Wikipedia page has a small error. It shows an actuator (i.e. wax motor) described as thermostatic radiator valve <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wax_motor#/media/File:Thermische_Stellantriebe,_Thermische_Antriebe,_Fussbodenheizung,_thermal_actuator,_actuateur_thermique.jpg" rel="nofollow">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wax_motor#/media/File:Thermisc...
These are two separate things: thermostat will close and open based on surrounding temp., the actuator on the other hand opens and closes based on energizing a heating element that is driven by a separate thermostat.
Wax motors are pretty cool things. They rarely fail and do their job even in damp environments. I take care of my better half's hotel with approx 100 of these installed and we replace one of these once every couple of years.
limaoscarjuliet · · focus · HN ↗
These are two separate things: thermostat will close and open based on surrounding temp., the actuator on the other hand opens and closes based on energizing a heating element that is driven by a separate thermostat.
Wax motors are pretty cool things. They rarely fail and do their job even in damp environments. I take care of my better half's hotel with approx 100 of these installed and we replace one of these once every couple of years.
croemer · · focus · HN ↗
There are commercial thermostats where the wax element itself is both the temperature sensor and the actuator, eg Thera-100 T1002W0.