Aims of the session.

To enable you to identify the main component

parts of a domestic heating system.

Objective of the session.

To teach you what the main parts of the heating system
are, what is there function, what could go wrong with
them and how could the fault be corrected.

 Use the following presentation to identify the

component parts of the domestic heating
system.
If you get stuck as the tutor.
To identify faults look at the faults page and
discuss first in your group and then with your
tutor what could go wrong.

Fully Pumped System

Boiler
The boiler is the part of the system that heats the
water.
It burns fuel (oil, gas, coal & wood) in a chamber
within the boiler; at the top of this chamber there
is a heat exchanger (like a reverse radiator) that
takes the heat from the combustion and transfers
it to the water.
The exhaust gasses are vented outside via a flue
or chimney sometimes the exhaust is fan
assisted.

Faults

Radiator
Radiators are the most common type of
heat emitter encountered in domestic
properties.
They can come in many different sizes,
shapes and styles, but they all work in the
same way.
Hot water passes through the core of the
radiator transmitting heat to the metal outer
of the radiator via conduction.

Faults

Some of the heat given off by a radiator

(15%)is radiated, the majority of the heat
given off by a radiator (85%) is given off by
convection.

Indirect Hot Water Cylinder

A hot water cylinder heats and stores hot water
used for washing in the bath, sink, basin, etc..
There are two separate water systems within
the cylinder;The primary circuit brings hot water through the
cylinder from the boiler. This circuit is usually in
the form of a copper coil.
The secondary circuit is water that we are going
to wash with this comes from the cold water
storage cistern into the bottom of the cylinder
and is heated by the primary circuit.

Faults

Three Port Mid-Position Valve

The three port motorised valve is a device that
switches the direction flow of hot water from the
boiler to the heating system, the hot water cylinder
or both.
The valve consists of two main components a motor
that turns a valve and the body of the valve.
The valve can switch the flow from the boiler port AB
to port A, Port B or both.
Port A is typically connected to the domestic hot
water.
Port B is typically connected to the central heating
system.
Faults

Water Pump
The water pump circulates the hot
water through the system.
The pump is powered buy a the
mains electricity and controlled by
the motorized valve.

Faults

TRV
The Thermostatic
Radiator Valve (TRV)
controls the temperature
of each individual
radiator.
They use a wax of liquid
sensor that expands with
heat and shuts the valve.

Faults

Lock Shield Valve

Faults

A lock shield valve is

found on the other end
of a radiator to a TRV.
The lock shield valve
controls the flow of
water through the
radiator; these are an
important part of
balancing the heating
system.

Cold Water Storage Tank

The cold water storage tank
holds a supply of water in the
highest point of the house for
use by the heating system.
They must be covered to stop
insects and dust getting in to
the water supply.

Faults

They must be insulated to

protect them from the cold in
the winter and the heat in the
summer.

Float Operated Valve

The float valve controls
the water supply to the
cold water storage tank.

Faults

As the water level drops

the float falls and activates
the valve; once the water
level rises to the required
level the float rises and
turns the valve off.

Boiler
The boiler is a very complicated device made up of many components that
must all work.
There is a fuel supply through a small pipe.
There is a burner to burn the fuel.
There is a heat exchanger that takes the heat from the burner and transfers
it to the water.
The flue / chimney takes the exhaust gasses away from the boiler.
There thermocouple detects the temperature and turns the burner on if the
water is too cold and off if the water is too hot.

Radiator
The radiator is a metal envelope that has hot water passing
trough it to heat the room/house.
The radiators are typically made of steel.
The radiator is connected to the water pipes using
compression fittings.
The water pipes are made of copper there is a reaction that
can take place between the two metals (galvanic corrosion)
that causes the steel to rust at a rapidly increased rate

Indirect Hot Water Cylinder

The hot water cylinder has two separate water systems
inside it.
The primary water has chemical inhibitors in it and can
pick up contamination from the radiators and boiler.
The secondary water is what people wash in.
The outer shell of the cylinder is very thin and made of
a relatively soft material copper.

Three Port Mid-Position Valve

The three port switch consists of two main parts; The valve, which has precisely machined valve
seats that seal the water.
The electric motor, that turns the switch.
The valve is operated electrically. There are
cables that run to the motor to power the valve.

Water Pump
The water pump like the three port valve has two main
components;
The electric motor. This powers the pump.
The impeller. This is like a propeller on a ship, it pushes
water through the pump and system.
The impeller runs on bearings to make it spin freely if
these seize up they put an additional load on the motor.

TRV
The TRV is made up of two parts; The temperature control head; the top part of the valve that you
set the temperature with.
The valve; that adjusts the flow of water through the radiator.
The control head is large and vulnerable to damage if bumped.
The valve is operated via a pin that is depressed by the
control head, if not used the pin can seize.

Lock Shield Valve

The lock shield valve is mechanically
connected to the radiator using a screw
thread and compression fitting.
The valve has a washer to aid the sealing of
the water flow.
Once set the valves are rarely adjusted for
years at a time.

Cold Water Storage Tank

Cold water storage tanks must now be sealed.
Older water tanks had open tops.
Water tanks must be insulated.
A warning pipe must be connected to the water tank to
indicate if there is a problem with the float operated valve.
The warning pipe should be the size larger than the supply
pipe.

Float Operated Valve

The float operated valve is located inside
the cold water storage tank.
The valve only operates if fitted correctly.
The float must float
The valve has a rubber seal.