How a Steam Generator Works!
It goes without saying that without steam and steam shower is just a shower. But where does all that steam come from? The steam is generated but what we are here to talk about is how this steam is generated.
Steam generators for residential use are electrical units that can be installed almost anywhere. They do not have to be close to the steam unit -- they can be situated up to 40 feet away. With all our showers the generator is located on the back of the main control panel connected to a steam outlet inside the unit. Their basic requirements are an electrical connection and a water supply, some steam generators also require a drain.
The steam generator unit consists of a generator box for holding the water, a connection for the incoming water, and an outlet for the steam. There is a electrical element at the bottom of the generator for heating the water, and the size of the electrical rating of the element is an factor in determining how much steam the unit can product.
When it comes to the actually functions of the generator and how it is producing the steam just think about a standard kettle that when it has boiled the water steam will be produced. The generator does almost the same thing but releases the steam into the unit.
Now I bet your just thinking. Oh well i could just get a shower enclosure and put my kettle in there. You would be wrong because the steam generator is a bit more sophisticated than that.
All of our units will have a control panel of some sort that wires to a control box and the generator. When you press the steam button to start the steam it will send a signal to a inlet value connect to the water input of the generator. This value is designed to only allow water to pass though when power is added so it allows the control of the water flow into the generator. Once this value is open the generator will fill with water, inside the generator there is a water level sensor that detects the water level inside the generator. When the water level gets to the ideal level it will send a signal to the inlet value telling it to close.
The water will boil and as it boils it will produce the steam into the unit. When the level of water in the generator reaches a low level it will tell the inlet value to allow more water to enter. By using this method it allows the generator to continue producing steam into the unit at a very quick rate.
When you finish your steam and press the steam button again to stop the steam the control box will power a outlet value on the generator which will allow the remaining water in the generator to leave into a drain.
When it comes to the power of the generator we provide 3 different options:
3KW - Standard Generator, perfect for average steam users, fills a standard sized unit in 5 mins and to max temperature in around 15mins.
4.5KW - Power Generator, for more common users that steam once a day or more, fills a standard sized unit in around 3-4 mins and to max temperature in around 10 mins.
6KW - Advanced Generator, for the very advanced steamers who steam more than once a day, fills a standard sized unit in around 2-3 mins and to max temperature in 5 mins. (WARNING THIS GENERATOR GETS VERY HOT VERY QUICKLY NOT RECOMMENDED IF YOU ARE NOT A COMMON STEAMER)
Most of our customers will choose the standard generator and have no problems with it as all the generators have the same reliability and can reach the same max temperature.