Uninterruptible Power Supply for a country house heating systems

In anticipation of the new heating season, many owners of country houses are thinking about the question, what will happen to the heating system in case of power failure. Regardless of what caused the blackout - broken wires, overloaded substation or a large-scale accident, remember the main rule. Modern heating system requires a reliable uninterruptible power supply, which, if necessary, to be able to replace the core network.

Features UPS Selector for Boiler

Boiler room of a modern country house - is a complex engineering system volatile. For smooth operation of the heating system requires a constant supply of electricity and boiler pumps that provide coolant circulating through the pipes. In case of power failure, circulation pumps do not work, the control unit switches off the boiler, and heating system stops.

For prolonged power outages this winter, in addition to a significant reduction in the level of comfort in farmhouse may lead to freezing of the heating system or the occurrence of an emergency situation. For example, if the heart of the heating system is a non-volatile solid-boiler, then the power failure immediately shut off the circulation pumps.

A wood-burning or coal boilers, because of its construction, will continue to work and will heat the heat transfer medium, which is not pumped through the pipes of the heating system. If the liquid circulation heating system is carried out forced way (coolant pumped pump) instead of mounted heating system of a natural circulation (GBS), the coolant may boil or, at worst, simply explode.

Avoid such troubles can be, if mount system backup heating equipment.

Sergei Larin-Siskin (Product Manager of CyberPower Systems representative office in Russia and CIS):

Secure and reliable operation of modern boilers, such as gas, diesel or pellet, as well as the whole heating system is completely dependent on the availability of electric power in the house. Electricity supplies the essential components of the boiler - circulation pump and an electronic control unit. In case of disconnection of electricity supply of heat is terminated.

At first glance it seems that mount the backup power system for the boiler house - is not very difficult. For example, to connect to the boiler sufficiently inexpensive "computer" or make bespereboynik system based on conventional automotive batteries. This opinion is wrong, because for boiler operation of the UPS is necessary that it meets certain requirements.

Choosing the right uninterruptible power supply

As mentioned above, modern boiler - this sophisticated equipment, equipped with a microprocessor a control unit that is sensitive to voltage surges and, most importantly - the quality of electricity.

Sergey Larin-Siskins:

Depending on the design, provides an output voltage bespereboynik two forms - a pure sine and sine approximation. Moreover, the last form of a sine wave - the so-called square wave (rectangular shape of the output signal) produce cheap bespereboynik designed, for example, for use with simple equipment, is not sensitive to the form input voltage.

UPS of this type, in addition to the built-in battery with small capacity, inability to achieve long-term operation of the boiler equipment, absolutely not suitable for powering the microprocessor boilers boards, as the control unit receives a square wave (or kvazisinusoidu) as error. The circulation pump if run, it will run rough and increased noise, also significantly reduced its resource. Additionally, expensive equipment may simply fail.

For operation of the boiler, circulating pumps, in general, All units equipped with asynchronous motors, submersible, drainage and sewage pumps needed to UPS only provides pure sine wave output. Pure sine wave is required for some home appliances that can be connected to the UPS, for example, a refrigerator, a video surveillance system.

And this is only one of several important nuances that need to be taken into account when selecting a UPS for the boiler. In addition to the shape of the output signal, it is necessary to consider the possibility of the UPS to withstand high inrush currents. This is due to the fact that many devices, such as submersible pumps, in themselves are enough powerful consumers of electricity consumption at the start of the increase in 2-3 times higher than its rated power.

Hence, one of the most important characteristics is the ability to withstand UPS 2/3-fold excess of the nominal power for 15-30 seconds. And in general, always try to trim the UPS for the boiler with the necessary supply both the UPS power and battery capacity on the basis of the calculation of electricity sufficient to ensure all consumers.

Go ahead. Principle backup actions can be described by a simple algorithm. When you turn on the network via a built-in UPS battery charger comes charging the battery or batteries (if more than one battery is used). Simultaneously conducted through the UPS power supply to the consumers - the boiler, circulation pumps, etc. When fully charged, battery charger automatically turns off, and the power of the system comes directly from the mains, through the UPS in the so-called staffing mode.

In case of power failure bespereboynik will supply electricity from the battery (Transforming it from DC to AC 220 V, 50 Hz) on the boiler and on the other connected equipment. Power supply will be carried out as long as the power supply is restored the house, or until discharged.

Sergey Larin-Siskins:

In contrast to gasoline or diesel generator, UPS can be installed in any room, require little or no maintenance other than replacing every few years, batteries, instant restore power and silent in work.

Also, choosing bespereboynik for the boiler, it is necessary to define a number of key requirements that apply to this equipment. According to the principle of operation all the UPSs are divided into three large groups.

• Off-line (off-line) UPS.
• Line-interactive devices.
• On-line (on-line) continuous model.

Sergey Larin-Siskins:

To make an informed choice, you need to understand the differences between the UPS.

Off-line bespereboynik not have built-in stabilizer, and a fixed machine settings allowable voltage range, for example from 180 to 250 V. By lowering or surges beyond the input voltage range (as is often the case in suburban populations), the device will treat this as a signal to switch the power boiler from batteries. When you return to the voltage level set by denomination bespereboynik again switches to power supply from the main network. Those. in all races will be unnecessarily frequent switching UPS: Network / battery.

In addition to the lack of protection of connected equipment from power surges, bespereboynik work in this mode will cause the charge / discharge batteries to the part of the cycle, reducing their lifespan. Additionally, when selecting this type of UPS, additionally thereto will acquire a stabilizing device for the protection of equipment.

Sergey Larin-Siskins:

Unlike off-line, line-interactive system, although they have a valid boundary indicators voltage, further provided with a voltage stabilizer, protecting the equipment against surges voltage. Besides simple voltage UPS of this type allow to adjust it to a certain extent (about 20%), but usually this adjustment speed.

Online bespereboynik or continuous UPS are, at first glance, the best equipment suitable for use in conjunction with a boiler, demanding voltage quality and its frequency. UPS of this type, due to its design features, "pull" the voltage to the required quality to us on giving the consumer 220 V 50 Hz.

This bespereboynik mounted inverter which operates as a double conversion incoming current. Those. first alternating current is converted to DC, then it is converted again at the right equipment for consistent quality alternating current. With all the advantages of on-line topology, there is one significant drawback, which must be investigated.

Due to the fact that the system works on the principle of double conversion connected batteries all the time involved. It is at times compared to the line-interactive topology reduces the life of batteries, and the batteries in your all are quite expensive, small capacity blocking the cost itself UPS.

Sergey Larin-Siskins:

For full operation of uninterruptible power supply system for the boiler to be more than sufficient line-interactive device, as it is represented by the sum of the optimal characteristics of the consumer choice.

An important point: UPS typically have initial power with external batteries supply voltage is 12 or 24 and further incrementally - 36, 48, depending on the capacity, i.e., at 24 V requires a connection of at least 2 battery, which is not always economically appropriate. Therefore, choosing quality bespereboynik, Look at its technical characteristics, whether it is to work at the required minimum will, ie from the 1st to the 12 volt battery

Weight equipment may also serve as an indirect indication of its declared characteristics, e.g., pure sine wave is achieved by aligning a powerful signal transformer. That is due to the design features of the UPS capacity of 2.5 kW can not weigh, for example, 10 kg. such a power system weight without battery will be at least 30 kg.

Also pay attention to the speed of the transition battery / network switch modes (time switch should not exceed 6 m / s - 10 m / s), the maximum number of batteries which can be connected to the UPS. The last parameter is important if you plan to expand the capabilities of the system and by building up capacity battery connected to a backup power system, additional consumers or improve battery work.

Battery selection for an uninterruptible power supply

The cost of batteries can be more than 50% of the price of the entire UPS. Therefore, their choice should be treated as responsible, as well as to the choice of bespereboynik. In this case, the batteries for the construction of power backup systems make special demands.

Igor Gorokhov (Head mounting group TC V):

Conventional starter batteries that require periodic maintenance and emit during operation sulfuric acid vapor is not intended for use indoors in close proximity people. Furthermore, the starter battery is not intended for stand-alone power supply immediately and will fail after 2-3 times of discharge.

The question arises, what to choose? Remember the second rule: for use with UPS best suited gel battery GEL (Gelled Electrolite) or batteries, built on technology AGM (Absorptive Glass Mat). Despite the obscure at first glance, the abbreviation, both types of rechargeable batteries are lead-acid, but differ in the type of technology used.

The AGM batteries between the lead plates are tightly compressed fiberglass on both sides Mats - separators (they act like a sponge, preventing spread acid) impregnated with an electrolyte.

The GEL electrolyte batteries also located between the plates, but by adding silica he brought up to a gelatinous mass - gel.

Hence - the electrolyte in these batteries are not maintenance-free rasploskivaetsya. During the chemical reaction of gases, water disintegrates into hydrogen and oxygen, but at the recombination, the ions of these elements do not evaporate, and remain in a closed space sealed batteries, "returning" back to the electrolyte, which maintains its properties over 5-10 years old.

This increases the service life of the backup power supply system of the boiler room, and both types of batteries can be used in closed rooms, equipped with only natural ventilation system.

Among the advantages of these types of batteries can be identified: the possibility of operation over a wide temperature range from -30 to + 50-60 ° C. They can also be installed in any position but not recommended by the manufacturer "upside down".

Igor Gorokhov:

AGM technology is newer than GEL. It must be remembered that the gel batteryIt is very sensitive to overcharging and goes to the nominal capacity of only 15-20 after discharge / charge cycles, but, Unlike AGM, withstand greater number of cycles and also better withstand shock at Undercharge. For example, if you happened to repeated power outages, as well as fully restore capacity after deep discharge.

In an active AGM batteries (with the same capacity) - lower price than those of the gel, the higher current output power (which is important when starting power equipment such as a pump), high speed charging. But while the batteries of this type is not "transfer" less Undercharge and operate at deep discharge. In case nedozaryazhennogo battery discharge (e.g., re-turned off the light, and the boiler operates again from UPS) battery capacity irreversibly reduced.

Conclusions: the construction of uninterrupted power supply of the heating system cottage individual system We must take into account a lot of nuances, ranging from equipment selection, calculation of power ups to assembly equipment. All this requires professional knowledge, which can be obtained by adhering to our expert advice and studying advising topics on the portal.

After reading the article "What to do if there is no electricity at the site?" You know, how to make their own backup power system. The theme of the Forum gathered practical experience in the installation of autonomous power supply system.

And you can see from our video, how to increase the electric power in the house.

Discuss the article and read other materials devoted to country life you can on the websiteFORUMHOUSE.

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