What is it? The leakage protection system is a complex technical devices, aimed at protection against flooding of the premises with water in the event of an emergency leakage of water into household appliance, or if the inlet hose is damaged.
Different manufacturers of household appliances have different names for such a system: Aqua-Stop, Waterproof, Aqua-Safe, Aqua-Alarm, but they are structurally almost identical. Therefore, it will be enough to consider the principle of operation of this system using the example of the familiar to us washing machine.
Leakage protection really useful system, she will help you avoid unpleasant consequences flooding the premises.
2. Types of protection against leaks
According to the degree of protection against leaks, washing machines and dishwashers can be roughly classified into several types:- No leakage protection
- WITH partial protection from leaks
- With Full Leakage Protection
2.1 Without leak protection
Most inexpensive washing machines do not have a leakage protection system, that is, a standard flexible reinforced hose (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 washing machine's water supply solenoid valve.If you look under the machine from below, you will notice that the bottom is not covered by anything or, like in many models of Candy and Samsung washing machines, it is covered with decorative dustproof plastic. Therefore, when any water leakage occurs in the washing machine or a rupture of the inlet hose occurs, 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, make sure that the washing machine does not have any traces of water leakage during operation, and every time after washing it is necessary to turn off the water tap, which is installed when the machine is connected.
2.2 Partial leakage protection
It is worth paying attention to what exactly the manufacturer or seller means by the term "partial leakage protection". V washing machines with partial or full protection against leaks, one of the mandatory technical conditions is the presence of a one-piece plastic or metal pallet. On a pallet, with inside attaches a foam float with an electric microswitch (Fig. 1).When water leaks within interior space washing machine, the tray is filled with water, the float floats up and activates the microswitch. On the signal of microswitch actuation, the electronic control unit of the washing machine goes into emergency mode and the washing program stops. This turns on the drain pump and the water is pumped out of the washing machine tank.
The warning 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 pallet, identify and eliminate the cause of the leak.
Rice. 1 Partial protection against leaks (only inside the CM housing)
It should be noted that some manufacturers have standardized the body of the washing machine, so the presence of a pallet does not always indicate the presence of protection against leaks.
As you can imagine, a special float and drip 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 the 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 tell you about.
Inlet hose with mechanical safety valve (Fig. 2)... In a hardware store, it is offered as an additional option. You can purchase and install this hose yourself.
There are two types of such hoses, the purpose and principle of operation are the same, but they differ externally and structurally. We will only briefly describe the device and the principle of operation 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 sheath resembling drain hose washing machine. 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 a water tap.
What is the defense system and how does it work?
The main link is the spring plunger and the absorbent. In working condition, water flows through the plunger into the inlet hose without hindrance. The spring rate of the plunger is selected in such a way that it does not shut off spontaneously due to the flow of water passing through it, but is in a state of balance.
Let's say that the inlet hose has ruptured. Since it is in a closed and sealed containment, water will inevitably seep into the containment unit. When wetted with water, a special absorbent (located in the protective block) sharply increases in volume, dragging the spring along, 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 the pressure of the water supply system on it.
After the safety system has been triggered, the sight glass 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 triggering protective system it should only be replaced.
View 2
Rice. 3 Inlet hose with mechanical safety valve (with 2 permanent magnets)
How this hose works (Fig. 3) the same as in the first species.
The only difference is that the stable position of the plunger is provided not by a spring, but magnetic field two permanent magnets facing each other with the poles of the same name. As long as the absorbent of the fuse is dry, the distance between the magnets is small and the force of their mutual repulsion is large. As soon as the absorbent gets wet and expands, the fuse magnet moves away and the counteraction of the magnetic fields is reduced, thereby the plunger blocks the access of water, under the influence of the pressure of the water supply system on it.
Another difference. The nut of such a hose has a ratchet mechanism (ratchet), which allows you to freely screw it (nut) to the thread of the water tap, and to unscrew it, you must hold down the pawl.
Like the hose type 1, after the protection has tripped, it must only be replaced.
3. Complete protection against leaks
Today it is one of the more reliable systems protection against leaks.It is realized due to the synchronous operation of a special inlet hose with a normally closed solenoid valve and the familiar leakage protection system of a washing machine with a float on the pallet.
A special hose is structurally provided and installed in the washing machine or dishwasher already 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 a pneumatic valve (this scheme is used in some outdated models dishwashers Bosch and Siemens). The device of such a hose is shown in (Fig. 4) This is the same high pressure hose enclosed in a flexible protective sheath.
The valve block (hose inlet) is connected with a nut to the water tap. The solenoid valve is hermetically sealed with a compound from which the power cable runs along the entire hose and ends with a terminal block for connecting it to the electrical circuit of the washing machine.
Rice. 4 Inlet hose with solenoid valve (used in a fully leakproof design)
Now let's look at the circuit for (Fig. 5), where the structural elements of complete protection against leaks are presented and we will figure out how it all works.
After the required washing program has been selected and activated, voltage is applied to the solenoid valves of the washing machine and the valve of the inlet hose, they open and water rushes into the washing machine. When the required water level in the washing machine tank is reached (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 water access is interrupted. The valves always turn on and off only at the right time. This is how water is collected in the normal operating mode of the washing machine.
Rice. 5 Structural elements of complete protection against leaks
And if water leaks directly in the washing machine itself, then the float floats up in the same way, the switch contacts are activated, the electronic circuit issues an alarm, the valves block the water flow. 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 of this chain is again the float on the tray of the washing machine.
In order to resume the operation of the machine, it is necessary to remove water from the pallet, 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, in which it is necessary to change the hose as a whole or separately, the unit, the cost of which can be quite high.
In conclusion, it should be said that all types of protection against water leaks in washing machines or dishwashers are local in nature, but still help out great and fully justify their goals. No one is insured against damage to fittings and threaded connections of the water supply system. Therefore, in order to avoid flooding the entire room, there are more global leakage protection systems.
Every washing machine is a valid source of leakage. But modern manufacturing companies have thought of a solution to such a problem. The solution was “aquastop for a washing machine”. This device is designed to ensure the safety of your and your neighbor's apartment from unexpected problems in the form of flooding.
Aquastop comes as a device that can protect your premises from flooding that can occur due to any damage to the washing machine hose.
Causes of leaking washing machine
The so-called washing structure can be damaged for completely different reasons:
- may burst;
- the possibility of being cut due to sharp corners, any objects;
- may even be spoiled by your pets.
Also, you do not need to dump the possibility of a hose break, because you are also not immune from such a problem. Yours, a small crack in the tube fitting that leads to your machine would be enough for her.
Any problem will lead you to a large investment of time, as well as money that you will spend on renovating your own and, in the worst cases, also your neighbor's apartment.
The principle of operation of aquastop
Aquastop is presented in the form of a valve with a special spring. This spring is instantly triggered depending on the pressure drop in the tube.
For example, if the aquastop system in the washing machine detects an unexpected leak, then the water that enters your washing machine at that moment is blocked off at the same second. In this case, you do not even need to worry about opening / closing the tap that supplies liquid to the inlet hose of the machine.
One of the main features of this system is a rather thick water supply hose that can withstand up to 70 bar, when the simplest standard water supply can only withstand 10 bar. It is in this hose that the already known one is installed, which is also located in the washing structure itself.
The solenoid valve is also called a safety valve. Its usual position is closed.
Manufacturing companies have thought through the entire system to the smallest detail. The inlet hose itself is leaky, so the water flows into a special sump. There is a certain sensitive element in the pallet, which instantly closes all the valve contacts, which is the closure of the hose and, accordingly, the cessation of the water supply.
Also, the aquastop system can stop the supply of water to the washing machine with a rather coarse and incorrectly calculated dose of detergent (powder) - this is another distinctive feature... This is due to the fact that the resulting foam, when the so-called bottom tank is overfilled, will come out and overflow from this tank. In such machines, the functions of pumping water are most often present, but they can only be triggered if the working (or the emergency valve) does not fulfill its task in such a situation.
A fairly common problem among owners of washing machines, be it Kandy, Zanussi or, is water leakage. The fact is that the inlet hose that supplies tap water may leak. Naturally, this does not happen in the first 12 months of operation, but after a longer service life of this type of equipment.
Such a nuisance threatens with unforeseen repairs. household appliance and even the likely flooding of the neighbors from below. To avoid such situations, manufacturers such as Siemens, Miele, Samsung equip washing machines with an aquastop system. To understand how this type of protection works, you need to understand the location and the principle of operation of the aquastop system.
Where is Aquastop located and how it works
Due to the peculiarities of the water supply to the washing device vulnerability the inlet hose may become. As already mentioned, over time, its integrity can be violated, and therefore it is advisable to equip it with a protective mechanism. Also, the second place of leakage can be the internal mechanism of the machine. Thus, the protection is established by:
- in the water supply hose;
- inside the washing machine.
Valve on the inlet hose
The installed mechanism in the inlet hose looks like a spring-loaded valve made of durable material that does not corrode. At the moment of a sharp drop in pressure in the water supply system, the lumen of the hose closes. In this case, you can hear a characteristic click, after which the flow of water into the machine stops. This device only works when there is a significant difference in the volume of the incoming liquid. It cannot react to small, but tangible and unpleasant leaks for users.
In the case of an insignificant difference in the volume of incoming water, absorbent aquastops do well. They look like a double walled tube. If water seeps through a damaged interior pipes, then it enters the space filled with active powder. As a result of the fast chemical reaction water is absorbed by the substance and the lumen of the tube is blocked by the increased mass. This system is short-lived because it is suitable for one-time use with subsequent replacement. At the same time, a large leak given view aquastop cannot be eliminated.
Indoor Aquastop
This type of protection provides for the location of a kind of float in the pan of the apparatus. If water gets outside the tank, the raised float with the activated switch switches the machine into emergency mode. After that, the pump starts to work, pumping out the leaked water.
The most reliable is the simultaneous presence of internal and external protection in the unit.
Self-installation of protection against leakage
Of course, if your device is not equipped with this useful function, you can install aquastop yourself. To do this correctly, you should:
- Disconnect the device from the power supply and the water supply system;
- Disconnect the inlet hose, while at the same time you can pay attention to cleaning the filter located on it;
- The protective system must be installed on the water tap itself by turning it clockwise. It is important to observe the correct placement of the device, paying attention to the arrows indicating the direction of the water flow;
- Carefully connect the hose to the aquastop;
- Check the tightness of all connections by first opening the water supply tap.
If there are no problems and correct connection, the Aquastop working system allows washing equipment to freely draw water to the desired level at the time of washing.
If you find that the system Aquastop worked, in this case you need to disconnect the device from the power supply and the water supply system. In the event of an internal leak, empty the water drip tray and remove the laundry from the machine drum. After a thorough search for a possible leak, check the operation of the device. If the aquastop is triggered again, it is best to contact a specialist.
By protecting your washing machine from leaks, you ensure a longer service life. this device... It also allows you to avoid misunderstandings with neighbors and waste money on eliminating the consequences of flooding.
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Imagine this picture - you return home, open the door and find yourself ankle-deep in water. The most probable cause flood - a torn flexible hose or a leak in the washing machine tank. You start feverishly to eliminate the consequences of the flood, and the neighbors who have just made expensive repairs from below are already ringing at the door ... Is it possible to minimize the possibility of such a force majeure? Undoubtedly, because today there is such a technology as AquaStop or, in Russian - "protection against leaks".
AquaStop system: anti-leak technology
Some of the manufacturers equip only their top-end products or built-in appliances with the AquaStop system. Someone, on the contrary, seeks to cover almost the entire product line with this technology. In any case, today AquaStop is quite affordable and is widely represented in the range of household appliances. Moreover, the consumer pays almost nothing for such a security system in many cases. At the pioneer of this technology Bosch, for example, the difference in prices for washing machines with AquaStop and without it is not visible to the naked eye. And Bosch dishwashers are equipped with it almost without exception, except for the smallest and most inexpensive ones.
This is not surprising. The AquaStop system is as simple as it is effective. Its technical solution, proposed by Bosch back in the 90s of the last century, is copied with enviable consistency today by almost all manufacturers of household appliances.
The AquaStop system was proposed by Bosch in the early 90s of the last century by the engineers of the Bosch-Siemens concern.
Washing machines
The leakage protection system for washing machines and dishwashers is almost the same, with the exception of a few details. To begin with, let's take a closer look at the work of AquaStop for washing machines.
The main and most noticeable part of the system is the unusually thick water supply hose, designed for a pressure of 70 bar, which is 7 times the maximum allowable pressure in a domestic pipeline. At its end there is a small box with a solenoid valve, functionally similar to the operating valve of a washing machine. This so-called safety valve is the heart of the AquaStop system. Its normal position is closed, it opens only at the moment the washing machine is connected to the network.
True, the connection must be made by a certified master, and nothing else. Strong marketing ploy! And most likely they are not risking anything, since this technology is almost 20 years old and the statistics of failures during this time, apparently, tend to zero.
Alternative solutions
But what if your washing machine or dishwasher does not have this protection system? Call an insurance agent? It's not all bad - there are other ways to deal with leaks. For example, the Italian company OMB Saleri S. p. a. produces specifically for Russian market an inexpensive solution to this problem is the Aqua-Stop device (just like that, in Russian letters). Its cost in online stores ranges from 900 to 1500 rubles. The device is a fitting with a built-in protective mechanism and does not require external power sources for operation. The principle of operation is simple: the device shuts off the water supply in case of damage to the inlet hose, if the water flow exceeds 18-20 l / minute, that is, more than theoretically the inlet valve of the washing machine can pass. At first glance, everything is fine. However, several questions immediately arise, the main one of which is: what will happen if the water supply hose is not “torn out by the roots” by some unknown force, but just slightly loses its tightness? But most often this happens - the water does not pour out in a powerful stream, but rather slowly oozes out. As a result, in a couple of hours of your absence, a small lake forms on the floor of the apartment, and the fitting continues to regularly let water through, because the flow rate is not exceeded much ... In addition, such a device will definitely not protect your and neighboring property from depressurization and overflow of the working tank of the machine ...
You can avoid the "flood" different ways... But it's better to use proven ...
There are many other options for autonomous protection against leaks - electronic-mechanical, different in price and performance. One or more moisture sensors are used as a tracking agent. When a critical situation arises, water enters the sensor, the circuit is closed, the electric drives quickly shut off the water. Everyone is happy ... But imagine the situation: you are taking a shower, an awkward movement - and some water gets on the sensor. The water instantly turns off, and you, covered in soap, wait for the contacts to dry out. And what will happen if you wash the floor in the bathroom - it's scary to think! In general, there are also enough inconveniences and absurdities in this case.
So it's better and more reliable to buy household appliances with built-in protection system. Proven by years of operation and real cases of "miraculous salvation" from an all-apartment flood. Moreover, the difference in price is small, if at all. The neighbors will be grateful to you.
Happy shopping!
It is extremely unpleasant to find a puddle of water under the washing machine, because you will not only have to repair the machine, but also pay for repairs to the neighbors whom you flooded. However, in case of water leakage, there is a special protection and aquastop system for the washing machine. The methods of such protection should be considered in more detail and understand what the disadvantages of each of them are.
Protection options
All washing machines, depending on the availability of the protection system, can be divided into three groups:
- cars without protection;
- cars with partial protection;
- cars completely protected from leaks.
Most of the cars in the low and medium price category are not equipped with leakage protection. What does this mean? And the fact that water is supplied to the machine from water pipe through a regular flexible hose with special nuts at both ends. The bottom of such machines, as a rule, is missing or closed. plastic panel... And if the inlet hose bursts, then all the water in such a machine will flow out onto the floor. In a multi-storey building, a similar situation leads to flooding of the neighbors below.
Therefore, in this case it is recommended to close the water supply tap after turning off the machine or install an additional protection system yourself in the form of inlet hoses with valves, we will talk about them further. In some washing machines high class protection is already installed. For example, full protection against water leakage is available in cars under the brands:
- Asko;
- Ariston;
- Bosch;
- Siemins;
- Miele;
- Zanussi;
- Electrolux.
Partial leakage protection
What is partial protection, let's see how it works. Machines with this leakage protection are equipped with a special pallet, such as the one shown in the picture.
A float equipped with an electric switch is installed inside the pallet. The pallet is made of plastic or metal, the float is made of expanded polystyrene. When water flows inside the machine, it enters the sump, with a certain amount of water, the float rises, and the switch is triggered. At his signal, the machine switches to emergency mode, the washing process stops, the pump is activated and the water is pumped out.
Important! In such a situation, an error code is displayed on the display of the machine, in different models different designations, for example, the code E1 will appear in the LG car, and E9 in the Samsung car.
If water leaks into the pan, you need to pour water out of it, and then look for the cause of the breakdown and eliminate it. About all possible reasons and elimination of the leak can be found in the article about why the washing machine is leaking.
Inlet hoses with valves
Washing machines with partial protection are so named because the protection is triggered only when water flows into the interior of the machine. But if the hose breaks in some place outside, then flooding cannot be avoided. In this case, it is worth considering inlet hoses equipped with protection. They are of three types:
For your information! The Aqua Stop inlet hose is designed for a pressure of 70 bar, which is 7 times the maximum pressure in the pipeline.
Complete protection against leaks - Aqua Stop system
Washing machines with full protection against water leaks have not only a tray with a built-in float, but also a hose with an electromagnetic valve, which we described above. In other words, if such a hose is connected to a machine with partial protection, then it can be called fully protected.
Such protection against leaks is considered the most reliable. Undoubtedly, machines equipped with the Aqua stop system have an advantage over conventional machines. Having overpaid several thousand rubles for it, you do not have to look for a high-quality inlet hose and figure out how to connect it correctly. The whole system has already been debugged by the manufacturer.
Note that the "Aqua Stop" protection is triggered in cases of leaking tank of the washing machine, damaged pipes, increased foaming and foam coming out.
In addition, full protection against leaks is accompanied by an emergency water pumping system. It is triggered if, for some reason, the main and safety valves did not work. The main valve is the valve of the machine, to which the inlet hose with Aqua stop protection is directly connected. You can read about how the main valve works and how to replace it in the article "Intake solenoid valve».
Thus, the protection of the automatic machine from water leaks can be complete or partial. How to protect the premises from flooding is up to you. However, it is better not to save on safety, and at least independently install the Aqua Stop hose, which has an electromagnetic valve, on the washing machine. Trust me, it's worth it!