Water leakage sensor: device structure, operating principle, control alarm

Uncontrolled spillage of water as a result of a breakthrough in pipes or their joints, damage to the heating system and other leaks can lead to damage to property, and in an apartment building and property of neighbors living from below. A water leakage control sensor will help to avoid such consequences, which will automatically shut off the water supply in the event of an emergency. It is better to prevent a leak than to remedy its consequences.

Device structure

Most water leakage sensors consist of three structural elements:

• sensor;
• shut-off valves;
• Control block.

The main element of this design is the water leakage sensor. It is he who fixes the appearance of liquid in the room. The more there are, the more reliable the protection. The element transmits a signal to the control unit, which shuts off the water supply and notifies others about a problem. There are two types of sensors - wireless and wired. They are installed in places with the highest probability of water leakage.

The shut-off valves in the device are represented by various valves that shut off the water at the request of the electrical impulse of the control unit. The knot successfully retains water. The valves are opened manually after the cause of the emergency has been eliminated. It is better to install shut-off valves after the inlet valves.

The brain of the system is the control unit. Receiving a signal from a water leakage sensor, the shut-off valves are closed, and others are notified of the incident. Depending on the device model, the system may have a GSM unit that transmits a leak message to the user's phone number. If the kit does not include a radio receiver, then purchase it yourself. The central unit can be mounted in any place where water will not get on it, and the humidity in the room is the maximum permissible.

Depending on the specifics of the installation site of the equipment, the number of structural elements may vary.

The principle of the sensor

Despite the complexity of the internal structure, the principle of operation of the device is simple. As long as the device is dry, it does not react to external factors. As soon as moisture gets on the sensor, the electrode poles are closed, and it sends a signal to the electronic controller to shut off the water supply. Adjusting the sensitivity of the sensor excludes its false triggering.

Information is transmitted via wires, if the sensors are wired or by radio signal, which is typical for wireless models. After receiving the signal by the central unit, it instantly processes it and sends a command to the valves of the shut-off valves to block the water supply. The equipment is protected against accidental operation. The entire process should take 15 to 20 seconds.

Until completely eliminated the cause of the leak, the inlet valve will be closed.

The reliable operation of the device requires preventive maintenance. In order for the control signaling devices to react fully to water, the sensor contacts must be cleaned of grease, dust and soot every three months. Cleaning is carried out with a soft cloth soaked in a light solvent. Periodically, it is necessary to clean the mesh, which is located in the coarse filter housing from rust and sand from the water supply.

DIY installation of the system

All water leakage protection systems are easy to assemble. Theoretically, installation can be done by any person who has the skills to work with a hand tool, but it is safer to trust a specialist. Install the flood sensor in places where there is no possibility of accidental damage.

Before installation, it is necessary to draw up a layout of all elements and check the equipment. If this is a wired model, then the length of the connecting wires provided by the design must be taken into account.

Installation is carried out in the following sequence:

1. Cut-in valves. The unit is mounted at the pipeline inlet after manual valves. It is recommended to put a water filter in front of the device. This will extend the service life of the device. In working condition, the equipment consumes 3 W, and at the moment of closing or opening the valve - 12 W.
2. Installing the sensor. The device can be installed in two ways. The first method involves mounting a water sensor on the floor. The equipment is placed on the floor surface with the contact plates facing down. The second method of installation is floor installation. The device crashes into an area of ​​potential water accumulation in the event of a possible leak. During installation, the contact plates are raised to a height of 3 mm to 4 mm to avoid false triggering.
3. Installation of the control unit. According to the wiring diagram, phase and zero are supplied to the device. The element is powered from the power cabinet. To install the controller box, a hole is prepared in the wall. Recesses are grooved under the power wires to each sensor, ball valve and power cabinet. The central unit is installed in a back box, all wires are connected and laid in accordance with the diagram.
4. If everything is assembled correctly, then after switching on the equipment begins to work, as evidenced by the indicator on the box of the device glowing green. If a leak occurs, the green color of the indication changes and turns red. A buzzer sounds and the tap stops the fluid supply.

To restore the operation of the sensor, the power supply to the control unit is turned off, the manual valves of the pipeline are closed and the cause of the accident is eliminated. The appliance is wiped dry, the equipment turns on and the water supply opens.

Device advantages

The advantages of this device emphasize its importance, although according to statistics, the use of the protection system is no more than 8%. The benefits include:

• durability and reliability of the device;
• ease of installation and maintenance;
• efficiency in preventing leakage;
• control without additional cables;
• obtaining information about the accident as soon as possible;
• the operation of the device does not depend on the electric power supply, as it can function from other power sources;
• control over work;
• small dimensions;
• lack of external power supplies, which guarantees safety of use;
• manufacture of device elements from anti-corrosion alloy;
• no false positives;
• the possibility of increasing the number of sensors used.

It should be noted that the sensor can be integrated into other protection systems, for example, burglar alarms. This is especially true for hotels, industrial complexes, offices and warehouses.

System malfunctions

During the operation of the equipment in the system, malfunctions may occur that can be eliminated as independently, and with the help of specialists:

1. Malfunction of the radio receiving device (RPU). You must try to restart it. To do this, it is installed in the registration mode. If the sensor is still not found, the radio control unit must be replaced or returned to the service center for repair.
2. Wireless sensor does not work. The malfunction indicator on the radio control panel or the sensor housing is on. In such cases, the sensor must be replaced.
3. Broken wire or faulty wired sensor. It is necessary to repair the open circuit or replace the sensor.
4. The electric drive of the cranes does not work. The tap shuts off the water after the liquid enters the sensors, when voltage appears in the contacts and the electric motor is connected. If the water does not cut off, then it is necessary to disconnect the tap and check the voltage. Having determined the cause of the breakdown, replace the tap or contact the service center with the device.
5. The control unit does not work. Upon contact with liquid, the leakage indicator on the radio control unit and the sensor lights up, and the electric valve drive does not work. In such a situation, the voltage in the network and the state of the battery are checked, if there is no voltage, you must contact the service center.

You should know what to repair some units Devices require in-depth knowledge of electronics and electrical engineering, as well as specialized equipment to diagnose breakdowns.

Equipment selection criteria

In the process of choosing a protective device, you need to take into account its certain parameters:

1. Method and place of attachment. The system should be mounted where there will be no false signals about an emergency in case of accidental ingress of liquid on the sensors or in case of excessive humidity in the room.
2. Power supply. There are certain requirements for laying the system when using industrial voltage. In some cases, it is better to purchase devices that run on batteries.
3. Sensitivity threshold. Is it possible to adjust the sensors for sensitivity.
4. Manufacturer. You need to pay attention to the likelihood and, if necessary, make a service repair of the equipment or get technical support.
5. Valve shut-off time. The lower it is, the less chance of flooding.
6. The presence of a battery. In the case of installing wired equipment, it is necessary to provide for the autonomy of the system when the power supply is cut off.
7. The presence of sensors. Some systems have the ability to connect up to 40 sensors without installing additional units, and with additional units, their number can be increased to 375 pieces.
8. Model type. A wireless system is more expensive than a wired one.

Expensive and cheap models are equally effective. Each manufacturer tries to improve the system by adding additional functions to it.

Safety sensor manufacturers

Often when choosing a protective system, the consumer does not knowwhich one is best to ensure the safety of the premises from floods and leaks. Knowing which devices occupy a leading position and their technical characteristics, it will be easier to choose a protection system.

The modern Russian market is represented by the recognizable brands Neptun and Gidrolock.

The Neptun protection system is manufactured by the Special Engineering Systems Limited Liability Company, founded in 1991. This is the most popular brand for which certificates and declarations of conformity have been received.

Models are available for industrial and domestic use with a voltage of 220 W and 12 W. If a leak is detected, the device closes the taps for 21 seconds. The system is equipped with autonomous power supplies. It runs on 4 batteries or uninterruptible power supply. This allows the equipment to operate during a power outage.

The model has a self-cleaning system that operates once a month. Up to 35 sensors can be connected to the device. The manufacturer gives a 3-year warranty for the protection system.

The company GIDRORESURS was founded in 2006 and under the Gidrolock brand produces protection systems for monitoring water supply systems and preventing accidents in them.

The electric ball drive of the device is supplied with a voltage of 12 W. If it is absent, the electronic system starts to work from rechargeable batteries. Depending on the crane model, in an emergency, it is shut off within 21-30 seconds. The valves are made of stainless steel and can withstand pressures up to 64 atmospheres.

The device is equipped with a self-cleaning function that works every 14 days. The central unit gives a command to close and open the ball electric drive, which prevents its "acidification".

The control unit can be connected to up to 20 sensors and electric ball actuators, no more than 100 radio sensors and GSM alarm system. The manufacturer's warranty period is 3 years.