For economical and comfort reasons, it is imperative that your home has effective insulation and heating. Concerns over energy use and the environment are growing, so homeowners are always looking for ways to make their heating systems more efficient. The draft sensor, a tiny but crucial part that controls the boiler’s operation, is one of the most important parts of a gas boiler system.
Natural gas is the fuel used by gas boilers, which are frequently used to heat homes. However, they need the right combustion and airflow to function properly. The draft sensor is useful in this situation. It basically checks the airflow or draft in the boiler system to make sure the conditions are ideal for combustion.
A malfunctioning draft sensor can lead to a number of problems. Insufficient airflow can cause incomplete combustion, which can waste energy, use more fuel, and produce potentially hazardous emissions. Conversely, an excessive amount of airflow can interfere with the combustion process and reduce the boiler’s efficiency.
Airflow in gas boilers can be precisely monitored and controlled thanks to the advanced technology found in modern draft sensors. In order to maintain the best possible combustion efficiency, they are made to detect even the smallest variations in draft conditions and make the necessary adjustments. This helps save energy and lessens the impact on the environment in addition to guaranteeing consistent heating performance.
It’s critical to comprehend the function of a draft sensor in a gas boiler, regardless of whether you’re thinking about replacing your current heating system or trying to increase its efficiency. Homeowners may benefit from dependable heating, reduced energy costs, and the assurance that their comfortable and environmentally friendly home is maintained by investing in high-quality sensors and making sure they are maintained on a regular basis.
| Component | Draft sensor for gas boiler |
| Function | Detects and measures the draft (airflow) in the flue of a gas boiler. |
Types of gas boiler draught sensor
Boilers that use gas come in two varieties. Boilers with natural draft come first, followed by equipment with forced draft. A distinct kind of appliance is required for each type.
An open combustion chamber combined with carefully chosen chimneys ensures a typical natural draft. These boiler sensors have an electrical contact linked to a bimetallic plate. The working principle is very straightforward.
When there is a good draft, the boiler’s internal temperature is normal, and the plate closes the contact. When the draught gets worse, however, the boiler’s internal temperature rises, which causes the metal plate to expand and eventually deform, opening the contact and shutting the gas valve. Once the issue has been resolved, the burner’s gas supply resumes and the plate returns to its initial position.
Closed combustion chamber by means of blowing devices determines the forced draught equipment, which contains a sensor, the so-called pneumatic relay. The device controls the operation of the fan and the rate of exhaust of combustion gases. Structurally, the device consists of a diaphragm, deflecting at normal draught under the pressure of flue gases. As soon as the gas pressure becomes lower than normal, the diaphragm reduces the deflection and the contacts open, closing the gas valve.
The sensors guarantee the normal operation of the heater. The device is a fundamental element of boiler protection, because at low draught is possible process of back-draught of flue gases and combustion products leave the boiler not in the direction of the street, and go into the room.
How it works
The device’s primary function is to instantly signal the gas valve to close the burner’s fuel supply. The sensor is activated when the regular flow of flue gases from the boiler to the exterior is disrupted. Carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide gases can enter a living space if there is no such device or if it malfunctions, which poses a major risk to human health.
The metal plate’s position is adjusted by the gas boiler draught sensor in response to temperature changes. Depending on the fuel being used, the appliance is adjusted to the proper temperature. The temperature range for liquefied gas is 75 to 1500 °C, and for natural gas it is 75 to 950 °C.
The flue gases heat up when there is draught deterioration, which is detected by the device and causes the gas supply to be cut off. The device measures the flow’s temperature and speed in open combustion boilers and the air pressure coming from the turbine in forced-air boilers.
Energy efficiency and comfort are important topics that we cover in our guide on heating and insulating your home. We draw attention to the draft sensor for gas boilers as one important component. This device is essential for maximizing the efficiency of your heating system because it ensures effective combustion and detects drafts. Homeowners can improve safety, cut down on energy waste, and eventually save heating expenses by installing a draft sensor. Our goal is to enable readers to make knowledgeable decisions about their home heating solutions, leading to the creation of a more comfortable and eco-friendly living environment, by providing them with clear explanations and useful tips.
Functionality check
The sensor might need to be changed if the boiler has any issues. For instance, suppose the burner shuts down on a regular basis and the combustion gas exhaust system is operating without issue. After 20 to 30 minutes, you should also examine how the device functions after a periodic shutdown.
There are three methods to check if the boiler sensor is correct:
- Attach an ordinary mirror near the device. If the sensor works properly, the surface of the mirror should not be covered with condensation.
- A simple way to check by incomplete closing of the chimney. A working sensor will promptly give a signal, and the equipment will shut down.
- If a two-circuit boiler is used as heating equipment, then to check the device can be transferred to the DHW mode, without heat supply. Then open the faucet to a powerful water jet. Here the situation is the opposite – disconnection of the sensor will be a sign of its problematic operation.
Draught sensors are made by numerous manufacturers. Market leaders like Junkers, KAPE, Sitgroup, and Eurosit are among them. Certain boiler manufacturers (Danko, Baxi) also make accessories for their heating systems. The appropriate sensors must be chosen for the apparatus being used (gas columns, wall or floor boilers). It’s critical to routinely assess the boiler draught sensor’s suitability.
Installing the draught sensor
Depending on the equipment being used, each device must be installed separately, and a convenient location must be selected. Initially, buying a device that is appropriate for these kinds of boilers is crucial. The heating equipment’s technical documentation contains comprehensive instructions on proper installation.
The device should only be installed by a professional, as a poorly placed sensor could malfunction and endanger people’s health in the event of gas poisoning.Correct appliance setup will also be aided by an expert.
What to do if there is no draught
The activation of gas boiler equipment protective devices can be caused by a number of things, such as improperly installed exhaust gas removal systems or malfunctioning sensors. Thus, why does the chimney not have a draft? It is essential to install the smoke removal system correctly in order to prevent malfunctions or incorrect operation of the device and to guarantee normal extraction from the boiler to the street. This process should be guided by the following crucial criteria:
- calculate the height of the chimney depending on the distance from the roof ridge to the chimney;
- It is desirable to locate the chimney in the center of the roof, so that the top point of the pipe rises above the ridge more than 0.5 meters;
- Install a boiler draught stabilizer in close proximity to the outlet pipe to avoid flame blowing out in strong winds.
The gas valve in the boiler will shut off and the temperature of the gases will rise if there is not enough draught. It is required to check the flue gas removal system’s pipe condition, tightness, cleaning, and boiler turbine operation as part of routine boiler maintenance.
How can I inspect the draft in the gas boiler’s chimney? An emometer is a tool that measures the velocity of gases. It can be used with cigarette smoke or by attaching a thin piece of paper. Visually checking the chimney for mechanical blockages is also essential. A specialist can modify the device to create the necessary gap in order to raise the temperature threshold that activates the draught sensor. The apparatus needs to be cleaned on a regular basis to remove soot that accumulates from burning fuel or from using the wrong gas and air supply modes for the burner.
Comfort and financial viability depend on your home having effective insulation and heating. Technology development has led to the development of solutions like draft sensors for gas boilers, which maximize energy efficiency and reduce waste.
By identifying drafts and modifying the boiler’s operation accordingly, these sensors play a critical role in controlling the performance of gas boilers. Promptly identifying and reacting to drafts stops energy loss, which in turn results in lower utility costs and less of an impact on the environment.
The potential of draft sensors to improve the heating system’s overall efficiency is one of its major advantages. These sensors make sure that your house stays comfortable and uses less energy by keeping the heating environment constant and ideal.
In addition, draft sensors prolong the life of gas boilers by mitigating wear and tear resulting from frequent cycling and inefficient functioning. These sensors help increase the boiler’s lifespan and decrease the need for expensive repairs or replacements by reducing the number of needless heating cycles.
In summary, adding draft sensors to your gas boiler system is a wise investment that will increase overall comfort, lower utility costs, and improve energy efficiency. Homeowners can benefit from a more cost-effective and environmentally friendly approach to home insulation and heating by utilizing technology to maximize heating performance.
