Frost protection mode

[JonathanM]

I'm trying to help my uncle research some updated controls.

We've noticed that most new digital thermostats have a "frost protection mode".

With a traditional frost thermostat, I think I am right in saying that it will override the other controls, and will turn the boiler and pump on even if the programmer is turned off.

Does frost protection mode on these modern thermostats do the same thing? Or does it only turn the heating on when the programmer is on?

 

[cross thread]

Correct only if programmers on

 

[JonathanM]

Could the same thing be achieved by turning the main temperature setting down to 5 degrees?

I'm just wanting to make sure I understand how it all works!