alt Hacker NewsWikipedia page has a small error. It shows an actuator (i.e. wax motor) described as thermostatic radiator valve 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.
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Wouldn't the thermostatic radiator valves contain a wax motor? According to the definition in the article, using ambient heat as the energy source counts. Or are you saying it's only a wax motor if there's electric heating?
I'm not sure I get what you mean.
There are commercial thermostats where the wax element itself is both the temperature sensor and the actuator, eg Thera-100 T1002W0.
I was quite amazed to find these when dismantling appliances.
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Boy I really hope somebody got fired for that blunder!
As you seem to know how to explain that would you mind fixing it? You don't even need an account.