Steam generator for a shower cabin: types, principle of operation + recommendations for selection and installation

There are a lot of people who want to bask in a home bathhouse or sauna. However, it is not always possible to equip such a steam room in a city apartment. An alternative solution is a steam generator for a shower cabin, which allows you to turn a shower box into a kind of Turkish hammam.

There are a lot of models with various additional features in stores, but not all of them are worth the money. Therefore, the choice of equipment should be given special attention so that subsequently the purchase does not disappoint.

We will tell you how the steam generator works, outline the features of different types of such equipment, and give tips on choosing and installing a steam generator.

How the steam generator works

A household steam generator is the simplest electrical appliance that converts water into hot steam by heating.

On the one hand, this unit has a connector for connecting a water supply, and on the other, an outlet for water vapor.

Most models of steam generators for bathrooms are small - they are easily placed under the shower cabin or on the wall nearby

The steam generator for the shower consists of the following parts:

• unit and control panel;
• waterproof housing with a heating chamber;
• temperature sensor;
• steam outlet pipe;
• systems for adding aromatic oils (aromatics) to steam;
• cable for connecting to the mains.

Cold water is supplied to it from a regular HVS pipeline by means of a flexible hose from a nearby water outlet with a shut-off valve. Another crane is available in the design of the steam generator itself. It is designed to drain residual water from the steam generation chamber.

When the power is turned on, the water in the device heats up to + 100 ° C on the heating element. As a result of this, it passes into steam, which, due to the pressure that has arisen, is squeezed into the steam outlet and further into the shower cabin.

As the last steam is filled, the temperature inside the box rises to the desired level, after which the steam generator turns off.

Thanks to the operation of a household steam generator, the humidity inside the cabin for showering can be raised to 100%. Here everything is at the request of being in the steam room. The temperature inside is usually in the range + 45–65°WITH.

In principle, it is possible to raise it to 80–90 ° С, but this requires a more powerful steam generator; a conventional device will not work.

For a more effective effect of steam on a person, a shower cabin with a steam generator should have one or two fans

Most of the models of steam generators for bathrooms and steam rooms are made according to the flow pattern. They are always connected to the water supply. At the same time, water enters the tank with a heating element through a special valve only as necessary, but in automatic mode.

However, there are portable steam generators. They do not connect to the water supply, they have to be filled in manually beforehand before switching on. To operate them is somewhat more difficult, but such devices can be taken to the country.

The choice of household steam generating equipment

It’s unlikely that you can take a steam bath with a broom in the shower with a steam generator. The temperature of the steam is not the one to get the proper effect. It is not for nothing that the equipment in question is usually compared with a Turkish traditional bathhouse, in which the temperature regime is milder than in Russian.

You can not equate it with the Finnish sauna, where the air is dry and the temperature is high. Before you go choose a steam generator for the shower, you need to clearly imagine what will be obtained as a result of its operation. A Russian bath with a broom is completely different.

The temperature in a shower room with a domestic steam generator usually does not exceed 60⁰ C, while the humidity in it reaches one hundred percent

Steam at 45–65 ° C in the enclosed space of the shower box is a great way to relax. This temperature does not affect the human body as aggressively as in the case of a sauna or a Russian bath. And the benefit for a person is about the same.

According to the type of heating element, steam generators are of three types:

• with TEN;
• induction;
• electrode.

All of them are powered by electricity. In an induction device, water is heated to a state of steam due to electromagnetic induction, and in an electrode one, due to the passage of current through special electrodes.

However, household models of steam generators in the vast majority of cases are equipped with a heating element. This is the cheapest equipment for heating water.

The heater in the steam generator is an ordinary tubular heater that brings the liquid in the tank to a boil, thereby creating steam

There are five main criteria for choosing a steam generator for a bathroom:

• device power;
• temperature parameters of steam at the outlet;
• steam generator capacity;
• volume of boiling water tank;
• the presence of automation and an external remote control.

Power domestic steam generator varies from 1 to 22 kW. Conventionally, about one kilowatt is required per cubic meter of shower. But if the steam generator is planned to be installed to organize a steam room in the room, then 10 kW is quite enough for a room of 13-15 cubic meters.

Just wait for the air to warm up in this case will take a little longer. The small, walled-up space of the shower cabin heats up much faster.

Steam temperature. Some models are designed for heating at 55 or 60 ° C - only to these parameters can they heat the air in the shower. Structurally, the latter is not tight; the vapor from the box still gradually goes into the bathroom and ventilation.

It is difficult to overheat in a similar dushkabin. Moreover, when the temperature inside rises to a certain threshold, the sensor is triggered, as a result of which the generator simply turns off.

Volume of the tank can reach up to 27-30 liters. But such models are bulky and designed for paired indoors. For a shower, it is better to choose an option for 3–7 liters.This volume is quite enough for “gatherings” for an hour, but more is not necessary.

Productivity varies between 2.5-8 kg / hour. The higher it is, the faster the steam will fill the box.

Steam generator control. Two options are possible - adjustment by means of buttons on the case or by using a remote control. More convenient, of course, is the second option.

To extend the life of the device in question, it is advisable to choose a steam generator with an overheating sensor and a cleaning system. The first will prevent the failure of the heater, and the second will automatically remove scale from the tank.

But you need to clearly understand that with supersaturated lime water, not a single auto-cleaning will help. Here only able to help water filters.

Dushkabin with integrated steam generator

In sanitary ware stores, steam generators are found separately from shower cabins and as a built-in additional option.

In the first case, steam is fed into the box through a separate hose. The second option implies that the nozzles are already installed on the cab body, and you only need to connect them to the generator with the corresponding tubes.

The built-in steam generator by the principle of work and design is indistinguishable from an external analogue, just for the first one the manufacturer provided for fasteners on the shower cabinet in advance

Usually the steam generator comes complete with a host of other additional functions. These are internal fans, and aromatherapy, and a rain shower, and “dry heat” (as in a Finnish sauna).

The range of showers is huge now, each manufacturer is striving to stand out in the market. But the more of all these additions, the more expensive the cabin comes to the buyer.

To facilitate the task of choosing a shower box, we have prepared a series of articles:

1. Shower cabin with sauna: how to choose the right one + review of the best manufacturers
2. Standard sizes of shower cabins: standard and non-standard sizes of products
3. Types of showers: varieties, the best manufacturers + selection tips

The feasibility of assembling an independent steam generator

Those who want to make a steam generator with their own hands will not have special problems with assembly. It is only necessary to choose a suitable housing and build an electric heater in it.

Most often, home craftsmen take a small gas cylinder for this. In this tank, pipes are inserted for supplying water and removing steam, and a heating element is installed inside.

It is not difficult to make a steam-generating homemade product, but its intended use can be unsafe for the health of a lover

First minus home-made installations for the production of steam in everyday life is low efficiency, so it is difficult for them to compete with factory models.

Second minus - safety of use. On the one hand, it is water and electricity, and on the other - steam, which creates pressure. Here are possible electric shocks, and potential mini-explosions.

In a multi-storey building, it is highly not recommended to include such a steam generator in the network. Having saved on the factory device, you can then pay with your health and get a lot of money, which you will have to spend on repairs in your apartment and at your neighbors.

Features of mounting a steam generator

The shower cabin must be adapted for the operation of the steam generator. If she does not have a lid on top, then a couple will need a lot. Will have to heat the entire bathroom, and not a small boxing space. At the same time, some shower cabins do not have a similar roof and cannot be operated at all with a steam generator.

Full tightness from the shower can not be expected, however, for the steam generator to work, it is necessary that the doors on it close tightly and the top is closed

Each shower cabin with a steam generator is equipped with forced internal ventilation. The greatest effect of steam is achieved just with convection of air inside.If there is no built-in fan, then its installation must be taken care of in advance. A low-power version of 12 V is standard for this sanitary ware.

Ideally, the device should not be found in the bathroom with a shower, but in the next room. With increasing humidity in the room, the risk of short circuits also increases. A steam generator is an electric device.

It is best to install it somewhere outside, and in the bathroom only a steam line is installed before the shower cabin. But often this moment is neglected, since there is simply no such room nearby. You have to do an extract in the bathroom itself so that the humidity in it is not so high.

The steam supply pipe should not exceed 5 meters in length. The longer it is, the more it cools the steam along the way to the shower, and as a result - the appearance of unnecessary condensate

The place for the steam generator should be selected so that it is easy to connect to the water supply, sewage and electricity. The steam pipe is mounted with a slope so that condensate drains, but does not linger in it. The tilt is best done in the direction of the shower cabin.

Among the steam generators, there are models with a check valve at the outlet, which prevents condensed water from draining into the device.

Installation of the steam generator is carried out in five steps:

1. Mounting the device on a shower cabinet or wall.
2. Water and sewage connection.
3. Connecting a plastic steam line.
4. Installation in the cabin temperature sensor.
5. Connection of the steam generating chamber to the control unit and the power supply network with a three-wire cable with grounding.

No wires should be placed opposite the steam outlet. If the pipe breaks off pressure, then there should not be electrical wiring on the way of the hot stream.

After installation is complete, the steam generator should be turned on and wait a few minutes until the first steam appears. Then the device must be immediately turned off.

And literally in a couple of minutes it needs to be activated again. If steam enters the booth, there are no leaks and it didn’t work. RCDthen everything is done correctly. You can take a shower and steam in the “Turkish bath”.

Steam in the shower must come from below. Steam nozzles must not be installed above a person’s head and even above his knees. Do not forget about the possibility of a burn.

In general, installing a steam generator is a simple process. A technically competent person can cope with installation. It is only necessary to dissolve water (pipes) and electricity (wires) so that they are located as far as possible from each other.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

When choosing a steam generator, first of all, it is necessary to focus on the dimensions and power of the device. But there are several other nuances. The presented videos will allow you to quickly understand all the functions and characteristics of the steam generator, as well as how to install it.

Overview of a shower cabinet with a built-in steam generator:

Possible malfunctions in the operation of the steam generator:

Even a novice master can integrate a steam generator into a shower booth. It is necessary to connect a pair of pipes (sewerage + cold water) and a steam line to the device, and then plug it into a 220 V outlet. It is important only to prevent the electrical wiring from intersecting with a red-hot tank or pipeline.

Have something to supplement, or have questions about choosing and installing a steam generator for a shower cabin? You can leave comments on the publication, participate in discussions and share your own experience using such equipment. The contact form is located in the lower block.