A heating distribution manifold is a device for distributing coolant to consumers in the heating system of a house. The collector (or comb, as it is also called) is responsible for the uniform flow of coolant into the various circuits of the heating system.

There is an opinion that the installation of a distribution manifold is not mandatory, because heating will function effectively without it. This statement is only true for small houses, where single-circuit simple circuits are used, that is, heat from the boiler is sequentially transferred to everyone in the house, and then returned back for heating.

If there are three or more circuits (for example, radiators on the first floor, heated floors on the first floor, radiators on the second floor, heated floors on the second floor, etc.), installation of such a device is mandatory. Otherwise, improper distribution of coolant flows may lead to a decrease in the efficiency of the system. For example, with hot radiators, the underfloor heating circuit will remain cold, or one of the rooms will be poorly heated, with hot radiators in other rooms.

Types of heating combs

In stores you can purchase heating manifolds that differ in the number of connected circuits, materials of manufacture, the presence of thermal heads or flow meters, manufacturer and a host of other characteristics. However, in general they can be divided into three main groups:

• manifold for boiler room;
• hydraulic arrow;
• local combs.

Heating distribution manifold for boiler room

A manifold for a boiler room is usually mounted from large-diameter metal pipes and is equipped with several fluids throughout the system. This collector system consists of a supply comb, through which coolant is supplied to the heating system of the entire house, and a comb, which receives the cooled liquid and sends it to the boiler for heating. Pumps with shut-off valves are installed on the supply comb, and shut-off valves are usually installed on the receiving comb.

As a necessary element of complex heating systems, a hydraulic arrow supporting the best difference temperatures in the supply and discharge circuits. Thanks to this difference, the operation of the heat generator installation is maintained with the lowest energy consumption. We will talk more about the hydraulic gun later in the article.

The boiler room manifold is also equipped with pressure monitoring devices and temperature sensors to monitor the operation of all elements. Such an element has fairly decent dimensions and is usually installed in a special room.

Hydroarrow

A hydraulic arrow is a device that is used to equalize pressure and temperature in a heating system. In the simplest case, a circuit approaches it on one side, and a circuit of radiators on the other, thus performing the function of a distribution manifold.

For more complex systems, a hydraulic arrow is installed in the boiler room in front of the distribution manifold, performing the same function - equalizing pressure in the system.

Structurally, the hydraulic arrow is made in the form of a vertical pipe, at the ends of which elliptical plugs are installed. If the coolant leaving the boiler has a temperature, and therefore a pressure, higher than necessary, then when it enters the hydraulic arrow, part of it goes into the heating circuit, and part of it is mixed with the cooled coolant from the return. Thus, stabilization and self-regulation of temperature and pressure in the system occurs. Visually, various cases of fluid flow are shown in the diagram:

The hydraulic distributor allows you to:

• to not allow sharp fluctuations temperatures that reduce the service life of the system;
• maintain the volume of water in the boiler heat exchanger at a constant level;
• maintain thermal equilibrium by separating the hydraulic circuit of the heat generator from the general system main.

The most complete optimization of the operation of a system with an installed hydraulic arrow is achieved through the use of a separate circulation pump for each circuit.

Heating comb

The distribution manifold for heating, unlike the boiler manifold, has much more modest dimensions, however, it performs similar functions. With the help of such a comb, the coolant coming from the boiler room is distributed either to consumers on the floor, or to various groups of consumers (collector, heating radiator collector).

The principle of operation is also somewhat different. If in the boiler manifold unit there is complete replacement cooled coolant onto the heated liquid, then in the distribution comb they are also mixed and fed back into the system.

The functions of the hydraulic arrow in the combs are usually assigned to an additional circulation pump. With its help, the local heat-carrying fluid moves in a circle, entraining an additional portion of the heated coolant due to the different temperatures of the flows. At the same time, chilled water or antifreeze enters the main line. In accordance with this operating principle, a dosed amount of coolant is distributed into one or another heating circuit.

The distribution comb of the heating system is usually installed when there are three or more thermal appliances in one room and when a heated floor is installed. It helps to optimize the functioning of the entire complex and reduce the energy consumption of the heat generator.

Both the collector unit in the mini-boiler room and the distribution comb at first glance perform overlapping functions, but it is their joint use that makes the operation of the entire heating complex highly efficient.

Heating distribution manifold design

Distribution combs for heating, depending on the connected devices, can have from 2 to 20 circuits, and the design allows this number to be increased if necessary. In the production of comb elements, materials with a high degree of resistance to water impurities and external factors. Typically the housings are made of stainless steel or brass.

Such elements are usually quite expensive, but their service life reaches tens of years. Simple and cheap analogues made of polypropylene are inferior in all respects to metal products. When choosing a manifold, you need to pay attention to the maximum possible pressure, throughput, number of connection points and the permissibility of installing auxiliary devices.

Each connection point can be equipped with outlet valves or shut-off or control valves. With their help, you can shut off the necessary branch during maintenance or repair without blocking the main flow of coolant.

To control thermal processes in individual rooms, air outlet and drain valves, heat meters and flow meters can be mounted on the comb body.

The collector system has a fairly simple operating principle. After the heating boiler, the heated coolant flows into the supply comb. In the inner part of the collector it slows down. This is ensured by the increased (relative to the main) diameter of the internal part of the device. Then the coolant is evenly distributed between the individual connection branches. Entering the connection pipes, which have a diameter smaller than the collector, the coolant continues to move to the devices that directly heat the room.

All elements, be it a heated floor mesh, a radiator, or a radiator, receive a coolant of equal temperature; this is achieved by setting special flow meters that control the volume of coolant supplied to each branch. For example, in order to achieve the same temperature of the heated floor in the near and far room, it is necessary to configure the corresponding flow meters so that in the branch of the near room the coolant moves more slowly through the pipes, and in the branch of the far room faster.

After heat transfer, the liquid moves through the pipeline towards the return comb and then towards the heating boiler.

Whatever the type of heating system of any home, it almost always contains heating radiators. The most popular and popular type of collectors are devices that distribute heat flows to radiators.

The radiator distribution unit usually consists of two distribution combs connected to each other. The first directs the liquid to the radiators, the second returns it to the boiler. Such collectors, as a rule, are not equipped with additional equipment and instruments in order to save money.

Based on the type of connection, collectors can be divided into devices with top, bottom, side or diagonal connections. The lower connection method is used most often. In this case, it is possible to hide the contours under the decorative details of the floor, and make maximum use of the advantages of individual heating.

If the house has several floors, a collector unit for radiators is installed at each level. The installation location can be a special technological recess or shield that provides free access to the comb.

Ideally, all connection branches should have the same length. If it is impossible to maintain the same length of the circuits, then an individual pump can be installed on each of them to maintain coolant circulation. According to this scheme, warm water floors are usually equipped, each branch of which is equipped not only with its own pump, but also with automation.

How to choose a distribution comb for heating

When choosing a distribution manifold, you need to clearly know the initial data - one or several floors in the building, whether the comb will be used only for one group of devices (for example, radiators) or for several (together with a heated floor), as well as the number of all heating points.

Thus, the choice must be based on the following parameters:

• number of connection points;
• possibility of connecting additional points to the collector;
• permissible coolant pressure in the system;
• possibility of connecting additional equipment;
• the presence or absence of shut-off valves and flow meters at each point;
• distribution comb material;
• price.

The leaders in the collector market today are companies such as FAR, ASKON, VALTEC, WESER. In addition to the combs themselves, from each manufacturer you can choose the entire list of additional attached equipment.

Installing collectors is associated with certain difficulties, so it is better to entrust such work to trusted and experienced craftsmen. To avoid quick disappointments, when purchasing collector blocks, you should focus on products from well-known brands that have proven themselves in the market. The design and operating principles of heating combs are described in detail in the video:

Today you can find innovative developments of heating systems, but water heating seems to always be in the lead. After all, such a system is effective and practical, most people are very happy with it. But every hydronic heating system can become less efficient over time. And then many begin to become interested in ways to modernize it.

These methods include distribution manifold heating system, which successfully replaces single- and two-pipe heating. Such a system can increase efficiency, ease of use and suitability for repairs. A mixing unit for heating is also used as an improvement to the underfloor heating system.

Heating distribution manifold

Collector design and operating principle

A collector heating system is a comb from which leads come out for connecting heating devices. The number of such conclusions can be completely different. If necessary, the unit can be supplemented with bends. You can also install valves for draining and releasing water and air, and heat meters on the collector.

Adjustment or shut-off valves can also be installed on the terminals, thanks to which it will be possible to regulate or turn off the flow of the coolant. The device is installed in the heating system as a collector block, which includes a supply and return comb. They are equipped with release valves and taps.

The heating comb functions very simply. The coolant, which is heated by the boiler to the required temperature, goes into the supply comb. It is then distributed among heating appliances. A pipeline is made to each device, through which the coolant flows. In the radiator, the liquid, which has already given up some of the heat, is partially cooled, goes through another pipe to the return comb and from there to the boiler. Thanks to this distribution, the radiators heat up evenly, since each has a separate supply pipe.

In a multi-storey building, a heating manifold is installed on each floor, which makes it possible to obtain separate floor-by-floor heating circuits with autonomous regulation.

If necessary, you can turn off the heating of the entire floor or just a few devices, so maintaining and repairing the heating mixing unit is much easier. This distribution will not affect the operation of the entire heating system in any way. The use of a collector system increases the operating efficiency of heating equipment, since devices that regulate the temperature and pressure of the coolant and a flow meter can be installed on its outputs.

Heating plan with collectors

Features of the collector system

If the distribution comb of the heating system is installed in a low-rise country house or private house, then here it is considered the most efficient and reliable. The installation of such a system will be more expensive than the installation of traditional one- and two-pipe systems.

When you plan to install collector heating, you should remember that it will not be able to work without a circulation pump.

In addition, installation of such a system is quite labor-intensive and complex. Undoubtedly, it is best to entrust the installation of a collector system to professionals. For installation you will need a lot of pipes, since there will be individual wiring from the collector to each heating device.

Types of collectors

Today, manufacturers offer many models of devices such as distribution combs for heating. Among such models you can find devices that have the maximum set of elements. For example, the supply part may have flow meters that regulate the flow of coolant in each loop so that it is better distributed. Thermal sensors are installed on the return pipe to control the temperature of each heating device. The system will allow you to automatically control the heating of each radiator. The price of such a comb will be high.

Distribution combs for heating

You can choose simpler models. For example, a brass comb for a heating system with an inch passage. The device has plugs on the return manifold, so if necessary, you can install additional devices. There are also cast devices, and simple ones with collet clamps for pipes and metal-plastic. Such collectors are the cheapest option, but also problematic. After all, such a device will suffer from possible leakage of coolant in the area where the valve is connected, since the seal wears out quickly, and it is not always possible to change it.

Handymen often make the heating system manifold themselves.

So, you can take a stainless steel pipe of the required diameter, into which the outlets are welded. Also, additional elements will need to be placed here in order to get full-fledged equipment. That is why many people use a budget option - a polypropylene heating manifold. A heating system device such as a polypropylene heating comb is quite convenient, but is still inferior in quality.

Making a heating manifold with your own hands

Space for the system

The best place to place the heating manifold device will be its selection during the design process. If you have a building with several floors, then on each floor there is space for a collector block. Usually a niche is made in the wall, which is located at a small height from the floor. The niche must be located in a room that is protected from excess moisture.

The device can be installed directly on the wall, if it is a utility room, or special manifold cabinets for heating are perfect for it. Such cabinets are made of metal, they have a door and stamping, which is used for connecting pipes in the side walls. There may also be special mounts inside for the manifold block. The cabinet can be overhead or built-in.

Advantages and disadvantages of the collector system

First of all, the advantages provided by the collector heating circuit come down to ease of operation and control. Here, each component of the entire circuit can be controlled independently and centrally. Therefore, if you are at one point in the house, you can set the temperature for any room. If necessary, you can completely turn off the heating device or group of devices. The shutdown will not affect other premises.

Each branch that is included in the heating control unit of the collector system feeds only one radiator or a small group of them, so you can take a small pipe diameter.

If necessary, the heating manifold circuit will allow you to make several circuits with different heating parameters - temperature and difference. For this, a hydraulic arrow is used - this is a type of device such as a hydraulic collector of a heating system, which is a pipe with a large internal volume.

It is installed somewhat unusually; a kind of short circuit is created between the supply and return. The boiler constantly heats the water in the primary circuit, it slowly circulates inside the hydraulic needle, when water is taken at different distances from the supply and return connections, different values ​​can be obtained in the pressure and temperature drops of the coolant.

Among the shortcomings of the system, several can be noted. Note that the distribution manifold of the heating system is not a cheap pleasure. The cost of such a system is probably the only thing that deters consumers. After all, the ring collector for heating is made of high strength steel, and its price is much higher than simple pipes. Also, to equip the system, high-quality shut-off valves are required. The amount of reinforcement depends on the number of circuits.

Another disadvantage is that the collector unit for heating can only work with a circulation pump, and this costs electricity.

Heating systems in the general sense have many connection schemes, but the collector heating scheme has obvious advantages: each heating device (radiator or battery) is connected to the heating pipes separately, through its own pipes, so the temperature of its heat transfer can be regulated independently and locally. In addition, any of the system radiators can be disconnected from the boiler without affecting the overall heating, for example, to repair or replace the device. The key node of the collector wiring is the collector itself (photo below), or “comb”. Structurally, the comb looks like a piece of metal pipe with one inlet threaded hole and several outlets. In electronics, such nodes are called switches or multiplexers.

Due to the complex architecture of private housing, a combination of options is often used, in which several circuits are connected to the collector outputs. All circuits are connected to each other in a series circuit, but each can be controlled individually.

Disadvantages and advantages of the collector circuit

The complexity of piping when implementing a collector circuit is compensated by its advantages:

1. Each radiator is an autonomous and separately controlled element. That is, in each room you can set the desired temperature regardless of the temperature in the boiler or in other heating circuits, or turn off the radiator (group of radiators) without stopping the heating system;
2. Taking into account the fact that each heat pipe connected to the manifold from the heating system transports hot liquid to only one heating device, it is more advisable to use pipes of reduced diameter compared to the calculated total diameter of the pipes. In this case, it is recommended to maintain the minimum permissible distance between the heating device or group of radiators and the collector.

A homemade or factory-made collector heating system whose diagram for general cases given above, is valued by consumers due to the possibility of creating several independent heating circuits with different temperatures and pressures. This scheme allows you to organize different temperature conditions for different rooms in the same building with one boiler. To connect several circuits, another version of the collector is equipped - a hydraulic arrow, which outwardly looks like a large water pipe.

The hydraulic arrow is installed differently from the manifold - the circulation cycle is closed between the coolant supply pipe and the return pipe. The boiler continues to continuously heat the liquid in the primary circuit, and the coolant in the hydraulic arrow begins to move, allowing it to be cut into to connect radiators at different points and at different levels.

Due to this unusual connection of radiators to the hydraulic arrow, at the end point of a single heat sink (radiator) there will be different temperature and pressure indicators. Turning on the hydraulic arrow is advisable when combining the distribution of heating pipes using radiators and a “warm floor” system.

At the places where the circuits are connected, the pressure and temperature in the pipes will be different, but if the collector and the drawings of which were developed for circulation pumps will use them, then this difference in drops does not matter. Also, heating circuits can be connected in series (no more than two in a circuit), but with this arrangement of connecting the circuits it will be impossible to regulate separately from each other.

The disadvantages of the collector organization of piping should be noted as follows:

1. The energy consumption of the collector circuit is higher than when batteries are connected in series. Moreover, the larger the heated area, the higher the heat costs;
2. Manifold heating equipment is designed to operate only in a one- or two-pipe heating system design, which can be routed along the walls of the premises. But when organizing radial distribution, it will not be possible to lay pipes along the walls or in a hidden way due to the large volume practical scheme And large quantity heating pipes;
3. When laying pipes in the floor under a concrete screed, the following disadvantages of the method appear: for pipes laid under the floor, it is not allowed to make any connections - neither welded, nor threaded, nor any other, in order to prevent hidden leakage, otherwise the layer will have to be removed concrete screed, and this is almost major renovation premises with all the ensuing consequences;
4. The total hydraulic resistance of the collector heating circuit will be significant, especially when laying pipes with a small diameter. Also, when implementing a collector pipe routing scheme, it is necessary to use a circulation pump (pumps), since the natural pressure in the pipes will not allow the coolant to move freely through the pipes;
5. When using several autonomous heating circuits in a collector heating circuit, each large circuit must have its own circulation pump installed. This leads to financial costs both during installation of the system and during its operation;
6. The energy dependence of the collector heating system is one of its significant disadvantages, since circulation pumps require connection to the electrical network. In the event of an emergency power outage, the heating will not be able to provide the required thermal conditions, since the movement of the coolant through the pipeline will simply stop.

Manifold Design Basics

When designing a heating circuit collector circuit, heating equipment must be selected based on the specific application of the devices and some generally accepted rules:

1. It is not recommended to implement collector wiring in a city apartment connected to central heating due to the practical complexity of the project. The fact is that when heating radiators are disconnected from the central risers and connected to their own comb, the heat exchange in the apartments adjacent to the riser will decrease due to the appearance of an imbalance in general scheme. In this case, the heating of your apartment will not be affected;
2. To avoid problems with neighbors when installing a collector heating system in an apartment, you need to immediately coordinate future alterations with housing and communal services, house management and other organizations, and also approve new plan heating the apartment bypassing the centralized system;

Not so important, but playing a role in the implementation of the collector circuit, are the features that can arise when combining several heating schemes, for example, underfloor heating and a two-pipe piping system:

1. The heating circuit is tied with an expansion tank with a tank volume of ≥ 10% of the total coolant displacement, but not less than 5 liters;
2. The expansion tank cuts into the coolant return pipe along the direction of its movement and in front of the pump. When installing a hydraulic boom, the expansion lip must be inserted in front of the internal circuit pump. The insertion is necessary to level out the negative impact of pressure drops in the heating circuit on the membrane tanks of the expansion tank, which means that the turbulence of the coolant flow should be extremely minimal;
3. When installing a circulation pump in a separate autonomous circuit, it can be embedded anywhere in the wiring, but you must remember that installing the pump on the coolant return pipe will increase the service life of the pump, since the liquid temperature in the return is lower than in the supply pipe. The pump shaft must be horizontal in any case when installed.

Selecting pipes for a heating system for a residential building or apartment

When creating a collector wiring diagram for heating a low-rise residential building or other private building It is necessary to consider the way pipes are laid around the house. If the piping will run under the floor, in a concrete screed, then it is recommended to buy heating pipes in coils so as not to make connections in the floor, as mentioned above.

Plastic pipes must have sufficient flexibility, the pipe material must not be subject to corrosion and the influence of aggressive environments, must not be destroyed at low or too high temperatures, and the service life of the pipes must be extremely high.

The requirements for temperature resistance and tensile strength of pipes are determined by the performance characteristics of the installed heating system in a house or apartment. For individual housing, the pressure in the pipes should not exceed 1.5 atm, and the maximum temperature regime should be in the range of 50 0 C -75 0 C. If the house has a “warm floor” system, then the temperature of the coolant in the pipes should not rise above 30 0 C -40 0 C.

When installing a manifold circuit, the pressure in the pipes will always be high, and the pipe material must withstand ≥ 10-15 atm. at a coolant temperature of up to 110-120 0 C. Therefore, when laying heating pipes in apartment building It is recommended to use corrugated pipes made of stainless steel, rather than metal-plastic or PVC products. As a working example, we can cite the Kofulso brand of pipes, which can withstand pressures of more than 15 atm. at a coolant temperature ≥ 110 0 C. The pressure force that causes the destruction of this material is 215 kgf/cm², which is an excellent indicator.

The bending radius of such stainless pipes is equal to their diameter, which allows them to be laid in almost any place and with any bend, without fear that the pipe will leak at the bend. Connections in such piping are made using special fittings, and the twist points are fixed with a lock nut, which ensures the tightness of the connection of corrugated pipes with silicone seals.

But stainless steel is not the cheapest material, and when installing manifold pipes in a two- or three-story building, such a project will be quite expensive. Therefore, it makes sense to use, for example, PE-X brands. These pipes, like other PVC products, are sold in coils, the length of one pipe is 200 meters, the material is able to withstand pressure up to 10 kgf/cm² at a coolant temperature in the system up to 95 0 C. A short-term increase in temperature up to 110 0 C is allowed.

Water pipes made of cross-linked polyethylene are also connected to each other using special fittings in the form of plastic or metal (bronze, brass, copper) fittings with a locking ring, which fits tightly onto the pipe and seals it tightly. The advantage of such pipes is that cross-linked polyethylene has a mechanical memory, that is, assembly is carried out according to the following scheme: the pipe is stretched with a special extender so that a fitting can be inserted, and after some time (up to a minute) the pipe takes on the original diameter and tightly presses the fitting. Additionally, tightness is ensured by a locking ring.

An efficient home heating system is very important factor comfort of living in the house. Uniform heating of all heating devices means its proper operation. But sometimes it turns out that there is not enough coolant for all analysis points. This happens for many reasons, for example, due to non-compliance with pipe diameters when installing the system or an incorrect heating installation plan. It turns out like this: the temperature is sufficient, there is water in the system, but there is not enough heat, because there is simply not enough proper distribution of water for all the batteries. This means that the basic rule for selecting pipe diameters has been violated: the sum of the diameters of all heating circuits must be equal to or slightly larger than the diameter of the outlet pipe from the boiler. In this case, either using valves on the batteries, you need to adjust the supply of coolant to the heating system, or you need to redo it. One option to solve the problem is to make a heating distribution manifold with your own hands.

You can correct the mistakes of previous heating installers by using one of the classic connection diagrams. Today, the most effective system for distributing coolant in a heating system is a distribution manifold.

At its core, it is a container into which heated water for heating is supplied from the boiler. From it, through tubes of smaller diameter, it flows to the point of analysis (heating radiators, heated floors, indirect heating boiler). Having given off heat, the water returns back through the same tubes, but into another similar container (receiving), and then returns to the boiler with a common flow. The cycle is complete.

Having skills in handling a tool, a welding machine (if welding work is necessary) and knowledge of plumbing, it is quite easy to make a heating distribution manifold. First you need to decide on the number of heating circuits. These are separate branches that heat specific rooms (one or more).

If you are installing the collector in individual heating two or more storey buildings, then it is better to make your own comb (distribution collector) on each floor. In this case, you cannot do without a boiler room in which the main distribution manifold will be located.

If the house is one-story, then it is advisable to make one distribution unit, which will be located next to the boiler. To take everything into a separate room or combine it, say, with the kitchen - this decision is made based on the layout and size of the house, the model of the boiler and the type of fuel it runs on.

If the heating distribution manifold is installed directly next to the boiler, it is made of metal pipes of round or rectangular cross-section. But before starting work, you should decide on the number of coolant collection points. The choice of the diameter of the pipes that need to be laid depends on this. After this, for clarity, you need to draw a drawing. It indicates all the necessary dimensions and parameters:

• Diameters of supply and return pipes, bends to heating circuits, threads.
• Distances between supply and receiving branches.
• Distances between the main supply and return pipes.
• Direction of bends. They can be directed in opposite directions or upward. If the supply and return branches are directed in the same direction, then they are arranged in a checkerboard pattern.

When all the necessary preparations have been made, you can begin to carry out the work.

The manifold for the boiler room is made of two combs: supply and return. Of course, for a large house, due to the impressive volume of coolant and the considerable length of the heating system, pipes with a diameter of at least 100 mm are used to make the distribution manifold.

The supply manifold is mounted with valves and circulation pumps, and the return manifold is installed only with shut-off valves.

Pressure gauges, thermometers and a safety group are also installed in the distribution manifold. This “filling” allows you to solve the problems of a separate branch without turning off all the heating in the house.

During installation, there is the following sequence of work:

• In accordance with the drawing, pipes are purchased (in our case, metal). If necessary, they are cleaned of rust.
• According to the assembly diagram, the pipes are welded using electric or gas welding.
• All welds are cleaned and the structure is painted.
• The collector is connected to the heating system and pressure tested - checking for leaks. This is done by filling it with water and leaving it under pressure for some time.

The installation of such a unit is no different in principle from assembling a distribution manifold in a boiler room. The exception is pipe material. Since this is, let’s say, a duplicate unit, which is located far from the heating device and the temperature effect on it is much lower, you can use composite PP pipes or metal-plastic pipes. But soldering is more reliable than a collet connection, so polypropylene pipes are preferable.

The next difference between a local comb and a boiler room is that, since the length of the pipes is short, the water does not have time to give up all the temperature and returns sufficiently heated, and the return water entering the boiler is almost cold.

Judge for yourself how profitable it is to install a heating distribution manifold yourself. Firstly, you only spend money on materials. Secondly, it fully complies with the technical parameters of your heating system, while a store-bought manifold will still have to be altered to fit it. And these are also costs. Thirdly, the collector itself will help to quickly recoup the costs of its installation. How? In a conventional two-pipe heating system, the coolant passes along the circuit, giving off heat, say, 20 m, and the collector circuit is half shorter, because goes to one point of analysis, so the water in the return is warmer and less fuel is required for heating. And if you consider that fuel is very, very expensive, it will pay for itself in one season. If you have questions, write comments to the article. A specialist working on the site will provide you with additional information.

Video

You can learn how to make a distribution manifold yourself from the video we offer:

Scheme

Below are several collector heating schemes:

The key problem of the classic one- and two-pipe heating system of private houses is the rapid cooling of the coolant. Agree that it would be nice to develop a system that is free of such a drawback.

Do you want to implement heating in your home where the coolant will be warm for as long as possible? We will help you solve this problem - the article discusses the collector heating system, which is widely popular in last years. It is she who is able to maintain the desired temperature inside the circuit for a long time.

Also in this material we looked at what principles underlie the system and what wiring diagram is the most convenient in terms of installation. The article contains diagrams and thematic photos, useful tips and videos about the features of the collector system and the nuances of installing radiators.

The basis of the collector heating scheme and the main working body is the distribution unit, commonly referred to as.

This is a special type of plumbing fittings, which is designed to distribute coolant through independent rings and lines.

The collection group also includes: , and .

Image gallery

The collector assembly for a two-pipe type heating system consists of two components:

• Input– it is connected to the heating unit through a supply pipe, takes over and distributes the coolant heated to the required temperature along the circuit.
• Day off– it is connected to the return pipes of independent circuits and is responsible for collecting cooled “return” water and redirecting it to the heating boiler.

The main difference between manifold heating wiring and the traditional series connection of devices is that each heating device in the house has an independent supply.

This design solution makes it possible to control the temperature of each battery in the house, and, if necessary, turn it off completely.

Often when designing heating they use mixed type wiring, in which several circuits are connected to a node, each of which is controlled independently. But inside the circuit, the heating devices are connected in series.

The comb is a section of thick pipe equipped with one input and several outputs, the number of which is determined by the number of connected circuits

Pros and cons of the collector-beam system

Among the undeniable advantages of installing a collector system, it is worth highlighting:

1. Ease of use. Due to the fact that each element is controlled independently, the consumer has the opportunity to set the temperature anywhere in the house. And as needed, it’s easy to turn off one or a group of heating devices in the room. At the same time, the temperature in other rooms will remain the same.
2. Ability to use small diameter pipes. Since each branch leading from the collector feeds only one device, small-diameter pipes that can be easily hidden in a screed can be used to lay it.
3. Maintainability. If problems are detected, it will be easy to disconnect any section of the pipeline without interrupting the operation of the entire system.

To form several circuits with different parameters, for example: pressure drops or different media temperatures, distribution combs with a hydraulic compensator function are used.

The hydraulic arrow is a capacious pipe, to the outputs of which a number of circuits with independent circulation are connected.

Water heated by the boiler flows in. Circulating inside the device, water is taken at different distances from the taps and redistributed along the contours.

Due to the fact that the heated coolant delivers heat to the batteries with less loss, the efficiency of the system increases. This makes it possible to reduce the boiler power and thus save fuel consumption.

The heating system, the main element of which is the collector, is not without drawbacks.

These include:

• Pipe flow. When compared with a series connection, the pipe consumption when laying a collector system is two/three times higher. The difference in costs is determined by the size of the area involved.
• The need to use circulation pumps. The installation of independent circuits is not complete without the installation of circulation pumps. This entails additional costs.

The weak link of the collector system is its energy dependence. So even with the boiler running, in the event of a power outage, the pipes will remain cold. For this reason, such systems are not recommended for use in areas where power outages are common.

The circulation pump ensures forced movement of the coolant in a system made of pipes with a small diameter, in which the total hydraulic resistance is high

When laying contours in a floor screed, it is worth considering that any connection is a potential leak point. And if a defect occurs, the monolithic concrete will have to be opened to eliminate it. And this is already a very troublesome and costly undertaking.

Therefore, the connections of the collector system networks are located exclusively above the floor level. Most often they are confined to the manifold cabinet.

Principles of drawing up wiring diagrams

There are no uniform planning standards when drawing up wiring diagrams for a collector system. Equipment is selected for specific tasks.

And one of the prerequisites for the implementation of the scheme is the need to connect all batteries to one riser.

You may also find information about how to be useful.

If there are additional distribution nodes in the heating system, they should not be communicating.

Selection of system components

When designing heating, it is best to purchase factory-made distribution units.

Thanks to the diversity of the range, it will not be difficult to select a comb for certain heating parameters, thereby ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the system.

Pipes for apartment buildings

If the collector system is installed in an apartment building, then it is worth considering that the operating pressure in it is 10-15 atmospheres, and the coolant temperature can reach about 100-120 °C. It should be remembered that collector heating is only possible on the ground floor.

The best option for installing the system in an apartment building is to use corrugated pipes made of stainless steel.

A clear example of this is the products of the Korean company Kofulso. Pipes of this brand are capable of operating at a working pressure of 15 atmospheres and withstand temperatures of about 110 °C. The collapse pressure of Kofulso pipes reaches 210 kgf/sq.cm.

Assembling pipeline connections using such elements is not difficult. The pipe is simply inserted into the fitting and secured by screwing on a nut, which compresses the corrugated metal surface with an elastic silicone seal.

System installation features

The collector heating system of a private house should be installed during the construction stage. After all, after laying or pouring the finished floor, installing such a system will become economically infeasible. The only solution to the problem in this case would be open method wiring installation.

Installation of distribution comb

On the floors of houses with horizontal heating distribution, to accommodate the collector, circulation pump and control equipment, you will need to install a closed box - a collector cabinet.

A closed box will protect equipment and shut-off valves from external mechanical influence and give the room a more aesthetic appearance

The manifold cabinet is installed in separate niches of rooms protected from moisture. Most often, a place is allocated for this in the hallway, dressing room or pantry.

When designing the heating of a two-story building, it will be necessary to install two collector groups: on the first and second levels. Additional distribution units will ensure approximately the same length of the circuit.

As an option, you can take as a basis a scheme in which the first group will be responsible for the distribution of heat along individual circuits, and the second will act as a key component in arranging a “warm” floor.

The number of collector inputs and outputs is always equal to the number of heating elements located on the floor: radiators or underfloor heating rings. For each room, a separate branch is laid, which, by combining several heating devices, will implement a passing or dead-end circuit.

To reduce the cost of connecting radiators, a “pass-through” circuit is used.

In a “pass-through” scheme, the thermal valve is installed only on the first circuit of the radiator; due to which the water flow is regulated on all devices connected in series behind it

With a “pass-through” system, several devices connected in series will be perceived as one element.

Pipeline laying options

When collecting pipes, the most commonly used method is laying pipes in a concrete screed. Its thickness varies between 50-80 mm, which is quite enough to “monolithize” the intra-house wiring of the heating system.

Any radiator or convector is connected to the collector through two pipes: “supply” and “return”, so the pipes are laid in the floor screed in pairs

For this purpose, metal-plastic pipes with a diameter of 16 mm are often used. Due to the fact that they bend easily, it is convenient to lay the pipeline under the floor.

When planning to fill metal-plastic pipes with concrete screed after pressure testing of the system, it is necessary to first wrap them with thermal insulation.

Such a layer will minimize the risk of pipe damage due to thermal expansion, since in this case they will “rub” not against the concrete, but against the insulation.

When laying pipes in a screed, connections in accordance with the requirements of SNiP must be left accessible, placing them above the floor level for this purpose

Plywood is laid on top of the screed, which is covered with a finishing floor covering: linoleum or parquet.

Pipes can also be connected to radiators from the side or from above, for example: in the space of a false ceiling.

Some craftsmen prefer to lay pipes externally, placing them along the walls and hiding them behind decorative skirting boards. But this method of installation entails an inevitable increase in the length of the pipeline.

If the pipeline needs to be laid through a wall, in order to prevent its damage due to shrinkage of the building, the hole in the wall should be equipped with a sleeve.

A separate shut-off valve is installed on each hydraulic circuit coming from the distribution comb.

To be able to bleed the air accumulated in the system, install:

• at the distribution center– air release valves;
• on radiators(accumulates at the highest points) – .

Due to the fact that each hydraulic circuit coming after the collectors is an independent system, it is convenient to use when creating “warm floors”.

The main advantage of a floor-mounted collector system is that heat flows are distributed evenly across the floor

Air circulation when arranging the floor option occurs naturally.

When implementing such a system, metal-plastic pipes are laid on a heat-insulating pad, forming a pattern in the form of a snake or spiral. The diameter of the pipes and the laying pitch are determined. One condition is that the length of one circuit should not exceed 90 meters.

The laid circuits are connected to the distribution unit, and after checking the tightness of the connections, they are filled with concrete mortar. The height of the screed is 70-90 mm.

Do you have a manifold heating system at home? Or are you just planning to equip it, and are you currently studying the information? Maybe you have a question about drawing up a wiring diagram for the collector system? Ask your questions, share personal experience heating arrangement in the house by leaving comments under this article.