GeneralAire EDMK4 Elite Steam - Manual (Page 6)

Elite Steam +030222075 Rev. 3.5 – July 2012 6
1. HOW THE ELITE STEAM WORKS
1.1 Basic Operation
Elite Steam
is an electrode humidifier. It produces steam for humidification by
passing electric current through the water between metal electrodes in the
plastic steam generator cylinder. There are no heating elements. Steam output
is directly proportional to the conductivity of the water, and the amount of
electrode immersed in the water.
On a call for humidity, the Elite Steam controller will open the water fill valve (1)
and allow water to enter the cylinder. A flow restrictor (4) prevents the unit from
filling too quickly or with too much pressure. The water flows up the fill tube (2)
and into the fill cup (3) . Water then flows over the dam in the fill cup (3), which
creates a 1” air gap to prevent backflow of contaminated water into the feed
lines, and through the fill tube (6) and into the bottom of the steam cylinder (5).
Any backflow or overflow of water travels through the overflow hose (13) to the
drain.
As the water fills the cylinder, it will reach the electrodes (7) and current will
begin to flow. As the water continues to fill the cylinder, the current will
increase, and this is monitored by an amperage transformer connected to one of the power wires and located on the
electronic controller. When the desired current is reached, the fill valve will close (1) and the water will then begin to warm
and produce steam. If the water reaches the cylinder full probes (9) or if current rises too much, the drain pump (11) will be
activated to drain away some water and reduce the current flow to acceptable levels. Note that, any time the drain pump is
activated, the tempering valve (10) will be opened for tempering the hot drained water down to 140 degrees F / 60 degrees C
in accordance to local and national standards.
Periodically, based on the incoming water conductivity, the unit will run drain pump (11) and drain some water to reduce the
mineral concentration. Every 120 hours the unit automatically drains to remove mineral sediment on the bottom of the
cylinder. A strainer (12) in the cylinder helps to prevent mineral debris from jamming the drain pump (11).
In case Elite Steam remains powered but idle, i.e. without producing steam, for more than 72 hours (3 days), the cylinder will
be emptied to not have stagnant water inside.
If there is no water in the cylinder, there will be no current flow and no steam production. The electrodes do not burn out, but
they will eventually become completely coated with mineral and the cylinder will then need to be replaced. Cleaning cylinders
may cause electrode damage, therefore voiding its warranty. See 7.2.2 maintenance section on page 21.
Fig. 1.b
No. Description
A Steam generator cylinder
B Room blower/manifold (optional)
C User interface/display
D On/Off, SET buttons
E Fill & tempering valves
F Drain pump
Tab. 1.a
F
Fig. 1.a
HL
DP
DT
EVF
8 9
3
13
6
10
2
4
1
11
7
12
5
A
F
B
C
D
E