized cap through which the wire passes.
Description of dry and wet heaters for domestic use
Household heater can be dry or wet. In the latter case, the service life of the device varies from 2 to 5 years. After this time, the device must be changed. To increase the termexploitation, dry heaters were invented. They hide in a protective metal flask, which excludes contact with water.
Inside the flask, the element is heated, and then the heat is transferred to the liquid. In this case, the temperature of the flask will be lower compared to the heater itself, so the formation of scale is not so intense. The service life of such devices reaches 15 years.
Why choose a dry heater
An electric heater will last longer if certain operating conditions are met, among which, for example, the stability of the supply voltage. But even under such conditions, dry heaters sooner or later exhaust their resource, which requires their replacement. Here, an additional advantage is found, expressed in the absence of the need to empty the boiler before replacing. To carry out manipulations, the device will only need to be disconnected from the pipeline. After that, the electric heater is simply removed, and a new one is installed in its place.
The cost of heaters with thermostat
If you are interested in heaters, you should know the price. When it comes to devices for aquariums, you will have to pay 700 rubles for the AQUAEL GOLD AQN-25W model. In this case, the length of the device will be 24 cm, and the volume of water should not exceed 25 liters. The power of this device is 25W.
Heater brand TETRATEC HT 25 will cost the consumer 1000 rubles. Its size remains the same, but the volume of water can vary from 10 to 25 liters. Powerthis unit is 25W.
Conclusion
Some craftsmen try to make a heater with a thermostat on their own. However, experts say that such devices can lead to the creation of fire hazardous situations and electric shock to a person. However, if you all have already decided to carry out such work, then you will need a glass tube with sufficiently thick walls, an external thermostat and a dry filler.
