Induction boiler for home heating 220v. Induction or heating heating boilers for a private house - comparison and which is better. How to choose an induction boiler

Induction heating boilers create tangible competition for gas and heating elements. On the market, they are positioned as one of the most economical. They began to be used in the eighties for industrial purposes. Household models were first introduced in the mid-90s, and over the course of more than thirty years of history, they have undergone many changes.

First meeting

Induction boiler in operation

The name itself suggests that the boiler is based on the principle of electromagnetic induction. To understand the essence of the process, it is enough to pass a large current through a coil of thick wire. There will definitely be a strong electromagnetic field around the device. And if you put any ferromagnet (a metal that is attracted) into it, then it will heat up pretty quickly.

The simplest example of an induction heat source is a coil wound around a dielectric pipe. It is only necessary to place a steel core inside. A coil connected to a source of electricity will heat a metal rod. Now it remains to connect the device to the line through which the coolant circulates, and the primitive induction boiler will begin to generate heat.

The whole principle of operation can be described in a few sentences. Electrical energy generates an electromagnetic field. Under the action of electromagnetic waves, the metal core is heated. Excess heat from the rod is transferred to the coolant (ethylene glycol, oil or water).

Intensive heating of the liquid generates convection currents. The hot coolant tends to rise, and its strength is sufficient to operate a small circuit. In long lines it is necessary to install a circulation pump.

Truth and myths

In specialized stores, you can often hear the amazing characteristics that are attributed to this heating equipment. Unfortunately, not all of them are true. For the sake of increasing sales, department managers sometimes cunning. It's time to consider the main theses with which they operate.

Novelty

Claim: Advanced innovation based on physical principles.

Michael Faraday discovered the phenomenon of electromagnetic induction in 1831.
In industry, since the second half of the 20th century, induction furnaces have been successfully used to melt steel.

No innovations, let alone innovative technologies, have been implemented since then. This is a well-known principle that has found its new application and helped manufacturers to fill a hitherto empty niche.

Economy

Vortex induction heaters

Statement: induction boilers use 20-30% less energy than other electrical counterparts.

Any heating device converts 100% of the energy used into heat - provided that it does not fulfill mechanical work. The efficiency factor may be less. It all depends on the heat dissipation around the heating device.
The time to reach the required coolant temperature directly depends on the efficiency of the heating element. Any statements that induction models consume less electricity are nothing more than tricks. The law of conservation of energy is immutable. To obtain one kilowatt of heat, it is necessary to spend at least 1 kW of electricity.
Part of the heat will inevitably be wasted. For example, the coil itself is heated, since the resistance of the conductor is not zero. However, losses in any case remain in the house, and do not fly away through the chimney channels.

The conclusions are quite obvious - the manager who makes such statements is engaged in outright swindling, or he himself is misled.

Durability

Statement: the equipment has been working flawlessly for at least a quarter of a century. Its reliability is incomparable with other electrical counterparts.

Mechanical wear of boilers of this type is impossible in principle, since there are no moving parts on them.
Copper winding has a decent margin of safety. With proper cooling, it can last indefinitely. Insulation breakdowns are not terrible for her either. The fact is that the turns are not wound end-to-end, but at small intervals.
The core will gradually collapse in any case. It can be affected by aggressive impurities, does not give strength and a constant cycle of "heating-cooling". However, this process is so extended in time that more than a dozen years may pass before its completion.
The control circuit includes several transistors. It is they who determine the uptime of all equipment. Manufacturers of components, as a rule, declare a ten-year warranty. However, it is not uncommon for them to work without problems for 30 or more years - it all depends on the technological process.

Thus, induction boilers in any case will work much longer than their counterparts. The heating elements of the latter may require replacement after a few years.

Indispensability of characteristics

New generation induction boilers

Claim: Appliances with traditional heating elements lose power through scale formation. Here, this process is absent, and the technical parameters have not changed for decades.

The impact of scale is somewhat exaggerated. Firstly, the lime layer itself is not characterized by high heat-insulating qualities. Secondly, in a closed whirlpool, the formation of a large amount of calcareous deposits is unlikely.
Regarding the core of the induction boiler, the content of the thesis is true. Scale formation is impossible on it, even if the coolant is supersaturated with lime inclusions.

Deposits simply cannot stay on the surface, which constantly vibrates under the influence of an electromagnetic field. In addition, water bubbles regularly form on the core, which destroy any scale. Obviously, this statement is true for induction boilers, but not true for other electric heaters.

Noiselessness

Statement: there is absolutely no noise during the operation of induction equipment. This compares favorably with other electrical analogues.

Vortex induction boiler

Any electric boiler does not make noise when water is heated, because there are simply no acoustic vibrations.
Noise can only be generated by circulation pumps. However, if the operation of the heating system is based on the use of convection currents, then this noise will be excluded.
If the hydraulic resistance forces one to resort to forced circulation, then on the market today there are many silent pumps for heating systems. So the statements of the sellers in this case are quite fair.

compactness

Statement: the dimensions of induction boilers are small, which allows them to be installed in any room.

Reality: in fact, it is so. The devices are a piece of pipe that does not require a separate place. The thesis does not distort reality in the least.

Safety

Statement: the boiler is absolutely safe.

Reality: in the event of a coolant leakage, the electromagnetic field will not automatically disappear. The heating of the core will continue, and if the power supply is not interrupted, the mount and body will melt in a few seconds.

Therefore, during installation, it is necessary to provide for automatic shutdown of the boiler in such a situation. So the safety of the boiler is at the same level as in the heating element equipment.

The abundance of advertising and the complex technical component of heating equipment often do not help, but only make it difficult to choose. 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 will have to be answered by everyone who is going to repair the 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 upgrade their heating system and install a backup boiler, especially those who have one source of heat - electricity and the choice is only for the type of electric heating. After reading, you will be able to communicate professionally with equipment sellers and installers, and do not be deceived by self-confident entrepreneurs in the market.

What is electric heating

Let's figure it out. Electric heating is an artificial process of raising the temperature due to energy supplied from outside. There are several ways to convert electrical energy into heat: without contact with a heated object (induction-coolant) and in contact with a heated object (heat-transfer agent). It is in comparison with a heating element boiler that enterprising marketers manage to “intelligibly convey” information about an “incredible” induction boiler to a potential buyer. By the way, such a boiler used for household needs, you will not be able to find 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 the induction boiler

Induction heating is carried out by means of the energy of an alternating magnetic field, which the heated object absorbs and converts into heat. Therefore, this is the heating of products made of conductive materials. To convert electrical energy into thermal energy, it is necessary 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, more often metal).

Scheme of the device of the induction boiler

Now let's take a step-by-step look at the principle of operation of induction heating:

Variable electricity, 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 heat the workpiece under the action of Joule heat (Joule-Lenz law);
Heat from the heated core is transferred to the coolant washing it due to the thermal conductivity of the material.

In simple terms, this is a step-down transformer that is installed in a pipe.

Thus, electrical energy is transferred 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 worsen heat transfer. Marketers often talk about cavitation (oscillation) of the core and, therefore, 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 effective heat removal even in the presence of deposits.

The video demonstrates the principle of operation of a hot water induction heat generator. Many scammers and ignoramuses sell such devices to 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 low-quality heating elements. When using certified components, leakage currents are minimized.

In induction boilers, electric shock is possible in case of power failures in the heat generator and system leakage, because any method of direct contact of the coolant (conductor) with current or magnetic field is unsafe. Describing complex processes does not make sense. The risk of electric shock when using cheap electric boilers is very high. This is the main reason to be skeptical of 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 Chinese-made and even appearance does not inspire confidence, you should not count on the high build quality of such a heat generator

Meet in the market of thermal equipment domestic induction electric boilers heating, which would be equipped with ABB, Moeller or Schneider circuit breakers, is almost unrealistic. 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 are installing any electrical appliance with a power of more than 1.5 kW, do not spare 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 “wonder boilers”, the RCD switch works constantly, this indicates stray currents and, of course, the risk of electric shock. Think about whether your house needs a heat source of dubious quality 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 was not a single case in which the manufacturer of "wonderful" boilers, "made in the CIS", would be really responsible for a defective product. The chain of resellers, the absence of a real guarantee and service centers based on private enterprises make warranty service almost impossible.

Claimed 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 efficiency reduction indicators for heating element boilers, explaining this by the appearance of scale on the surface of the heating element, but this is absolute nonsense. First, calcium deposits are a conductor of heat. Secondly, if we consider deposits as an insulator, then the efficiency will remain unchanged, only the time of heating the coolant 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 Cold War science institutes and spacecraft submarine technologies that are more than 100% efficient.

Note! Any electrical heating has an efficiency close to 100%. There are no electrical household water heaters using the "induction" method of heating. This is primarily due to the protection of the consumer from electric shock. And if once again sellers will tell you with memorized phrases about savings of up to 30% and high efficiency, then ask where the unused energy will go if the boiler efficiency is less than 100%. IN gas boilers heat escapes through the chimney, but what happens to the electric boiler? Light trolling will let the seller know that you are in the know, and he will stop seeing you as a physics truant in grade 9.

Noise, compactness and weight

All electric boilers operate silently, noise may appear in the following cases:

cavitation (oscillation) of the pump,
boiler overheating,
narrowing of the pipeline section.

All electric boilers are about the same volume. An induction electric boiler for heating weighs more than a heating element, so it is necessary to provide for it the correct fasteners, 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 control the temperature in the room. Experts recommend regulating not the temperature of the water supply to the radiators, but the temperature in the room. To do this, you can use a remote room thermostat or thermostats on radiators. Pay attention to the weekly programmable thermostat - chronothermostat, with which you can set different temperature conditions during the day or for another specified period of time. The profitability of the heating system characterizes the KIT (fuel utilization rate), and not the efficiency of the boiler. 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 in the heating element boiler. Indeed, water for a heating system in which a heating element is used, in order to extend the life of heating elements, it is necessary to prepare, reduce the content of calcium and magnesium, and ideally pass through reverse osmosis. In practice, a good polypropylene filter for 5 microns is enough.
Power regulation (voltage surges) is less noticeable in an induction boiler, but only with rheostatic adjustment. This advantage is significant only in comparison with cheap heating elements of domestic or Chinese production, which operate on the principle of completely “ON” or “OFF”. In developed countries, such an attitude to regulation is unacceptable, therefore, in modern boilers, heating elements are divided into groups and switched on one by one.
The induction boiler has fewer parts and has more simple design so it costs less and lasts longer. A minimum of components and the most simple device allows you to make an induction heating boiler with your own hands.

Homemade induction heating boiler: scheme

Conclusion

Induction heating boilers consume the same kW of heat as heating elements. Miracles don't happen. induction method heating 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 capacities 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 manufacturer's ISO 9001 standard - the quality management system standard and other international certificates and international awards

Be sure to inquire about the terms of the warranty service of the heat generator. And don't hesitate to ask about legal liability in case of electric shock. It is not worth believing the unfounded assurances of sellers that there has not been anything like this in 30 years. You need specific answers to the questions of who is responsible and in what documents it is written. Do not forget that all permits for the use of an electric heater in fire hazardous areas must be supported by the appropriate certificates.

Video: induction boiler

The process of heating a home seems to be one of the most important for any person. When building a house overhaul, updating the pipeline, it is very important to accurately determine the source of heating. If the homeowner lives in a gasified area, then there will be no unnecessary questions with the choice of a heating boiler. gas appliance - optimal solution available in terms of quality and cost.

It will be more difficult for those people whose housing construction is located in places remote from gas supply lines, and the purchase of cylinders occurs intermittently. In such a situation, it is logical to pay attention to an electric induction heating boiler. User reviews and the opinion of independent experts will provide us with an invaluable service in the study and selection of the device.

First acquaintance with the heat generator

Based on the name, it becomes clear that the basis of its work is the principle of electromagnetic induction. What is its essence? Let's try to pass current through a coil of thick wire. A strong electromagnetic field immediately forms around the device. If you place a ferromagnetic (attractive metal) inside, it will heat up very quickly.

The simplest heating is a wire coil with a dielectric tube, inside of which there is a steel rod. Having powered the device from the electrical network, we will get the heating of the core. It remains only to connect the resulting coil to the heating main and get a primitive heating system.

In other words, electrical energy produces an electromagnetic field, the waves of which heat the metal base. And from it, the high temperature is transferred to the coolant (water or antifreeze). Intensive heating of the liquid creates convection currents. Their power is quite enough for the productive operation of a small heating circuit. In systems with a long pipeline length, it is recommended to install a circulation pump.

Internal device

Structurally, induction heating is a transformer enclosed in a welded metal shell. Under the casing is a heat-insulating layer. The coil is located in a separate compartment, hermetically isolated from the working space. Such placement is safe, because it completely eliminates contact with the coolant. The core consists of thin steel tubes with a toroidal winding.

Please note that an induction hob heating boiler does not fundamentally differ from traditional heat generators equipped with heating elements. Its design features ensure uninterrupted, highly efficient operation of the heating system for a very long period of time.

Long-term operation of the heating system is ensured design feature, which distinguishes the induction heating boiler. User reviews indicate that such units work equally effectively at any current frequency. That is, devices can be powered not only from a household electrical network, but also from high-frequency converters. Built-in sensors are able to respond to voltage drops and monitor heating performance.

Induction heating boilers: reviews and complaints

The lack of information about the device and the principles of operation of heat generators creates many questions. Turning to a specialized store for advice, you can sometimes hear extremely positive characteristics that are awarded with induction heating boilers. Reviews of trade managers are often cunning, because there are no ideal devices in the world.

Deliberately forgetting about existing shortcomings, sellers can mislead potential buyers. To objectively understand the situation, consider the most common statements.

Main points

Development innovation

In fact, electromagnetic induction as a physical phenomenon was discovered by the scientist Michael Faraday back in the 19th century. A furnace based induction cookers have long been used for steel smelting. That is, no new technologies were invented, and modern boilers operate on a long-known discovery.

Profitable purchase

We are assured that an induction heating boiler can save up to 30% of electricity. Reviews of authoritative experts express incomplete agreement with this thesis.

Firstly, any heating device transforms all incoming electrical energy into thermal energy. In this case, the efficiency will not necessarily be high, because the dispersion of heated air flows can occur unevenly.

Secondly, the rate of heating of the coolant depends on the efficient operation of the heating device. As much as we would not like it, but the facts confirm the large amount of electricity consumed by an induction heating boiler. Reviews of any person, at least a little familiar with the laws of physics, express agreement with the obvious fact: to obtain one kilowatt of heat, you need to spend the same amount of electricity.

Thirdly, some of the heat received is wasted. For the sake of justice, it is worth noting that she still remains in the house, and does not fly out into the chimney.

Thus, the high efficiency of the device can be considered somewhat relative.

Durability

We are assured that induction is capable of uninterrupted operation for thirty to forty years. And that the reliability of devices is much higher than other types of electric boilers. Let's analyze this statement in more detail.

First, induction devices are incapable of mechanical wear. They have no moving parts, so there is simply nothing to break.

Secondly, the copper winding of the coil can last a long time. Even damage to the insulation will not harm its operation.

Thirdly, the steel core, despite its sufficient thickness (about 7 mm) and the strength of the base material, is still gradually destroyed. The constant change from heating to cooling significantly affects the strength of the rod. But the negative process is too long in time, so more than one year may pass before the complete failure of the core.

Fourthly, the quality of transistors affects the duration and trouble-free operation of the heater. It depends on them how long induction heating boilers will serve flawlessly. Feedback from grateful owners confirms the fact of a ten-year warranty. In practice, there were cases when heat generators worked without failures for more than thirty years.

The above arguments unanimously recognize the real durability of induction boilers. This advantage looks especially convincing against the background with heating elements, in which the replacement of internal parts is required after a few years of operation. There are often cases when the heating elements do not even work out their resource.

Immutability of operating parameters

Furnaces based on heating elements gradually lose power due to scale formation on heating elements. In this, induction heating boilers differ significantly from them: the technical characteristics here remain unchanged over many years of operation. Let's try to figure out if this statement is true.

The great influence of scale on power reduction in boilers with heating elements is somewhat exaggerated. The fact is that limescale does not have a high level of thermal insulation. In addition, the formation of a large layer of scale is impossible in a closed water heating ring.

In induction devices, the formation of layers is completely excluded. Even if the core is in contact with the liquid heat carrier, it will still not be overgrown with limescale. Deposits simply physically cannot be kept on the surface of the rod due to its constant vibration under the influence of an electromagnetic field. In addition, water bubbles constantly form on the hot core, which have a destructive effect on any scale.

So the immutability statement specifications in induction devices is absolutely true. As for the heating elements boilers, here the thesis is not entirely true.

Silent operation

Sales agents hasten to assure us that induction appliances do not make any sounds when turned on. Is this really so?

There are no sound vibrations in any electric heating devices. An insignificant noise level can be created by additional devices - circulation pumps. Modern market offers a wide range of forced action devices, among which you can find a completely silent one. So, the statements of the sellers can be considered fair.

compactness

A small piece of pipe with wound wire - this is exactly what an induction heating boiler looks like. Reviews of the owners of the heater confirm the possibility of placing the device in any room.

Safety

To say that the heat generator is absolutely safe is not worth it. In the event of a coolant leakage, the heating of the core will still continue. If you do not turn off the device, it will melt very quickly. In order to exclude such situations, you need to take care of an additional device during installation, which automatically turns off the system in case of unforeseen circumstances. It is clear that the safety of all electric boilers is on the same level.

Is it possible to make an induction heating boiler with your own hands

The need for affordable and efficient home heating with minimal cost on the arrangement of the heating system, pushes many consumers to the idea of manufacturing equipment on their own. After carefully reviewing the working and design principles of the device, you can assemble a home-made induction heating boiler. The main assistant in the case will be a schematic representation of the heating piping, which you need to constantly keep near you, checking and clarifying the installation on it.

For the house you do not need a device of high power. So, for heating a room with an area of 100 square meters it is enough to make a boiler for 10 kW. It is able to provide rooms with a temperature of 20 degrees. An electronic programmer for operating modes can be purchased for a homemade boiler. With it, you can plan the work of the induction apparatus for the week ahead. It is also possible to control the temperature from a distance.

Where to begin

Getting started, you need to prepare necessary materials and suitable tools. For ease of manufacture, it is desirable to prepare an inverter-type welding machine. It will be used to connect the seams in the generator housing and attach the pipelines. Also, in the device of the heating circuit, you will need a high-frequency converter (inverter).

Materials you may need:

pieces of stainless steel wire or wire rod 50 mm long and about 7 mm in diameter - material for heating in a magnetic field;
a piece of plastic thick-walled pipe with an inner diameter of up to 50 mm - the basis for the boiler body;
copper enameled wire - the main heating element;
adapters - connecting fasteners;
metal mesh - a barrier between the coil and the walls of the housing.

Having prepared everything you need, we begin to make an induction heating boiler with our own hands.

Installation of a simple circuit

To increase the safety of the home-made heat generator, it is desirable to insulate open areas coils. When choosing a material for protecting copper wire, you need to take into account its electrical and thermal conductivity.

The considered scheme of a self-made induction boiler is inexpensive for the manufacturer and can significantly increase the rate of heating water in the heating system. The disadvantages can be small size equipment and nondescript appearance.

The second option for installing the boiler

You can try to make a heating device increased power. His device will cost a little more than the first option, but subsequently all expenses will fully pay off with excellent quality and high work efficiency.

The design of a complicated model is a welded joint of two pipes that looks like a donut. The resulting part will simultaneously serve as a core and a heating element. Copper winding directly on the boiler body provides a high level of performance while maintaining the compactness and low weight of the device. The inlet and outlet pipes are welded directly to the inductor. Thus, water heating will occur as a result of contact of the coolant with the copper winding.

Features that need to be considered when installing the boiler.

Such an induction device can only be integrated into a closed heating circuit operating on forced circulation of the coolant.
Only plastic materials should be used in the piping system.
The induction device should be placed indoors so that the distance from it to the nearest walls and objects is at least 300 mm. The boiler must be removed from the floor and ceiling by 800-1000mm.

The laborious process of installing an induction circuit will eventually result in high-quality heating of the house. A home-made heater will serve you for at least two decades without causing any worries.

SAV induction boiler - a well-known brand of industrial production devices

One of the varieties of factory appliances can be considered an induction heating boiler SAV. The furnace is a piping system with an integrated inductor. The manufacturer of heat generators is the Volgograd research company Velebit.

SAV thermogenerators are successfully used in several types of systems:

autonomous heating;
combined scheme;
backup heating;
hot water supply;
maintaining a given temperature regime technological processes involved in flow and chamber reactors.

It is noteworthy that the SAV induction heating boiler shows high performance in remotely controlled automated heat supply systems. Established industrial production electrical installations three classes with power ranges: 2.5-10 kW, 15-60 kW, 100-150 kW.

Heat generators type VIN

The vortex induction heating boiler (VIN) is intended for heating and hot water supply of residential buildings in private buildings, country houses and commercial and public facilities. Depending on the amount of power, heaters are produced in two types: single-phase and three-phase. More powerful models can be successfully used in the devices of the heating system of industrial enterprises.

Summing up

Induction heating boilers in Ukraine began to be used in the late eighties of the last century at industrial enterprises. The development of household options began around the mid-nineties. Over the past decades electric heaters repeatedly changed, modernized and improved.

To date, induction devices are worthy competition for gas and heating elements boilers. The trading network offers many models that differ in technical parameters and cost. The price of household appliances starts from 25 thousand rubles. are much more expensive - over 100 thousand. Making a thermogenerating apparatus with your own hands will allow you to significantly reduce the cost of arranging home heating.

The principle of operation of an induction heating heating boiler is based on the use of eddy currents, discovered and studied by the French physicist Foucault. A modern electric induction boiler used for heating water in heating circuits can be represented as a transformer consisting of an induction coil, a core, a primary and secondary winding, which is an inner pipe through which the heated coolant passes.

Two types of boilers are known that use eddy currents to heat the coolant. If for the first type, a mains voltage of 220 to 50 hertz is applied to the primary winding, then for another type, the voltage is supplied through an inverter that converts the mains voltage into high-frequency currents, of the order of tens of kilohertz. There is a difference in the material used. For example, if the SAV induction boiler has a heat exchanger made of a closed system of steel pipes, then a heat exchanger made of ferromagnetic material is used for swirl induction boilers.

Why you need an inverter

Many people still remember color tube TVs, the weight of which reached 60 kilograms. It was possible to reduce their dimensions and weight thanks to the use of inverters in power supplies. The inverter converted the mains voltage with a frequency of 50 hertz into a high frequency voltage of several tens of kilohertz. This voltage was supplied to the transformer, distinctive feature which was a core of a special ferromagnetic alloy. The physical properties of the applied ferromagnetic material made it possible to significantly reduce the dimensions and weight of the power transformer. The conversion of mains voltage of 50 hertz to high frequency is used in vortex induction boilers - these are new generation induction boilers for home heating.

Voltage is supplied to them from the inverter, the transformer coil is a winding on the central pipe made of a ferromagnetic alloy, and the secondary short-circuited winding is a pipe and an induction boiler body. Such technical solution allowed to make the boiler compact, reliable and economical. But on the other hand, the use of expensive copper for winding and special alloys for heat exchangers, an automation unit and an inverter made the cost of the product high. Therefore, for any induction boiler, the price will be much higher than for an electric heating element boiler.

Features of the installation of induction boilers

Modern induction electric boilers for home heating are designed for installation only in closed circuits, with a circulation pump. Forced circulation is necessary, first of all, because the small volume of the heat exchanger and intense heating prevent the creation of natural circulation. The water will boil before the conditions for gravitational circulation are created.

If an induction electric boiler for heating is used as a heat generator, it is recommended to use plastic pipelines in the circuit or isolate it from the boiler by installing plastic fittings. The boiler requires mandatory and high-quality grounding. Installation requirements are common for electric boilers: from the floor or ceiling - 0.8 m, from the wall - 0.3 m. Installation of a safety block, which consists of a pressure gauge, air and safety valves, is required as for any closed heating system.

Advantages of electric induction boilers for heating

The efficiency of the induction boiler is very high and close to 98%, as with heating elements or electrode boilers. It is no secret that the price of induction electric boilers for heating a private house is higher than for conventional heating elements boilers. The cost of materials, the automation unit and the inverter increase the cost of the unit. Like any technical devices Induction heating boilers have advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages of induction boilers:

The disadvantage is considered to be a lot of weight - from 30 to 40 kilograms and the fact that induction prices for electric boilers are much higher than for heating elements boilers.

The main types of induction boilers

Before you buy an induction electric heating boiler for your home, you need to choose which type is the most suitable.

There are two varieties on sale - SAV induction boilers and vortex boilers (VIN), which have characteristic differences.

Induction heating boilers SAV

Boilers of this type do not require the use of an inverter. Mains voltage of 50 hertz is applied to the winding (inductor). Secondary winding as a system metal pipes heat exchanger is very quickly heated by Foucault currents. The heated coolant moves in the circuit forcibly with the help of. Boilers are produced for voltages of 220V and 380V. A 2.5 kW boiler heats a room up to 30 m2, and you can buy an induction electric heating boiler complete with a control and automation unit for a price of about 30 thousand rubles.

Induction boilers VIN (vortex)

These are induction boilers of a new generation; an inverter is required for their operation - a frequency converter of the electrical network. This technical solution made it possible to make the device compact and lighter than SAV type boilers. The heat exchanger is made of ferromagnetic material, and the magnetic circuit and the secondary winding are not only the heat exchanger, but also the boiler body.

A VIN-type boiler with a power of 3 kW can provide heat for 40 m2.

The kit includes an automation unit, a pump and a circulation pump, so the highest price for an electric induction heating boiler is about 38 thousand rubles.

Induction boiler - the best source of heat

From any point of view, there is nothing simpler, more reliable and better for heating than an electric boiler. The reviews found on the network for induction boilers for heating a private house emphasize only one drawback - the price of electricity, if it were comparable to the price of gas, 99% of the population would forever abandon the use of gas boilers. In addition, many are afraid of the possibility of a sudden power outage. But a modern induction electric heating boiler finds its buyer. Electric boilers are installed as a reserve in private houses and for heating in offices and trade pavilions.

induction heating boilers appeared on sale recently and immediately competed with the usual electric boilers with heating elements. With similar size and power consumption, induction heaters are able to warm up the system much faster, in addition, they can work in systems with poor quality of the coolant and require less maintenance. Applying knowledge in electrical engineering and ingenuity, you can make an induction heating boiler with your own hands.

The basis of the action of induction boilers and other heating devices of this type is the ability of conductive materials to heat up under the action of eddy currents created as a result of electromagnetic induction.

The source of induction is a high-frequency alternating current passing through the primary winding of the heating device, made in the form of a coil. The heating element placed inside the coil plays the role of a secondary short-circuited winding. It converts electromagnetic energy into thermal energy.

Eddy currents also occur at an industrial frequency of 50 Hz, but the efficiency of the heater will be low, and the operation of the device will be accompanied by a strong hum and vibration. When the frequency is increased to 10 kHz and above, the noise disappears, the vibration becomes imperceptible, and the heating increases.

Device

An industrial induction boiler consists of a core, the role of which is played by a heat exchanger, around which a toroidal winding is wound, connected to a high-frequency converter. When current passes through the winding, an alternating electromagnetic field is created, which results in eddy currents passing through the core.

The winding is connected to a high-frequency converter, in which a signal from the control unit creates a current of the required frequency. Modern boilers have a high level of automation, which allows not only to create the optimal mode for heating the coolant, but also to turn off the device in case of an emergency.

Inside the core-heat exchanger is a coolant. Under the influence of eddy currents, it heats up to high temperatures. Due to the difference between the temperature of the coolant at the inlet and outlet, the circulation of the coolant through the system from the boiler occurs continuously, even without connecting the pump. Therefore, induction boilers can be used in systems with forced and natural circulation.

The coolant can be either water or antifreeze, antifreeze, oil. In this case, the quality of the liquid does not matter: the constant vibration of the system, which is imperceptible by a person, makes it impossible for scale and other impurities to settle on the walls of the heating circuit.

Outer shell- a metal case equipped with a system of thermal and electrical protection insulation.

Boiler shape it can be any, as well as the method of its installation: due to the absence of a tank inside the boiler, its dimensions are usually small, and its weight does not exceed 50 kg.

The induction boiler must not even be put into operation for a short time without filling the system with coolant! Overheating of the boiler and failure of its elements may occur!

Advantages:

High efficiency. Most manufacturers give figures of 95-98%;
Large selection of models of different power for single-phase voltage ~ 220 V or three-phase ~ 380 V;
Rapid heating of the heating system at startup;
Can work with any coolant;
The circuit through which the coolant passes inside the boiler is absolutely hermetic, which eliminates leaks and related malfunctions;
Long work without formation of a scum and deposits. It is this phenomenon that over time reduces the efficiency of boilers with heating elements and is a common cause of their breakdown due to overheating of the heating elements;
The service life declared by manufacturers is from 25 to 30 years.

Not without heaters and disadvantages, the most significant of which is the high price. This factor usually prompts a prudent owner to assemble a home-made induction boiler from improvised materials and appliances. Despite the complexity of the processes occurring in boilers of this type, it is possible to create a design that does not lag behind an industrial boiler in terms of basic parameters, and make an induction boiler with your own hands.

Boiler powered by a welding inverter

The design of such a homemade boiler is quite simple. The most difficult block for independent implementation, which requires knowledge of the basics of electronics and electrical engineering, is a high-frequency converter. Its function is perfectly performed by a welding inverter modern type, capable of producing an output signal with a frequency of 20-50 kHz.

In addition, for installation you will need:

copper wire in enamel insulation with a diameter of 1-1.5 mm;
insulated wire with terminals for connecting the winding to the inverter;
cuttings of stainless steel wire with a diameter of 3-5 mm, 5 cm long;
fine stainless steel mesh;
a section of a water pipe made of sewn polyethylene or polypropylene for hot water and heating systems with a diameter of 50 mm and a wall thickness of 8.4 mm, length - 1 m;
adapters from a 50 mm pipe to pipes used in an existing or planned heating system, a tee for connecting an emergency valve and two ball valves;
strips of textolite for fastening the winding;
epoxy adhesive for winding insulation;
the body of a homemade boiler, it can be made from a metal or plastic distribution cabinet, in which you can install an inverter and fix the heating element.

The sequence of assembly and installation of elements:

For a segment polypropylene pipe with a diameter of 50 mm, using epoxy glue, 4 strips of textolite 8-10 mm wide are fixed, stepping back from the ends of the pipe by 70-100 mm. A winding will be wound on them. To fix the extreme turns of the winding in the textolite, grooves can be made.
50-100 turns of copper wire are wound in enamel insulation. The turns should be approximately 0.3-0.6 mm apart at an equal distance. The exact number of turns depends on the diameter of the wire used and its resistivity, as well as the output parameters of the inverter.
When installing a homemade boiler in a residential area, it is recommended to perform a toroidal winding to reduce the external electromagnetic field. The toroidal winding consists of the same number of oppositely directed turns, while the electromagnetic fluxes are mutually compensated and pass only along the inner loop.
A stainless steel mesh is inserted into the pipe from one end of it and tightly packed on the other side with pieces of stainless wire - it will heat up under the influence of eddy currents. It is recommended to use stainless steel in order to prevent corrosion destruction of the wire over time, but theoretically any conductive metal, including wire rod, will do. The other end of the pipe is also closed with a mesh.
Polypropylene adapters are soldered to both ends of the pipes to the diameter used in the heating system. Ball valves are installed on them, allowing you to shut off the circulation and remove the heat exchanger for revision.
An emergency valve is installed on the side of the upper outlet adapter to relieve pressure.
The winding is coated with epoxy glue to ensure high-quality electrical insulation of the winding. The manufacture of glue is recommended to be carried out with a slight deviation from the instructions, adding 10-15% less hardener. This will make the insulation less brittle.
They are attached to the terminals of the winding wires in insulation using crimp terminals. The other end of the wire must be equipped with terminals for connection to the inverter. The diameter of the wires must be able to withstand the maximum output current of the inverter.
Install the heat exchanger in the cabinet, fixing it on brackets made of heat-resistant non-conductive material. Textolite can be used.
Connect the heater to the system and fill it with water.
An inverter is placed at the bottom of the cabinet. Connect the terminals to it and turn it on to the network. The boiler is started and the mode is set.

The cabinet body made of metal must be grounded!

From induction hob

An induction boiler can also be made on the basis of an induction hob. To do this, disassemble the heating element of the tile and use copper wire for winding on a core made by the above method.

The tile control unit is used to power the resulting winding, setting the required power on the touch control panel.

However, this method has significant disadvantages:

For the successful operation of such a home-made boiler, it is necessary to calculate the parameters of the inductance of the newly assembled coil. They may not match those for which the tile electronics are designed, as a result of which the control unit may fail. For calculations, you need to have good knowledge in the field of electrical engineering and be able to understand the connection diagram;
Most stove models are equipped with an automatic shutdown after 2-3 hours after the start of the burner. This will lead to a regular shutdown of the boiler;
Induction type stoves usually have a power of no more than 2.5 kW, therefore they are only suitable for conversion to a low power boiler.

Errors in the device of an induction tile boiler are shown in the video:

An easier way to use an induction hob, excluding disassembly of the device and installation of a new circuit - install a sealed stainless steel tank on it right size with an inlet and outlet fitting and connecting it as a boiler to the heating system. Almost everyone can cope with such a connection scheme.

If you have the necessary knowledge and ability to understand the circuits, you can follow the example of the author of the video and assemble a functional induction boiler from tiles, finalizing its circuit.

Dry type heater

The principle of operation of an induction boiler involves the use of water or other liquid not only as a heat carrier, but also to cool the core. But the heating of the secondary winding, the role of which in this device is played by a pipe with water, will also occur if it consists only of metal.
The degree of heating in this case depends on the ratio of the strength of the electromagnetic field created by the winding and the mass of the core metal. After making the calculations, you can create a dry induction heater with your own hands from metal pipes and copper winding, as shown in the video.

The use of an induction boiler is cheaper than a conventional electric boiler with heating elements, and homemade construction will significantly reduce installation costs. Similarly, you can assemble a water heater flow type for installation in the country, choosing a device of the required power.