Overview and comparison of water leakage protection systems. AquaStop System: Leak Protection Technology Leak Protection Partial What

Many people remember the old advertisement, where one housewife was horrified when she saw a huge puddle spreading from under the washing machine. A flood is one of the worst disasters that can happen in an apartment. Therefore, manufacturers of washing machines made sure that this did not happen through the fault of their equipment. Protection against water leaks in washing machines of popular brands is implemented in a completely simple way. This system is called AquaStop and is also used in dishwashers. The protection system is complete and partial.

Where protection is installed and how it works

Washers from Bosch, Samsung and other brands use the AquaStop full protection system, which consists of several components:

1. Thickened water supply hose. Its reserve is 70 bar, that is, seven times more than what happens in an apartment water supply.
2. At the end of the hose is a solenoid valve, similar to the main washer valve. It is also called a safety valve and controls the entire system. At rest, it is closed. Opens when the machine is turned on.
3. Tray at the bottom of the machine with sensor float. When raised, the float closes the contacts and gives the command to close the emergency valve.

Washing machine leaking

Thanks to the solenoid valve, the problem area is blocked when a leak occurs. All conductors of this control loop are hidden in the outer tight braid of the hose. If the hose is depressurized, water enters the pan located at the bottom of the washer.

Also, the valve stops the water supply in such cases:

• the working tank is leaking;
• the drum is full;
• the pipeline of the washing machine is damaged;
• excess washing powder - foam comes out.

Some machines provide additional emergency pumping of water in case of failure of both valves.

This is how full protection works. Incomplete (partial) protection against leaks in the washing machine assumes that the sensor stops filling water only at the point where the hose is connected to the body. With incomplete protection, there is no sensor at the bottom of the machine.

Labeling of individual brands: what does it mean

The leak protection in the LG washing machine is called Aqua Lock. The system in products from LG provides:

• determining the presence of a leak;
• closing the inlet valve for water inlet;
• turning on the pump for pumping out water that has entered the housing (if necessary).

For Bosch washers, Aqua-stop is implemented using a double magnetic valve installed on flexible hose from two layers. There is a float described above at the bottom of the washing Bosch machines. These are washing machines with full protection against leaks. By the way, if the machine is connected in accordance with the rules, then in the event of a leak, the manufacturer undertakes not only to repair the machine itself, but also to repair the premises affected by the flood.

Ariston developers have released cars with protection in the form of a float in the pan. When the float rises, the electronics close, which turns on the drain and stops the flow of water into the tank.

AEG washing machines have a valve with an adsorbent installed on a two-layer hose. This protection against leakage of the hose of the washing machine and blocks the water supply in the event of a leak.

Washing machine
AEG

Miele machines are available with two types of protection: Waterproof-System and Waterproof-Metal. The first case is similar standard set Aquastop, the second is supplemented with a high-strength hose with reinforcement. Waterproof-Metal is considered more reliable protection.

Asko washing machines are equipped with Aqua Detect System (repeated draining of water into the sewer in case of leakage) and Aqua Safe (sensors are located at 16 points where leaks are possible).

Is it possible to do it yourself

If your machine does not have such a convenient system, you can install it yourself. For buyers from Russia, the Italian company OMB Saleri produces the Aqua-Stop device. The price is small - about one and a half thousand rubles. This is a fitting that is installed on inlet hose. Inside the fitting there is the same protective mechanism powered by the washer.

However, this solution only works in case of a severe leak. If the water comes in little by little, then Aqua-Stop, installed independently, will not regard this as an accident and will not close the contacts.

At correct installation and connection washing machine of any brand, you can be sure that you won’t have to save yourself from the flood. Manufacturers have taken care of the safety of using equipment by installing protection against water leaks.

You were washing and suddenly noticed water on the floor. Perhaps your washer leaks constantly, but little by little. Or maybe there was a real disaster, and the machine suddenly flooded the entire floor. Both cases indicate a leak in the water circulation system.

Owners of modern washing machines equipped with protective mechanisms are more fortunate. If any hose or connection is damaged, the leakage protection is triggered. It blocks the water and prevents the flood. But if protective system worked, it means that there is a leak, and it must be found and fixed. Let's figure out how to do it right.

Why is the machine leaking?

Water leaks when the system is depressurized and clogged. Main causes of leaks:

• Blockage of the dispenser hopper.
• Damage to hoses and pipes for draining and filling water.
• Drain pump failure.
• Crack, breakdown of the tank.
• Manhole cuff damage.
• Deterioration of the tank seal.
• Loose connections between hoses and pipes.

Any of these faults can occur in washing machines of all brands. But each model has its weak points. Knowing their specifics, it is easier to find a leak. Therefore, masters with experience cope with the diagnosis much faster than non-specialists.

We save the car and the apartment: the first steps when a leak is detected

If you notice a puddle, stop the flood:

1. First of all, unplug the washer from the mains. Be careful! Do not step into spilled water - risk of electric shock. If you can reach the socket from a dry place, unplug it. Otherwise, turn off the electricity at the panel.
2. Shut off the water. For such cases between water pipe and a tap must be installed with the inlet hose of the washer. Overlap it. If the machine was connected incorrectly, and there is no separate tap to it, turn off the water throughout the apartment in the plumbing cabinet.
3. Remove the laundry from the drum. The machine did not have time to finish washing, and the tank is full of water? Drain it through the drain filter. It is located at the bottom of the case, on the front panel. Do not forget to substitute a basin under the drain so as not to increase the scale of the flood.

After that, you can remove the puddle from the floor and look for a malfunction.

We determine the place of the leak: first we inspect everything from the outside ...

Before sounding the alarm and calling the wizard, check everything around the washing machine. Maybe it's not her problem at all. A water, sewer or heating pipe near the washer can leak. If the "foreign" communications are intact, go to the typewriter:

1. Check the connection points for the inlet and drain hoses. Does the water come from there? Unscrew the hose and screw it on tightly again. Sometimes this does not help, and the leak occurs again. Then the gasket needs to be replaced. You can also treat the joint with sealant before screwing.
2. Now inspect the hoses themselves. They fray when kinked and incorrect installation. Particularly vulnerable plastic drain hose. If damage is found, replace it with a new one. It's easy to do, you can do it yourself. The main thing is to buy a quality hose, best of all - the original one, from the manufacturer of the washer. But if the damage happened due to improper connection of the machine, it is still advisable to call the wizard as soon as possible and connect it correctly. Otherwise, the new hose will not last long.

Now is the time to call the master. And if you want to try your hand at repair, follow the further recommendations.

... Then we look for a leak near the hatch and under the top cover

Are the hoses okay? Then take a closer look at the machine itself. It is necessary to visually determine where the water is flowing from.

1. Carefully check the cuff of the hatch. Water can flow right from under it, along the front wall of the case - this is clearly visible. But when the inside of the cuff is damaged, a puddle will be under the machine. Therefore, even if a stream does not flow from the hatch, the cuff must still be carefully examined. Found damage? The best option- replace the damaged part with a new one. But if you really need to delay the repair time, try sealing the cuff and turning it so that the sealed place is at the top of the hatch. Remember that such gluing is a temporary measure, it will last only a couple of months.
2. Examine the dispenser hopper. Washing powder does not always dissolve without residue and can clog its channels. characteristic feature such a blockage - water leaks from under the dispenser cover. If you notice them, remove the dispenser and thoroughly wash all its cavities and openings. Install the item in place.

The dispenser is clean, but smudges appear from under the lid on the next wash? So the problem is in the intake valve. It gives too much water pressure. Try to reduce the pressure a little. If this does not help, remove the top cover and inspect the inlet valve and pipes leading from it to the metering hopper.

These pipes often wear out and start to leak. Their damage is clearly visible. If the pipes are intact and their joints are tight, then the inlet valve has broken. Both the valve and pipes must be replaced.

At the end, we check the washer inside

Even if until now you have carried out independent diagnostics, it is better to entrust further searches to the master. Here you will need to disassemble the body of the washing machine. It remains to check only the tank and the drain pump. The tank has several weak points:

• Fill pipe. It is usually glued to the tank itself. If the bonding point is depressurized, you need to detach the part, clean it, dry it and glue it again.
• Stuffing box. It gradually wears out and stops retaining moisture. Then the smudges can be seen on the tank under the stuffing box. The seal must be replaced.
• The body, that is, the tank itself. It can be damaged by inept repairs, with a strong blow etc. Also, the walls of the tank wear out over time - steel rusts, plastic ones become brittle and crack. Unfortunately, a replacement is not possible here. You have to buy a new washer.
• Drain pipe. It is located between the tank body and the drain pump. When damage to the nozzle is visible, replace it. If there are no cracks, check the attachment points. Clamps often loosen here. They should be tightened, previously smeared with sealant.

After the tank, inspect the drain pump. Perhaps the sealing cuff has worn out in it. It is very difficult to replace it, so it is worth changing the entire pump at once.

Attention! Whatever the extent of the leak, its cause must be identified and repaired as soon as possible. Otherwise, "excess" moisture will quickly disable the electrical components of the washing machine and cause corrosion of steel elements.

Even if it flows “somewhere below”, the water will still evaporate inside the case, and the condensate will settle on all parts, including the very top ones. The consequence may be the breakdown of expensive components, such as an electronic module or engine. Therefore, do not postpone the call of the master - the sooner you make repairs, the cheaper it will cost you.

Like washing machines, modern dishwashers are complemented by the option of protection against leaks. What exactly is its purpose? And does it make sense to overpay for a complete 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 takes on more water than it should. Leak protection technology is designed to protect equipment and its owners from such troubles: the machine independently regulates the supply and removal of water, eliminating the need to vigilantly control the entire washing cycle.

A high-quality system increases the reliability of operation so much that the equipment can be safely transferred to night mode - you do not have to worry about possible domestic disasters. The principle of operation largely imitates washing units, and the name of the technologies, as a rule, is also common - “Aqua-stop” (sometimes you can find the wording “Waterproof” and “AquaSave”).

Full or partial protection?

Today, there are practically no cars that do not have leakage protection - even the simplest and most unpretentious models have at least a pan with a float and, at most, a special hose with a valve.

Let's draw parallels between partial and complete protection technologies:

• Partial protection involves the installation of a metal or plastic pallet at the bottom of the PMM. From the inside, a light foam float with a miniature electric switch is fixed on it: if a leak occurs, the water in the pan begins to actively flow, pushing the float out, and it, in turn, closes the switch.

The control unit instantly receives a signal, displays a malfunction message on the display (or activates a signal indicator) and starts an emergency mode - the washing process is immediately suspended, since the device is de-energized. Then the "baton" picks up drainage pump, which vigorously pumps water out of the tank and redirects it to the sewer. To restore the device to normal operation, you will have to deal with the cause of the leak and drain all the water from the filled pan.

• Complete protection, often referred to as "Aqua-Control", is recognized as much more effective and advanced. A heavy-duty inlet hose is added to the sump, having solenoid valves at both ends (one of the blocks is directly attached to the crane): they open exactly at the moment when the PMM starts 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 out of order / the drain pump is broken / a hand washing agent was used that gave excess foam), the machine is insured by the pallet with the control float already familiar to us. You have to deal with the consequences of a leak in the same way as with partial technology - by emptying the tank (for this, 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 leakage at the bay stage.

If a 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 advantage is that the outer layer prevents leakage when the inner layer wears out, while the flow of water is interrupted automatically.

TOP-5 "dishwashers" with full protection against leaks

Bosch SMV 47L10- fully built-in model for 13 services. 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 loading is possible. Allows the use of "3 in 1" tools, 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 a high energy efficiency class ("A ++"), supports electronic control. It consumes 9 liters of water for washing, there are 6 modes and 5 degrees of heating. Supports partial loads, as well as the use of universal detergent tablets. The dish compartment is adjustable in height.

INDESIT DISR 14B- a narrow built-in device. Holds 10 sets of dishes (uses 10 liters of water), is equipped with a compact display and a delay timer. There are 4 modes, there is an additional BIO-program. The package includes a pair of folding coasters for cups and glasses.

SIEMENS SR 64E002- narrow dishwasher "insert" for 9 sets. Realizes electronic control, endowed with 4 main programs and supports half load. It is characterized by a low noise level, consumes 9 liters of water per cycle. Of the additional options, the mode of washing pots and pans stands out. It is possible to postpone the start for the period from 3 to 9 hours.

KORTING KDI 60165- Fully built-in PMM, accommodating up to 14 sets of dishes. Electronic control, digital display, A++ economy class, half load capability. Consumes 11 liters of water, produces a minimum of noise and has a wide selection of programs (8 washing modes, 5 temperature positions). Projects a "beam on the floor", allows the use of washing tablets. The activation of the cycle is postponed for a period of 1 to 24 hours.

A leak is not only an unpleasant phenomenon, but also dangerous, capable of causing harm to health and property, leading to conflicts and litigation with neighbors affected by flooding and always associated with a considerable loss of nerves and finances. And all that is worth putting is protection against leaks!

Leaks are dangerous in any home, but only a smart home can "take care" of safety and stop the leak at the very beginning, blocking the flow of water. Of course, this will not save you from a wet floor, but the amount of damage will be minimal. For this in smart home Leak protection systems are designed by different manufacturers, but working on the same principle.

The principle of operation of the leakage protection system

The design of most leak protection systems on the market today consists of four main elements:

• sensors that signal the appearance of water
• servo-driven taps that shut off the water supply
• signaling device that notifies of the appearance of leaks
• controller that processes the information received from the sensors and activates the system

The system can be supplemented with a GSM module that transmits a distress signal to a mobile device.

In order for the protection system to work, the sensor must become wet. A few drops of water or contact with a damp mop is not enough. Water should moisten the surface of the sensor, thus closing its contacts and creating conditions for transmitting a radio signal to the controller.

The controller, upon receiving a radio signal from the sensor, activates a servo that closes the taps and turns on a leak notification.

Place of installation of leakage sensors

Install sensors in places where leaks are most likely to occur: under the washing machine, on the floor behind the toilet, bathroom water and sink. Connection of sensors to the control unit can be wired and wireless. Wireless is more convenient, but their performance cannot be controlled. Wired sensors are connected to the wire management unit, which can be somewhat inconvenient, but the controller "sees" the sensors and will send a warning signal if they are lost.

The control unit is placed on the wall in any convenient place, trying to reduce the length of the wires used during installation.

Shut-off valves are installed at the water inlet to the apartment immediately after the meters. The system can be operated from a conventional 220V power supply (considered unsafe) or (preferably) from a 12V power supply.

Which protection system to choose?

Leak protection systems are produced by many companies, but in our country the most widely used are Aquaguard, Aquastop, Neptun and Gidrolock.

Aquaguard

The scope of delivery of the Aquaguard anti-leak system includes

• Main control box
• Gulf sensors
• Two taps with actuators for cold and hot water
• External power supply

A distinctive feature of the controller is the possibility of its expansion. In this case, the device is assembled like a designer. So, for example, by adding a panel of sensors, you can increase their number to the desired number, by purchasing a radio unit, turn the wired system into a wireless one, and by adding a GSM module, receive leak messages on your mobile phone. However, you can be content with the basic version and what is included in the package.

The device is equipped with an uninterruptible power supply on ultra drives, thanks to which you can be sure that in the event of a leak, the taps will be closed even on discharged batteries. Moreover, to resume the water supply, you do not need to urgently change the power source, just press the start button on the controller, and then calmly go for new batteries.

Connection of wired sensors parallel to each other. The number of them can be any. A pleasant moment is a lifetime warranty for sensors from the manufacturer and the possibility of free replacement of three sensors that are out of order.

Aquaguard system uses Ball Valves with low friction, for which it is enough to apply a slight force to close. The faucet is closed by a metal gear (in earlier models, the gears were made of plastic) driven by an electric motor mounted on the faucet body and connected to the controller.

To bring the engines into operation and close the taps, a radio signal from the control unit is required, which is directed by the leakage protection system when the corresponding signal is received from the water sensors.

The device of the sensor is quite simple and reliable: the body and the plate with contacts are made of fiberglass, the contacts are coated with immersion gold to protect against corrosion. To increase the reliability of the system, you can use a sensor with wire break protection, which allows the controller to more accurately determine the status of the sensors and inform about problems in the system in a timely manner.

The sensor is only triggered if the water level is above 1 mm. Protection against erroneous operation is a gap of 1 mm between the lower part of the sensor housing and the floor surface.

The radio sensor can be installed in two types: a simple one, which works only in case of a leak, and a remote sensor, by pressing the button of which you can turn off the taps at any time.

Neptune

The Neptun Leak Protection System is a Russian development manufactured by Special Engineering Systems.

The principle of its operation is similar to that of the Aquaguard: the delivery set also includes a control unit, two ball valves with servo drives and wired sensors. The difference is that the system only works when it is permanently connected to a 220 V power supply.

The operation of such a system is possible only if the sockets are grounded.

A nice addition to the Neptune system is the cleaning mode, by turning on which you can wash the floor for 45 minutes. large quantity water without worrying about the leakage protection, as well as the choice of kits with taps not only ½ inch, but also ¾ inch.

Aquastop - protection against leaks

Aquastop uses unusual way leak detection. It does not have sensors in which contacts close under the action of water. But a sensor is installed that determines the water pressure. This sensor works on the principle of a pressure gauge - the higher the pressure, the stronger the effect on the valve. When the pressure in the hose or line is stable, the influence of the sensor is compensated by the internal spring and the valve is opened. When a hose breaks or a pipe bursts, the pressure in the device drops and the spring shuts off the water supply until the pressure is restored to normal.

The principle of operation of this device is simple. The special shape of the internal channel of this device reduces the throughput, due to which the pressure during normal water consumption (up to 10-12 liters per minute) practically does not change. When the hose suddenly breaks, the water supply increases greatly, the pressure at the outlet of the device drops sharply, however, remains unchanged at the inlet. This causes the valve to actuate. The valve response time does not exceed 10 seconds. This allows you to turn off the water, prevent the flood and the troubles caused by it - damage to the floor, walls, furniture and conflict with neighbors from below.

Aquastop is used as one of the elements of protection against water leaks. low throughput this device does not allow it to be installed at the inlet to the domestic water supply. If you open several faucets,

Aquastop will work and shut off the water supply. Therefore, it is used to protect end users - washing machines and dishwashers. This device is not afraid of water hammer and can withstand pressure up to 10 atmospheres. For his effective work water pressure must be at least 2 atmospheres. If the water pressure is less, then the pressure difference is not enough to operate the valve.

The cost of the device starts from 180 rubles. It is produced in both plastic and metal (most often steel) cases. Both ends of the device are threaded - internal at the inlet, external at the outlet. Thanks to this configuration, it is installed without any alterations in the gap between the pipe adapter and the hose suitable for the washing or dishwasher. Aquastop in a plastic case is used for tapping into polyethylene pipes. It is equipped with standard fittings at both ends, so it is enough to cut the pipe, put Aquastop on it and tighten the fixing nuts.

Gidrolock (Hydrolock)

The delivery of the Gidrolock anti-leakage system also includes two ball valves, water control sensors and a control unit.

If desired, you can choose a version of the protection system specifically designed for use in an apartment, in country house, in a public or industrial building, in a hotel or warehouse. The difference in the kits is in the number of water sensors and the number of connected taps.

The manufacturer's warranty for Hydrolock systems is 4 years.

As you can see, it is not difficult to protect yours from leaks, and yourself from the troubles associated with emergencies in the house, you just need to choose correct system protected.