| It goes without saying that without steam there | | | | The incoming water supply can be either hot or cold. |
| could be no steam bath. But how is the steam | | | | Feeding hot water into the steam generator allows |
| created? What generates it, and what is required for | | | | the steam to build up more quickly, but many |
| efficient production of steam? This article will | | | | generators use a cold water feed and still provide |
| examine steam generators and everything required | | | | steam in a reasonable amount of time. |
| to make steam. | | | | To control the amount of the water in the tank, a |
| Steam generators for residential use are electrical | | | | water level probe is connected to a valve which |
| units that can be installed nearly anywhere. They do | | | | turns the water on or off automatically. The valve is |
| not have to be close to the steam bath, and can be | | | | powered with electricity and uses a solenoid to |
| situated up to 40 feet away. Their basic | | | | control water flow. |
| requirements are a water supply and an electrical | | | | Before the water passes through the solenoid valve, |
| connection. Some models also require a drain. | | | | it first passes through a master shutoff valve. It is a |
| Steam Generator Components | | | | simple mechanical valve and can be used to cut off |
| The steam generator unit consists of a tank for | | | | the water supply to the steam generator when it |
| holding water, a connection for incoming water, and | | | | needs to be serviced. |
| an outlet for the steam. An electrical element at the | | | | As the steam builds up, it passes through the |
| bottom of the water tank heats the water, and the | | | | outtake pipe that is connected to the steam bath. |
| size and the electrical rating of this element is a | | | | The steam passes through the steam heads which |
| factor in determining how much steam the unit can | | | | are controlled by either an on/off switch or a timer. |
| produce. | | | | The on/off switch causes the steam head to |
| The water tank needs to be airtight in order to allow | | | | protrude from the wall of the steam bath and lets |
| steam pressure to build up. Steam pressure is a | | | | the steam out. Optional timers can be used to limit |
| formidable force that is strong enough to power | | | | the amount of time that steam is generated and to |
| locomotives! In order to withstand the pressure of | | | | turn off the steam generator automatically. |
| the steam buildup, the water tank needs to be very | | | | Despite the relative simplicity of the steam |
| strong. Welded steel is the most common material | | | | generator, it is important to have it professionally |
| for water tanks. | | | | installed. If steam pressure unexpectedly builds up |
| As a safety precaution, the water tank needs to | | | | and cannot be released through a properly connected |
| have a pressure release valve in case the steam | | | | release valve, a dangerous situation can result. A |
| pressure becomes too high. The safety valve is an | | | | licensed plumber can do the work properly and |
| absolute necessity. Exploding tanks can cause a great | | | | guarantee a safe steam bath. |
| deal of damage and even death. | | | | |