loksheild valves

[timbalcombe]

What exactly do they do?
My understanding was that they restricted the flow on the return.

I have had the heating on today and was experimenting with my TRV's.
I turned them off then on.
The radiator heated from the oposite end to the trv.
Is this right or has my plumber got it all the wrong way round?
Would it make a difference?

 

[doitall]

If they are bi-directional then it makes no difference.

look for a double arrow on the body or post the make/model of the valve

 

[timbalcombe]

Cheers,

They are a drayton with arrows at 90 deg right angles - pointing down and to the rad.

"The reverse flow body allows vertical or horizontal flow or return mounting."

 

[ChrisR]

They can go either end. They work better if they're on the flow end though - at least that's the conventional wisdom.

 

[timbalcombe]

Thanks.
So what do the lockshields do then?

 

[breezer]

So what do the lockshields do then?

as you first said

My understanding was that they restricted the flow

 

[ChrisR]

They restrict the flow through the radiator when the trv is fully open. Look up Balancing, in the FAQ section.

 

[Agile]

A homeowner might understand their function more simply if we say that the lockshield is used to BALANCE the flows through each of the rads.

Balancing is done with the TRVs fully open.

Tony

 

[doitall]

A simple person might understand

I just love your your choice of words Tony

 

[timbalcombe]

ok got that, but why when the TRV was closed then opened did the flow warm up from the lock sheild valve side?

If the locksheild is connect to the the return then that means that water is running in the reverse order surely, as there needs to be a feed to flow through the radiator.

In this scenario I would have thought the water would have flowed in from the TRV (feed) side.

It is a fukin mad system.
I have now got a combi plugged up to old pipework so there must be some funky plumbing going on somewhere.
I wish I'd ripped the lot out and put in quieter plastic stuff.

 

[ChrisR]

About 7 posts ago I mentioned that the valves can go on either end. It doesn't matter (much) which way the water flows. Got it?

 

[timbalcombe]

eh? No I don't get it!
Surely the system is on a loop?
In (trv) - out (locksheild)
Boiler fires up when a temp difference between flow and return matches co-effiicent for set temp, thus the need for balancing.

 

[doitall]

eh? No I don't get it!
Surely the system is on a loop?
In (trv) - out (locksheild)
Boiler fires up when a temp difference between flow and return matches co-effiicent for set temp, thus the need for balancing.

Not unless you have a one pipe system.

With bi-directional it matters not which way round they go, think about it.

Bi-directional

 

[Agile]

"Simple" ?

 

[timbalcombe]

who me?
I get it.