Gas Patio Heater Regulator

If you're looking to cozy up in the cold outdoors with a propane patio heater, it's important to know how to properly use this appliance. Matthew Griffith, prevention section chief of Montreal's fire department, said shoppers should be looking for products that are safe to use.

It's also important to ensure that there aren't any combustible materials in the vicinity and that the garden patio heater gas heater is properly attached.

Pressure Regulator

Gas regulators are simple mechanical appliances that we use in our vehicles and homes every day without giving them a second thought. Their invention, 135 years ago, revolutionized the way propane and natural gas powered patio heater are used for heating, cooking, and oxy-fuel welding. There are a number of variations in the design of regulators, but their basic function is the identical. The regulator uses an element that senses pressure, typically a dialythm made of fabric, to control a valve plug's position and restrict the flow of gas.

The diaphragm is linked to the stem of the valve using rods that run down through the set spring, up through the diaphragm, and finally into the valve. The gas patio heater outdoor pressure from the house or the pipeline is detected by this mechanism, and it adjusts the position of the valve plug to match it with the demand from the house. As the use of gas in the house decreases, the pressure between the regulator and the house also decreases too. The diaphragm expands downwards and the valve plug moves closer to the orifice to restrict flow. As the gas demand increases in the home the valve will open more, thereby increasing the flow.

The valve plug is closed until the demand for the house decreases. The valve is then opened to increase the flow. This process, called"sizing," is the primary operation of the regulator.

When the valve is opened it creates pressure in the main chamber which is connected to the outlet port of the hose by venturi tubes. This pressure is regulated by adjusting a screw or handle on the outside of the regulator. When the screw is turned counterclockwise, it expands and decreases the pressure. However, 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 minimum and maximum nominal pressures are set by commercial standards and NOT the pressure at the supply line. The regulator should also be compatible with your hose. Make sure you choose a hose that is whistle-free. It should have alternating rings with different sizes. This will prevent resonant noises from building across the length.

Thermocouple

Thermocouples are based on the idea that different types of metals in contact at their ends can produce the voltage even if they are at very varying temperatures. They are used to detect the temperature difference 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 possess several advantages over other sensors like thermistors, which include the ability to detect extremely high temperatures and to function in environments that are corrosive.

The measuring (or hot) junction is created by connecting two metals with different properties at one end, while the other end, known as the reference (or cold) junction, is kept at an unchanging temperature. Thermocouples are passive devices, meaning they don't require power to operate. The voltage generated is proportional to the temperature difference between the measuring and reference junctions. The thermocouple manufacturers and organizations that provide 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 types of thermocouple junctions: an exposed, grounded, and weld wire. The exposed style of junction extends out of the protective sheath and provides the fastest response. A grounded thermocouple is recommended for use in environments with corrosive elements. A welded-wire thermocouple is physically isolated from its sheath with mgO powder. This prevents gas or moisture from entering and causing error.

A welded wire thermocouple also has the added benefit of being more resistant to vibration. It is recommended to use it in harsh environments that require pressures up to 3000 psi. If a thermocouple becomes damaged, it's usually caused by a lack in polarity. If the sheath isn't correctly polarized, both ends of the thermocouple will have different voltages at the junction of measurement that could lead to an inaccurate reading and possibly cause damage to the instrument. A malfunctioning thermocouple could be caused by an improperly calibrated or installed sensor.

Thermostat

Gas patio heaters, unlike electric heaters that are hardwired to the wall they are portable and run on natural gas or propane. The thermostats regulate the flow energy to these cylinders, so that they don't overflow, however they can still provide heat when required. The thermostat senses the temperature of the air that passes over it. The thermostat also detects when the room is cooling down to a comfortable temperature and turns off the heating.

Digital thermostats are the most popular. It uses a microcontroller to convert a changing electrical resistance into an indication of temperature. It is able to perform this more accurately than older mercury switch thermostats, which employed mercury coils with three wires that moved based on temperature. This enabled the thermostat to tilt a switch made of mercury that was connected to an electrical circuit to the air conditioner or heater, turning it on and off.

A mechanical thermostat is another type. It is tiny cylinders filled with wax that starts to melt at a temperature, possibly 180 degrees F (different thermostats open at different temperatures). A rod that is connected to the valve presses into the wax, and opens the valve when it's hot. As the room cools, the wax expands, and the rod is pulled back into the cylinder, thereby shutting the valve.

You can set thermostats to change the temperature at various times throughout the day. This can help you save energy by setting your heating to come on and off during times of work or sleeping, instead of having it on continuously. You can also set your thermostat to turn on earlier so that you will arrive home to a comfortable temperature. Thermostats often include a feature called a heat anticipator that stops the heater from turning on too early. This is due to the fact that different areas of the house often attain the temperature set before the thermostat itself does.

Pilot Light

Many modern heating systems, homes, and furnaces are no longer completely of pilot lights. However older homes still rely on them to ignite gas in the burner chamber. It is important to know how to safely to relight the pilot light in case it ever fails.

A pilot light produces small gas patio heater flames that are heated by a thermocouple. The thermocouple generates electricity, and keeps the gas valve open. If the pilot flame goes out the thermocouple cools and ceases to generate electricity, thereby closing the gas valve. Pilot lights are used in a wide range of propane- and natural gas-powered appliances, such as water heaters, fireplaces, barbecues, furnaces, ranges and hot tubs.

To relight a pilot, you first need to shut off the gas at the appliance. Then, you must remove any doors or panels that may be blocking getting to the pilot light. Locate the pilot light tube and carefully follow the instructions on the front of the appliance for opening it. After you've lit the pilot light, turn the gas valve knob to the "on" position.

The main reason to leave the pilot light on is for safety reasons. If you accidentally extinguish the pilot light, gas constantly venting from the tube could accumulate in your home until the spark or static electricity ignites the gas and causes an explosive explosion. To avoid this, the pilot tubes come with an inbuilt cutoff valve.

In addition to the safety issues the burning of a pilot light also wastes considerable energy. The pilot light consumes between $7 to $18 worth of gas each month, according to numerous studies. This waste of fuel also puts more strain on the air cooling system during summer time. Another concern with pilot lights is that it can attract spiders, which could spin webs that clog the pilot tubes. A flame that is constant can release trace quantities of the compound Mercaptan that is responsible for the smell of rotten eggs that is common in natural gas. If you're worried about these problems, consider getting a remote control gas fire or replacing your old fireplace with a new efficient model.