Partial leakage protection. Aquastop leak protection. Operating principle of the leakage protection system
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Leaks are the main problem with all washing machines and dishwashers. The reason is the most vulnerable point of these devices - the inlet hose. It is constantly under water pressure and must withstand a pressure of six atmospheres. If a hose bursts, it could flood not only you, but also several floors below. There is a solution to this problem. If you are afraid of flooding your neighbors, the salespeople in the store will probably offer you a car with protection against leaks.
Hidden camera
— This function is protection against leaks. What is this, please explain. Not a single store explained it clearly to me.
- Here it is, protection against leaks. Usually a slightly longer hose. For all occasions.
You pay an extra two to three thousand rubles and buy a car with protection against leaks. Load your laundry, turn it on and go to bed with peace of mind. And in the morning, angry neighbors whom you flooded ring your doorbell. This is quite possible. The fact is that the inscription “Protection against leaks” does not guarantee that these leaks will not occur. Because protection varies.
Hidden camera
— On some machines it says “Protection against leaks” - an additional function, and on some - a complete one.
— It’s hard to say, you know, I won’t lie. You can imagine that they made an expensive sensor in the car, but they did not make a hose. I can't check. “Add. option" is written on all machines. “Add. option” we write, in my opinion, to buy these hoses from us. There is no protection there. It’s just that this hose protects itself.
Look - the car can leak in several places. The drum rotates in a sealed tank. If there is a hole in it, water may leak onto the floor. In this case, manufacturers install a float in the pan. When there is a leak, it rises, automatically blocks the water supply and turns on the drain pump. This system is called leakage protection.
The problem is that most often the leak occurs in another place, here, where the washing machine is connected to water pipe, the rubber water supply hose bursts. This can happen if, for example, the pressure in the pipes suddenly increases.
Firstly, the water pressure is six atmospheres in our networks. Plus, there are water hammers that can rupture this hose if it is already worn out enough. In addition, the hose may be damaged due to your fault if you moved furniture, caught it, cut it, and then it begins to wear out in this place and breaks
To prevent this from happening, some cars are also equipped with protection. inlet hose, or aqua-stop. As soon as a leak occurs, it shuts off the water supply. This type of leakage protection is called “full”.
Well, one option is a hose-in-hose, which only protects against hose rupture. Here is a standard hose, how does it work? When a leak appears, the amount of water that flows through it increases sharply, that is, there is simply a flow. The system senses this and turns it off in one way or another. Here there is simply a spring-loaded valve, which physically closes when there is a leak, there is no back pressure. Oleg Darnitsky, head of the certification laboratory
Like washing machines, modern dishwashers come with a leak-proof feature. What exactly is its purpose? And does it make sense to overpay for a full system instead of a standard partial one?
The flood is cancelled!
The main threat posed by a working PMM is water leakage. Flooding can occur due to a damaged hose or due to a serious internal failure when the device is dialing more water than it should be. Leak protection technology is designed to protect equipment and its owners from such troubles: the machine independently regulates the supply and drainage of water, eliminating the need to vigilantly monitor the entire washing cycle.
A high-quality system increases operational reliability so much that equipment can be safely switched to night work- you don’t have to worry about possible household disasters. The principle of operation largely imitates washing units, and the technology’s name, as a rule, also has a common name - “Aqua-Stop” (sometimes you can find the wording “Waterproof” and “AquaSave”).
Full or partial protection?
Today there are practically no cars left that do not have protection against leaks - even the simplest and most unassuming models have, at a minimum, a pan with a float and, at a maximum, a special hose with a valve.
Let's draw parallels between partial And full protection technologies:
- Partial protection involves installing a metal or plastic pallet at the bottom of the PMM. From the inside, a lightweight foam plastic float with a miniature electric switch is fixed on it: when a leak occurs, the water in the pan begins to actively rise, pushing the float outward, and it, in turn, closes the switch.
The control unit instantly receives a signal and displays a fault message on the display (or activates signal indicator) and starts emergency mode - the washing process is immediately suspended, since the device is de-energized. Then the baton is picked up drainage pump, which vigorously pumps water out of the tank and redirects it to the sewer. To restore full-time job device, you will have to figure out the cause of the leak and drain all the water from the filled pan.
- Full protection, often referred to as “Aqua-Control”, is considered much more effective and advanced. A heavy-duty inlet hose is added to the pan, which has solenoid valves at both ends (one of the blocks is directly connected to the tap): they open exactly at the moment when the PMM begins to perform the specified mode. As soon as the water reaches the set level in the tank, the sensor is triggered, the control system turns off the valves and, accordingly, breaks contact with the water supply, preventing the possibility of overflow.
In a situation where a hose is damaged or an internal malfunction occurs (the filter is clogged / the water level sensor is faulty / the drain pump is broken / a hand wash product was used that produced excess foam), the machine is protected by the already familiar pan with a control float. You have to deal with the consequences of a leak in the same way as with partial technology - by emptying the tank (for this purpose, the PMM has an automatic reset button) and eliminating the root of the problem.
Aqua-stop is certainly a useful thing, but it is still more prudent to prefer Aqua-control: it guarantees not only external, but also internal protection, preventing excess water intake and the appearance of leaks at the flood stage.
If partial protection does not look very reliable, it is advisable to purchase and install a special double hose - it has the same name “Aqua-stop”. The benefit is that outer layer prevents leakage when the internal wear occurs, while the flow of water is interrupted automatically.
TOP 5 “dishwashers” with complete protection against leaks
BOSCH SMV 47L10- fully built-in model for 13 sets. Electronic control, mini-display, child lock system, water purity sensor, “beam on the floor” indicator. Consumption per cycle is 12 liters. Contains 4 programs, half load possible. Allows the use of “3 in 1” products; the start of work is delayed for a period of 1 to 24 hours.
HANSA ZWM 416 WH- narrow PMM for 9 sets. Refers to high class energy efficiency (“A++”), supports electronic control. It takes 9 liters of water to wash, there are 6 modes and 5 heating levels. Supports partial loads as well as the use of universal cleaning tablets. The dish compartment is height adjustable.
INDESIT DISR 14B- a narrow built-in type device. Holds 10 sets of dishes (consumes 10 liters of water), is equipped with a compact display and a delay start timer. There are 4 modes, there is an additional BIO program. The set includes a pair of folding stands for cups and glasses.
SIEMENS SR 64E002– narrow dishwasher “built-in” for 9 sets. It implements electronic control, is equipped with 4 main programs and supports half-loading. Characterized by low level noise, the cycle consumes 9 liters of water. Among the additional options, the mode for washing pots and pans stands out. It is possible to delay the start for a period from 3 to 9 hours.
KORTING KDI 60165– fully built-in PMM, accommodating up to 14 sets of dishes. Electronic control, digital display, economical class “A++”, half-load capability. It consumes 11 liters of water, makes minimal noise and has a wide selection of programs (8 washing modes, 5 temperature positions). Projects a “beam on the floor” and allows the use of cleaning tablets. The activation of the cycle is postponed for a period of 1 to 24 hours.
The inlet hose of the washing machine that supplies tap water, may leak during operation of the machine, so it must have special protection against water leakage. Modern washing machines are equipped with such protection - the AquaStop system. Its action is aimed at preventing the unexpected appearance of water in the device body. In washing and dishwashers of various brands, the leakage protection system has other names, such as AquaSafe, Aqua Alarm and Waterproof, however, the principle of operation of “Aquastop” in machines different models and brands are almost the same.
To prevent leakage, which can cause flooding of your own premises and neighbors, the tap that supplies cold water into the drum of washing or dishwashing equipment, equipped with an Aquastop safety valve. It can automatically turn off the water supply when there is a problem in the washing equipment connection system. emergency situation due to a leak. The protection system is activated and supplies alarm signal the owner of the equipment.
- Mechanical valves "Aquastop".
- Water blockers Water Block.
- Hose "Aquastop" with powder type, if absorbent is present.
- Built-in system with partial protection from a float sensor equipped with a switch.
- Built-in complete blockade system when connecting the Aquastop hose, which has a solenoid valve for collaboration with partial blocking system.
- A complete leakage blocking system using external sensors.
Working with a mechanical valve
The Aquastop mechanical protection valve operates on the principle that it reacts to a sudden change in pressure at those moments when a hose breaks or a mechanical damage. In such situations, the blocking valve, which is located inside flexible pipe, the flow of liquid to the area where a leak is detected is mechanically blocked. The valve allows a certain amount of liquid to pass through, creating working condition, because the spring located inside the hose has design stiffness parameters when a larger volume is not allowed.
In situations where pressure increases, the outlet may be completely blocked by the protection. In situations of minor leaks in threaded connections or small leaks in the inlet hose, the pressure will change little, so the protection may not see the liquid and not sound an alarm.
Water shut-off valve (blocker) Water Block
This protection system differs from others in its operating principle and consists in the fact that it takes into account the volume of liquid passed through the pipe with the valve. The blocking is installed immediately at the very beginning on the inlet hose for the water supply to the washing equipment. There are marks on it that regulate the required volume of liquid, indicated by strokes with a measure of 5 liters.
The locking kit includes special key, with which you can set the volume required for one full wash. If the washing machine's consumption of one full cycle is 50 liters, the regulator should be set to number 10. The protection unit will not allow excess liquid to pass through, because the program precisely determines the amount of water, and in this case the system will block its excess when supplied. It will respond to even minor leaks because it takes into account the volume of fluid flow through it, and this is its advantage.
Powder absorbent in the Aquastop hose
This type of protection is a two-layer sleeve. The protection is located inside an outer sleeve made of corrugated plastic. The purpose of the device is to retain liquid when the inner sleeve is damaged. Running water is supplied through the internal hose, while the device itself is located inside the external hose. If the inner tube is damaged, water collects in the middle of the outer tube. flexible hose, it suddenly fills, the liquid rushes to the automation unit. It is located in the area where the hose is connected to the water supply.
There are two types of similar hoses used in this system. The first is equipped with an automatic lock, which is connected to the installed plunger. It, in turn, is connected to the emergency shut-off valve and the absorbent located there, from which a special spring is connected to the plunger. When liquid hits the absorbent, it expands, and at this moment a plunger with a fixed spring follows the absorbent, while the plunger reliably blocks the entrance of the hole from where the liquid is supplied.
The second type of hoses has magnets built into them. The stable position of the plunger, according to the operating principle, does not depend on the action of the spring, but on the magnetic field created by two constant plates when the like poles of the magnets are facing each other. If the absorbent in the fuse is in a dry state, then the distance between the plates is small, it does not increase, and therefore their mutual repulsive force is large, which keeps the system in equilibrium.
When in contact with liquid, the absorbent expands and the magnets are weakened; in this case, the magnetic field weakens and becomes insignificant, the plunger will be able to block the flow of liquid under pressure from plumbing system tap. The Aquastop blocking is considered reliable only on the hose itself. In a situation where a leak appears on the threaded connections or water begins to flow into the equipment casing, the protection will not respond.
Partial protection system with float sensor and switch
If water flows in the area where the pipe with the machine is connected using a threaded connection, or a leak appears in the equipment body, then liquid begins to appear in the lower pan. “Aquastop” is a spring with a valve in a thick hose for supplying water. To a completely sealed bottom electric machine install a float sensor, which, when a small amount of water suddenly enters and rises above a certain level, floats up. At this moment, the sensor switch located at the base is instantly activated, and an alarm is sounded indicating that a breakdown has occurred. The movement of water instantly stops.
The blocker stops the water and simultaneously turns on the pump, which will pump out the liquid from the body and tank. After the reasons for the appearance of liquid in the housing have been eliminated (for example, the inlet hose has been replaced), it is recommended to dry the float sensor and microswitch thoroughly, and then the protection will work again. If, due to destruction of the pipe or a leak in the threaded connection, the liquid does not appear in the pan, then the blocking protection will not respond to damage to the machine.
Full electromagnetic type protection with combined partial protection
This system represents two blocking systems at the same time: partial protection and a two-layer Aquastop hose with solenoid valves on a special block, which are activated in series, and can be electric or pneumatic.
The system works on the following principle: if a damaged pipe leaks through the drain into the lower pan, when the set level is reached, the liquid will raise the sensor in the form of a float, as described earlier. This protection system is considered the most reliable, but it does not control the occurrence of leakage at the threaded connection.
Full protection with external sensors
Such a system works on the principle “ smart home"and is a special control unit with connected external sensors, which will quickly respond to a leak. Sensors should be placed in all areas where a breakthrough is possible.
Many modifications have light and sound alerts, can transmit SMS messages to the owner. The system may not work if the floor in the house is uneven because the water flows to the side and does not touch the float.
In the technical description of a washing machine or dishwasher you can find such a term as protection against water leaks.What is it? The leakage protection system is a complex technical devices, aimed at protecting the room from flooding with water in the event of an emergency water leak in a household appliance, or if the inlet hose is damaged.
U various manufacturers household appliances, such a system is called differently: Aqua-Stop (Aquastop), Waterproof (Waterproof), Aqua-Safe (Aquasafe), Aqua-Alarm (Aquaelam), but structurally they are made almost the same. Therefore, it will be enough to consider the principle of operation of this system using the example of a familiar washing machine.
Leak protection is truly useful system, it will help you avoid unpleasant consequences flooding of the premises.
2. Types of protection against leaks
According to the degree of protection against leaks, washing machines and dishwashers can be classified into several types:- No leak protection
- Partially protected against leaks
- With full protection against leaks
2.1 Without leakage protection
Most inexpensive washing machines do not have a leakage protection system, that is, to connect to water supply network a standard flexible reinforced hose is installed (hose high pressure) with plastic or metal nuts at the ends. One side of the hose is screwed to the tap, and the other to the solenoid valve for the water supply of the washing machine.If you look under the machine from below, you will notice that the bottom is not covered with anything or, as in many models of Candy and Samsung washing machines, it is covered with decorative dust-proof plastic. Therefore, when any water leak occurs in washing machine or the inlet hose ruptures, all the water flows out onto the floor.
If the washing machine does not have protection against leaks, it is recommended to regularly inspect the condition of the inlet hose, ensure that the washing machine has no signs of water leakage during operation, and each time after washing it is necessary to turn off the water tap, which is installed when connecting the machine.
2.2 Partial leakage protection
It is worth paying attention to what exactly the manufacturer or seller means by the term “partial protection against leaks”. In washing machines with partial or complete protection against leakage, one of the mandatory technical specifications is the presence of a solid plastic or metal pallet. On a pallet, with inside a foam float with an electric microswitch is attached (Fig.1).When water leaks within internal space washing machine, the tray is filled with water, the float floats up and activates the microswitch. When the microswitch is triggered, the electronic control unit of the washing machine goes into emergency mode and the washing program stops. At the same time, the drain pump turns on and water is pumped out of the washing machine tank.
A notification of the activation of the leakage protection system is displayed on the display of the control panel of the washing machine in the form of a corresponding inscription or a fault code. In this case, in order to bring the washing machine into working condition, it is necessary to remove water from the pan, identify and eliminate the cause of the leak.
Rice. 1 Partial protection against leaks (only inside the SM housing)
It is worth mentioning that some manufacturers have standardized the body of the washing machine, so the presence of a tray does not always indicate the presence of protection against leaks.
As you understand, a special float and tray prevent water leakage only in the washing machine itself. Therefore, such protection against leaks can be called partial, since the standard inlet hose for connecting a washing machine does not have any safety system against rupture or damage.
To increase the reliability and emergency protection of the inlet hose itself, its special design has been developed, which we will talk about.
Inlet hose with mechanical safety valve (Fig. 2). The hardware store offers it as additional option. You can purchase and install this hose yourself.
There are two types of such hoses; their purpose and operating principle are the same, but they are externally and structurally different. We will only briefly describe the design and operating principle of such a hose, without going into technical details.
View 1
Rice. 2 Inlet hose with mechanical safety valve
The standard inlet hose is enclosed in a corrugated, sealed plastic casing reminiscent of a washing machine drain hose. On one side there is a nut for connecting to the water supply valve of the washing machine, and on the other side there is a nut and a protective block for connecting to the water tap.
What is the protective system and how does it work?
The main link is a plunger with a spring and an absorbent. In working condition, water flows freely through the plunger into the inlet hose. The spring stiffness of the plunger is selected in such a way that it does not close spontaneously due to the flow of water passing through it, but is in a state of balance.
Let's say that the inlet hose ruptures. Since it is in a closed and sealed protective shell, water will inevitably penetrate into the protective unit. When wetted with water, a special absorbent (located in the protective block) sharply increases in volume, dragging the spring along with it, thereby weakening its effect on the plunger. The state of balance is disturbed and the plunger blocks the access of water under the influence of pressure from the plumbing system.
After the protective system has been triggered, the control eye turns red. This is due to the fact that the absorbent is in a special red plastic container. The disadvantage of such a hose is that after operation protective system it can only be replaced.
View 2
Rice. 3 Inlet hose with mechanical safety valve (on 2 permanent magnets)
How this hose works (Fig.3) the same as the first type.
The only difference is that the stable position of the plunger is ensured not by a spring, but magnetic field two permanent magnets, facing each other with the same poles. While the fuse absorbent is dry, the distance between the magnets is small and the force of their mutual repulsion is high. As soon as the absorbent gets wet and expands, the fuse magnet moves away and the counteraction of the magnetic fields decreases, thereby the plunger blocks the access of water, under the influence of the pressure of the plumbing system.
Another difference. The nut of such a hose has a ratcheting mechanism (ratchet), which allows you to freely screw it (the nut) to the thread of the water tap, and to unscrew it you must hold the pawl pressed.
Just like in a hose type 1, after the protection is triggered, it must only be replaced.
3. Complete protection against leaks
Today it is one of the more reliable systems protection against leaks.It is implemented due to the synchronous operation of a special inlet hose with a normally closed solenoid valve and the already familiar leakage protection system of a washing machine with a float on the tray.
A special hose is designed and installed in the washing machine or dishwasher by the manufacturer.
Such hoses have a special block in which one or two solenoid valves are installed, connected in series, or they combine the operation of an electric and pneumatic valve (this scheme is used in some outdated models of dishwashers). Bosch machines and Siemens). The design of such a hose is shown in (Fig.4) This is the same high-pressure hose placed in a flexible protective sheath.
The valve block (hose inlet) is connected using a nut to the water tap. The solenoid valve is hermetically sealed with a compound from which the power cable stretches along the entire hose and ends with a contact block for connecting it to the electrical circuit of the washing machine.
Rice. 4 Inlet hose with solenoid valve (used in fully leak proof design)
Now let's look at the diagram (Fig. 5), where the structural elements of complete protection against leaks are presented and we’ll figure out how it all works.
Once selected and activated necessary program washing machine, voltage is applied to the solenoid valves of the washing machine and the inlet hose valve, they open and water rushes into the washing machine. When reaching the washing machine tank required level water (the water level is controlled by a pressure switch and an electronic unit), the solenoid valves are turned off by the electronic control unit and the access of water is stopped. The valves are always turned on and off only when right moment. This is how water is drawn in during normal operation of the washing machine.
Rice. 5 Structural elements complete protection against leaks
And if there is a water leak directly in the washing machine itself, then the float floats up in the same way, the switch contacts are activated, electronic circuit gives an alarm, the valves block the flow of water. It turns out that in all cases there is a multi-level cutoff of water from the water supply network. And as you probably noticed, the activating link in this chain is again the float on the tray of the washing machine.
In order to resume operation of the machine, it is necessary to remove water from the pan, identify and eliminate the cause of the leak.
The disadvantages of a hose with a solenoid valve include burnout of the solenoid or damage to the diaphragm, which requires replacing the entire hose or a separate unit, the cost of which can be quite high.
In conclusion, it is worth saying that all types of protection against water leaks in washing machines or dishwashers are local in nature, but they still help out a lot and fully justify their goals. From damage to fittings and threaded connections No one is immune to the water supply system. Therefore, in order to avoid flooding of the entire room, there are more global leakage protection systems.
Plumbing emergencies - horrible dream any home owner. Whether in a house or an apartment, it is equally unpleasant and costly. Only in the case of an apartment does the need for conversations with neighbors below and the costs of eliminating their damages add up. But here the situation is better in the sense that even if you are not at home, the neighbors below will ensure that the water is turned off as soon as they notice signs of a flood. In the case of a private house, equipment that threatens to leak is usually located in rarely visited places - in basements, specially equipped pits. While the owner decides to visit the equipment, he can come to the pool. To avoid such situations, protection against water leaks is necessary. Although this equipment is not cheap, it is becoming increasingly popular. The costs of purchasing and installing it are several times less than the losses that a flood could cause.
What is anti-flood and how does protection against water leaks work?
The anti-flood system consists of several elements: water presence sensors, electrically controlled taps or valves, and a control unit. Sensors for monitoring the presence of water are placed in places where leaks are most likely. Electric taps are placed on risers with water in key places in the water supply and heating systems - in order to minimize the amount of spilled water in the event of an accident. Crane drives and sensors are connected to the monitoring and control unit (controller). It processes signals from sensors and, in the event of an emergency signal, supplies power to the taps. They operate by blocking the flow of water/coolant. Here, in a nutshell, is how water leak protection works.
These systems are installed both for water supply - hot and cold, and for heating. After all, an accident in the heating system is probably even worse than in a water supply system - hotter water causes more damage and can also cause serious burns. In general, for flood protection to be effective, you need to think carefully about the installation locations of sensors and taps.
Where to place the sensors
Since protection against water leaks is designed to protect against flooding, sensors must be placed in all places where water is most likely to appear. It often happens that the system operates with a delay precisely because of incorrectly selected sensor locations. By the time the water reached the sensor, a lot of it spilled out. Based on the experience of the owners, we can recommend the following places for installing water leakage sensors:
When installing water leak sensors, try to position them so that water hits them first. For example, to control a faucet in the kitchen, you need to place the sensor not under the cabinet, but in the cabinet - under the siphon or somewhere in that area. If something happens to the supply to the faucet, the water will first be in the cabinet and only then flow under it.
If you need to control leaks in household appliances- washing machine, dishwasher - place sensors under the equipment. Not next to, but directly next to the connection point of the drain hose.
Where to install taps/valves with electric drive
Installing faucets is not easy. Specific installation locations depend on the system design. If this small apartment with one or two risers - cold and hot water- it's simple. We close off the outlets and that’s it. In more complex systems you have to think about where to install electric cranes.
In apartments
If the water supply is centralized, the system’s leakage valves are placed at the entrance to the apartment/house. It is much better if the taps are located before the meter and filter. But operational services may disagree with this arrangement. They usually require the electric faucet to be located after the meter. In this case, if there is a leak, the connection between the meter and the filter always remains under pressure. It will be impossible to eliminate leaks at these points. You can insist on your point, but you have to prove your point of view.
Advice! Before installing a leakage protection system, contact your management company and find out whether there will be problems when sealing meters if electric taps are installed in front of them.
In some layouts, the apartment may have four risers - two cold and two warm water. In this case, there are two solutions - a more correct one and a more economical one. That's right - install two modules, each of which will serve its own zone. This is more convenient, since an accident will occur only on one of the risers/devices and it is unreasonable to disconnect the opposite part. But two modules mean double costs. To save money, you can install one control unit that will shut off the taps for 4 risers. But in this case, do not forget that you will have to run the wires through the entire apartment.
In the case of heating, too, not everything is simple. Most high-rise buildings have vertical wiring. This is when there is a riser in each (or almost every) room and one or two radiators are powered from it. It turns out that for each outlet it is necessary to install at least one tap - for supply. But then the water contained in the radiator and pipes will leak out. This, of course, is not so much, but sometimes a couple of liters is enough for the neighbors below to have a stain on the ceiling. On the other hand, installing two taps on each radiator is too expensive.
In a private house
To prevent the pump from pumping water in the event of an accident, it is necessary to use a water leakage protection controller with a power relay. If power is supplied to the pump through the contacts of this relay, simultaneously with the signal to close the ball valves or valves, the power to the pump will be turned off. Why not just turn off the power to the pump? Because in this case, all the water that is in the system can spill into the resulting gap. And this is usually a lot.
To understand in which places in the water supply system of a private home it is necessary to install taps to prevent water leaks, you need to study the diagram. Most often they put shut-off valves with electric drives after pumping station and on the boiler.
Heating is a little more complicated. You should not block the flow of coolant if it is impossible to immediately extinguish the boiler. That is, in systems with solid fuel boilers Water leakage control can only be installed if it does not block the circulation of the coolant. If there is a small circulation circuit, you can install valves so that this small circuit is running while the rest of the system is turned off. If a heat accumulator is installed in the system, it is necessary to install the taps so that water does not spill out of it. These are large-volume containers - at least 500 liters, and usually many times more. If all the liquid spills out, it won't seem like much.
In heating systems with automated boilers, taps may block circulation. If the water leakage protection works and blocks the circulation, the boiler will stop due to overheating. This is not a completely normal situation, but it is not an emergency either.
Some technical points
Wired sensors usually come with 2 meter cables. They are also sold with the same cable length. Ball Valves with electric drive. This is not always enough. You can increase the length using a cable recommended by the manufacturer. Brands are usually indicated in the instruction manual. Only upon purchase. Unfortunately, very often the actual diameter is much smaller than the declared one.
- for wired sensors, shielded is suitable twisted pair with a core cross-section of at least 0.35 mm²;
- for taps - power cable in two-layer insulation with a core cross-section of at least 0.75 mm².
It is advisable to make the connection serviceable. That is, if you are laying wires in a wall or floor, the connection must be made in a junction box. - any, reliable (soldering, contactors of any type since the equipment is low-current). It is better to lay wires in walls or floors in pipes. In this case, it will be possible to replace the damaged cable without opening the gate.
Protection against water leaks: parameters and selection criteria
Decide on the number of sensors and shut-off valves not so difficult, especially since many systems easily allow you to expand the scope of control. It is only important not to exceed the maximum allowable amount of equipment. But choosing a manufacturer is much more difficult - you can’t change it. Below we present the most popular systems on Russian market: , " " And " ".
Nutrition
First, let's look at how power is supplied to different parts of the flood protection system:
- The voltage on the control unit must be constant.
- Electrically driven faucets are powered only for the period of operation - maximum - 2 minutes (Hydrolock).
- For wired type sensors - only for the period of status polling (a very short period of time).
- Wireless sensors operate on batteries.
Water leakage protection can operate on 220V, 12V and 4.5V. Generally speaking, the safest supply is 12V or lower.
Power types
Some systems are designed in such a way that the control unit is powered by 220 V, and a safe voltage of 12 V or less is supplied to the electric taps and sensors. In other options, 220 V can be supplied to the taps (some of the Neptune options). Voltage is supplied briefly - only at the moment when it is necessary to turn off the water. This occurs after an accident is detected and periodically to check and maintain the functionality of the system. The rest of the time the taps are de-energized. Which option suits you best is up to you to decide.
Also pay attention to the presence backup source nutrition. If you have your own redundant power supply system (batteries, generator), this parameter can be omitted. Otherwise, having a backup power source is highly desirable. Moreover, we need to look at how long the equipment can operate in autonomous mode. In this sense, much more practical than the system operating from 12 V: if desired, you can install a battery with suitable parameters and thereby extend the system’s operation in offline mode. Although, some systems (Hydrolock, for example) are on backup power ( rechargeable batteries) can work for up to a year. During this time the electricity will definitely be turned on...
Electric cranes: which ones are better?
Let’s say right away that there is protection against water leaks based on valves and ball valves. Ball valves are more reliable. They are more expensive, but they work many times more reliably. When choosing, take the one with ball valves that shut off the water, not valves. There are no options.
But ball valves are also different. Here are the requirements they must meet:
- Made from brass or of stainless steel. These metals should be used for housings, rods and locking balls. Only in this case will they serve for a long time.
- Full bore valves. This means that when open, the cross-section of the valve is no less than the cross-section of the pipe on which it is installed. In this case, they do not interfere with the flow.
Neptune ball valves can be recognized by the presence of a lever that makes it easy to shut off the water in manual mode
All market leaders - Akvastorozh, Gidrolok and Neptune - use only such cranes. They can be produced by different companies, but are made of high-quality metal. If the cheaper kits don't specify the material or type of faucet (full bore or not), look elsewhere.
Durability and closing time
We also need to talk about the parameters of electric drives. How reliable and durable they are depends on how much reliable protection from water leaks and the system is operational. Therefore, the gearbox and drive gears must be made of durable and reliable material. Most durable material, which can be used here is metal. If we talk about the most well-known systems, the following situation is observed on this point:
- In the Hydrolock system, gearboxes and gears are made of metal.
- The Aqua Watchman has gears made of metal latest versions system, the gearbox remained plastic.
- Neptune does not cover drive materials.
Another important characteristic is the closing time of ball valves. In theory, the sooner the water supply is shut off in an emergency, the better. Here the undisputed leader is Aquaguard - the ball valves close in 2.5-3 seconds. But this speed is achieved:
- installing additional gaskets, which reduces ball friction but increases the risk of leaks;
- small torque, and the small force applied when closing the tap can result in the fact that if it hits foreign object(sand, scale, etc.) or when overgrown with salts, the tap simply will not close.
Electric ball crane "Aquastorozh Expert-20". Input voltage 4.5 to 5.5 V
Closing force and manual mode
If we talk about the magnitude of torque, the leader here is protection against water leaks Hydrolock. Its electric drives can develop a force of up to 450 kg/m. This is a very large indicator, but these parameters are for large-section cranes, which are not used in apartments and houses. Nevertheless, half-inch and inch ones are also very powerful - they can develop a force of up to 100 kg/m. Moreover, the applied force increases in steps - if necessary, it increases from nominal to maximum.
And this is Gidrolok’s signature trick - the crane breaks a pencil... Impressive!
There is one more point: the ability to turn off the electric tap manually. Aquawatch and Hydrolock have parity in this regard: you need to remove the drive by unscrewing several bolts (for Hydrolock - 2, for Aquawatch - 4), then manually turn the tap. Neptune is ahead in this regard: its drives have a lever, by turning which you manually open or close the water. But these faucets are included with the most expensive of the kits.
Neptun Bugatti Pro 12 B 1/2″ faucet with lever on the body. If the drive housing is green, then the power supply is 12 Volts. Taps designed for 220 Volts have a blue drive housing
Features of the operating algorithm
The principle of operation of any protection against water leakage is the same: when an emergency signal appears, it shuts off the water supply and turns on the alarm. In this all systems are similar, but there are certain features that some like and others don’t.
The first feature is related to the processing of signals from sensors and taps. Some systems monitor the integrity of the wires that go to faucets and wired sensors. In addition, if wireless sensors are present, they are polled regularly. This is all great and such systems are more reliable, but the reaction to a “missing” sensor or faulty wire can be different:
- on the Hydrolock remote control, the alarm for sensor loss or faucet malfunction lights up, but the water does not turn off;
- If any of the sensors or taps are lost, the water watchman shuts off the water;
- at Neptune, only the response of the sensors is monitored and, based on the results, an alarm lights up without specifying the location.
Here everyone chooses for themselves which option suits them best. Both ways of reacting are imperfect, so there is no single answer.
The second parameter for choosing a leak protection system is the frequency of checking the functionality of the taps. Since we are far from water best quality, if left idle for a long time, the shut-off ball may become “overgrown” with salts or, as they say, “stick.” To prevent this from happening, the controllers periodically “move” the taps. The frequency varies:
- protection against water leaks Gidrolock (Gidrolock) tests once a week;
- any Aquaguard controller turns the ball valves once every two weeks;
- Some Neptune options do not have this function; there are those that open/close taps once every two weeks.
Some fear that testing the functionality of the faucets will catch them in the shower. Of course, it’s not pleasant to be soaped without water, but none of the owners have ever complained about such cases. So it's not nearly as dangerous as it seems))
Some features of popular systems
In order to somehow highlight their protection against water leaks, manufacturers are trying to improve reliability or come up with other moves. It is impossible to systematize these features, but it is better to know about them when choosing.
Capabilities of one block
U different manufacturers one control unit can control different quantity devices. So it won't hurt to know this.
- One Hydrolock controller can service a large number of wired or wireless sensors (200 and 100 pieces, respectively) and up to 20 ball valves. This is great - at any time you can install additional sensors or install several more cranes, but such a reserve of capacity is not always in demand.
- One Akastorozh controller can service up to 12 wired sensors. To connect wireless, you need to install an additional unit (designed for 8 Aquawatch Radio units). To increase the number of wired ones, install another module. This modular expansion is more pragmatic.
- Neptune has control units of different powers. The most inexpensive and simple ones are designed for 2 or 4 taps, for 5 or 10 wired sensors. But they do not check the functionality of the taps and do not have a backup power source.
As you can see, everyone's approach is different. And these are just the leaders. There are even smaller campaigns and Chinese companies (where would we be without them) that either repeat one of the above plans or combine several.
Additional functions
Additional ones are not always unnecessary. For example, for those who are often on the road, the ability to control cranes from a distance is far from superfluous.
- Gidrolok and Akvatorozh have the ability to turn off water remotely. There is a special button for this purpose. front door. Go out for a long time - press and turn off the water. Aquawatch has such a button in two versions: radio and wired. Gidrolok has only wired ones. The Aquastore radio button can be used to determine the “visibility” of the wireless sensor installation location.
- Hydrolock, Aquawatch and some Neptune variants can send signals to the dispatch service, security and fire alarm, can be built into the smart home system.
- Hydrolock and Akvastorozh check the integrity of the wiring to the taps and their position (some systems, not all). In Hydrolock, the position of the locking ball is controlled by an optical sensor. That is, when checking there is no voltage in the tap. The Aqua Watchman has a contact pair, that is, at the time of testing, voltage is present. Protection against water leaks Neptune also monitors the position of the taps using a contact pair.
The hydrolock can be controlled using GSM module— via SMS (commands to turn on and off). Also, in the form of text messages, signals about accidents and “disappearances” of sensors, broken cables to electric taps and malfunctions can be sent to the phone.
Always being aware of the condition of your home is a useful option
On the issue of reliability: power supply and other issues
Reliable operation does not only depend on the reliability of the cranes and controllers. Much depends on the power supply, on how long each of the units can work in autonomous mode.
- Aquawatch and Hydrolock have backup power sources. Both systems shut off the water before the backup power supply is completely discharged. Neptune only has batteries for the last two models of controllers, and then the taps do not close when discharged. The rest - earlier and less expensive models - have a 220 V power supply and no protection.
- Neptune's wireless sensors operate at a frequency of 433 kHz. It happens that the control unit “does not see” them through the partitions.
- If the batteries in the Gidroloka wireless sensor run out, the alarm on the controller lights up, but the taps do not close. The signal is generated several weeks before the battery is completely discharged, so there is time to change it. In a similar situation, the Aqua Watchman shuts off the water. By the way, the Hydrolock battery is soldered. So changing it is not so easy.
- Aquawatch has a lifetime warranty on any sensors.
- Neptune has wired sensors that are installed flush with the finishing material.
We looked at all the features of the three most popular manufacturers of water leakage protection systems. In short, the worst thing about the Aquawatch is the plastic gearbox on the drive; the worst thing about the Hydrolock is the high power of the system and, accordingly, the price. Neptune - inexpensive systems are powered by 220 V, do not have a backup power source and do not check the functionality of the taps.
Naturally there are Chinese systems protection against leaks, but they should be selected with caution.