REFRIGERATION SERVICE ENGINEERS SOCIETY @ Lesson 10 Supplemental Electric Heat % OTGateoes After completing this Lesson, you will be able to: "Describe some typical heat pump applications that require the use of supplemental heat "Calculate the heating output of an electric resistive heater based on its power input. "Explain the process used to measure the power input of operating single- phase and three-phase resistive heaters. "Describe the procedures that must be followed in the installation of an electric heater package. = Explain the function of safety switches used in the construction of an electric heater. = Discuss the reasons for using outdoor thermostats in a heat pump. application. "Use the data provided in this Lesson to select the proper wire size and fuse size for the power supply circuit of an electric furnace. "Calculate the heating cutout of an electtic heater when itis operated at an impressed voltage that differs from the heaters rated voltage. "Describe the effects that various levels of electric current have on the human body. = Demonstrate recommended safely practices that should be observed by service technicians when working with electric heaters or other large current-carrying equipment. © Copyrig 2004 by ho Roigoraon Sonos Engincare SosyLesson 10 Supplemental Electric Heat Dineen LLL HEAT PUMPS USE VAPOR COMPRESSION TO EXCHANGE HEAT ENERGY with some other substance, usually air, water, or the soil. Barth maintains a more consistent temperature than air does. On very cold days, the heat available from the ambient air is not sufficient to heat a house using the heat pump cycle only. When such conditions exist, an auxiliary heat source is required to supplement the output of the heat pump and maintain the comfort level in the conditioned space. The energy source for this type of supplemental heat may be a fossil fuel (natural gas, propane, oil) or electricity. Electric auxiliary heaters are the most common type of supplemental heat. Be aware that the current and voltage supplied to resistive heater packages is more than enough to injure severely or even kill a service technician. You must have a good understanding of safe working practices if you are to service successfully systems that utilize electric supplemental heaters. ‘The selected output capacity of the supplemental heat installed with a heat pump is driven by the heat loss profile of the building being heated, as discussed in Lesson 2 and calculated with the aid of a balance point chart, The output capacity of a heat pump is chosen to match the cooling load of the structure to ensure that humidity will be controlled in the conditioned space during summer cooling operation. In many regions, the heating load of a home is greater than the cooling load. It would be convenient to choose a heat pump that has a heating 7e0-210