TEN for a cast iron battery

You’ve probably looked into a variety of heating solutions if you want to keep your house toasty and comfortable throughout the winter. Cast iron radiators are a dependable option because of their long lifespan and effective heat retention. However, what if you wanted to improve your cast iron radiator’s efficiency? A "TEN" (Tubular Electric Heater), which provides an extra heat source to complement your current heating system, can be useful in this situation.

In essence, a TEN is a heating element that fits inside a radiator made of cast iron. It functions by producing heat in the surrounding air through the use of electricity. This implies that even when your central heating system is off, you can still enjoy the warmth of your radiator. When you need a little extra heat in certain rooms or in the transitional months when full central heating might not be required, it’s a practical choice.

The adaptability of a TEN installed in a cast iron radiator is one of its main advantages. With a TEN, you can regulate the heat output by room as opposed to traditional central heating systems that heat the entire house at once. With this degree of control, you can adjust the temperature in various rooms of your house to suit your tastes in addition to controlling your energy usage.

The efficiency of a TEN is an additional benefit. You can choose to heat specific rooms as needed without having to heat the entire house because it runs separately from your central heating system. If you tend to spend most of your time in particular areas of your home, this can result in significant energy savings.

Moreover, adding a TEN to your cast iron radiator is very easy and doesn’t need changing anything about the way your heating system is currently configured. Usually, all that needs to be done is insert the heating element into the radiator and connect it to a power source. As a result, you can take advantage of extra heating without having to deal with the difficulties of drawn-out installation processes.

Feature	Description
Material	Cast iron
Size	Various sizes available to fit different radiators
Power	Comes in different power ratings to match heating needs
Installation	Easy to install, typically inserted into a dedicated slot in the radiator

Alternative way of heating – heating element for a cast iron battery

Nearly every issue pertaining to maintaining a comfortable temperature in the home can be resolved by autonomous heating systems. One small drawback to these systems is that practically all boiler types use the same fuel. Different fuels can be processed by universal and combined models, but their cost makes them more costly. Consequently, the issue must be resolved by utilizing extra heat sources, such as electric heaters. For cast iron heating batteries, there is a simpler, more economical, and more efficient solution: TEN.

Why do you need a TEN?

Even in situations where using the conventional heating method is not feasible, TEN for radiators ensures that the heating system operates continuously. The heating element is essentially a metal tube that has a sealed spiral inside of it. With the aid of a unique filler, these components are isolated from one another. The piping system has TEN attached to it as extra equipment. A tiny garage, greenhouse, or other outbuildings can also be heated by inserting a heating element into an old cast iron radiator. And if we believe the things our skillful men have to say on various thematic forums, there are quite a few examples.

By installing THEN for batteries, you can benefit from all the features of electric heating, including its high efficiency, dependability, and simplicity of use. However, these devices are installed directly into the system, making them completely invisible and requiring no extra space, in contrast to electric heaters. The heating element is able to maintain the desired temperature because of the thermoregulation function.

Advantages of using heating elements

TEN for the battery has several benefits over other forms of electric heating, such as electric boilers, heaters, and underfloor heating.

1. It can be combined with radiators made not only of cast iron but also of other materials.
2. It can be equipped with additional automation and thermoregulators.
3. Can be used as a main or emergency heating source.
4. Allows you to protect the water system from defrosting in the cold season, if for some reason central heating can not be used.
5. Economical in application. Of course, the heating element will consume electricity, but in comparison with, for example, a boiler or a floor heating system, this consumption is insignificant.
6. Easy to install. To install the TEN does not require permits and approvals. The apparatus is simply mounted in the pipeline.

Application of heating elements

Heating element installation is so easy that any do-it-yourself handyman can complete the necessary tasks. Usually, all the components required for connection, automation, protection, and installation come packaged with the heating element. This means that all that is required is to insert a heating element with a thermostat into the radiator’s socket and connect it to the power network. Coolant needs to be poured into the system. The heating element can then be utilized for its intended purpose after this straightforward task. It is essential to ensure that the mounted heater is positioned strictly horizontally during installation.

There are various power models available on the market. They are appropriate for both industrial and household use. A spiral of nichrome wire is inserted into a stainless steel tube, which serves as the foundation of the design. A brass nut with either a left- or right-hand thread is used to secure the heating element into the pipeline. Any radiator with a 1 inch mounting thread can be used with these units.

Because of its collapsible design, TEN for radiators allows the housing to be disconnected even while the unit is in use. Safety is one of the most significant problems that come with using electric heating. Of all the electrical appliances, the TEN has the highest level of safety. The primary and auxiliary temperature sensors are used to apply double control in order to prevent overheating. The additional sensor is housed in a special tube, while the primary sensor is found inside the housing.

Variations based on the type and model of radiator

TEN for radiators has two modes of operation. The heating element is turned on to its maximum capacity when it serves as the primary source of heating. This enables it to quickly reach a comfortable temperature in the room and keep it there. Heating elements can be used to protect the autonomous heating system from frost in homes with sporadic occupants. In this scenario, the device will operate at minimum power to keep the coolant in the pipes at a temperature that prevents freezing.

One of the most important factors to consider when selecting a model is the heating element’s power. Tasks assigned to low-power products will be beyond their capabilities. After all, a small boiler will not be able to heat the water in the bathroom; a larger boiler is required. The water in the system will cool down more quickly than it will reach the desired temperature if a low-power heating element is installed.

Crucial! You must perform the calculations necessary to use the heating device as efficiently as possible before purchasing this or that model.

The amount of water in the radiator, where the TEN will be installed, as well as the coolant’s initial and final temperatures and the amount of time the device takes to heat it, must all be considered when determining power. Certain formulas are used in order to carry out the most accurate calculations. An expert heating engineer orders a complete calculation because they can be challenging for the general public. A more straightforward computation indicates that the coolant temperature in a cast-iron radiator ought to be within +70 degrees.

It is important to consider the unit’s other technical specifications in addition to power. The principal ones are:

• Shape and diameter of the heating element tube.
• Length of heating tube.
• Total length of the device.
• Insulator dimensions.
• Mounting type.
• Type of connection to the radiator.

Conclusion

Ten for the battery is a great way to keep the house warm in the event of an emergency central heating shutdown, while also preventing the system from freezing. The economical operation of this device makes it possible to address the issue of heating energy efficiency.

Heaters for radiators: characteristics and assortment, installation

How are electric radiator heating elements used? How much heat can they produce? Are the heating elements appropriate for use with old cast iron batteries or aluminum radiators? How can installation safety be ensured? Let’s investigate this further.

Has the heating system been disconnected? Not a problem.

What they are

A tungsten heating coil housed in a ceramic insulator and enclosed in a metal housing is known as a tubular electric heater (TEN).

There are numerous other distinguishing characteristics of electric heating elements for radiators.

• Heating element shell is made of stainless steel. This ensures maximum durability of the product and completely prevents contact of the energized coil with the coolant.
• The nut that provides mounting of the heater in the heater is brass. Thread – pipe thread, left or right, size 1 or 1 1/4 inches (DU 25 or DU 32).

A hint: these measurements guarantee that the heating appliance will fit the threads in the radiator plug sections. Aluminum sections have 25 mm threads, while cast iron radiators with TEN are mated with 32 mm threads.

The cast-iron radiator in the picture became an independent heating source thanks to the heating element.

• Optionally part of the design can be a thermostat, which provides automatic maintenance of the set temperature of the coolant.

Characteristics and range

We will use the actual product range of the Belgorod company Elektroten as an example of the model range since there are no national or international standards that regulate the rated power of devices. It is sufficient to become familiar with the execution variations and current prices.

(Heating element for radiator with thermostat, cord, and protective cap) Set to 1 1/4 thread

Moreover, the company provides the following products out of which we are interested:

• Oil heater heating element (1 1/4 inch thread).
• Heater for towel rails (1/2 inch thread).

Note: If there is an adapter with the right threads, these heaters can also be mounted in the radiator.

Why it is necessary

The makers present their goods as a way to quickly and easily convert an existing water heating system into an autonomous one.

Two scenarios call for this:

• In case of frequent interruptions with centralized heat supply.
• When organizing fully autonomous heating in the absence of cheaper sources of heat energy.

The installation instructions for the TEN are very easy to follow:

1. The radiator or a section of the heating circuit is reset.
2. The lower blind radiator plug is unscrewed. As a rule, it has a left-hand thread, but in case of double-sided connection of the heater, the right-hand threaded plug may also be the right-hand threaded plug.

When a diagonal connection is made, the bottom right heating element is installed in place of the plug with the correct thread.

1. The last sections are cleaned of sludge.
2. The thread of the TEN is wrapped with sanitary linen with paint or any other sealing material.
3. Then the heater is screwed into the heater using an adjustable, horn or gas wrench. Of course, without excessive effort: brass is a relatively soft metal, and it is not difficult to break off the pipe threads .
4. The radiator is filled with water or other heat transfer medium and then the heating device is energized. Uniformity of heating of the radiator surface is provided by convection of the coolant.

Safety

The radiator heating element with an integrated thermostat is thought to be an extremely safe heating device because it turns off when the coolant reaches the desired temperature, preventing hazardous overheating or boiling water.

However, not all prospective customers are aware that correct installation, in addition to the device’s design, ensures both safety and operational efficiency.

• In the central heating system, the radiator cut-off valves must be closed when the TEN is switched on. This should have a jumper mounted on the supply line in front of them to allow the heat transfer fluid to circulate through the riser when it starts up. In the absence of valves, your TEN will heat the batteries throughout the riser; in the absence of a jumper after an unsuccessful attempt to start the heating will come to you sad locksmith and say a lot of hurtful words.
• Heating the coolant in a closed volume will turn your radiator into a full-fledged miniature boiler room and … sharply increase the pressure in it. Thermal expansion, you know. Hence, it is necessary to install either a small expansion tank (its volume should be equal to 10% of the radiator volume) or a safety valve on the supply line after the cut-off valve. (See. See also the article Pipes for heating: peculiarities .)

The extra expanded coolant can be stored in a tiny expansion tank.

Because the valve will occasionally eject a trickle of hot water when heated, the second scenario is not desirable.

• The cross-section of the power cord should be at least 1 square millimeter for 8 amperes of current. If the power of the heating element is 2500 watts and the supply voltage is 220 volts, the current will be 2500/220=11.36A; the minimum cross-section of the wire core, therefore, is 11.36/8=1.42 (with rounding to the real value – 1.5 mm2).
• The maximum load per outlet should not exceed 3500 watts .
• Grounding is highly desirable .

The electric panel housing needs to be connected to the earthing contacts in the socket.

• The capacity of the heating element without thermostat should not exceed the rated heat output of the radiator. For one aluminum section it is taken equal to 200 watts, for cast iron – 160 watts. TEN for heating radiators with thermoregulator can be installed without power limitations.

Performance evaluation

Everything is very straightforward here: When used in its entirety to heat the room, one kilowatt of TEN electric power equals precisely one kilowatt of heat power. Electric radiators don’t have any magical qualities, and using aluminum battery-powered mini-boilers as an inexpensive heating option is just a ruse to trick naive common people.

A room measuring 25 m^2 can be heated by a heating element with a thermoregulator for a cast-iron radiator up to a maximum power of 2500 watts, based on a calculated heating power of 100 watts/m^2. At 1500 watts per day on average, the cost of electricity will be 1.5 kWh * 24 hours = 36 kWh, or roughly 36 * 3.8 = 166.8 p at the current Russian electricity tariffs.

The cost of the TEN as a permanent heat source is high.

Conclusion

Since we ought to assess the electrical appliances we have looked at? Positive if your expectations aren’t overly high for them. This is the ideal way to plan for heating emergencies. It makes perfect sense to buy them, provided that all safety precautions are taken.

The video in this article will assist the reader in learning more about heating elements for batteries. Achievement!

Modernizing the heating system in your house is a prudent choice for both comfort and energy economy. Cast iron radiators are a standout choice when thinking about insulation and heating options because of their strength and capacity to hold heat. Your cast iron radiator will function better with a heating element like a TEN (Tubular Electric Heater) installed, which will lower energy usage and provide constant warmth.

The adaptability of a TEN in conjunction with a cast iron radiator is one of its main benefits. A TEN can be easily installed to meet your heating needs, regardless of whether your home is equipped with a central heating system or you’re looking to supplement heat in particular rooms. Its flexibility allows for targeted heating, which helps you maintain comfortable temperatures without overheating unused spaces.

Another significant advantage of adding a TEN to your cast iron radiator system is efficiency. When needed, you can achieve quick warming by using electricity to heat the radiator instead of the lag time that comes with using conventional heating methods. Furthermore, having control over the TEN’s output allows for more accurate energy consumption management, which could eventually result in cost savings.

Moreover, adding a TEN to your cast iron radiator can extend the life of your heating system as a whole. The TEN helps avoid problems like corrosion and uneven heating, which can later cause maintenance issues, by dispersing heat throughout the radiator uniformly. By doing this, you may eventually increase the heating system’s lifespan and lessen the frequency of repairs or replacements.

In conclusion, adding a TEN to your cast iron radiator has many advantages for enhancing your home’s insulation and heating. This improvement can raise durability, improve efficiency, and target the heating in your home to make it more comfortable while potentially saving energy expenditures. In order to get the most out of your heating system and have a comfortable living area all year round, think about looking into this option.

The usefulness of utilizing a tubular electric heater (TEN) for castiron radiators is covered in detail in our article on heating and insulation for your house. A common fixture in many homes, cast iron radiators are prized for their longevity and capacity to retain heat. Conventional heating techniques, however, might not always offer the best warmth or energy economy. You can improve the efficiency and control of your cast iron radiator system and possibly save energy expenditures by adding a tubular electric heater. We examine the features, advantages, and installation and usage factors of these heaters, giving homeowners insightful advice on how to increase the comfort and efficiency of their home’s heating system.

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