How to set up a water pressure sensor in a water supply system

Very often, in large high-rise buildings in the hot and cold water supply system, the pressure exceeds the standard value of 6 atmospheres. Despite a good constant pressure, this situation also has a number of disadvantages: too much pressure significantly reduces the service life of various plumbing fixtures (faucets, taps), can cause breakdown of household appliances connected to the water supply system (washing and dishwasher), creates too much noise when the passage of water through the supply pipes of the shower stall, mixers. To avoid such problems, install a water pressure regulator (reducer).

Device and principle of operation

A water pressure regulator is a plumbing device designed to reduce and regulate water pressure in intra-apartment wiring.

The simplest gearbox consists of the following parts:

• thick-walled brass or metal case, in the form of a cross;
• dial gauge located in the upper part of the gearbox housing and used to measure pressure;
• connecting pipes with an internal thread and a diameter of 15-25 mm (1 / 2-1 inch);
• adjusting screw compressing the spring;
• adjusting spring;
• diaphragm - flexible plate regulating the compression ratio of the spring;
• a piston with a plate (valve) - a rod with a small round plate that closes the horizontal passage opening and regulates the water flow rate.

The principle of operation of the water pressure regulator in the water supply system of an apartment or private house is as follows:

1. When the adjusting screw is tightened, the spring located under it presses through the diaphragm on the piston with the valve.
2. A piston with a valve overlaps a certain diameter of the horizontal bore inside the body.
3. When water is drawn by various plumbing fixtures, the pressure on both sides of the bore, closed by a piston with a valve, is the same.
4. If the water intake is not performed, the diaphragm, connected with the inner cavity of the gearbox by a small channel, weakens the compression of the spring located above it, which leads to the closing of the through hole by the valve.

Thanks to this principle of operation, an intra-apartment or house water supply system has a constant pressure, the value of which is sufficient for various domestic and economic needs.

Types of gearboxes

Depending on the design and the principle of regulating the water pressure, reducers are of the following types:

• Piston - the simplest devices in which the water pressure is regulated thanks to a vertically moving valve stem.
• Diaphragm - a type of shut-off and control valves in which the water pressure is reduced due to a spring-adjustable diaphragm.
• Flow-through - regulators in which the decrease in water pressure occurs due to the labyrinth of small channels. Such gearboxes are durable and reliable, as they do not have moving parts or parts that wear out over time. In addition to water supply, they are also used in irrigation systems.
• Automatic - reducers that adjust the pressure to the standard using special springs and diaphragms without human intervention. An automatic water supply regulator is installed, as a rule, on a forced circulation pump. The regulator works by periodically turning on the pump when the pressure drops below the set one.
• Electronic - devices consisting of an electronic unit (printed circuit board - controller, control buttons), a connection pipe and a water flow sensor. Like the automatic analogue, it is installed on circulation pumps and pumping stations.

The most common and popular for apartments and private houses are piston and diaphragm gearboxes.

Regulatory Requirements

Pressure reducing reducers are subject to the following regulatory requirements:

• High quality workmanship - the body of the device must be made of durable material that can withstand high pressure, corrosion and water hammer. The use of gearboxes with housings with walls with internal cavities and cracks is not allowed.
• The subtlety of the adjustment - the reducer must provide pressure control in the water supply system with an accuracy of 0.5 atmospheres.
• The tightness of the case eliminates even the smallest leaks. This is achieved by various sealing gaskets and metal rings installed at the junction of the collapsible parts of the gearbox.
• Reliability of threaded connections of the inlet and outlet pipes.
• Ease of service - the device must properly adjust and maintain the required water pressure in the system and have convenient maintenance and repair. All moving internal components should be easily and easily removed from the case for inspection or replacement.

The devices must be marked accordingly - the connecting diameter of the nozzles (in inches and millimeters), the manufacturer's name, an arrow indicating the direction of water movement.

Criterias of choice

The main criteria for choosing shut-off and control valves for water supply systems:

• Type - piston and diaphragm reducers are more often used for apartments and private houses. In conditions of large cottages and multi-storey private houses, automatic and electronic models are the most convenient and reliable.
• Body material - the most reliable and durable brass gearboxes.
• Connecting diameter - for a house or apartment with 3 points of water intake, reducers with nozzles with a thread diameter of 1/2 inch (15 mm) are used. If there are more than 3 points, use 3/4 ”(20 mm) connections.
• Manufacturer - the most reliable and high-quality gearboxes are produced by Honeywell, Valtec.

Cost is also an important criterion, but first of all, you need to pay attention to quality.

Features of installation and settings

Stages of mounting the reducer in the water supply system:

1. a shut-off ball valve is closed on the riser or inlet pipe;
2. through the nearest mixers, the pressure in the inter-apartment wiring is relieved;
3. after removing the seals, a specialist of the local water utility dismantles the water meter unit;
4. by means of two quick-detachable couplings ("American"), the regulator is connected to an oblique coarse filter or a non-return valve installed after the inlet valve.

Install a reducer between the inlet tap and the water meter. To set up a water pressure sensor in a water supply system in a private house or apartment after installing it, you must:

1. close the inlet tap on the water supply from the riser or pipe entering the house;
2. bleed air through the plumbing fixtures closest to the device;
3. set the required pressure value using the adjusting screw;
4. open the inlet valve and check the correct setting using the installed pressure gauge.

During the operation of the reducer, when the pressure in the system undergoes some changes, it must be periodically adjusted, repeating all the operations described above.

The cost of devices depends on the quality of manufacture, type and brand. Budget models with 1/2 inch connecting diameters on average have a price from 600-700 to 1000 rubles. More expensive and high quality gearboxes can be purchased for 2500 - 3000 rubles.