Millivolt Thermostat [Detailed Review] 2020
A device created to maintain the temperature of a physical system or a place on a predefined required temperature by performing specific electric functions is known as a thermostat. This device is an important part of the temperature control systems used to control the heat and cool systems for specific places.
A Thermostat is actually a device for Temperature Regulation.
Working:
This device works as a “closed-loop” to remove or strive to minimize the difference in the desired temperature and the actual temperature of the physical system in the room.
Origin of Word:
- The word is derived from the Greek Language:
- Thermos means Hot
- Statos mean Standing or Stationary.
- There are many different types of thermostat depending upon the function and level of current-voltage it uses. One famous type is a Millivolt thermostat.
Millivolt Thermostat:
This type of thermostat gets its name by the amount of current it uses. Very low voltage of current is used in it which is 750 Mv(0.75 V).
Usage Specification:
Every type of thermostat is created for a specific function in its particular type. It is not possible to use the thermostats interchangeably for different functions.
The system using a millivolt thermostat does not get connected to the Alternating Current system (AC System). Simple two wires are used for the connection with the thermostat.
Transformer requirement:
A step-down transformer is not used in the operating systems of this type of thermostat.
USES:
- As each type of thermostat has its own specific use, so this type is good for the Top Wall Furnace or the Direct Furnaces.
Wall Furnace:
The type of furnace which is installed inside the walls of a room is known as the Wall Furnace heating system. This is actually between the studs of the wall and the dry walls of the room. This is a kind of a built-in heating system.
Frequency of Usage:
These thermostats are not much commonly used these days. People do not prefer this is newly constructed homes, especially in the USA. This usage is rare.
The majority of old constructed homes have this type of thermostat used in their systems. While it is not preferable to be used by engineers in modern construction.
These thermostats are also used in gas water heaters.
They release energy which is used to keep the water at a warm temperature.
Working Detail in Gas Heater:
The thermostat is located in the back of the heater’s valve. This valve is inside the tube made of copper and it extends itself inside the water tank. The thermostat works in the form of a thermistor working by producing a small electric current. The current production works in direct relationship with the temperature, i.e increase with the increase in temperature and decrease with the decrease in temperature.
The Standing Pilot Gas Valve system:
The millivolt thermostat works on a principle similar to the thermocouple in some stoves work for the ignition of the fire.
POSITIVE FEATURES OF MILLIVOLT THERMOSTAT:
The pros of this type of thermostat are undermentioned:
- These thermostats are Low Voltage.
- These thermostats are Energy efficient.
- They minimize the Heat loss.
- These thermostats use low voltage so this results in low heat loss, low energy is wasted which results in much lesser cost as compared to other thermostats. This is truly a great feature that increases its importance and usefulness.
MOST COMMON MODELS:
- There are many different models but the famous ones are discussed here.
- As these types of thermostats are not used in modern homes, so there is not much choice for them.
- Millivolt Thermostats are not available with wifi facilities.
HONEYWELL (CT53K1006):
Main features of this model are given below:
- This is not programmable.
- This is commonly used it systems like floor fireplaces and wall furnaces.
- This type works on a two wired system that is suitable for standard 750 Millivolt systems are the ones with lower voltage like 550mV.
- This model does not use Mercury, this makes it a safer choice to work with.
- The choice for temperature settings is usually 5 which is 50 to 90 Degree Fahrenheit.
- This is easy to be used with most of the millivolt systems
Other Models:
Thermostat models are designed specifically for 24 Volts and millivolt systems alike which are not suitable for other systems.
MILLIVOLT IGNITION SYSTEM:
The common types of gas fireplaces work with the millivolt ignition system. A spark is generated when the button is switched on. The thermocouple and thermopile are warmed up by the flame of the pilot. A small voltage is created on being heating the specific material which is used in this thermostat.
