Deep Dive into UFH Control: Engineering Trade-offs Between 0-10V Proportional and Dynamic Balancing Actuators

Deep Dive into UFH Control: Engineering Trade-offs Between 0-10V Proportional and Dynamic Balancing Actuators

In the transition of Underfloor Heating (UFH) systems from "coarse operation" to "fine-tuned regulation," the choice of actuators has become a focal point. 0-10V Proportional Actuators and Dynamic Hydraulic Balancing Actuators are the two most discussed advanced solutions.

However, discussing control signals without considering the hardware foundation is futile. This article analyzes these technologies based on the physical characteristics of UFH manifolds.

Hardware Foundation: Design Logic of UFH Manifolds

● Two-way Valve & Ultra-short Stroke: Manifold branch valves are typically two-way globe types with extremely short strokes (3-4mm).

● Non-linear Flow Characteristics: These valves are not designed for precision; flow vs. stroke is steeply non-linear.

● High Inertia: Thermal feedback in UFH is measured in hours, making the system insensitive to high-frequency micro-adjustments.

● Hydraulic Coupling: Circuits share pressure. One circuit's action causes pressure fluctuations, affecting others' actual flow.

0-10V Proportional Actuator: Command-Driven Position Control

The core logic is: Voltage Command = Physical Stroke Position.

● Advantages: Continuous stepless regulation (0-100%); high integration with BMS/PLC.

● Limitations: Blind Execution. It only handles positioning, not flow. It cannot counter flow fluctuations caused by differential pressure changes (Hydraulic Imbalance).

Dynamic Hydraulic Balancing Actuator: Feedback-Driven Effect Control

The core logic is: Temperature Difference Feedback (△t) = Dynamic Opening Adjustment.

●Advantages: Closed-loop Adaptation. It focuses on heat exchange efficiency via △t; it eliminates hydraulic imbalance by automatically throttling excessive flow, replacing manual flow meters.

●Limitations: Closed-loop architecture limits complex external algorithm intervention; high sensitivity to sensor accuracy.

Technical Comparison: Logic and Boundaries

The Hidden Link Cost: Full-Link Upgrades for 0-10V

Implementing 0-10V at the branch level requires an expensive infrastructure:

1.Proportional Thermostats: Requires PID calculation and analog output, significantly more expensive than standard units.

2.Dedicated Wiring Centres: Must support multi-channel analog I/O with high anti-interference standards.

3.Integration Complexity: Requires 3 or 4-wire systems; long-distance analog transmission is prone to decay and EMI.

Engineering Recommendations: Tiered Selection

1.Branch Level (Manifolds): Dynamic Balancing Recommended.

Compensates for short stroke and hydraulic coupling; ensures heat distribution across uneven circuit lengths.

2.System Level (Mixing/Energy Side): 0-10V Proportional Recommended.

Pairs with Weather Compensation algorithms to enable precise energy dispatching where valves have better linearity.

If you are currently evaluating specific actuator models, you may refer to our “0–10V Modulating v whic

In real-world projects, actuator selection is rarely determined by control logic alone; it is also influenced by system differential pressure, variations in circuit lengths, and overall commissioning and balancing costs.

Unsure About the Right Solution for Your Project?

If you are uncertain whether a modulating control approach or an active hydraulic balancing solution is more suitable, the Saswell technical team is here to help.
We provide targeted recommendations on hydraulic balancing strategies and actuator configuration based on your specific system architecture.