Do I need to buy a UPS for the boiler
- Insures in case of power outages.
- Improves the quality of the supplied current.
The first function is vital. In severe cold weather, a power outage can freeze the system and result in costly repairs with replacement pipes.
This is not to mention the harm to the health of the residents themselves. In this case, a set is installed (usually near the boiler): UPS + battery. UPS, it is also an uninterruptible power supply, power supply, or stabilizer, as well as special rechargeable batteries.
From what capacity the batteries will be, how many of them and what load they will receive from the boiler, it will depend on how long your heating system will be able to work autonomously.
Another function of the UPS is not so visible to people, but it is tangible for sensitive electronics. The fact is that electricity supplied in our networks is not always of ideal quality.
There are sharp surges, increases and decreases in voltage. The built-in regulator will equalize the current to optimal values.
UPS selection
Let's make a reservation right away that an uninterruptible power supply for a boiler is not at all the same as for a computer, and a battery from a car is not suitable as a substitute for a battery for a heating system. The parameters of these units are completely different, and using them for other purposes, you can waste money and harm equipment.
So, special power supply units for heating equipment can be:
- Reserved (or Off-Line). They do not stabilize the voltage, which means they will not satisfy the whimsical boiler automation. In addition, the voltage drop in the network is perceived by the UPS as a signal to switch to backup power. And since voltage drops are frequent, these “idle” mode changes quickly wear out the equipment.
- Linearly interactive. Stabilize electricity and store it for future use. But to switch from mode to mode, such a device will take time - about 3 - 7 ms. It is negligible, but perceptible for automation. Although the efficiency of this option is the highest (90 - 95%) and the noise level is the lowest, you should still opt for the third type of UPS.
- Double conversion, or On-line. It was his operating principle that was described above. The electric current first turns into a constant one (it can simultaneously charge the battery), and is immediately converted into a variable of the required parameters and feeds the equipment. Under the protection of such a UPS, the boiler is always "in touch" - it will not take any time to switch from the mains to the batteries. Although such transformations require some resource consumption (from which the efficiency decreases to 70%), nevertheless, this particular type is considered the most perfect and reliable.
Having decided on the type of unit, they proceed to the choice of technical parameters. There are devices on sale:
- Single phase.
- Three-phase.
For private households, single-phase models are usually purchased.
Uninterrupted for heating
Operating voltage is another important indicator, especially where the quality of the mains voltage is unsatisfactory. Simply put, this indicator is the boundaries within which the UPS will operate without switching to batteries. If the voltage drops below the set level, the UPS will consider this a shutdown.
How to calculate the range:
- For a long time, you need to take voltage readings in a particular network and fix all deviations from the norm in order to find the maximum.
- The UPS is purchased with a margin in both directions.
For example, if there were surges up to 237 Volts (+ 8%), then a UPS is purchased with a range of 220 ± 10%.
Battery and charging power
For the boiler to operate smoothly, the accumulators must release their charge slowly and withstand many repetitive charge-discharge cycles.
Automobiles do not know how to do this, and special ones are presented on the market in two modifications that differ in content:
- Helium.
- Fiberglass.
Helium.The first ones have a thick gel in their composition, which does not flow out, even when overturning. It will withstand about 600 cycles of reboots. However, they can be called habitable (they were developed for military aircraft), since they can explode when boiled.
Fiberglass, or AGM, is most often sold in tandem with uninterruptible power supplies. They are safer (they are not afraid of overcharging), although they serve half as much. In addition, the owner will be required to occasionally look into the device and check the electrolyte level.
Power of the power supply unit itself
This is not the same as the capacity of the batteries, but the capacity of the UPS must also be calculated based on the total capacity of all units connected to it (e.g. boiler and pump). Having summed up the power, they add about 20% and acquire an uninterruptible power supply with such a margin.
The unit is selected to the batteries according to the principle of 1:10, that is, the current strength of the uninterruptible power supply (in Amperes) can be 10 times less than the capacity of the battery. For example, to efficiently charge a 60 Ah battery, a 6 A unit is required.
By purchasing a more powerful uninterruptible power supply, you can increase the possible load on it (connected batteries). And in order to increase the operating time of the devices, you need to purchase batteries with a larger capacity.
Types of rechargeable batteries
The UPS uses only lead acid batteries (ULVs). They differ from lithium ones in greater weight and dimensions, but at the same time, the cost of such elements is an order of magnitude lower. ULMs have a sealed design, as a result of which such elements cannot be repaired and are absolutely safe for human health.
There are two types of UPS batteries:
Gel. This type of battery is filled with silicon compounds, due to which the electrolyte is quite thick. This quality prevents the contents of the battery from spilling out even if the structure is toppled, and as a result, the safety of the battery is increased.
Fiberglass. Such accumulators for heating boilers are filled with special mats with fiberglass, which act as inhibitors for oxygen and hydrogen, reducing the speed of their reaction.
However, the electrolyte in such devices is still liquid, so if the battery is handled carelessly, it can leak out.
Helium-type batteries are safer to use, but they cost about 15% more. If the UPS, equipped with a battery, will stand on a flat, hard-to-reach place, then, all other things being equal, a fiberglass device is quite suitable.
The need for a UPS for heating boilers
The vast majority of modern heating boilers operate on condition that they are connected to the mains. The pump, control unit, ignition system and forced ventilation are powered by electricity. Of course, in the event of a sudden power outage, all these elements stop working, and the temperature in the house gradually begins to drop, and there will be no talk of any comfort.
In addition, the electronic filling of gas boilers does not withstand voltage drops. In many private houses, not to mention country cottages, this problem is more than relevant - in long and insufficiently powerful networks, voltage changes are commonplace. In case of unstable operation of the network, the efficiency of the boiler will decrease, and this factor will also affect its service life in a negative way.
It is to get rid of the above problems that UPSs are used. Standard models only allow the boiler to work in the absence of electricity, and expensive modern devices also perform the functions of a stabilizer, compensating for the lack of voltage and violation of the frequency characteristics of the current.
The use of a UPS is characterized by the following advantages:
- Reliable protection against voltage surges (replacing a faulty boiler electronics will cost an order of magnitude more than installing a UPS);
- Simple installation and connection of the device;
- Automatic adjustment of power grid parameters;
- Durability (a good UPS can last about 5-7 years);
- Unpretentiousness and ease of use;
- Quiet and completely unnoticeable operation.
By battery pack location
Batteries may differ in location and principle of operation; they are divided into built-in and external, backup, line-interactive, double conversion.
Built in
When purchasing a power source for a boiler with a built-in battery, it should be borne in mind that its supply is limited.
In the event of a power outage, a UPS of this type gradually supplies the required amount of energy for the boiler (it is not too large), on average a good battery will last about ten hours.
You can connect a gasoline or diesel generator after a power outage to feed an uninterruptible power supply, but then another problem will arise: the device will not be able to work for a long time in the room, since the exhaust will make breathing difficult and leave an unpleasant smell in the house.
Attention! It is strictly forbidden to connect the generator to the gas boiler, since the unstable voltage of the first unit can damage the electronics of the second
External
On a UPS with such a battery, you can connect another external source. There must be a separate groove for this. In this case, the duration of the UPS will increase.
External batteries have another positive property - recharge. If there is a generator running on gasoline or diesel, it is possible to alternately recharge depleting containers.
Photo 1. Uninterruptible power supply for a gas heating boiler with an external battery Cyber Power.
The device can work outdoors, so there will be no negative consequences from its operation. If one battery fails, the second will continue to function (at this time, you can buy a new battery).
Backup sources
Standby UPSs for a gas boiler have the following advantages:
- affordable price category;
- the ability to mount on the wall and floor;
- compact size.
Low price and small dimensions are achieved due to the absence of a stabilizer. Therefore, such a UPS can only be used in homes where there is a stable mains voltage.
There is a sensor inside the unit that, in the event of a voltage shortage, cuts off the power supply from the mains and uses internal resources. On average, its capabilities will last from a few minutes to two hours.
Line-interactive
This model differs from the previous variation by the presence of the simplest stabilizer. Has a relatively small battery capacity, which is enough for twenty minutes of work. It is possible to connect an external battery, due to which the operating time increases to ten hours.
Photo 2. Line-interactive UPS Legrand can work up to ten hours if you connect an external battery to it.
The main difference between the line-interactive modification on the offline platform is the absence of switching to batteries when the voltage drops. This device uses the converted mains voltage when critical values are reached.
The disadvantage of the model is the extremely low speed of switching to a spare power source, which can negatively affect the performance of the boiler electronics, as well as unstable indicators of the sinusoid at the output at the moment of maximum load.
Reference! With a limited budget and a desire to at least partially protect the gas boiler from voltage surges, it makes sense to consider a UPS with an AVR stabilizer.
Online double conversion device
Double conversion systems are the most reliable of the presented devices, however, and the price for them is much higher. Such systems are actively used at server and other sites where work with expensive electrical equipment is in progress.
The online UPS includes a power supply, batteries and an inverter. The principle of operation is that the alternating current received from the network is converted into direct current.
Then the current turns back into alternating current, but with one modification - a stable frequency and a sinusoid appear. If power is cut off, the system goes over to internal reserves.
Additional batteries can be connected if required.
This type of UPS provides maximum boiler protection. Of the minuses, only one should be named - the high price. There are several more advantages:
- instant switching to operating mode when a critical point is reached;
- the output signal is correct and stable;
- support of the required voltage parameters.
Popular models
In Russia, the following models are considered uninterrupted for gas boilers:
INELT Monolith K 1000 LT
Monolith K 1000 LT
Monolith K 1000 LT - on-line UPS. Voltage conversion is double. Provides long battery life of equipment. Depending on the capacity of the batteries, the model can support the operation of the boiler for up to 15 hours.
The Monolith K 1000 LT has no built-in batteries; it is equipped with a high-power charger. It can be connected to a battery with a capacity of up to 150 Ah. The price of an uninterruptible power supply for a gas boiler is about 17.5 thousand rubles.
STYLE VoltGuarg HT1101L
This double conversion model, single phase input and output, is rated for 1 kVA equipment. The output voltage is 220 V. The battery is not included in the delivery set of the uninterruptible power supply: it is designed for external connection of batteries with the capacity required by the user.
SHTIL VoltGuarg models
The device is equipped with protection against short circuit and battery discharge. You can buy a UPS for a gas boiler of the VoltGuarg HT1101L brand for 18,400 rubles.
Bastion SKAT-UPS 1000 isp. T
SKAT-UPS 1000 isp. T is used to provide uninterrupted power supply to units of individual heating systems, automation of boiler equipment and other devices for which even an instantaneous loss of electricity is unacceptable.
With a load of 700 VA UPS SKAT-UPS 1000 isp. The T can provide a runtime of just over nine hours (when three 200 Ah batteries are connected).
What users say
Users of gas boilers unanimously say: a UPS is definitely needed to protect it. Moreover, many of them prefer domestically produced devices. They have a body made of good steel, and all the information in the folk language. The excessive noise of uninterruptible power supplies with coolers causes dissatisfaction.
Watch a video about the SKAT-UPS 1000:
Some craftsmen change the "native" fan for a silent one. Another disadvantage is that a UPS with a fan collects dust. But if the cooler in the model works constantly, even while the boiler is operating from the mains, it can be placed in a closed box - and the problem will be solved.
The buyer of an uninterruptible power supply in the retail network is provided with a wide selection of models - expensive and cheap. The main thing is to choose the model that is optimal for a particular case. Sometimes the offline option is enough. But if the electricity is cut off often and for a long time, it is better to buy an online UPS.
Continuous UPS
Uninterruptible power supplies of continuous type (on-line) provide stable indicators of voltage and current at the output, regardless of the quality of the incoming electricity. The operation of the equipment when using uninterrupted UPSs is always provided by the battery.
It's all about the special principle of operation of such devices:
- The voltage supplied to the UPS decreases, the AC is rectified, as a result of which the battery of the device is charged;
- Further supply of electricity occurs according to the opposite principle - the current is converted into alternating current again, the voltage increases and leaves the uninterruptible power supply.
Thanks to this principle of operation, it is possible to achieve stable operation of heating equipment. Any voltage changes when using continuous UPSs will not affect the boiler operation in any way. In addition, the presence of an uninterruptible power supply ensures reliable protection of the boiler itself from damage.
The advantages of a continuous type UPS are obvious:
- The equipment connected to the device continues to operate normally even if the power is cut off;
- The characteristics of the electricity entering the device are stabilized, and the boiler does not feel any changes in frequency and voltage at all;
- Heating equipment is reliably protected from damage caused by a sharp increase in voltage;
- Output voltage characteristics can be adjusted;
- If required, a continuous UPS can be connected to a generator to recover energy from the batteries.
Of the shortcomings, it can be noted that the decrease in efficiency, the presence of noise and heat emissions due to the operating fan, as well as the high cost.
Online UPS
All those disadvantages that are present in the first two positions are completely absent in online models. That is:
- There is a transition from alternating current to direct current, regardless of the voltage in the network.
- The output is a nominal stabilized AC voltage.
- Perfectly combined with any generators.
But it should be noted that in terms of constructive content, these devices are very complex, hence, in principle, the high price of the product. Therefore, their purchase will have to be correlated with the quality and price of gas heating equipment, in which very sensitive devices are installed (control, metering, settings, and so on). that is, such devices require an accurate stabilized voltage. No jumps and incorrect operation that can lead to the failure of all systems of the gas boiler.
