A differential thermostat is a specialized type of thermostat designed to control the temperature within a system by comparing the temperatures at two different points. Unlike a traditional thermostat, which activates or deactivates a heating or cooling system based on a single temperature reading, a differential thermostat uses the difference between two temperature readings to make decisions. This unique function allows it to be used in a variety of applications where precise control of temperature is essential.
Working Principles of a Differential Thermostat
At its core, a differential thermostat operates by comparing the temperature of two distinct locations. These locations might be different parts of a heating system, different zones of a building, or even two areas within a solar heating system. The thermostat is typically equipped with two temperature sensors: one placed at the point where the temperature needs to be regulated and another at a reference point, often in the same system or environment. When the difference in temperature between these two sensors reaches a predefined value, the thermostat activates or deactivates a connected device such as a heater, cooler, or pump. For example, in a solar water heating system, the differential thermostat will compare the temperature of the water in the solar collector to that of the water in the storage tank. If the collector is hotter than the tank by a set differential (say 5°C), the thermostat will activate a pump to circulate the heated water into the storage tank.
