UPS for gas heating boilers: how to choose, TOP-12 of the best models, maintenance tips

When installing a boiler with an electronically controlled pump, it is recommended that you immediately purchase an uninterruptible power supply (UPS). This device will allow you to continue to warm the room even in the absence of electricity. But not every device is able to provide equipment for a long time.

We will tell you how to choose the right UPS for gas boilers. In the article we proposed, the varieties used in practice are described in detail, and a rating of the best uninterruptible models is given. Based on our recommendations, the selection and operation of the device, and the heating system as a whole, will not create the slightest problems.

The need for UPS for heating boilers

Most modern gas boilers require a constant connection to a power source. It works from the network circulation pump, control unit, ignition system, forced ventilation.

Advanced heating equipment users install GMS modulesallowing you to control systems from a distance. When a power outage occurs, the entire set of the listed devices stops working, and the heated room begins to cool.

It is easier to install a UPS and prevent the electronic components of a gas boiler from igniting due to overloads than to pay for the consequences of a large-scale fire

Electronic components gas boilers fastidious also to voltage parameters. The large length of the electrical networks in suburban homes often leads to its decrease in the network, as well as to a deterioration in the frequency characteristics of the current. As a result, the boiler may work intermittently or not turn on at all.

All electrical problems are solved by installing a UPS, some models of which are able not only to provide backup power to the equipment, but also to correct the shortcomings of voltage and frequency.

Automatic stabilization of voltage by an uninterrupted system allows to reduce the load on the electric converters of the gas boiler board and increase their service life

The advantages of installing an uninterruptible gas boiler are:

1. Surge protection. The cost of a UPS is several times lower than the price of a new electronic board for the boiler.
2. Easy installation, requiring no special skills.
3. Automatic control over the electrical parameters of the network.
4. Service life up to 5-7 years.
5. No need for service.
6. Silent work.

In severe frosts, stopping heating equipment even for several hours can lead to rupture of pipes located close to the street. Therefore, ensuring the uninterrupted operation of the boiler using a UPS is not a whim, but a rational solution to save time and money.

Uninterruptible operation principle

The main task of the UPS is to supply sufficient voltage to the network when the light is turned off. Switching to battery power (battery) must occur in a split second so that the connected equipment does not have time to turn off.

Uninterruptibles are also able to stabilize voltage, rectify a sinusoid and maintain the current frequency within normal limits. But not all models have additional features.

When choosing an uninterruptible power system for the heating system, you can take a more powerful device so that you can additionally connect other devices to it if necessary

The UPS device is not the same.

In the maximum configuration uninterrupted consists of the following elements:

• housing;
• accumulator battery;
• current and voltage converters (inverters, rectifiers, etc.);
• switch;
• control chip.

For the operation of the connected equipment, the following UPS characteristics are important:

1. Type of output voltage curve: approximated or normal sine wave. The first option is less preferred, because it is unusual for most electronic devices and leads to increased wear.
2. Power consumption. Pump and fan motors have high starting currents, therefore, the maximum UPS performance should be at least 2 times the level of electricity consumption by the boiler.
3. Switching speed to the backup power source. The higher it is, the better for the connected equipment.
4. Electric capacity. The battery life of the entire heating system depends on it. To increase capacity, additional external batteries can be connected to the UPS.
5. Life time. It depends on the operating mode and internal structure of the batteries.
6. The range of input network parameters that allow the uninterruptible power supply to produce acceptable voltage, frequency and a sinusoid without switching to the battery.
7. The presence of grounding ("through" zero).

In standalone mode, the UPS is capable of producing 2 types of sine waves:

• smooth;
• approximated.

A smooth sine wave is more acceptable and always guarantees the normal operation of the connected equipment.

The indicated periods of operation of the equipment from the uninterruptible are indicative. The exact time can be found by testing a specific set of equipment

The cost of uninterrupted power directly depends on the battery capacity, additional functionality, as well as the compliance of the output current and voltage parameters with standard values. However, even the cheapest UPS is better than its complete absence.

Types of Uninterruptible Power Supplies

Uninterruptible manufacturers produce devices for any financial budget, but the more expensive it is, the higher its functionality and battery life.

UPS according to the principle of operation can be divided into three main categories: continuous (on-line type), linear-interactive and backup (off-line type). Each type of uninterruptible power supply will be discussed in more detail below.

Option # 1: Standby

If there is electricity in the network, a backup or off-line uninterruptible device acts as an intermediary, transmitting voltage and current with the same characteristics that are available at the input to the device.

Only when the power is turned off or its parameters go beyond the programmed range, does the UPS transfer the connected equipment to battery power.

Controls of inexpensive backup uninterruptible power supply units are usually limited to one button, various combinations of clicks on which allow you to adjust the operation of the device

Backup uninterruptible power units are usually equipped with batteries with a capacity of 5-10 Ah, which are sufficient for continuous operation of the boiler for 10-30 minutes. Their main functions are to prevent an instant stop of the heating equipment and provide time for its correct manual stop.

The advantages of an off-line UPS are:

1. No noise.
2. High efficiency when powered by mains.
3. Low price.

Cons off-line uninterruptible:

1. Switching time to the battery is 4-12 m.
2. Inability to adjust voltage and current characteristics.
3. Operation from a gas generator is dangerous for the boiler, because the parameters of the sine wave are not maintained.
4. Low battery capacity.

Many models of backup uninterruptible power supply units require the installation of external batteries, due to which their battery life can be increased. But even with a powerful battery, they will remain just the power switches of the boiler from mains to autonomous.

Option # 2: Line Interactive

Line-interactive type interruptors are more advanced than standby ones. In addition to the battery, these devices have voltage stabilizers, which allows them to provide 220 V.

More expensive models are able to analyze the shape of the sine wave and switch the power to the batteries when it is distorted by more than 5-10%. Correcting the shape of a sinusoid when working from the network, such ischemic heart disease is incapable.

Line-interactive UPS control is more complex. It usually allows you to set the boundaries of the input voltage range and set the delay time for turning on the connected equipment

Line-interactive models with high output power are often installed at the input. house wiring. Usually capacious external batteries are connected to them.

The advantages of line-interactive UPSs are as follows:

1. A short interval for switching to offline mode is 2-10 ms, which practically does not affect the operation of the connected equipment.
2. High efficiency when powered by mains.
3. The ability to stabilize voltage even without a battery.

Disadvantages of line-interactive uninterruptible power supplies:

1. Inability to influence the shape of the sinusoid when powered from the mains.
2. Capacitance limited to 5 kVA.
3. Lack of current frequency adjustment.

Line-interactive UPSs buy more often than backup ones, because they are additionally equipped voltage stabilizer, allowing heating equipment to work more correctly.

Option # 3: Continuous

The output parameters of the power supply network for continuous (on-line) uninterruptible power supplies do not depend on their incoming characteristics. Connected equipment is always powered by a battery, regardless of the presence of input voltage. This is achieved through the conversion of electricity in two stages.

First, the incoming voltage is reduced, AC is rectified, and electricity is used to recharge the battery.

Continuous UPSs have an expensive multicomponent circuit that is economically justified only with the high power of the connected equipment and the corresponding battery capacity

With the release of electricity, the reverse process occurs. Electricity is removed from the battery contacts, the current is converted to alternating current, the voltage rises and is fed to the uninterruptible power supply output.

As a result, the connected equipment operates in a completely autonomous mode with stable electrical parameters. Power surges, sinusoid distortions and even lightning strikes are not afraid of him. External factors can damage the UPS but not connected to it gas column or floor boiler.

The advantages of continuous uninterrupted power:

1. During a power outage, the power of the connected devices is not interrupted.
2. Stable voltage and frequency parameters, the correct sinusoid, which is especially important when connecting a gas boiler.
3. Protection against sudden overvoltage.
4. Hassle-free connection to a gas generator to recharge the charge.
5. The ability to adjust the output voltage.

The main disadvantages of on-line uninterruptible systems:

1. Increased noise and heat during fan operation.
2. Low efficiency (80-94%)
3. The cost of continuous uninterrupted power exceeds the price of linear-interactive models by two to three times.

The advantages of an on-line UPS are obvious. These uninterruptible power units are quite expensive, but provide the maximum possible electrical protection for the gas boiler. When connecting a battery with a large capacity to them, you don’t have to worry about the normal operation of the heating equipment even when there is a power outage.

Rules for choosing an uninterrupted power supply

The capriciousness of the gas boiler electronics does not allow saving on the reliability and functionality of uninterruptible power supplies. Choosing a UPS for a heating boiler is quite complicated due to the variety of their technical parameters and many equipment manufacturers.

But there are a number of uninterruptible characteristics that must be taken into account in the first place:

1. Duration of continuous work offline.
2. Full and active power.
3. The nature of the sine wave output.
4. The boundaries of the operating voltage ranges.
5. Ability to connect external batteries.

The duration of continuous operation of the UPS in an autonomous mode directly depends on the battery capacity. If you are not sure that there will be enough built-in resources, then you can purchase a UPS with the ability to connect additional batteries.

The capacity of an uninterruptible power system can always be increased by acquiring new batteries. It is advisable to choose identical batteries.

In the technical characteristics of the uninterruptible power supply, the values ​​of full and active power are indicated. It is desirable that the second parameter be two times higher than the total linear power of the heating equipment. This will allow the UPS to withstand the starting currents of the pump and fan motors without negative consequences.

The values ​​of the boundary ranges of operating voltage are especially relevant for country houses. In the evening, on lines remote from the transformer, it can drop to 160-170 V. In this case, the UPS will constantly switch the power to the battery, so it is better to purchase an uninterruptible power supply with a built-in stabilizer and a low operating voltage threshold.

Approximated (1) and pure (2) sine waves. All electronic equipment of a gas boiler is designed to operate on a pure sine wave, so its approximated type may interfere with the operation of individual components

An approximated sine wave has a bad effect on the operation of electric motors: they are humming, and performance is falling.

The gas boiler microcircuit may also be unstable, due to which the equipment may turn on or off spontaneously. Therefore, to supply heating systems, it is preferable to buy a UPS with a smooth sinusoid, which will not create problems.

Uninterruptibles have many additional technical characteristics, but their values ​​are not so critical for the operation of a gas boiler.

Battery Types

For the UPS, exclusively lead-acid batteries (SLA) are produced, which are heavier and larger than lithium, but much cheaper than them. Uninterruptible power supplies use sealed batteries that are safe and do not require service.

The tightness of lead-acid batteries can be deceiving, so do not try your luck and turn the devices on their side or upside down

On sale you can find two types of UPS batteries:

• gel (GEL);
• fiberglass (AMG).

Silicon compounds are added to the electrolyte of gel batteries, due to which it is very thick. As a result, the contents of the battery do not spill out when shaking and do not spill out when the device capsize.

Oxygen and hydrogen released during operation are absorbed by the gel and slowly interact with each other to form water. This ensures complete battery safety.

The gel battery inside does not have liquid in its usual sense. It consists of several independent flasks, inside of which are located synthetic electrodes coated with a viscous substance

The interior of AMG batteries is filled with porous fiberglass mats, which also help slow down the interaction of oxygen and hydrogen. The disadvantage of such batteries is a liquid electrolyte, which nevertheless can leak if the battery is damaged or if it is tipped upside down.

If the fiberglass battery is mechanically damaged, it is strictly forbidden to collect any leaking liquid with a rag. It is a strong acid that can burn the skin.

Because of their greater safety, helium batteries are 10-20% more expensive than fiberglass batteries with a similar capacity. But if the UPS for heating equipment stands quietly on the floor, then it makes no sense to overpay the extra money.

Many uninterruptible power supplies provide the ability to connect external batteries. When using several batteries in parallel, it is important that they have the same specifications. This will allow the batteries to discharge and charge evenly and increase the life of each of them.

UPS Operation Tips

Installing the UPS is quite simple - just read the instructions and connect all external devices according to the scheme described in it.

The efficiency of powerful uninterruptible power units is reduced due to the continuous operation of the fan, which provides cooling for the current converters and batteries located inside

Uninterrupted operation is simple and does not require human intervention.

However, there are nuances of operation that are not described in the instructions, which you must be familiar with:

1. Do not place the UPS and external batteries near each other and heat sources. The optimum temperature for the operation of this equipment is 20-25 ° C.
2. The room with uninterruptible heaters should not be wet, the formation of water condensate in it is especially dangerous.
3. It is undesirable to use line filters and tees at the output of the UPS.
4. If the design of the uninterrupted device provides for the grounding of the case, then it must be provided.
5. After commissioning, the UPS must be permanently connected to the network.

Following these simple rules will extend the life of the uninterruptible power supply and protect the house from fire and short circuit.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

The presented videos will help to better understand the principle of operation of various uninterruptible power units and evaluate the effectiveness of their work.

Video # 1. The procedure for choosing a UPS for the heating system:

Video # 2. UPS connection and testing:

Video # 3. Overview of different types of uninterruptible power supplies:

Connecting heating equipment through an uninterruptible power supply is dictated by economic feasibility. In the event of prohibitive network overloads, it is the UPS that will take the brunt of it, protecting the more expensive gas boiler from breakage.

In the estimate of the installation of the heating system, it is always necessary to take into account the cost of the uninterruptible power supply and the batteries included in the kit.

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