How to choose a washing machine?

The reason for writing this article was the frequent and repeated questions that washing machine users usually ask our craftsmen. And this is quite understandable, because the master knows everything about washing machines firsthand. We will provide the interpretation of these questions and the answers given by professionals. Among all this, you will be able to highlight useful information that will help you when choosing a washing machine.

For greater clarity, we presented both types of automatic washing machines (hereinafter referred to as SM) - these are washing machines with front-loading and vertical loading of laundry.
Both SMs are approximately the same in all properties and qualities. Let's compare them.

SM front loading

Front loading washing machines They are more practical and, as a rule, are slightly cheaper than vertical machines of a similar group, and the cost of repairing a washing machine (if necessary) will be lower than that of top-loading machines, since vertical washing machines are a little more difficult to maintain than front-loading ones. The front SMs have a transparent viewing glass for the hatch, which more than once allowed many users to see and save their driver’s licenses, money, plastic cards, passports and much more, which they accidentally forgot to remove from things before washing. The rubber seal of the hatch (hatch cuff) of the front SM does not break as often as many would think. Damage to the hatch cuff occurs mainly due to careless handling. The fact that the drum of a front-loading washing machine has one mounting axis is in no way inferior in strength to a top-loading washing machine that has two axles. For those who have little space in their apartment, the big advantage of front-facing washing machines is that the SM can be used as a bedside table and put some things on it. And in a top-loading SM, the top cover must always be slightly open to avoid the appearance of mold fungus and therefore it will not be possible to use the SM as a bedside table.

Top loading washing machines Vertical SMs are usually more expensive than frontal SMs. This is due to the design features of vertical machines, because the process of assembling them is a little more complicated. The fact that a vertical machine has drum bearings located on both sides does not provide any advantages. Moreover, in such a design it is more difficult to achieve coaxiality of the two axes of the drum. Due to the fact that the drum of vertical washing machines has flaps for loading laundry, one part of the drum becomes heavier and therefore there is a need to balance it. Unfortunately, not all manufacturers balance the drum perfectly, which sometimes results in increased vibration of the washing machine during operation. It is worth mentioning a specific and unpleasant malfunction of vertical machines - this is the spontaneous opening of the drum flaps during operation, which sometimes leads to a fatal malfunction of the device. Vertical SMs are good because working space and the area they occupy is smaller (compared to full-size frontal machines), and the design of some vertical washing machines allows, if necessary, to open the drum at any stage of the wash to remove or reload laundry, without changing the course of the program.

SM top loading

In general, as we said, both types of washing machines are almost the same in all properties and qualities. Each type of washing machine load has its own pros and cons, so choose the type of machine that you like and is most convenient for you.

The world's first wall-mounted washing machine "Daewoo"

Front washing machines. In terms of height and width, front-facing washing machines are almost the same, but the loading depth is divided into: full-size (60-65 cm), narrow (40-45 cm) and ultra-narrow (up to 32 cm). There are a number of washing machines that have a compact design, which allows them to be installed under special sinks. As a rule, ultra-narrow and compact models of washing machines have a maximum load of 3-3.5 kg of dry laundry. Vertical washing machines. All top loading machines have almost standard sizes(exception: SM Asko 412 compact). The SM must be selected for a specific location, the planned load and the owner’s preference. The functionality of all automatic washing machines is the same. It must be borne in mind that the larger the single load, the more laundry it will wash over the entire period of its operation. Speaking of compact washing machines On November 21, 2012, specialists from the Russian office of the South Korean company Daewoo Electronics presented the world's first wall-mounted mini washing machine, DWD-CV701PC. The weight of the washing machine is only 16 kg, the maximum load of laundry is 3 kg.

Don't confuse the tank with the drum! Drums - all washing machines (with the exception of some Asian brands) are made of stainless steel. But the material of the tank is different. Today, SMs have steel (stainless) and plastic tanks (they have different brand names, for example “Carboran” from Electrolux), and at the dawn of the development of washing machines, tanks were made of enamel-coated steel. The general trend is that there are more and more cars with plastic tanks. Asian SM manufacturers do not make stainless steel tanks at all. And in Europe they are mainly made only by MIELE and ASKO, other companies too, but the share of such tanks in their products is small. Plastic tanks are good because the heated water during washing retains its temperature longer, and accordingly, energy consumption is reduced. Plastic tanks absorb noise well, both inside and outside. The disadvantage of plastic tanks is fire resistance and impact resistance. In general, if nothing bad happens to the washing machine, then you will not understand why you need a stainless steel tank.

What is a silent washing machine?

A silent washing machine is distinguished not only by the presence of inscriptions and stickers on the body that indicate noiselessness. This class of washing machines is primarily noise insulated, i.e. inner part The housing is covered with thick noise-insulating material. Along with this, special three-phase asynchronous motors drum drives, whose noise level is an order of magnitude lower than that of standard commutator motors. As you understand, you have to pay for such silent comfort, which inevitably affects the cost of the washing machine.

If you do not have the time or opportunity to dry your laundry naturally, then a washer-dryer The best decision for you. This SM combines all the functions of an automatic washing machine and has an additional unit for drying clothes with a stream of heated air. However, it should be borne in mind that such a washer-dryer can dry only half of the clothes from the maximum load of the drum, and drying can take about 2 hours (sometimes much more). But if possible, it is better to buy a separate dryer. By the way, no connection is required (only a power outlet). Such a machine can dry all laundry washed in SM at one time. Modern dryers and washer-dryers, thanks to electronic system controls, finish drying the laundry based on a signal from the residual humidity sensor, and not according to a timer (as was the case in most washer-dryers of earlier years of production) - thus eliminating the risk of over-drying the laundry.

What spin speed is best?

Everything is simple and clear here: the higher the spin speed, the drier you get your laundry after washing, but also the higher the price of the washing machine. Whether higher speeds are needed and what residual moisture content of the laundry suits you is up to you to decide. A regular washing machine has speeds of up to 1200 per minute. There are machines, for example ASKO, which have a drum rotation speed of 1800 and even 2000 rpm. Keep in mind that for small SM models (Candy, Electrolux. Zanussi, Euronova, Eurosoba) at the same spin speed the laundry will be less dry. This is due to the small drum radius of compact models.

In description technical characteristics In some washing machines, you can find a leak protection feature. This is a very useful feature, which in case emergency situation in the washing machine, will help you avoid water leakage and prevent flooding of the room. The leakage protection system is called differently by different manufacturers: Aqua stop, Aqua safe, Aqua alarm. Leak protection is a complex technical devices provided structurally by the manufacturer. This system is not installed in all brands and models of washing machines. Therefore, if you have the opportunity to purchase a washing machine with protection against leaks, then you will not regret it.

How much does a washing machine cost?

The average cost of a good washing machine as of 2012 is approximately 17,000-20,000 rubles. Of course, there are washing machines that are half the price. Are they worth buying? You need to decide based on the capabilities of your budget. But keep in mind that basically, the ratio of price and quality has a direct relationship; the more expensive, the more reliable and better. Buying a cheap washing machine does not always help you save money, since the service life of such machines is shorter and you may have to repair it more often, or buy a new washing machine again. For some consumers, expensive and so-called elite equipment from brands such as Miele, AEG, Kuppersbusch, Gaggenau, Neff is an indispensable attribute that emphasizes their status and they fundamentally do not buy cheap equipment. The cost of some washing machines of these brands can reach up to 250,000 rubles and they already belong to a number of professional devices. If an expensive washing machine does not break down (high-quality washing machines break down less often), then you will think that such machines are better than cheap ones. But are you ready to pay as much for repairing an expensive washing machine as a new, inexpensive washing machine costs? I think everyone should find the answer to this question themselves.

Which brand of washing machine should I choose?

Today, the situation in the household appliances market is changing, unfortunately, not entirely in better side. Manufacturers have become smarter and are doing everything to increase the sales volume of their equipment and components, so the service life of most washing machines famous brands became lower. When choosing a washing machine, pay attention to the country of manufacture. Today, so-called “clones” of European and Asian manufacturers are assembled at Russian factories. In Russia there are factories for assembling washing machines of such brands as: Ariston and Indesit (Lipetsk), Candy (Kirov), Whirpool and Vestel (Alexandrov), Zanussi (St. Petersburg). Such washing machines are inexpensive, but they are not of the highest quality.
In the table, we present a hierarchy of the most famous brands by class level:

Class level	Trademarks (their affiliation with concerns is indicated in brackets)
Top	Miele, Asko, Neff (Bosch),Gaggenau (Bosch), Kuppersbusch,AEG (Electrolux)
Top middle	Electrolux,Bosch,Siemens (Bosch), Brandt,Gorenje,Whirpool
Bottom middle	Zanussi (Electrolux), Candy, Ariston and Indesit (Indesit company), Ardo,Beko,Samsung,LG,Hansa
Bottom	Russian and Chinese “clones” of European and Asian manufacturers

This table will help you navigate a little when choosing trademark washing machine.


We do not cooperate with trade organizations and will not engage in their advertising, but will give only a few valuable tips:
1. Purchase equipment only from trusted, large and reliable stores;
2. Be vigilant! Always check the product, at least for the presence of external damage and defects, and also check the accessories included with the washing machine, check for the presence of a warranty service book (it’s even better to check the serial numbers of the warranty book with the number on the nameplate of the washing machine, they must match);
3. Be careful when purchasing a washing machine through distance selling stores, so-called online stores. Take advantage of large online stores that have been on the market for a long time.
4. You should not purchase equipment from sellers who are mobile and do not have a permanent outlet;
5.Always save sales and cash receipts, and for the first 14 days, save the packaging of the washing machine. According to the law of “protection of consumer rights”, this will help you exchange or return low-quality, defective equipment that does not suit you within the period established by law. IN technical description washing machine or dishwasher, you can come across such a term as protection against water leaks.

What is it? A leak protection system is a set of technical devices aimed at protecting against flooding of a room with water in the event of an emergency water leak in a household appliance, or in the event of damage to the inlet hose.

Different manufacturers of household appliances call this system differently: Aqua-Stop, Waterproof, Aqua-Safe, Aqua-Alarm, but they are designed almost identically. 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 a really useful system; it will help you avoid the unpleasant consequences of flooding your 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
• WITH partial protection from leaks
• With full protection against leaks

2.1 Without leakage protection

Most inexpensive washing machines do not have a leak protection system, that is, to connect to the water supply network, a standard flexible reinforced hose (high pressure hose) with plastic or metal nuts at the ends is installed. 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 there is any water leakage in the washing machine or the inlet hose breaks, 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 the interior of the washing machine, the tray fills 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. This turns on drain pump and water is pumped out of the washing machine tank.

A notification that the leakage protection system has been activated is displayed on the display of the washing machine control panel 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)

Now let's summarize: in a washing machine with partial or complete protection against leaks, there must be a special tray at the bottom of the washing machine and a float with a microswitch.

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 an 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 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 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 the protective system is activated, it must 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 like 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 down the pawl.
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.

After the required washing program has been selected and activated, voltage is applied to the solenoid valves of the washing machine and the inlet hose valve, they open and water flows 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 the water supply is stopped. The valves always turn on and off only at the right moment. This is how water is collected during normal operation of the washing machine.

Rice. 5 Structural elements complete protection against leaks

Now imagine a situation where a reinforced hose begins to leak somewhere or ruptures. The water filling the protective shell will rise along it to the drainage hose and the water will already flow into the tray of the washing machine, where the float with the switch is installed. As a result of the float rising, the switch contacts are activated, electrical diagram will go into emergency mode, that is, all valves will block the access of water. In some cases, the washing machine’s drain pump even turns on to pump out the water in the tank.

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, the electronic circuit issues an alarm, and 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 or dishwashers Ah, they 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.

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, so that they 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 the 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 inlet hose protection, 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

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 turn off the water 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 leakage 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 it is a 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, it is necessary to think about the installation location of 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 that the electric faucet 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 turn 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, shut-off valves with electric drives are installed 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. Electric ball valves are also sold with the same cable length. 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, a shielded twisted pair with a core cross-section of at least 0.35 mm² is suitable;
• 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

Deciding on the number of sensors and shut-off valves is not so difficult, especially since many systems easily allow you to expand the control area. 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 of a backup power source. 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, systems operating from 12 V are much more practical: if you wish, you can install a battery with suitable parameters and thereby extend the system’s operation in offline mode. Although, some systems (Hydrolock, for example) on backup power (rechargeable batteries) can operate 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 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 manually

All market leaders - Akvastorozh, Gidrolok and Neptune - use only such cranes. They can be produced by different companies, but are made from 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. The most durable material that 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;
• a small torque, and a small force applied when closing the tap can result in the fact that if a foreign object (sand, scale, etc.) gets in or is 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 control panel, the alarm for loss of sensors or faulty taps 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 leakage 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

For different manufacturers, one control unit can control a different number of devices. So it won't hurt to know this.

• One Hydrolock controller can serve 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 pieces). To increase the number of wired ones, install another module. This modular expansion is more pragmatic.
• Neptune has control blocks different power. 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, Akvastorozh and some Neptune variants can send signals to the dispatch service, security and fire alarm systems, and 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 unit can operate autonomously.

• Aquawatch and Hydrolock have backup power sources. Both systems shut off the water before the backup power supply is completely discharged. Neptune has batteries only for the last two models of controllers, and then the taps do not close when discharged. The rest have earlier and less expensive models- 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 leakage protection systems, but you should choose them with caution.

Finding a puddle of water under your washing machine is extremely unpleasant, 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 special protection and an aquastop system for a washing machine. It is worth considering the methods of such protection in more detail and understanding the disadvantages of each of them.

Protection options

All washing machines, depending on the presence of a protection system, can be divided into three groups:

• cars without protection;
• cars with partial protection;
• machines that are completely protected from leaks.

Most machines in the low and mid-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 ruptures, then all the water in such a machine will flow out onto the floor. IN multi-storey building This 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, complete protection against water leakage is available in cars under the following brands:

• Asko;
• Ariston;
• Bosch;
• Siemins;
• Miele;
• Zanussi;
• Electrolux.

Partial protection against leaks

What is partial protection, let's figure out how it works. Machines with such protection against leaks are equipped with a special tray, for example, like the one in the figure.

A float equipped with an electric switch is installed inside the pan. The tray is made of plastic or metal, the float is made of polystyrene foam. When water flows inside the machine, it falls into the pan, with a certain amount of water the float rises and the switch is activated. At its signal, the machine switches to emergency mode, the washing process stops, the pump operates and pumps out the water.

Important! In such a situation, an error code is displayed on the machine’s display; different models have different symbols, for example, code E1 will appear on an LG machine, and E9 on a Samsung machine.

If water leaks into the pan, you need to pour water out of it, and then look for the cause of the breakdown and fix it. About everyone possible reasons and eliminating leaks, you can learn from the article about why a washing machine leaks.

Inlet hoses with valves

Washing machines with partial protection are called so because the protection is activated only when water flows into 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 come in 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 complete protection against water leaks have not only a tray with a built-in float, but also a hose with a solenoid valve, which we described above. In other words, if you connect such a hose to a partially protected car, then it can be called fully protected.

Such protection against leaks is considered the most reliable. Undoubtedly, cars equipped with the Aqua Stop system have an advantage over conventional cars. Having overpaid several thousand rubles for it, you don’t have to look for a high-quality inlet hose and figure out how to connect it correctly. The entire system has already been debugged by the manufacturer.

It should be noted that the “Aqua Stop” protection is triggered in cases of leakage of the washing machine tank, damage to the pipes, increased foaming and foam escaping.

In addition, complete protection against leaks is accompanied by an emergency water pumping system. It is triggered if for some reason the main and safety valves do not operate. The main valve is the machine valve 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 “Inlet solenoid valve».

Thus, the protection of the automatic machine from water leaks can be complete or partial. How to protect your premises from flooding is up to you. However, it is better not to skimp on safety, and at least independently install an “Aqua Stop” hose with a solenoid valve on the washing machine. Believe me, it's worth it!