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Gas Patio Heater Regulator It's important to understand how to use a propane patio heater if you want to stay warm in the cold weather. Matthew Griffith, chief of the prevention section at Montreal's Fire Department, suggests that customers look for products with safety certifications. The patio heater should be properly connected and there shouldn't be any fire-prone material in the vicinity. Pressure Regulator Gas regulators are essentially mechanical appliances we use in our homes and cars every day without giving them a second thought. Their invention, made 135 years ago has revolutionized the way natural gas and propane are used for heating, cooking and welding using oxyfuel. The basic role of regulators is exactly the same, but there are numerous variations. gas fire patio heater is based on an element that senses pressure, typically a fabric-reinforced dialythm to regulate a valve plug's position and limit gas flow. The diaphragm connects to the stem of the valve by rods that run down through the set spring, up through the diaphragm and into the valve. This mechanism detects gas pressure in the home or pipeline and adjusts the position of the valve plug to meet the demand. As the gas usage in the house decreases and the pressure between the regulator and the house decreases as well. This causes the diaphragm to deflate downward, and it pushes the valve plug closer to the orifice, limiting flow. As the demand for gas grows in the home, the valve opens more, thereby increasing the flow. The valve plug stays shut until the demand of the house decreases. The valve then opens to increase the flow. This process, called”sizing,” is the basic operation of the regulator. As the valve opens, a pressure is built up in the main chamber of the regulator, which is attached to the port for hose outlet via venturi tubes (see picture). The pressure is controlled by the adjustment of a handle or screw on the outside of the regulator. When the screw is turned counterclockwise it moves up and reduces the pressure; when it is turned clockwise it lowers the pressure. When choosing a regulator for pressure take into consideration that the maximum and minimum nominal pressure is determined by commercial standards and not the pressure of the gas at the supply line. The regulator must also be compatible with the hose you are using. Make sure you choose a hose that is whistle-free. It should have alternating rings with different sizes. This will prevent resonance noises from forming throughout the length. Thermocouple Thermocouples operate on the premise that different metals when in contact at their ends can produce an electric current, even when they are at wildly different temperatures. They are used to measure the temperature differences between two points in a system, and transform this information into an electrical signal that can then be read by thermocouple meters or any other instrument. Thermocouples have several advantages over other sensors such as thermistors, for instance, the ability to measure extremely high temperatures and operate in environments that are corrosive. The measuring (or hot) junction is formed by connecting two metals with different properties at one end, and the other end, the reference (or cold) junction, is kept at the same temperature. Thermocouples create small voltages however, they are passive devices that don't need power to function. The voltage produced is proportional to the temperature difference between the measuring junction and the reference junction. Thermocouple manufacturers and metrology standards organizations like NIST provide tables of reference for the function E (T) Displaystyle scriptstyle e(T) For each specific type of thermocouple. There are three types of thermocouple connections: exposed, grounded and welded. The exposed junction style is a bit higher than the protective sheath and provides the fastest response time. For measurements in corrosive conditions, a grounded thermocouple should be used. A welded wire thermocouple is physically separated from the sheath using mgO powder to stop the penetration of moisture or gas which could cause mistakes. A thermocouple that is welded offers the added benefit of being more resistant to vibration. It is recommended to use it in abrasive environments that require pressures up to 3000 psi. If a thermocouple becomes damaged, it's usually caused by a lack of polarity. If the sheath isn't polarized, the two ends of the thermocouple will have unequal voltages at the junction of measurement, which can cause an inaccurate reading and possibly cause damage to the instrument. A defective thermocouple may be caused by a poorly calibrated or installed sensor. Thermostat Unlike electric heaters which have to be wired into the wall Gas patio heaters are portable and use propane or natural gas cylinders for fuel. The thermostats regulate the flow energy to these cylinders, so they don't spill over, but they still provide warmth when needed. The thermostat accomplishes this by detecting the temperature of the air that is passing through it. The thermostat also senses when the room is cooling down to a comfortable temperature, and shuts off the heating. The most common type of thermostat is a digital one. It is controlled by a microcontroller which converts a fluctuating electrical resistance into a reading of temperature. It is able to do this more accurately than earlier mercury switch thermostats that utilized a mercury coil with three wires in it that moved according to the temperature. This enabled it to tilt a mercury switch that was connected to the electrical circuit of an air conditioning or heater unit, turning it off or on. Another type of thermostat is one that's mechanical. It's a small cylinder filled with wax which begins to melt at a temperature that is possibly 180 degrees F (different thermostats open at different temperatures). A rod that is connected to the valve is then pressed into this wax and opens the valve when it's hot. As the room cools, the wax expands and the rod gets pulled back into the cylinder, closing the valve. You can also program thermostats to change the temperature at various times during the daytime. This can help you reduce energy consumption by setting your heating to come off and on during times of work or sleeping, rather than having it on constantly. You can also set your thermostat to turn on earlier so that you can get home to an appropriate temperature. Thermostats also often include an option called the heat anticipator that stops the heater from switching off too early. This is because some parts of the home reach the desired temperature prior to the thermostat is set. Pilot Light While many modern heating and homes have done away with pilot lights older furnaces and homes still use them to light gas in the chamber for burning. If the pilot light ever shut off, it's crucial to know how to relight it safely. A pilot light produces small flames that warm the thermocouple. This produces electricity and holds the gas valve open. If the pilot flame ceases to burn, the thermocouple cools and stops generating electricity, closing the gas valve. Pilot lights are used in a wide range of propane- and natural gas-powered appliances, including fireplaces, water heaters barbecues, furnaces, ranges and hot tubs. Relighting a pilot light requires that you first turn off the gas valve at the appliance. You must then take off any doors or panels that may be blocking the access to the pilot light. Follow the instructions on the front to open the pilot light tube. After you've lit the pilot light, return the knob on the gas valve to the “on” position. Safety is the primary reason for leaving a pilot light lit. If gas fire patio heater 's accidentally extinguished, the gas that is constantly venting out of the pilot light tube could build up in your home until sparks from a smoking cigarette or static electricity ignites it and causes an explosion. Pilot tubes are designed to have a built-in cutoff valve to prevent this from happening. In addition to the safety issues, a constantly burning pilot light also consumes considerable energy. The pilot light consumes between $7 and $18 worth of gasoline every month, based on various studies. This wasted fuel puts a heavier burden on the air conditioner during summer. Another concern with the pilot light is that it can attract spiders, which could spin webs that can clog pilot tubes. Finally, a constant flame could release trace amounts the mercaptan compound, which creates the rotten egg smell that is present in natural gas. If you're ever worried about these problems, consider buying a remote controlled gas fireplace or replacing your fireplace with a modern efficient model.