Why is Aquastop for a dishwasher needed? Dishwashers and aqua-stop system
Modern dishwashers have leakage protection systems called aquastop. An unexpected leak from water hammer, burst or worn out seals can lead to significant costs, especially if your neighbors are flooded. Therefore, such protection is very important for uninterrupted and safe work dishwasher.
Aquastop looks like a casing with a valve on the fluid supply hose. If there is an unexpected change in pressure, it is triggered and the flow of water into the washing hopper stops. The simplest option is mechanically driven protection, which is also called external. Its effectiveness is slightly lower than alternative, more technologically advanced options.
Types of protection
Depending on the price, the dishwasher may have different types aquastop. They have different design and operating principle. There are three such options:
- Mechanical is the simplest.
- Mechanical with absorbent filler is more complex.
- Electromagnetic is the most technologically advanced and reliable.
Mechanical
This species is gradually becoming a thing of the past. Structurally is a plastic housing on an inlet hose, inside of which a valve with a spring is installed. At normal pressure water is supplied as usual. Changing it triggers the spring, which tightly blocks the outlet. The system is reliable, prevents leaks in 85% of cases, but is inferior to other options.
Mechanics with absorbent
The mechanical part consists of a plunger, valve and spring. There is a special tank for the chemical component. Operating principle:
- when there is a leak, water enters the tank;
- as a result of contact with moisture, the volume of the absorbent increases;
- a spring is activated, which presses on the plunger;
- the latter closes the valve.
A high-quality system ensures almost one hundred percent leak prevention.
The only drawback is the impossibility of reuse. After activation, the filler hardens, and the hose with casing requires replacement with a new one.
Electromagnetic
This type gives 99% protection. Can be made in single-valve or double-valve version. The casing is complemented by a tray with a float, which is located at the bottom of the machine. The system turns on when water enters the casing. What happens next is:
- water flows into the pan;
- when it is filled, the float floats up;
- the lever he raises closes the contact;
- the solenoid valve shuts off the water flow.
Trigger Signs
When the lock is activated, the water supply stops and the machine does not start the washing mode. But such a situation can also arise for other reasons. Before drawing a conclusion about the condition of the aquastop, you need to find out why it worked. To do this, you need to inspect the filler section on the hose and check the condition of the pan. In addition, if there is a malfunction, an error code will appear on the display.
Error code
To inform the user about the status of the device, a display is provided on its front panel. The machine's communication language consists of special codes that inform about errors. Models from the German brand Bocsh have a system activation code of E15.
The indication value is always written in the operating instructions. But it is not always possible to check the reason for the trigger through the code value.
Visual inspection
In situations where there is no indication and the device refuses to work, it is necessary to inspect the condition of the valve. Its tight contact with the inner edge of the nut is a sure sign of activation of the leakage protection. For inspection you need:
- turn off the water supply;
- remove the hose with aquastop;
- Make sure there is no gap between the valve and the fastening nut.
Pallet condition
On machines with electromagnetic protection additional method checks - inspection of the pallet. To do this with front side of the device, you need to remove the lower protective strip and check the pan for the presence of water in it. Its presence will confirm that the valve is blocked.
Restoring working condition
Plus mechanical protection is that it can be used repeatedly. After eliminating the cause and consequences of the leak, it is enough to cock the spring until it clicks and the device is ready for use. Alternative options will require replacing the hose. The procedure is simple and takes a few minutes. Necessary:
- Shut off the water supply.
- Remove the used hose with casing.
- Screw on a new one.
If there is an electromagnetic option, you will need to connect the contacts of the casing to the recognition sensor. After this, you can resume operation of the machine.
With Aquastop, the leak will almost always be eliminated. However, its small probability still exists. To prevent a leak from becoming an unpleasant surprise, regularly inspect the dishwasher and the area around it for leakage.
Protection against water leaks will allow you to save significant funds that will be required to repair your apartment and the apartments of your neighbors, who may suffer from a water leak as a result of a breakdown or damage to the inlet hose of the washing machine / dishwasher. To protect against the consequences of water leaks, it is necessary to turn off the water supply to the washing machine/dishwasher in a timely manner. But what if the accident occurred in your absence? To prevent such a situation, a valve is installed on the water supply tap to the washing machine/dishwasher that automatically turns off the water supply in the event of a water leak. The Aquastop safety valve automatically responds to a drop in pressure in the washing machine/dishwasher connection system. Unlike electronic leakage protection sensors, Aquastop instantly responds when the pressure in the system drops, does not require special installation skills, is easy to use, much cheaper than its analogues, and does not require an electrical connection.
AQUASTOP UDI valve - patented protective device of UDI LLC is a water leakage protection system designed specifically for automatic shutdown water supply in the event of water leaks in the water supply system associated with a rupture/break of the inlet hose of the washing machine or dishwasher.
| The AQUASTOP UDI safety valve is manufactured in three versions: | ||
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Fitting, art. UDI-AQUASTOP 3/4" |
Monoblock, art. 877 AQ siteS NEW |
Monoblock, art. 884 AQ siteS NEW |
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Installation of AQUASTOP UDI fitting |
According to the results of studies on sanitary fittings with a safety valve UDI-Aquastop, manufactured in Italy at the plant of Valvosanitaria Bugatti S.p.a., received Technical Conclusion No. 630 / 02.14 . Taps and fittings with UDI-Aquastop valve manufactured by Valvosanitaria Bugatti S.p.a. (Italy) recommended for installation when modifying water supply lines to household appliances such as washing machines and dishwashers . |
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NEW versions of the UDI-AQUASTOP safety valve(monoblocks "faucet+Aquastop") have distinctive features: The metal body of fittings and taps with Aquastop is made of nickel-plated brass brand CW617N. The AQUASTOP valve is manufactured in Italy specifically by order of UDI LLC. Devices with built-in AQUASTOP UDI valve have no analogues, are easy to install, do not require complex installation work, work without external sources power supply and reliable in operation. |
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AQUASTOP UDI: These videos demonstrate the operation of the AQUASTOP UDI protective device |
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| Tests on Channel One on the air of the program "Habitat: Rise of the Dummies" | ||
The study of taps and fittings with the UDI-Aquastop valve was carried out at the Santekhoborudovanie testing center of NIIsantekhniki OJSC, Moscow- a leading Russian research organization specializing in this area of industry.The inlet hose of the washing machine, which 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 machines 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 triggered and sends an alarm signal to the owner of the equipment.
- Mechanical valves "Aquastop".
- Water blockers Water Block.
- “Aquastop” hose with powder type, if absorbent is present.
- An embedded system that has 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 the flexible pipe, mechanically the flow of liquid to the area where a leak is detected is blocked. The valve allows a certain amount of fluid to pass through, creating an operating 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 water inlet hose 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 contains a special key with which you can set the volume required for one full wash. If the washing machine consumes one full cycle is 50 liters, you should set the regulator 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 flexible hose, it suddenly fills, and 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 principle of operation, does not depend on the action of the spring, but on the one created by two constant plates magnetic field when like poles of magnets face 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 the tap water supply system. 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 pipe damage or leakage in threaded connection If the liquid does not appear in the pan, 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 there is a leak from a damaged pipe drainage 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 and 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.
Today there are many technologies that can protect your home from all kinds of troubles. One of them is the Aquastop system. Protection against water leaks is carried out automatically. Such a device can save repairs for both apartment owners and their neighbors who live below. The device includes several elements, the installation of which can be done independently. Today, several systems of this type are presented to the consumer. User reviews will help you choose the best one. Protecting your home from a flood is quite simple. The use of Aquastop can save significant funds in the family budget.
general characteristics
Many manufacturers of household appliances related to plumbing equip their products with built-in protection against leaks. However, this only applies to top models, and they won’t be able to help with a flood due to a breakdown of, for example, a faucet.
To protect yourself from troubles, it is necessary to provide protection globally, and not just from the side of a possible breakdown of the washing machine. Here it would be more correct to shut off the water supply riser to the apartment. That's the point smart system"Aquastop". Protection against water leaks is carried out on the scale of the entire apartment. The elements included in its composition, thanks to their coordinated work, block the flow on the common main supply line to the apartment. This guarantees 100% prevention of property damage from the water supply.
Equipment
There are 3 main elements that are included in the Aquastop system. Protection against water leaks (photo below) is carried out using electric ball valves, a controller and humidity increase sensors. If water gets on the floor, it is caught by the sensor.
Sensors can be located in the kitchen or bathroom. They can be tied to one controller. This is the “brain” of the entire system. It processes the signal received from the sensors and, if necessary, cuts off the electrical Ball Valves. The latter are installed in cold and hot water supply pipes. Sensors can be wired or wireless. Their number in the kit varies depending on the type of system. Whatever equipment is included in this device, you can install it yourself.
Installation of ball valves
There is a certain technology that allows you to install the Aquastop system. Protection against water leaks, installation of which is carried out on your own, will require studying the sequence of actions. Electric ball valves should be embedded into pipes behind manual inlet valves. Under no circumstances should they be installed before or instead of shut-off valves.
Before installation, the water supply is shut off. Next, the wiring is disconnected from the input valve. Then the system taps are installed. If the thread is external, it is simply screwed onto the communications. When it is internal, you will have to use the “American” one. The thread is wrapped with a sealant (fum tape, tow). The system tap is screwed to the valve in a certain direction. It is indicated by an arrow. Pipes are connected.
Controller
The control device has the main requirement during the installation of the Aquastop system - protection against water leaks. What kind of device this is is easy to understand by its appearance. Photo provided below.
This is digital equipment. Therefore, it does not like high humidity. Durability will be ensured by its installation in a dry, splash-proof place. Humidity should not exceed 70%. By selecting appropriate place, you need to screw the plate to the wall with self-tapping screws. It is included in the kit. When this work is completed, you need to install the controller. It is mounted on a screwed plate.
Sensors
After carrying out the above manipulations, it occurs next stage installation of the Aquastop device. Installation of a water leakage protection system now involves the installation of sensors.
With their wireless options, everything is simple. Such sensors are installed in areas of probable leakage. But with wired varieties you will have to tinker. The wires can be left exposed or hidden behind the baseboard, between the seams. The sensor is usually attached with tape or a screw to the floor. It is closed with a decorative cap.
Connection
When all the elements of the system are in place, they need to be connected to each other. The corresponding controller connectors (indicated by inscriptions) are connected to the control device at the required terminals. Wireless devices are already registered in the controller’s memory. You don't have to connect them.
The battery pack must be connected to the board. It has a special connector for this. The block is connected to the main part of the controller. To do this, the wires are pulled through a special hole. If the system is wireless, you need to connect the battery pack to the radio base. They are then attached to the controller. The entire work takes from 1 to 4 hours. If you follow the instructions, it will be quite simple.
Users of water-based household appliances hear these phrases all the time: in specialized stores, many sellers quite often insert these words into their speech when explaining the advantages of the home appliances they sell. What is called the Aquastop system, how is it used for active protection dishwasher, what it consists of and how to replace it yourself - we will try to answer all these questions in the article.
In world practice, any protection against leaks is called Aqua-Stop or Aqua-Control. In principle, this is an ordinary water supply hose for household appliances, only enclosed in a special protective cover with a device that shuts off the water in case of unforeseen circumstances: a hose breaks, it leaks due to a crack, etc. Thus, the built-in protection system protects you from unwanted flooding. Its task is to immediately turn off the water supply to household appliances
, dishwasher or laundry assistant to prevent water from leaking onto the floor. Many homeowners don't even realize that pressure in plumbing system quite large, and water hammers - a sudden increase in internal pressure - occur often. Without reliable system
You simply cannot do without hose protection.
- The standard Aquastop system consists of the following main parts:
- block of mechanical or solenoid valves;
- water inlet hose into the device;
- pallet;
- float;
- safety wire;
excess water release button.
Aquastop device: A - Solenoid valve, C - inlet hose B - control cable D - Leaks (water hoses) All modern home appliances that use water are protected from unwanted leaks during the manufacturing process. Each manufacturer wants users to buy only its model, so in addition to the inlet hose, they supply their products special pallets
with electromechanical devices.
- The whole system works smoothly and quite efficiently:
- When the equipment is connected to the power grid, then safety valve voltage is applied, it opens, but the working valve is still closed.
- If the user presses the start button and the machine begins a cycle, then service valve opens.
- If a leak occurs, all water flows into the pan (3), where its level is monitored float control(4). If the water level rises, the contacts open. The safety wire (5) is designed to cut off the power going to a similar valve, the current supply is interrupted - the valve shuts off the water supply.
- After eliminating all faults, you need to press the reset button, and the system is ready for operation again.
Every well-known brand of household appliances today uses just such a leak protection system, because it is of a double type: Aquastop of the inlet hose - external protection, and protects the equipment itself internal system Aqua control.
Inlet hose protection
The industry produces special hoses with built-in mechanisms to shut off the water supply. different ways. There are the following systems that are responsible for protecting against unwanted leaks of the inlet hose:
- mechanical;
- using an absorbent;
- electromagnetic type.
The first option is now used very rarely, but you can find it on budget Bosch dishwashers. The system consists of a valve and springs designed for a certain water pressure - when a leak occurs, it drops, the spring is activated and the valve shuts off the flow of water. Such a system is not able to recognize small leaks from a fistula or leaking gaskets, which can cause a lot of harm.
A system with a mechanical type Aquastop recognizes only 147 leaks out of 1 thousand, and this is only no more than 85% of protection, which today is considered much lower than the norm.
At its core, such a system works like one hose inside another, made of corrugated plastic: if the inner layer is damaged, then the plastic one will be quite reliable protection.
Mechanical type
When a leak occurs, the protection system is immediately activated - the red indicator on the housing lights up, and the water is turned off.
Mechanical valve, installed on drain device, after activation due to failure of the hose, it is unsuitable for further use. Therefore, a new drain hose is installed, which is the main disadvantage of such protection against leaks.
Application based protection system absorbent It is used much more often, its operation is not complicated: moisture from the leak flows into a special reservoir with an absorbent, which instantly swells, expanding at the same time, thereby blocking the access of water to the dishwasher using a valve.
Using an absorbent
The main disadvantage is the fact that it also disposable: the absorbent inside the body swells and hardens, tightly locking the valve, eliminating the possibility of its reuse, including the hose. Systems using an absorbent come with a plunger or only with a spring; there are no others in world practice.
Electromechanical The protection system with Aquastop works according to a similar scheme as the system with an absorbent, but its basis is an electromagnetic valve. The body of such a device may have one or two valves. Water flows through the hose into the pan of the Bosch machine, the device with the absorbent begins to absorb it, swells - the valve blocks the access of water to the machine.
Experts say that Aqua-control, working with a solenoid valve, does not provide protection in only 8 cases out of 1000 leaks.
Electromechanical protection system
Possible problems
The main problem with hoses with Aquastop is the impossibility of extending them or installing them in hard-to-reach places. Due to the dimensions of the rather massive body, connection to the tap can be very problematic. In addition, many users Bosch machines
They assure that the housing must be installed with the arrow pointing down, so when installing, check your actions with the included instructions. If any leak occurs, the machine displays error E15 - if the Aqua control system has worked, check the instructions and everything will become clear to you. But sometimes such a warning does not appear on the display, but water does not flow into the car
- . In this case, your actions should have the following sequence:
- close the water supply tap to the device;
- unscrew the hose equipped with the Aquastop system;
- look inside the hose - the valve should be visible immediately behind the nut;
if there is no gap between it and the nut body, the system has worked and water will not pass through such a hose to the machine.
To be completely sure, you need to unscrew the lower front panel, shine a flashlight into the pan: if there is water, then the protection system has worked, all that remains is to find the leak.
Replacing an old hose is not a difficult job - we turn off the water and dismantle the hose, and install a new one in its place. If you used a system with a solenoid valve, then you need to carefully connect the wire with the plug to the sensor, which is located next to the filler inlet on the machine.
Any system is quite effective and protects your household appliances from various leaks and troubles ending in a flood. It is not for nothing that experts advise installing Aquastop protection systems; they work simply - any user who does not have any technical knowledge can carry out the replacement.
