Ion heating boiler: installation, piping, characteristics, advantages and disadvantages

Energy-saving technologies remain a priority in all areas. They show the greatest efficiency in the field of heating. This approach is associated with a constant rise in fuel costs. Equipment manufacturers offer various options for heating devices. One of them is anode heating boilers.

History of appearance and principle of operation

Within just 1 second, each of the electrodes collides with the others up to 50 times, changing its sign.
Thanks to the action of alternating current, the liquid does not divide into oxygen and hydrogen, maintaining its structure. An increase in temperature entails an increase in pressure, which forces the coolant to circulate. To achieve maximum efficiency of the electrode boiler, you will have to constantly monitor the ohmic resistance of the liquid. At classic room temperature (20-25 degrees), it should not exceed 3 thousand Ohms.

Do not pour distilled water into the heating system. It does not contain any salts in the form of impurities, which means you should not expect it to be heated in this way - there will be no environment between the electrodes to form an electrical circuit.

Design of an ion (electrode) boiler

Ion boilers are very simple devices. Essentially, it is just a metal housing into which an electrode is inserted. There are no adjustments or moving elements in it, there’s not even anything to break. They are:

• single-phase;
• three-phase.

In single-phase boilers there is one electrode, and in three-phase boilers there are three. The electrode is always supplied with phase (plus). Zero (minus) can be applied either to the housing or to the second electrode (if it is provided in the design). Grounding is also required to be connected to the housing. You can’t do without it, otherwise you’ll get an electric shock. It is important that the phase and zero electrodes do not contact each other. The only bridge for electricity should be the coolant. Naturally, the case has two holes for liquid circulation.

How to choose an ion boiler

The required power unit is selected from the condition that 1 kW of thermal power is sufficient to heat an area of ​​10 m2. You need to add approximately another 20% to the calculation to take into account the heat losses of the object.

In addition, before choosing, you need to clarify what function it will perform in the heat supply scheme, as the main source of heat or auxiliary to maintain the temperature at night or during periods of extremely low outside temperatures.

It will also be necessary to take into account the electrical load mode of 220V or 380V, and the possibility of an intra-house electrical network carrying the load through such a boiler. To select a specific model, you will need to take into account the heating scheme, so if the house has a “warm floor” system, the boiler power is selected 30% more.

The best manufacturers

Due to their advantages, ion boilers remain very popular sources of heat supply on the Russian market.

They are produced by a number of domestic factories, and there are also models from Western manufacturers.

General overview of the most popular brands:

1. "Galan", a boiler unit from a Moscow company. The company produces several basic models on a 220 V network: "Ochag", "Turbo" and "Geyser", and on a 380 V network - "Vulcan". For the devices you will need to buy a main control unit "Navigator", a circuit breaker "ABB", a thermostat "BeeRT", which controls the performance of the circulation electric pump.
2. Electrode ion boilers Beryl, a Russian manufacturer, are available in 2 standard sizes for a 220/380 V network and, accordingly, with a power of 9/33 kW. It has a top-mounted power supply unit, which simplifies installation and maintenance. It is necessary to additionally purchase a “Euro” CSU unit, which allows for stepwise control of the coolant heating power every 200 W.
3. Electrode boilers of the EOU brand of a domestic manufacturer, with a power range from 2 to 120 kW, in a 220/380 V network.
4. "Forsazh" of the Ukrainian manufacturer are equipped with a special protective casing that increases safe operation and has a designer appearance. It is presented in 5 modifications for a 220 V network, with a power from 3.0 to 20 kW, which are equipped with an ECRT control unit.
5. STAFOR, a Latvian manufacturer, complies with EU requirements. The design has a number of innovative solutions, including the use of a “Faraday cage” with distribution of safety and working zero. Together with it, it is possible to buy a branded coolant and a specialized additive STATERM POWER, which allows timely adjustments to the chemical composition of the electrolyte to regulate the efficiency of the boiler.

These boilers have been certified by the Customs Union

The table shows technical data and the average price level for boilers operating on a 220 volt network, as the most popular in domestic conditions:

Despite the unpretentious design of EOU boilers, the manufacturer gives them a factory warranty of at least 10 years, and the total service life is estimated at 30 years.

Imported electrode boilers

In addition to Russian-made boilers, models produced in some neighboring countries are in demand.

Ukrainian-designed and produced Forsazh boilers are interesting in that they are equipped with a special casing - a casing, which increases the operational safety of the installation and still makes its appearance more attractive.

Advantages of an ion boiler

The primary advantages of using an ion boiler

To install an ion (electrode) boiler, you do not need to give up the use of gas connected to your home. The main thing is the presence of wiring from radiators and highways. It is worth noting that electrode boilers, as a rule, play the role of secondary devices in the house. If the cost of the gas tariff shows an increase in indicators, then it is recommended to use the ionic system as the primary source of heating the room.

Let's consider the positive characteristics of an ion electrode heating boiler:

• Reliability, or fire safety;
• Quiet operation;
• No need for a separate room to install the device – compactness;
• The presence of combustion products is not provided - an environmentally friendly operating principle;
• Autonomy of room heating;
• No complex manipulations during the system installation process;
• High degree of efficiency;
• Efficiency rates up to 99 percent;
• Possibility of operating an ion boiler on gas.

The presence of a built-in automatic system helps set the optimal temperature, which is maintained in the room for the required time. To increase the efficiency of the device, it is necessary to program the heating system to reduce the temperature on weekdays when there are no people in the room.

Many users of the ion boiler note the effectiveness and reliability of the emergency safety system, which activates the automatic shutdown of the boiler. Owners of an electrode boiler identify another advantage of the device - the absence of short circuits.

Recommendation: it is safer to purchase coolants from the direct manufacturer of the device.

Disadvantages of using an ion boiler

• Lack of constant power supply;
• High electrical power is required to activate the boiler;
• High requirements for water quality;
• Requirements for grounding the device - reducing the risk when operating the device;
• Maintain water temperatures of 70 degrees so that flow rates are minimal;
• Installation of a water pump that will circulate water in the coolant.

Recommendations:

1. During the calculation process, the following must be taken into account: 8 liters of coolant must correspond to 1 kW;
2. Used coolants must be properly disposed of. Draining coolant into a reservoir/sewer/ground is prohibited;
3. Before carrying out installation work, it is recommended to clean the structure of the lines as much as possible with clean water, or with special chemicals intended for cleaning the lines.
4. The acceptable temperature is 50-70 degrees - all technical information is indicated in the passport of the heat-heating device.

How to install an ion boiler

Most often, a gas or solid fuel boiler is used to heat a private home. If none of the options suits you, choose ion heating boilers. The technical characteristics of this type of boiler will pleasantly surprise you, because this device works thanks to a special method of heating water in the heating system.

Technical characteristics of the ion boiler

During operation, water ions move in chaos between the anode and cathode located inside the boiler. The current generated between them helps accelerate the ions and thus heats the coolant. Cathodes and anodes are made from a special durable material that does not rust.

The housing is made hermetically sealed to avoid a breakthrough if the system is connected incorrectly. The complete set of the heating device consists of a heating element, a relay protecting the boiler and a special thermostat that allows you to regulate the temperature.

An ion boiler allows you to install several closed heating systems in one room. This heating device is compact and can be mounted in any more suitable place. The efficiency of such a boiler is almost 100 percent.

Installing a cathode and anode in the system allows energy losses to be reduced to zero. 20 square meters per hour consumes about one kilowatt. During boiler operation, the water in the system heats up much faster compared to other types of boilers. The low start-up inertia allows the coolant in the radiators to be heated to the required level in a short period of time. In addition, the boiler has increased protection against power surges. If there is no coolant in the heating system, the boiler does not fail.

Installation of an ion heating boiler

Before purchasing a boiler, you need to calculate the heated area in the room. For example, you can take an area of ​​48 square meters with ceilings of 2.6 meters and high-quality thermal insulation.

The area, that is, 48, is multiplied by the height from floor to ceiling, that is, by 2.6. From this it is calculated that to warm up one meter it will be 0.025 kilowatts. A boiler with a power of 3 kilowatts is enough to heat the entire room.

1. To shut off the coolant in case of system failure or replacement of the coolant, a ball valve is installed.
2. To ensure uniform circulation and distribution of water across the batteries, a circulating pump is installed.
3. The filter cleans the incoming coolant into the boiler from scale and rust.
4. A drain valve is mounted on the return pipe at the bottom to remove water from the system.
5. An expansion tank is required to collect excess water that is generated when it is heated in the system.
6. The automatic module for turning on the boiler starts the boiler with the specified parameters.
7. After this, the air intake is installed.

For an ion boiler to operate in the correct mode, water must have a certain density. When replacing any boiler with an ion one, you first need to drain the old water from the system and fill it with new one. In addition, an inhibitor is added to it. Distilled water is taken for the heating system.

To connect the boiler to the heating system, steel pipes without galvanization are used. After 120 centimeters from the boiler, the pipeline can be made of a different material.

An ion boiler allows you to quickly and efficiently heat a room, so read the technical specifications carefully. You can install the ion boiler yourself if you carry out the calculations correctly and follow the step-by-step instructions.

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What to follow

When asked how to choose a heating boiler, they often answer that the main criterion is the availability of a particular fuel. In this context, we will highlight several types of boilers.

Gas boilers

Gas boilers are the most common types of heating equipment. This is due to the fact that fuel for such boilers is not very expensive and is available to a wide range of consumers. What types of gas heating boilers are there? They differ from each other depending on what type of burner is atmospheric or inflatable. In the first case, the exhaust gas goes through the chimney, and in the second, all combustion products escape through a special pipe using a fan. Of course, the second version will be a little more expensive, but it will not require smoke removal.

Wall-mounted gas boiler

As for the method of placing boilers, the choice of heating boiler involves the presence of floor and wall models. Which heating boiler is better in this case - there is no answer. After all, everything will depend on what goals you are pursuing. If, in addition to heating, you need to supply hot water, then you can install modern wall-mounted heating boilers. This way you won’t need to install a boiler to heat the water, and this will save money. Also, in the case of wall-mounted models, combustion products can be discharged directly onto the street. And the small size of such devices will allow them to fit perfectly into the interior.

The disadvantage of wall-mounted models is their dependence on electrical energy.

Electric boilers

Next, we will consider electric heating boilers. If there is no mains gas in your area, an electric boiler can save you. These types of heating boilers are small in size, so they can be used in small houses, as well as in cottages with an area of ​​100 sq.m. All combustion products will be harmless from an environmental point of view. And installation of such a boiler does not require special skills. It is worth noting that electric boilers are not very common. After all, fuel is expensive, and its prices are rising and rising. If you are asking which heating boilers are better in terms of economy, then this is not an option in this case. Very often, electric boilers serve as backup heating devices.

Solid fuel boilers

Now it’s time to consider what solid fuel heating boilers are available. Such boilers are considered the most ancient; such a system has been used for heating premises for a long time. And the reason for this is simple - fuel for such devices is available, its quality can be firewood, coke, peat, coal, etc. The only drawback is that such boilers are not able to operate in autonomous mode.

Gas generating solid fuel boiler

A modification of such boilers is gas generator devices. This boiler differs in that it is possible to control the combustion process, and the productivity is regulated within the range of 30-100 percent. When you are thinking about how to choose a heating boiler, you should know that the fuel that such boilers use is wood, and their humidity should not be less than 30%. Gas fired boilers depend on the supply of electrical energy. But they also have advantages over solid fuel ones. They have high efficiency, which is two times higher than solid fuel devices. And from the point of view of environmental pollution, they are environmentally friendly, since combustion products will not enter the chimney, but will serve to generate gas.

The rating of heating boilers shows that single-circuit gas generator boilers cannot be used for heating water. And if we consider automation, it is great. You can often find programmers on such devices - they regulate the temperature of the coolant and give signals if there is an emergency.

Gas generator boilers in a private home are an expensive pleasure. After all, the cost of a heating boiler is high.

Liquid fuel boilers

Now let's look at liquid fuel boilers. Such devices use diesel fuel as a working resource. To operate such boilers, you will need additional components - fuel containers and a room specifically for the boiler. If you are thinking about which boiler to choose for heating, then we note that liquid fuel boilers have a very expensive burner, which can sometimes cost as much as a gas boiler with an atmospheric burner. But such a device has different power levels, which is why it is profitable to use it from an economic point of view.

In addition to diesel fuel, liquid fuel boilers can also use gas. For this purpose, replaceable burners or special burners are used that can operate on two types of fuel.

Liquid fuel boiler

Simple DIY ion boiler

Having become familiar with the features and principle by which ion heating boilers operate, it is time to ask the question: how to assemble such equipment with your own hands? First you need to prepare the tools and materials:

• Steel pipe with a diameter of 5-10 cm
• Ground and neutral terminals
• Electrodes
• Wires
• Metal tee and coupling
• Persistence and desire

Before you start putting everything together, there are three very important safety rules to remember:

• Only the phase is supplied to the electrode
• Only the neutral wire is supplied to the housing
• Reliable grounding must be provided

To assemble an ion electrode boiler, just follow the following instructions:

• First, a pipe 25-30 cm long is prepared, which will act as a body
• Surfaces must be smooth and free of corrosion, nicks at the ends must be cleaned
• On the one hand, electrodes are installed using a tee
• A tee is also necessary to organize the outlet and inlet of the coolant
• On the second side they make a connection to the heating main
• Install an insulating gasket between the electrode and the tee (heat-resistant plastic is suitable)

• To achieve a tight seal, the threaded connections must be precisely adjusted to each other.
• To secure the zero terminal and grounding, 1-2 bolts are welded to the body

Having put everything together, you can embed the boiler into the heating system. Such homemade equipment is unlikely to be able to heat a private home, but for small utility areas or a garage it will be an ideal solution. You can cover the installation with a decorative casing, while trying not to restrict free access to it.

A little history

Initially, ion heating boilers were developed for installation on submarines of the Soviet Union. More than seventy years ago, heating equipment of this type was the best option for safe and economical heating of pressurized compartments of military submarines with diesel engines. It was distinguished by its compact size and high efficiency, did not make noise and did not require the construction of an exhaust system as in the case of using carbon fuel units. The main thing is that the coolant could be ordinary water from the sea; it did not need to be desalinated.

The first model for domestic use was patented by technical engineers D.N. Kunkov. and Ilyin A.P. in 1995. By that time, orders for the defense industry had decreased significantly, and the need for specialized heating boilers for submarines had faded.

Advantages and disadvantages of ion heating boilers

The obvious advantages of electrode boilers include the following:

• efficiency (heating of the coolant occurs almost instantly, efficiency approaches 100%);
• durability (scale does not form);
• compactness, ease of installation (overall dimensions and weight of boilers are significantly less compared to heating elements);
• possibility of automatic regulation (correct setting of the digital block allows you to save about 40% of electricity consumption);
• safety of operation with correct installation (if the heating system depressurizes or a liquid leak occurs, the movement of ions will stop and the boiler will not work);
• no noise;
• environmental safety (no combustion products, no need to store fuel resources);
• no need to re-equip the existing system;
• there is no need to coordinate the installation of the boiler with the boiler inspection authorities;
• not a high price.

Like any equipment, ion heat generators, along with their advantages, have their disadvantages:

• preparation of water poured into the heating system (certain parameters are set for water that must be strictly followed);
• there is no possibility of using alternative types of coolants (distilled water, oil, antifreeze);
• to create normal operating conditions for the boiler, constant circulation of liquid in the system is necessary;
• the anti-corrosion material of the electrodes provides them with a long service life, however, it is necessary to constantly monitor their condition and replace it on time;
• high cost of electricity.

The mechanism of operation of the water heating system

To further understand the article, it is necessary to understand the structure and operating mechanism of the ion electrode boiler. The principle of operation is very simple to understand - the coolant (water must contain the required amount of salt, if the percentage of salt exceeds the norm, then the product is diluted with distilled water) flows into the vessel in which the electrode is installed. If anyone has a question after reading the word “electrode,” we will explain: an electrode is a metal rod that is attached to any side of the vessel. A phase is connected to the electrode, and a neutral conductor is connected to the front side of the mechanism.

If you connect a water heating system to a network of two hundred and twenty volts with a frequency of fifty Hz, the device activates a chaotic process of movement from anode to cathode. This process helps achieve the main goal - heating water. Many craftsmen are accustomed to calling such devices not electrode, but ionic - this is due to the peculiarities of the operation of the heating boiler. If the principle of operation of ion boilers is very simple to understand, then the efficiency of the system shows very high indicators - 96-99 percent.

An electrode boiler allows you to save up to forty percent of electricity compared to chimney boilers. The operating principle makes it possible not to use chimney pipes, since the ion boiler does not produce combustion products.

Installation and operation

When installing an electrode boiler, the main condition is the presence of working automatic air vents, a pressure gauge and a safety valve. The shut-off valves should be located near the expansion tank.

When installing, make sure that the tank is in a vertical position. In this case, the first 1.2 m of pipe must be made of metal, but the rest can be made of any material.

It is best not to install climate control and thermoregulation system sensors yourself, but to entrust this work to specialists.

Features of installation of ion boilers

A prerequisite for installing ion heating boilers is the presence of a safety valve, pressure gauge and automatic air vent. The equipment must be placed in a vertical position (horizontal or at an angle are not allowed). At the same time, about 1.5 m of supply pipes are not galvanized steel.

The zero terminal is usually located at the bottom of the boiler. A grounding wire with a resistance of up to 4 ohms and a cross-section of over 4 mm is connected to it. You should not rely solely on RAM - it cannot help with current leakage. The resistance must also comply with the rules of the PUE.

If the heating system is completely new, there is no need to prepare the pipes - they must be clean inside. When the boiler crashes into an already operating main, it is necessary to flush it with inhibitors. The markets offer a wide range of products for removing deposits, salts and scale. However, each manufacturer of electrode boilers indicates those that it considers best for its equipment. Their opinion should be followed. By neglecting flushing, it will not be possible to establish the exact ohmic resistance.

It is very important to select heating radiators for the ion boiler. Models with a large internal volume are not suitable, since 1 kW of power will require more than 10 liters of coolant. The boiler will constantly work, wasting some of the electricity in vain. The ideal ratio of boiler power to the total volume of the heating system is 8 liters per 1 kW.

If we talk about materials, it is better to install modern aluminum and bimetallic radiators with minimal inertia. When choosing aluminum models, preference is given to primary type material (not remelted). Compared to the secondary one, it contains fewer impurities, reducing the ohmic resistance.

Cast iron radiators are the least compatible with an ion boiler, since they are the most susceptible to contamination. If it is not possible to replace them, experts recommend observing several important conditions:

• The documents must indicate compliance with the European standard
• Installation of coarse filters and sludge traps is required
• Once again, the total volume of coolant is produced and equipment suitable in terms of power is selected

Difficulties in operation

Branded coolant from the manufacturer Galan. At the time of writing, the cost of such a canister is about 2,200 rubles.

1. Proper operation in accordance with the requirements implies the use of high-quality coolant with a balanced chemical composition and all the qualities of the electrolyte. Manufacturers recommend using liquids specially prepared for these purposes that have good ionization, sufficient heat capacity and anti-corrosion properties. It is possible to pour ordinary tap water into the heating system, but this usually leads to a decrease in efficiency and rapid corrosion of all metal lines of the heating system. In addition, over time, any coolant loses its properties and requires replacement after 3-4 years, which also causes additional hassle and expense.
2. As we have already mentioned, the effect of electric current on ferrous metals and stainless steel significantly accelerates the corrosion process, which reduces the life of the heating system. Therefore, in conjunction with electrode boilers, it is generally not recommended to install steel or cast iron radiators - only aluminum or bimetallic ones. Otherwise, the lifespan of radiators is literally reduced several times.
3. The phases of the electrical network are connected to the electrodes, and zero is connected to the body of the electric boiler, so reliable universal grounding is required and it is not recommended to limit yourself to installing an RCD. If the grounding is poor, dangerous potentials may appear on pipes and batteries. In addition, it is necessary to ensure the quality of the wiring in the house, since high-power equipment creates a serious load on the electrical network and causes voltage fluctuations. However, this is not a feature of ion electric boilers, but in general of any electrical equipment with a power of 4-6 kW.

To summarize: if you are not ready for additional installation work and operating features of electrode boilers, it is better to pay an additional 20-30% of the cost and choose a heating element electric boiler, which is what we recommend doing. Today they occupy about 90% of the electric boiler market. But with a competent approach, there is also a choice in favor of ion-type boilers, the advantages and disadvantages of which are summarized below.

Device and technical characteristics

The design of the ion boiler, at first glance, is complex, but it is simple and not forced. Externally, it is a seamless steel pipe, which is covered with a polyamide electrical insulating layer. Manufacturers have tried to protect people as much as possible from electric shock and leaks of expensive energy.

In addition to the tubular body, the electrode boiler contains:

1. The working electrode, which is made of special alloys and is held in place by protected polyamide nuts (in models operating from a 3-phase network, three electrodes are provided at once)
2. Coolant inlet and outlet pipes
3. Ground terminals
4. Terminals supplying power to the chassis
5. Rubber insulating pads

The shape of the outer body of ion heating boilers is cylindrical. Most common household models meet the following characteristics:

• Length – up to 60 cm
• Diameter – up to 32 cm
• Weight - about 10-12 kg
• Equipment power – from 2 to 50 kW

For domestic needs, compact single-phase models with a power of no more than 6 kW are used. There are enough of them to fully provide heat to a cottage with an area of ​​80-150 sq. m. For large industrial areas, 3-phase equipment is used. A 50 kW installation is capable of heating a room up to 1600 sq. m.

However, the electrode boiler works most efficiently in conjunction with control automation, which includes the following elements:

• Starter block
• Surge protection
• Controller

Additionally, GSM control modules can be installed for remote activation or deactivation. Low inertia allows you to quickly respond to temperature fluctuations in the environment.

Due attention should be paid to the quality and temperature of the coolant. The optimal liquid in a heating system with an ion boiler is considered to be heated to 75 degrees. In this case, power consumption will correspond to that specified in the documents. Otherwise, two situations are possible:

1. Temperature below 75 degrees - electricity consumption decreases along with the efficiency of the installation
2. Temperature above 75 degrees - electricity consumption will increase, however, the already high efficiency indicators will remain at the same level

Anode (ionic) heating boilers

Energy-saving technologies remain a priority in all areas. They show the greatest efficiency in the field of heating. This approach is associated with a constant rise in fuel costs. Equipment manufacturers offer various options for heating devices. One of them is anode heating boilers.

Design features

In order to understand what we are talking about, let us recall the student and/or military background of many of those who are now reading this article. We are talking about a method of boiling water, for which some used a boiler, while others used a simple homemade design. These are two blades, fixed at a short distance from each other and connected by a 220V power cord. When this “boiler” was placed in water, heating occurred literally within 2-3 seconds and violent boiling began. This is precisely the principle on which an anode heating boiler works.

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A homemade boiler is an analogue of a modern ion boiler

Please note that conducting experiments with heating water is dangerous to life and health. On the one hand, a short circuit may occur, on the other hand, a person runs the risk of electrical injury (electric shock).

The convenience of using such devices lies in the fact that parallel installation of electrode heating boilers into an already existing heating system, which works, for example, with a gas boiler, is allowed. The coolant in both cases remains the same. But manufacturing companies produce not quite standard heaters, in which water is simultaneously used as both a coolant and a heating element.

The main elements of the module are:

• steel tube;
• inlet/outlet pipes;
• terminal for connecting wiring;
• heating electrodes;
• high quality insulation.

Cathode heating boilers have a powerful steel body on the outside. The walls are made of sheet metal up to 4 mm thick. Several electrodes up to 20 mm are located inside the household structure. They are made of a refractory alloy that has a long service life.

Modern electrode ion boilers do not have an intermediary material between the anode and cathode. Heating from both terminals occurs directly from the coolant itself, water. Accordingly, there is practically nothing to “burn out” inside the cavity. The scale that appears on the tubes in electric electrode boilers after long-term operation is cleaned off with ordinary sandpaper.

Difference from heating elements

The individual characteristics endowed with electrode heating boilers allow them to be distinguished from heating elements:

• in heating elements, at the initial stage of start-up, the working tubes are heated, and electrode boilers, made by hand or purchased in a specialized store, begin to heat the water immediately after start, which reduces inertia;
• ion heating boilers have positive reviews, as they are 20-0% more economical than devices with heating elements;
• thanks to alternating current with a frequency of 50 Hz, the electrodes move between the terminals and create a chaotic movement that promotes heating; this feature reduces the starting current for the electrode heating boiler, reducing the load on the electrical network

The anode and cathode change places at a speed of 50 r/sec

• A do-it-yourself electrode boiler made or produced at a factory has smaller overall parameters than other household analogues.

Such features ensure significant distribution of this heating system.

Positive performance characteristics

Homeowners do not have to completely give up gas if the premises already have wiring from radiators and mains installed. Often such ion heating boilers play a duplicate role in finished systems. Although, if the cost of gas rises faster, then they can be used as the main source of heating.

Their positive properties include:

• high degree of reliability;
• temperature is controlled automatically;
• real efficiency reaches 99%;
• installation of additional equipment may not be carried out;
• startup and operation in systems designed to operate on gas;
• increased efficiency.

An electric electrode boiler operates exclusively on alternating current. Switching to constant voltage is not allowed.

Thanks to the built-in automation, the set optimal temperature is maintained for the specified time. You can increase energy efficiency by programming the system to lower the temperature on weekdays when no one is home, and raise it in the evening and on weekends.

According to reviews, electrode boilers have a good emergency shutdown system. If a possible coolant leak is detected, the device will automatically turn off. Also, short circuits do not occur in these heating devices.

The coolant for such equipment can be purchased directly from the manufacturer, who will provide the appropriate quality composition.

Disadvantages of the system

In addition to the advantages, each system has its disadvantages. Ion electrode boilers have the following disadvantages:

• increased requirements for electrolytic water quality;
• it is necessary to carry out mandatory grounding of the device in order to reduce possible risks of working with an electrical device;
• it is advisable to maintain the water temperature in the system no higher than 70-75 0 C in order to reduce energy consumption;
• the cathode and anode need periodic descaling to ensure greater efficiency for the ionization process;
• the system requires mandatory coolant circulation, so a water pump must be installed in it.

Voltage drops are not dangerous for the boiler itself, but they are necessary for the accompanying automation. A UPS or, at a minimum, a surge protector will help you avoid damage from an unstable network.

Rules for safe operation

The optimal water temperature for operation is 50-75 0 C. This information is indicated in the device passport. In closed and open systems, expansion tanks must be used.

The outlet from the boiler to the expansion tank in an open system should not have any shut-off valves.

Do-it-yourself installation of an electrode boiler into the system must be accompanied by the installation of an automatic air valve, a pressure gauge for measuring the operating pressure and an explosion safety valve at the highest point of the system.

It is possible to install it in the heating circuit as an additional heating source, but in this case it is necessary to bring the quality and type of coolant into proper condition.

Not all radiators can work with ion boilers, and the quality of the coolant is suitable for some. With very big reservations, cast iron radiators can be used.

When installing, one and a half meters of supply pipes to the boiler must be made of non-galvanized metal. After this section, the use of metal-plastic is allowed.

Grounding according to PUE standards is mandatory. The cable should have a cross-section of 4-6 mm. Its minimum electrical resistance must be no higher than 4 Ohms.

If possible, the entire system of pipelines and consumers should be flushed with clean water before installation. It is allowed to use special chemicals to help clean the lines.

After the coolant has been used up, it must be properly disposed of. It is not allowed to discharge it into sewers, water bodies or into the ground.

When making calculations, they are guided by the following parameter: 8 liters of coolant must correspond to 1 kW. To operate in the 10 l per 1 kW mode, the device will be turned on almost constantly, which may negatively affect its performance properties.

"Galan" Vulcan 36

was one of the first to begin developing such a family of heating devices, using developments in the military space industry and patented engineering solutions. For a quarter of a century, even the first line of devices has not failed and continues to function.

"Galan" Vulcan 36

Model power 36 kW, suitable only for three-phase network. The maximum current for three phases is 27.3 A. The control is mechanical; the boiler is installed only on the floor.

This model “Vulcan” 36 has many advantages, let’s highlight the main ones:

• ease of maintenance and operation.
• safety and reliability - if an electric short circuit occurs, the current supply wires overheat, the set temperature is exceeded, or a coolant leak occurs, the boiler turns off.
• the coolant volume is 600 liters, the volume of the heated room is 1700 cubic meters.
• affordable cost - the average price is 11,000 rubles.

"Galan" Geyser 15

A safe and productive single-circuit electrode boiler, which is often preferred by owners of country property. Equipment power 15 kW, suitable only for three-phase network. The maximum current for three phases is 22.7 A. The control is mechanical; the boiler is installed only on the floor. As an additional option, it is possible to connect external control.

"Galan" Geyser 15

It is bought due to the following advantages:

• Simplicity and ease of use - even a beginner can understand the device.
• light weight of the structure and compact dimensions - only 5.3 kg.
• large heating area - up to 180 sq.m.
• electronic automatic control - the presence of a control unit that allows you to create an interval for heating the coolant.
• ability to connect to a room temperature indicator.
• The average price of the device will be 7800-8000 rubles.

Electrode heating equipment market

The most common electrode boiler units in Russia are the following brands:

— "GALAN" (Russia);

— "EOU" (SPD-FO O.A. Goncharenko, Ukraine);

— "STAFOR EKO" (Latvia).

Manufacturers provide up to two years of warranty on heating units subject to proper operation. The service life of the boiler itself is more than 10 years with regular replacement of the current electrodes every 3 years.

The approximate cost of a 2 kW heating unit is 9.5–

10 thousand rubles, including the necessary control and automation unit
-
6.5
-
7 thousand rubles.

RusNIT 208M

, Ryazan. Can be used as the main or backup heat source in a house or domestic premises with an area of ​​up to 80 sq.m. Power 8000 W.

RusNIT 208M

Specifications:

• three-stage power adjustment - 30%, 60% or 100%;
• the heat exchanger and heating element are made of stainless steel;
• antifreeze or distilled water can be used as a coolant in the system;
• the presence of a thermal switch that prevents heating of the coolant above 90°C;
• can be connected to a circulation pump;
• Manufacturer's warranty – 2 years.

Among the disadvantages, we note the manual selection of power, difficulties during connection, requiring certain skills.

The cost of the unit is from 15,000 rubles.