Electric boilers with heating elements are the most popular devices in their class. Over the past few years, in the language of marketers, their counterparts operating on the induction principle have been increasingly “untwisted”. Read our induction heating boiler review, user reviews and make the right choice.
The choice of a boiler for heating a house is often decided by the availability of a heating source. Electricity, of course, is not the cheapest fuel, but it is quite common. The industry offers 3 types:
1. Heating elements - a tubular element heats the coolant in the tank. The main plus: productivity up to 99%. The disadvantages are the short service life of the main part and the rapid appearance of scale, due to which the efficiency decreases.
2. Electrode - as the name implies, electrodes act as heaters. As a result of the reaction with magnesium-calcium salts dissolved in water, a current is formed that heats the liquid. Efficiency - up to 98%, small size, but the thermal carrier must be diluted with electrolyte.
3. Induction (vortex) - a heat generator operating on the principle of induction. Let's consider them in more detail.
The device of an induction-type electric boiler is not complicated. There is a system of steel pipes enclosed in a copper winding - a step-down induction transformer. In the process, an electromagnetic field is formed that heats the core with a coolant inside. According to the company, water reaches a temperature of + 70 ° C in 7 minutes.
The outer casing is made of robust, heat-resistant powder-coated steel. The kit also includes an inverter (converter made of semiconductor material), a thermostat with an internal sensor, and a control unit. It is mounted only in closed systems, regardless of the type of thermal carrier (water, antifreeze, antifreeze, oil).
Technical characteristics of an induction boiler for a heating system (household series):
On the Internet, you can often find recommendations of the popular "Kulibins" on how to build an induction heater with your own hands from a tile. Such designs do not stand up to criticism, are short-lived, are often dangerous to the health of others, and the efficiency barely reaches 50%. Industrial models are more complex, safer in operation; completely different materials are used in production.
Advantages and disadvantages
According to the assurances of manufacturers, the use of induction heating boilers for heating a house is a continuous advantage with no disadvantages at all. Let's try to figure out where the truth is and where the marketing ploy is.
1. High efficiency. Efficiency up to 99% is typical for all types of electric boilers.
2. Maximum protection against limescale. Since there is no direct contact of the induction winding with the coolant (unlike the heating element), scale can only form inside the pipes. But closed systems are characterized by a consistently low amount of salts. That is, there are no prerequisites for the formation of deposits.
3. Saving resources up to 35%. Before you buy an induction-type boiler and install it, remember that its main task is to convert energy into heat. To generate 1 kW, according to the law of conservation of energy, it is also required to spend 1 kW of electricity. The only difference is in the heating rate - the induction unit operates faster by about 20-30%.
4. Complete absence of detachable connections in the structure, which excludes the likelihood of leakage. Not entirely true: the boiler includes 4-6 components connected to a block. The cost of the VIN induction heating system includes the boiler itself in a collapsible casing, a control cabinet, a safety group (sensors and relays) and condensers, pressure relief valves, a set of contacts for connecting external devices.
5. High degree of electrical and fire safety. This is true, but care must be taken to ensure that there is no leakage, and the amount of thermal carrier remains constant. Otherwise, the device will heat up very quickly and there is a risk of explosion.
6. It has no elements subject to mechanical wear, therefore the service life is more than 30 years. First, the core is durable, but the lacquered insulation on the primary (toroidal) winding is subject to aging. Her service time is 7-10 years. The result of the destruction will be an inter-turn closure with the corresponding consequences. Secondly, induction boilers are a relatively new product that has not passed the test of time; the statement about 30 years of operation is hardly true.
7. Compatibility with other systems. You can connect underfloor heating, gas or wood boilers.
8. Does not require a separate room and ventilation.
9. Do not need maintenance work. Boiler - in any case, equipment with many sensors, relays, terminals, which need to be changed periodically, tightened. Of course, compared to gas boilers, this is insignificant.
Thus, most of the positive qualities correspond to other types of electrical units. Now let's analyze the shortcomings identified over several years of operation.
1. Cost. The price of an induction boiler SAV 5 kW is 40,000 rubles. Whereas the heating element Protherm Skat 6 kW - 23,000.
2. Considerable weight with small dimensions. Since even the smallest unit weighs 20 kg or more, it is recommended to mount them on the floor or hang them on a load-bearing wall using strong brackets.
3. The electromagnetic field generates strong interference in the long-, medium-wave and VHF bands. Although manufacturers claim that they do not affect the human body, sanitary and medical officials say the opposite. It is not for nothing that SNiPs contain standards and rules for the location of devices with high radiation levels.
4. To work in the heating system in a house with 2-3 floors, a powerful circulation pump is required.
Installing an induction device
The system with an induction boiler is equipped with a circulation pump, an expansion tank, and shut-off and adjustable equipment (ball valves, etc.). In private houses, as a rule, a typical connection scheme is used.
Installation of induction boilers is carried out in accordance with the instructions or technical data sheet. The device is located strictly vertically, the lower inlet pipe is connected to the return, the upper one - to the supply pipeline. Only metal or metal-plastic pipes are used.
If you decide to install an induction electric boiler with your own hands, do not forget about grounding. A safety group, a control cabinet are installed in the immediate vicinity, filters, a circulation pump and a flow sensor are installed at the inlet.
Induction boilers overview
On the Russian market, induction-type electric boilers are represented by CJSC NPK INERA (brand SAV), LLC Alternative Energy (brand VIN), NPK Miratron (brand Miratron).
| Model | power, kWt | Heated room area | Dimensions, cm | Weight, kg | Price, rub |
| SAV 5 | 5 | 50 | 64x45.5x18 | 43,5 | 40 000 |
| SAV 15 | 15 | 150 | 100x15.9x15.9 | 92 | 62 000 |
| VIN-5 | 5 | 50 | 67.5x13.3x13.3 | 27 | 30 000 |
| VIN-15 | 15 | 150 | 67.5x50x29.5 | 75 | 50 000 |
| Miratron A006 | 6 | 70 | 40x160x30 | 50 | 45 000 |
| Miratron A015 | 15 | 170 | 40x160x30 | 80 | 65 000 |
The constant rise in energy costs has led to the emergence of new heating technologies. In addition to modernizing existing systems, manufacturers offer fundamentally new methods of heating water. Of particular interest is the do-it-yourself induction heating of a private house with a boiler.
Features of induction heating
To increase the temperature of the heat carrier, it is necessary to ensure the transfer of heat from the energy carrier to the water. In traditional electric boilers, heating elements are responsible for this. However, they have a number of disadvantages, which are primarily associated with increased electricity consumption. A modern induction heating furnace works on a different principle.
In order to make induction heating with your own hands, you need to thoroughly study the specifics of its work. Its functioning is based on the principle of an electromagnetic inductor. Its design consists of two windings, each of which performs a specific function:
- Primary... It is necessary to convert the electricity supplied to it into an eddy current. This is one of the steps to create an induction phenomenon;
- Secondary... Due to the influence of the electromagnetic field, it begins to heat up, thereby transferring the received thermal energy to the coolant.
In practice, for the manufacture of induction heating of a private house with your own hands, you will need an external circuit that performs the function of a body. The inner core is made from a steel rod, which is usually 10 mm thick. This design allows for a reduction in weight while at the same time improving work efficiency. For factory models, the efficiency rate can reach 98%. At the same time, even a properly made induction heating boiler with your own hands has a value of this characteristic of about 87-90%.
All induction heating systems are not equipped with circulation pumps, an expansion tank and a security system. These components must be purchased separately.
Pros and cons of induction boilers
Is this type of heat supply really as efficient as advertised by manufacturers? Reading reviews about induction heating, one cannot draw an unambiguous conclusion. Many consumers complain about the high consumption of electricity, some home-made models of boilers are clearly dangerous to operate.
Before making an induction heating boiler with your own hands, select components and accessories for it - it is recommended to familiarize yourself in detail with the pros and cons of this type of heat supply.
Benefits:
But along with this, the negative aspects of the operation of heating boilers of this type must be taken into account:
- High cost of factory models. Truly high-quality electric induction heating boilers are made using modern materials, the cost of which, to a greater extent, determines the high price. Therefore, homemade models are significantly inferior in quality and technical parameters to the factory ones;
- To install boilers with a capacity of more than 7 kW, it will be necessary to equip a 380 V power grid. Otherwise, the load will not allow the equipment to work in normal mode;
- In the absence of water during the operation of the induction heating furnace, overheating and failure will occur. Therefore, the design must include pressure sensors that are connected to the circuit breaker. If the pressure drops, the device will automatically shut off.
Having decided that you still need to do induction heating yourself, you can start choosing the optimal boiler scheme and calculating its parameters.
The induction heating principle has been used for decades in the steel industry to heat metal. It is from this industry that induction heating boilers came.
Homemade induction boiler
To make induction heating of a private house with your own hands, you first need to make a case. For this, heat-resistant steel should be used. As the inner core, a steel pipe is usually used, on which a copper wire winding is installed.
To reduce heat losses, the outer walls are insulated with basalt wool. Thus, it is possible to install induction boilers for heating a private house in utility rooms.
After installing the inner circuit, the following work must be done:
- Lead the contact wires through the special holes on the external structure.
- Thoroughly insulate the cables in the area where they pass through the outer casing.
- Connect the boiler to the control system. It is best to purchase a factory model of this component, as it includes protective and regulatory elements.
Before the first start-up of a self-made induction heating boiler, you need to check the tightness of the entire structure. To do this, one of the nozzles should be sealed, and water should be supplied to the second using a pump. After filling the internal space, increase the pressure to the maximum design. Usually this figure is 15-20 atm.
In practice, truly reliable and efficient boilers for induction heating of water in heating cannot be made independently. The only exceptions are small structures that rather perform the function of hot water supply than heating.
This is due to the complexity of compliance with all technological manufacturing standards. Often, in reviews of homemade induction heating boilers, you can come across attempts to make them yourself. But after a series of tests, the choice is stopped on the factory models of this heating equipment.
In the event of an improperly made winding, an interturn electrical breakdown may occur. This will lead to a short circuit and equipment failure. Therefore, boilers must be equipped with an RCD.
Induction heating organization rules
Since induction electric boilers for heating differ from conventional ones, the requirements for their operation are also different. First of all, you need to know that the installation of this type of equipment is possible only in closed heat supply systems. To improve the circulation of the coolant, a pump can be installed.
In order for heating from an induction cooker to be safe, it is necessary to adapt the existing wiring. To do this, calculate the power of electrical appliances in the house, including the boiler, and add a margin of 20% to the resulting figure. The technical characteristics of the electrical cable must not be less than the received figure.
The connection of the induction heating furnace to the mains must be done through a separate cable. It must be connected directly to the central distribution board. It is prohibited to connect other devices to this power line.
To improve the efficiency and safety of DIY induction heating, you will need to install the following components:
- Expansion tank... It is necessary to compensate for the pressure in case of its excess due to overheating of the coolant. The temperature inside an induction boiler for heating a house can reach + 110 ° С;
- Pressure and temperature sensor... They are connected to the central control unit;
- Circulation pump... Its installation is optional, but desirable. The natural thermal expansion of water may not be enough to create a normal speed of movement;
- Security group - air vent and water drain valve.
Often in reviews about induction heating, you can find complaints about the deformation of plastic pipes due to excessive overheating of the water. To avoid this, all technical and operational characteristics of the heating system must comply with the preliminary design.
It is recommended to install an emergency generator to avoid water chilling during power outages. This is especially true for induction heating systems in a private house.
Induction boiler manufacturers overview
But what if you need induction electric boilers for factory-made heating? Alas, at present there are not many manufacturers on the market whose products meet world standards.
When assembling induction heating, which is done by hand, it is recommended to analyze the current offers on the market. In this case, it is necessary not only to familiarize yourself with the reviews of induction heating boilers, but also to check their compliance with current standards. It will not be easy to do the latter, since at present there are no GOSTs and SNiPs governing the production process of their manufacture. The most you can check is with the manufacturer's internal specifications.
But how, in this case, to equip induction heating of a private house with reliable equipment? To address this issue, we offer an overview of manufacturers of boilers for induction heating systems.
Geyser
One of the largest and most reliable companies in the production of equipment for electrical heating. Currently, the consumer can choose an induction heating boiler with a capacity of 4.5 to 250 kW. It is noteworthy that the structure has an electrical safety class "2", which does not require the organization of an additional ground loop.
Models of the "E" series have a storage tank, which makes induction heating of the coolant for heating more economical.
Edison
The company specializes in the production of large heating systems for heating public and industrial buildings. The supplied set of equipment includes all the necessary components. The range includes models designed for heating from a low power induction cooker. But their number is extremely small.
Miratron
A feature of induction-type electric heating boilers from this company is a modular layout. This makes it possible to increase the capacity of the heat supply system at any time without completely replacing the equipment. The range includes boilers from 4.5 to 30 kW.
Before purchasing an electric boiler for induction heating, it is recommended that you familiarize yourself with its technical data sheet. It should indicate the operating conditions of the equipment.
The abundance of advertising and the complex technical component of heating equipment often does not help, but only complicates the choice. What is more profitable, what is more convenient, which manufacturer has the best service, how complicated and expensive is the installation? All these and a lot of additional questions have to be answered by everyone who is going to repair an old or create a new heating system. In this article, we will talk about what an induction heating boiler is and consider what techniques marketers use to achieve their main goal - sales.
The article will be of interest to homeowners who decide to modernize their heating system and install a backup boiler, especially those who have one source of heat - electricity and the choice is only behind the type of electric heating. After reading, you will be able to communicate professionally with equipment sellers and installers, and do not be fooled by overconfident entrepreneurs in the market.
What is Electric Heating
Let's figure it out. Electric heating is an artificial process of increasing the temperature due to the energy supplied from the outside. There are several ways of converting electrical energy into thermal energy: without contact with a heated object (induction-heat carrier) and in contact with a heated object (heating element-heat carrier). It is in comparison with the heating element boiler that enterprising marketers manage to "intelligibly convey" information about the "incredible" induction boiler to the potential buyer. By the way, you cannot find such a boiler used for domestic needs in any European country.
The use of the induction heating method is limited exclusively to the processes of heating metal and other conductive materials.
The principle of operation of an induction boiler
Induction heating is carried out through the energy of an alternating magnetic field, which the heated object absorbs and converts into heat. Therefore, this is heating of products made of conductive materials. To convert electrical energy into heat, you need to have three components:
- alternating current (standard electrical network 220V, 50Hz);
- inductor, i.e. multi-turn cylindrical coil (usually copper);
- a core made of any ferromagnet (the material to which the magnet sticks, usually metal).
Induction boiler device diagram
Now let's take a look at the principle of operation of induction heating step by step:
- An alternating electric current, passing through the inductor, creates a magnetic field around the coil;
- The magnetic field creates Foucault eddy currents on the surface of the core, which heats the workpiece under the action of Joule heat (Joule-Lenz law);
- Heat from the heated core is transferred to the coolant that washes it due to the thermal conductivity of the material.
To put it simply, this is a step-down transformer that was installed in a pipe.
Thus, electrical energy is transmitted only to the core, without the use of contacts, and the heated core (steel pipe) is still in contact with the coolant. And yes, particles can also settle on the surface of the core and impair heat transfer. Marketers often talk about cavitation (oscillation) of the core and, consequently, the difficult formation of "scale". In practice, it will be difficult to verify this, and is this the most important advantage? The steel core has sufficient surface area for efficient heat dissipation even when deposits are present.
The video demonstrates the principle of operation of a hot-water induction heat generator. Many scammers and ignoramuses foist such devices on gullible buyers under the guise of CE heaters.
How not to become a victim of fraud when buying an electric boiler for heating
Heat generator safety
When choosing a boiler, its safety is of paramount importance. In cheap heating elements, one of the main problems is current leakage. This is due to poor quality heating elements. By using certified accessories, leakage currents are minimized.
In induction boilers, electric shock is possible in the event of a power failure of the heat generator and a leak in the system, because any method of direct contact of the coolant (conductor) with a current or magnetic field is unsafe. It makes no sense to describe complex processes. The risk of electric shock when using cheap electric boilers is very high. This is the main reason to be skeptical about induction cats.
In order to reduce these risks, when choosing a boiler, pay attention to the quality of the electrical switch (machine), thermostat, temperature sensor and flow. If these elements are made in China and even their appearance does not inspire confidence, you should not count on the high build quality of such a heat generator.
It is almost impossible to meet domestic induction electric heating boilers on the market of heating equipment, which would be equipped with automatic switches ABB, Moeller or Schneider. This is worth thinking about. If you have high-quality wiring in your house, then you and the manufacturer have different requirements for the quality of electrical equipment.
If you install any electrical appliance with a power of more than 1.5 kW, do not spare the money for the purchase of an RCD cut-off circuit breaker and be sure to make grounding, as indicated in the instructions for any electric boiler
It will not be superfluous to buy a voltage stabilizer. Turning on high-power electrical equipment affects the network parameters in the house, which can lead to malfunctions in modern household appliances and other devices. When using "miracle boilers", the RCD switch works constantly, this indicates stray currents and, of course, the risk of electric shock. Consider whether your home needs a dubious quality heat source that uses a powerful magnetic field?
When choosing heating equipment, preference should be given to products of well-known companies with international standards, a service center in your region and a legal basis for responding to customer claims. In my practice, there has not been a single case in which the manufacturer of “wonderful” boilers “made in the CIS” would bear real responsibility for a defective product. The chain of resellers, the absence of a real warranty and service centers based on private enterprises make warranty service almost impossible.
Declared and actual efficiency
All electrical energy is transmitted with almost 100% efficiency in any electric boiler and heat loss can only be due to poor insulation of the boiler body. Manufacturers of induction boilers often manipulate the indicators of a decrease in the efficiency of heating elements, explaining this by the appearance of scale on the surface of the heating elements, but this is absolute nonsense. First, calcium deposits are heat conductors. Secondly, if we consider the deposits as an insulator, then the efficiency will be unchanged, only the heating agent heating time to the specified parameters will change.
The most important thing to understand once and for all: there are no miracles! There are no innovations from scientific institutes of the Cold War and technologies of submarines with spaceships, the efficiency of which exceeds 100%.
Note! Any electrical heating has an efficiency close to 100%. There are no, for example, electric domestic water heaters using an “induction” heating method. This is due primarily to consumer protection from electric shock. And if once again the sellers will tell you by rote phrases about saving up to 30% and about high efficiency, then ask where the unused energy will go if the boiler efficiency is less than 100%. In gas boilers, heat is emitted through the chimney, but what happens to an electric boiler? Light trolling will let the seller know that you are in the subject, and he will no longer see you as a physics truant in grade 9.
Noise, compactness and weight
All electric boilers operate silently, noise may appear in the following cases:
- pump cavitation (oscillation),
- overheating of the boiler,
- narrowing of the section of the pipeline.
All electric boilers are of approximately the same volume. An induction electric boiler for heating weighs more than a heating element, therefore it is necessary to provide for the correct fasteners for it, not forgetting about the cavitation of the heat generator.
Temperature control
If you really want to save energy, then pay attention to the way you adjust the room temperature. Experts recommend not regulating the temperature of the water supply to the radiators, but the temperature in the room. To do this, you can use an external room thermostat or thermostats on radiators. Pay attention to the weekly programmable thermostat - chronothermostat, with which you can set different temperature regimes during the day or for another specified period of time. The efficiency of the heating system is characterized by the KIT (fuel utilization factor), and not the boiler efficiency. That is, the room should be fully heated only when it is really necessary. For example, when no one is at home, the temperature can be reduced to + 16C.
Disadvantages of induction electric boilers
Do you need a powerful source of magnetic field in your home?
Advantages of induction boilers in comparison with heating elements
- Increased requirements for the coolant at the heating element boiler. Indeed, water for a heating system, in which a heating element is used, in order to extend the service life of heating elements, it is necessary to prepare, reduce the content of calcium and magnesium, ideally pass it through reverse osmosis. In practice, a fairly good 5 micron polypropylene filter.
- Power regulation (voltage surges) is less noticeable in an induction boiler, but only with rheostat regulation. This advantage is significant only in comparison with cheap heating element boilers of domestic or Chinese production, which work on the principle of "ON" or "OFF". In developed countries, such an attitude to regulation is unacceptable, therefore, in modern boilers, heating elements are divided into groups and are switched on one by one.
- The induction boiler consists of fewer parts and has a simpler design, therefore it is cheaper and lasts longer. A minimum of components and the most simple device allows you to make an induction heating boiler yourself.
Homemade induction heating boiler: diagram
Output
Induction heating boilers consume as much kW of heat as heating elements. There are no miracles. The induction heating method has a number of advantages and is widely used only in industry.
The use of induction heating in domestic conditions requires high quality components and assembly of the heat generator. To do this, it is necessary to increase the level of production capacity of domestic enterprises engaged in the production of induction boilers, to introduce international standards and quality control methods.
When buying a heating boiler, pay attention to the fact that the manufacturer has the ISO 9001 standard - a quality management system standard and other international certificates and international awards
Be sure to inquire about the terms of warranty service for the heat generator. And do not hesitate to ask a question about legal liability in case of electric shock. Believe the unsubstantiated assurances of sellers that there has not been anything like this in 30 years. You need specific answers to questions, who is responsible and in what documents it is spelled out. Do not forget that all permits for the use of an electric heater in fire-hazardous premises must be confirmed by the appropriate certificates.
Video: induction boiler
Today, induction boilers for heating a private house are considered indispensable: energy prices are growing continuously. The modernization of existing generators does not always give the expected result, so many are interested in new heating methods.
How an induction boiler works
An induction boiler is essentially a set of tubes with a tip representing an inductor. The principle of operation of such an apparatus is to convert electricity into an electromagnetic field. When the core of the device is heated, excess heat is transferred to the carrier, which can be almost any liquid: water, antifreeze (based on ethylene glycol) or oil. This choice is especially important for areas with large temperature differences, where abnormally cold temperature periods are not uncommon.
Induction heaters are more expensive than heaters, however, payback in severe temperature conditions is many times faster. Frequent use of heating elements leads to relatively rapid combustion, and heat transfer due to scale is seriously reduced. For example, a layer thickness of 0.5 mm reduces heat transfer by about 10%, and over time this indicator only increases. The power of the heating element decreases by 40% in four years of use, while the latest generations of induction boilers are energy efficient. These units reduce operating costs by 30% or more.
Interesting! When a room of 200 square meters is heated, the efficiency of an induction heating boiler in five years will decrease by 0%, and the percentage of efficiency of a heating element will decrease by 3 times.
Types of electric induction boilers
Before choosing an induction boiler for heating, you should familiarize yourself with its varieties and features. Two options are offered on the modern market - for heating and hot water supply SAV and VIN (vortex induction):
- On the inductor itself sAV converters current is supplied with a frequency of 50 Hz. A closed circuit of nozzles filled with coolant acts as a secondary winding and a heat exchanger of such boilers. The induction current heats up the heating medium very quickly in the interweaving of the pipes, which maximizes the boiler performance. The boilers are powered by 220V and 380V power supply. The SAV unit emits 2100 kcal / h of thermal energy and is capable of heating a room with an area of \u200b\u200b25-30 sq.m. The price for a complete set with an automatic block is around 30 thousand rubles.
- Induction boilers VIN differ from the first group in that the current already on the primary winding is converted into a high-frequency one, due to which the total strength of the magnetic fields increases significantly. The body and the inside of the boiler are made of a special alloy that provokes significant heating. In such a design, not only a set of pipes acts as a heat exchanger, but also all body parts. WINES are capable of emitting up to 2500 kcal / hour for heating an area of \u200b\u200babout 30-40 sq.m. The price, complete with an automation unit, a circular pump and fittings, is approximately 36-38 thousand rubles.
Diy induction boiler
In this time of savings, everyone seeks to find a more rational way of investing, and there is no exception to this rule. You can save money by making the induction unit yourself. This does not require a global redevelopment of the house and special knowledge - just minimal skills and basic familiarization with the structure of the heater.
Simpler models 
induction units are arranged according to the principle of an inductor coil, consisting of two windings - primary and secondary. In the primary winding, electricity is converted into a vortex flow, the secondary is a heating element and a boiler shell, through which heat is generated. The body is a core, outer loop, electrical insulation and thermal insulation.
For self-assembly of an induction boiler, you will need the following materials:
- Professional tool;
- Pieces of copper and steel wire up to 7 mm in diameter;
- Thick-walled plastic pipe;
- Metal grid;
- Inverter type welding machine.
The plastic tube with an inner diameter of 50mm is used not only as an induction coil, but also as a heat conductor. Pieces of steel wire are placed in the electromagnetic field, which are pre-cut into pieces 50-70 mm long. Special adapters are used to connect the mechanism with a system of nozzles, where on the one hand the heat carrier enters cold, and on the other hand it exits heated under the influence of induction.
Important! When self-manufacturing an induction boiler, the first adapter must be connected by welding, and the second can be threaded.
The inner space of the tube is filled with cut pieces of wire, after which the structure is securely closed on both sides. To manufacture an induction coil, about 100 turns of copper wire are wound on a plastic case, and the distance between them must be the same. After assembling a homemade inductor, it is installed and connected to the heating system.
Attention! To make the use of the boiler absolutely safe, all visible areas of the copper wire should be insulated with suitable materials with high thermal and electrical conductivity.
Price comparison for induction heating boilers
In the modern market of heating units, there are induction-type devices of the brands: SAV, Vin, Miratron. Russian manufacturers offer models with the following characteristics and approximate prices.
Autonomous heating in a private house is a very difficult and important task that can be solved by using electric boilers. Currently, there are not only models for heating elements, but also more economical products - electrode and induction. The induction electric boiler is very popular due to its high efficiency and, accordingly, less energy consumed for heating the room. Let us consider in more detail the possibilities of induction boiler equipment, its advantages and disadvantages.
The principle of operation and design of the induction heater
Induction is a physical phenomenon based on eddy currents, which was discovered and investigated by the French physicist J. BL Foucault. Induction boiler equipment in its work uses Foucault currents, functioning according to the principle of that very electromagnetic induction.
An alternating voltage is applied to the coil, an electromagnetic field is formed, which provokes the appearance of eddy currents that heat the metal. Water is heated in a heat exchanger and, circulating through the system, heats the premises in a private house.
Modern heating units based on induction consist of the following elements:
- heat exchanger or core;
- terminal box;
- inductor;
- control cabinet;
- conductors;
- inlet and outlet branch pipes.
For ease of use of the equipment, additional elements may be included in its design. Basically, a boiler of this type is an inductor that is housed in a small but very heavy iron alloy body.
At the same time, instead of the core, in some devices, a conventional metal tube with a coolant is mounted. However, the presence of a core increases the heat transfer area.
Such a system has a high degree of reliability, since the induction coil is firmly sealed in a sealed case, without contacting directly with the coolant. The occurrence of holes in the turns is almost impossible, since they are not wound too tightly, and in addition they are filled with a special insulating compound.
All this is enclosed in a thick-walled massive body, which guarantees a long service life. Manufacturers give a 5-10 year warranty, but boiler equipment sellers claim that an induction electric boiler can last about 30 years without maintenance.
Design features of two types of boilers
Before purchasing an induction electric boiler for autonomous heating at home, you need to decide which type of equipment is most suitable for your case.
There are two types of eddy current-based electric boilers used to heat the coolant - SAV and VIN (eddy currents), which have characteristic differences.
- The SAV electric boiler does not require an inverter for its operation. In this case, the voltage from the network of 50 hertz is supplied directly to the winding (kutushka). As a result, the secondary winding, which is a system of metal pipes of the heat exchanger, is heated by Foucault currents, rapidly heating the water. The coolant with the help of a circulation pump moves forcibly along the heating system circuit.
SAV induction boilers are manufactured for voltages of 220V and 380V. Equipment with a power of 2.5 kW can heat a room up to 30 m2. You can purchase this SAV boiler electric unit together with automation and a control unit for 27,000 - 32,000 rubles.
- Induction electric boilers of the VIN type (vortex). These are models of a new generation, for which a special inverter is needed that converts the frequency of the electrical network. This technical solution makes it possible to make the structures smaller and lighter than the equipment of the SAV type. In this case, the heat exchanger is made of a ferromagnetic alloy, and the magnetic core and the secondary winding are not only the heat exchanger, but also the unit body.
An induction boiler of the VIN type with a power of 3 kW will easily heat a room with an area of \u200b\u200b40 m2. An electric boiler VIN in a complete set with an automation unit, a pump and a circulation pump costs a little more - from 37,000 to 40,000 rubles.
Advantages of electric induction boilers for heating
Boiler sellers are in full praise for the exceptional performance of induction units. Some of the words are really true, others are fiction. For example, consultants claim that induction devices save up to 30% of electricity compared to electric boilers on heating elements. However, the statement is somewhat exaggerated.
The fact is that both types of boiler equipment consume approximately the same amount of electricity. But induction boilers heat up the coolant faster than the heating element, also due to the lower inertia of the system. Therefore, if you turn off the unit in time, when the room has warmed up enough, then the electricity bills will really be less. In this case, it is better to equip the heating system with automation with a control unit.
The efficiency of an induction boiler is really very high and is close to the indicator of ± 98%, like that of heating elements or electrode devices. However, induction electric boilers for heating a private house cost more than conventional heating elements. The control unit and automatics, the special alloy of the body and the winding increase the cost of the equipment. At the same time, like other technical devices, induction heating boilers have advantages and disadvantages.
We list the main advantages of electric induction boilers:
- high reliability, however, it must not be allowed that there is no liquid in the system;
- any type of coolant can be used;
- there is no need to replace any elements of the device;
- scale is not formed due to constant high-frequency vibration;
- long service life of the boiler up to 30-35 years;
- saving resources up to 25%, thanks to the heating rate;
- monolithic body made of ferroalloy eliminates the possibility of leakage;
- do not require a separate room and ventilation;
- small size - a pipe section from 40 cm to 1 m in length;
- silent during operation;
- does not need service;
- the coolant heats up very quickly - in 5-7 minutes;
- autonomous system of work;
- simple installation.
The disadvantages of these units can be called a large weight with small dimensions - from 30 to 40 kilograms, as well as the high cost of equipment. In addition, for cottages with 2-3 floors, it will be necessary to install an additional high-power circulation pump.
Features of installation of induction heaters
Current induction electric boilers for heating should only be installed with a closed circuit with a membrane expansion tank and a circulation pump. Forced circulation is needed primarily due to the fact that intense heating and a small volume of the heat exchanger prevent the creation of natural circulation, the water will boil before conditions for gravitational circulation are created.
In the event that an induction heating electric boiler is used as a heat generator, then it is necessary to use plastic pipelines in the circuit or isolate metal pipes from the boiler by installing plastic fittings. The boiler must be provided with mandatory and high-quality grounding.
Installation requirements, as for all electric boilers: from the floor or ceiling surface - 80 cm, from the wall - 30 cm Installation of a safety block, which includes a pressure gauge, air and safety valves, is mandatory as for all closed heating systems. In private homes, a typical connection system is usually used.
The installation of induction boilers must be carried out in accordance with the instructions or the requirements specified in the technical data sheet. The device should be located strictly in a vertical position, the lower inlet branch pipe is connected to the return, the upper one, respectively, to the supply. For this, only metal or metal-plastic pipes should be used.
If you decide to install an electric boiler yourself, you must remember about grounding. In the immediate vicinity, it is necessary to install a safety group, a control cabinet, at the inlet - filters and a flow sensor.
During the purchase, you need to carefully look at the power of the equipment, which does not drop during use. The optimal ratio is 60 watts per square meter. In order to calculate this characteristic, it is necessary to take into account the dimensions of all rooms.
If there is not enough thermal insulation, you need to take a more powerful heating boiler. Today's induction machines can keep temperatures low in rarely used rooms. Accordingly, an electric boiler of 6 kW is quite suitable for a house.
Thus, the simplest and most optimal solution for heating is the installation of an electric boiler. They are really more economical due to the lower inertia of the system, reliability (if you use sophisticated technology and high-quality materials) and the good work of the automation, which includes only the system to maintain the temperature. This equipment is installed as a backup in private houses and for heating offices and shopping pavilions.