If a malfunction of the washing machine leads to water leakage, repairs not only in your apartment, but also in your neighbor’s may be affected. Therefore, designers of household appliances found a solution by creating “Aquastop” - a special device that blocks the water supply when a breakdown is detected.
- Aquastop system in the washing machine
- Causes of washing machine leaks
- Operating principle of Acuastop
- Types of leakage protection for washing machines
- How to install Aquastop in the bathroom yourself
- Conclusion
- SMA catalog with reviews
Aquastop system in the washing machine
The inlet hose may become damaged due to natural wear, mechanical stress, or other reasons. In such a situation, the acuastop system will prevent flooding of the room.
inlet hose with aquastop
In stores you can find different blockers that have their own technical features. “Aquastop” does not affect the functioning of the water supply system itself and is activated only when a malfunction is detected.
Full electromagnetic type protection with combined partial protection
This system represents two blocking systems at the same time: partial protection and a two-layer Aquastop hose with solenoid valves on a special block, which are activated in series, and can be electric or pneumatic.
The system works on the following principle: if a damaged pipe leaks through the drain into the lower pan, when the set level is reached, the liquid will raise the sensor in the form of a float, as described earlier. This protection system is considered the most reliable, but it does not control the occurrence of leakage at the threaded connection.
Causes of washing machine leaks
The water supply hose loses its seal for various reasons, among them it is worth highlighting:
- natural wear and tear;
- bending or squeezing with something heavy;
- accidental cut with a sharp object;
- biting by pets.
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Do not forget that in any washing machine the hose can break. Even a small crack can eventually lead to an unexpected flood, so it’s worth thinking about installing a protective system.
Setup and first launch
For the device to work properly, you need to configure it correctly and put it into operation. The washing machine manufacturer Bosch makes the following recommendations:
Connect the device to communications according to these instructions.- Plug the plug into the socket.
- Open the water supply tap.
- Turn on the device.
- Close the hatch door. The tank must be empty.
- Select the “Cotton” program with a water temperature of 90 degrees.
- Open the cuvette, pour 1 liter of water into the compartment marked II.
- Add washing powder there (half the dose recommended for regular washing).
- Close the cuvette.
- Start the machine by pressing the “Start” button.
- Wait for the program to complete.
While the machine is operating, you need to monitor its condition. The device should not leak, interrupt the cycle, vibrate strongly or move from its place. If the test wash was successful, the equipment is ready for full use.
Operating principle of Acuastop
The device is a valve with a spring that is activated in the event of a drop in pressure. The water supply inside the machine stops when the Aquastop detects a leak.
A special feature of the system is the use of a thick inlet hose that can withstand high water pressure - up to 70 bar. The maximum permissible pressure in a conventional pipeline is only 10 bar.
hose with disposable “aquastop”
There is a safety valve inside the locking device. It is closed during normal operation of the washing machine. If the hose leaks, the contents will go into a special tray, and the electromagnetic element will close the valve contacts and the water will stop flowing.
Aquastop can also be activated due to excess foam if the dosage of detergent has been exceeded. Some models of washing machines are equipped with the option of pumping out water in case the valve of the device fails to cope with its task.
Protected hose design
In order to protect the automatic machine from leaks, a special inlet hose was invented. Its design is characterized by the presence of a mechanical valve. It is also able to withstand higher pressures - up to 70 bar.
If the basic configuration of your automatic machine includes a regular hose, it can be replaced with a hose with a protective flap.
When an automatic machine does not have a tray, but a special inlet hose is installed, it is also said that it is only partially protected from leaks. In this case, the system will react to external breakthroughs, while internal “accidents” will remain unattended.
There are two types of hoses in stores that differ in design. The principle of operation of the aquastop is as similar as possible, so which sleeve is preferred does not matter. These are the devices:
- with a cylindrical piston, absorbent and spring;
- with a displacer, an absorbent and a pair of magnets.
The inlet hose is “hidden” in a corrugation - a special plastic shell. At one end it is connected to the washing machine body, at the other there is a nut and a protective device for connecting the hose to the water supply outlet. How does the mechanism work?
A distinctive feature of the aquastop hose is the presence of a plunger with a spring and an absorbent substance. In the normal state, water calmly passes through the displacer, enters the hose, and then into the washing machine. When the pressure in the system is normal, the spring does not interfere with the water flow.
If, for example, the inlet hose breaks, then thanks to the protective corrugated plastic shell, the water will not rush out, but will remain inside and enter the protective device. The absorbent present in the block will swell and stretch the spring, weakening its pressure on the plunger. Thus, the balance in the system will be disrupted and the water supply will be cut off by the displacer.
After activating the protective system, the inspection eye on the inlet hose will turn red. The container in which the absorbent is located has this shade. Therefore, if the machine suddenly stops filling, pay attention to the corrugation. A bright dot will be a clue as to the reason for the equipment freezing.
To resume operation of the machine, you will have to install a new corrugation. The inlet hose cannot be used after the protection system has activated; it will need to be replaced. Finding and buying a device is not difficult - they are sold in household appliance supermarkets.
There are also hoses with a safety valve, the operation of which is controlled by two magnets. The principle of operation will be similar to a block with an absorbent substance and a spring. When there is a leak, the valve is lowered and the water supply to the equipment is stopped.
In this situation, the position of the plunger is controlled by two magnets located opposite. They “look” at each other with poles of the same name. When the system is in balance, the absorbent remains dry, the distance between the magnets is small, which provides sufficient force for their mutual repulsion.
If the hose breaks and water is poured into the protective block, the granules become soaked and the absorbent substance expands, thereby weakening the magnetic field. Therefore, the plunger blocks the water flow. This stops the supply of liquid to the automatic machine. There is one more difference. The nut of the “magnetic” hose has a ratcheting mechanism. This makes it possible to easily screw it onto the thread of the water outlet. To twist such a nut, you need to clamp and hold the pawl. If the absorbent gets wet even once, the hose is also beyond repair and will have to be replaced.
Types of leakage protection for washing machines
SMA manufacturers have provided the following types of Aquastop:
- UDI is a mechanical instantaneous water blocking system. The device operates within one second and is a pipe that is connected separately to the washing machine. A special feature of the UDI is that it triggers when there is a sharp drop in pressure, so small leaks will not be repaired immediately.
- The Water Block valve, installed in front of the water supply hose, determines the volume of liquid inside the system. The user independently assigns an acceptable value at a setting step of 5 l. The blocker will never let through an increased amount of water. The fault is cleared by pressing the reset key and the device is then active again.
- A number of modern washing machines are equipped with a hose containing powder absorbent. But in most cases the product is sold separately. The design consists of an outer sleeve and an internal channel through which water is supplied. If the first layer is damaged, the water passes into the outer hose and reaches the blocker. This system is effective when depressurization occurs in the hose itself. If a breakdown occurs inside the case, the mechanism will not work. It is impossible to reuse such an “aquastop”; an emergency situation disables it.
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Built-in blockers come with a valve and simple ones. The second type involves turning off the supply when the water leaves the tank. It is worth noting that the price of a machine with Aquastop is higher than other models.
Working with a mechanical valve
The Aquastop mechanical protection valve operates on the principle that it reacts to a sudden change in pressure at those moments when the hose breaks or mechanical damage occurs. In such situations, the blocking valve, which is located inside the flexible pipe, mechanically blocks the flow of liquid to the area where the leak is detected. The valve allows a certain amount of fluid to pass through, creating an operating condition, because the spring located inside the hose has design stiffness parameters when a larger volume is not allowed.
In situations where pressure increases, the outlet may be completely blocked by the protection. In situations of minor leaks in threaded connections or small leaks in the inlet hose, the pressure will change little, so the protection may not see the liquid and not sound an alarm.
How to install Aquastop in the bathroom yourself
Recently, a leakage protection system in a separate room has become widespread. It shuts off the water supply if it appears on the floor, thereby preventing flooding of neighbors and your own apartment. When installing it, you don’t have to buy a washing machine with aquastop.
Installation of the protective system consists of three stages:
- installation of ball electromagnetic valves;
- connecting leakage sensors to the power supply;
- connecting the battery pack.
First, they turn off the water and install a shut-off valve into the water supply line. The wiring is disconnected from the input valves, then the taps are installed.
If there is an internal thread at the outlet of the pipe, the tap is screwed directly into the inlet valve. External threads require the installation of a fitting connecting two sections of pipe.
Do you wash by hand?
Oh yes! No
The connections must be sealed with sealant, tow or fum tape. When installing an aquastop faucet, the direction of water movement is determined.
On the tap itself it is indicated by an arrow. The disconnected wiring is connected to the tap. Then you need to install a filter, counter and other elements of the system.
The controller should be installed in a clean and dry room with humidity not exceeding 70%. The sensor wire can be hidden under the baseboard, and its base is fixed to the floor. A decorative cap is provided for this element.
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I work in the household appliance repair industry. Extensive experience in restoring washing machines and dishwashers.
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The presence of wireless sensors in the kit simplifies the installation procedure. After connecting the inlet hose to the blocker, check the quality of installation by gradually letting water into the hose.
Selecting a location
When choosing a location for a Bosch washing machine, you need to calculate the following points in advance:
Area dimensions. To do this, you need to know the dimensions of the device.- Location of drain pipe, water tap, power source.
- Comfortable use of the device. The control panel should not be blocked by any interior items.
- Opening the hatch. It should not rest against a wall or furniture.
Most often, a Bosch washing machine is installed in the bathroom. Although sometimes the device is placed in the kitchen and even in the pantry.
Particular attention should be paid to the surface on which the machine will stand. It should be smooth and firm, which will eliminate the instability of the equipment. Soft floors are not suitable for installation. A level is used to level the device.
