A dishwasher is a salvation for housewives in the kitchen; with its help, you not only save time, but also your budget: less water is consumed when washing dishes. Therefore, a “dishwasher” is no longer a luxury, but a necessary household item. Science does not stand still, it is constantly developing, innovations are being created for household appliances. Not long ago, the Aquastop system was introduced for a dishwasher.
"Smart" hoses
Filler and drain hoses (sleeves) on a “dishwasher” these are the lines that are responsible for supplying and draining water. “Aquastop” is an electromagnetic locking device installed on the machine arm. Manufacturers guarantee that during operation of a dishwasher with a hose on which Aquastop is installed, there will be no water leaks.
The principle of their operation
A “smart” hose is a water inlet hose, located in a protective sheath with a device (Aquastop system) that blocks the flow of water into the dishwasher in case of emergency: breakthrough or leaks.This is a double type of protection device: the machine is protected (Aqua-control system), and there is no flood of water on the floor (Aquastop system).
Components of the Aquastop system
The main components of the protection system: arrangement of electromagnetic or mechanical valves; hose for supplying water to the system; tray, float sensor, safe electrical cable, cable, excess water release button.
How the system works
The design functions quite orderly and with full efficiency. Mechanical or electromagnetic shut-off devices are installed in the filler sleeve. When the dishwasher is turned on, the safety valve is energized, it opens, and the working shut-off device is in the closed position. When you press the "Start" button to start the machine, the operating valve opens.
Varieties of the Aquastop system
Inlet hoses are manufactured with built-in devices for various types of protection: using an electromagnetic field, absorbent, mechanical type.
Mechanical method of protection
It is not used so often, for example, on inexpensive "dishwashers» Bosch. The device consists of a spring with a valve. The spring is designed for a strictly defined operating pressure: when there is a leak, it immediately drops, the spring is triggered, and the flow of water is blocked by the valve. The disadvantage of this method is that the system does not respond to small leaks, only floods.
Absorbent protection
This system is more common and is used more often. Its operating principle is simple: when there is a leak, water flows into a container with an absorbent; as a result of contact with water, the absorbent begins to swell and expand, as a result, it helps to stop the supply of water to the “dishwasher» using a valve. A device using an absorbent is equipped with a spring or plunger. The disadvantage of the system is that the absorbent, after increasing in size, hardens and blocks the valve. It is impossible to use it in the future; the hose also needs to be changed.
Electromechanical method
The principle of operation is similar to the absorbent type of protection. The difference is that instead of an absorbent, 1 or 2 solenoid valves are used here, depending on their types. This is the most reliable Aquastop protection device. Based on research by specialists, the device “fails” in very rare cases.
Connecting Aquastop to a dishwasher
If there is a device in the machine, the water supply hose cannot be unscrewed, since it has 2 valves built into it to protect against leaks. It is best to pull the water supply line from the plumbing block to the "dishwashers". After connecting the line, shut-off valves are installed and the filling hose of the machine is attached; it is best to use a new one.
System problems
The main disadvantage of hoses with Aquastop is the inability to lengthen them, as well as install them in inconvenient or narrow places due to the overall body. Some users of Bosch dishwashers claim that their housing must be placed with the arrow pointing down, as written in the instructions, otherwise replacing the system will be problematic. Therefore, it is necessary to follow the manufacturer’s requirements so that there are no problems with the installation and operation of the device.
Troubleshooting
If a water leak occurs "dishwasher" signals an error E15 - this means that “Aqua control” has been activated.
Sometimes there is no warning and no water flows into the machine. In this case, it is necessary to: close the shut-off valves at the water inlet; disconnect the hose with Aquastop; inside the sleeve there is a valve within visual accessibility, located behind the nut. If there is no clearance between the valve and the nut, it means that Aquastop has worked and water will not have the opportunity to flow through the sleeve.To be sure, you need to remove the lower frame of the machine body; if water is found in the pan, then the system has worked, you need to look for a leak.
Replacing a hose with Aquastop
Changing the hose is a simple job: turn off the water, remove the old one and attach the new hose. If you have a device with a solenoid valve, you must connect a wire with a connector to the sensor. The sensor is located near the water fill hole on the machine.
Aquastop repair
In the “dishwasher” “Aquastop” plays one of the main roles: it calculates the water level, the degree of rupture of the filling hose, and in case of a leak it will save the neighbors.
If the device breaks down, you cannot operate the machine. “Aquastop” is located at the connection of the pipeline with the hose; if there are leaks in the hoses or in the body, it is triggered and the water is shut off. The leak may be from the “dishwasher” body itself, then the machine needs to be repaired, since the “neck” of the magnetic valve is cracked. It will need to be replaced, there are several options for solving the problem: buy a suitable new one (expensive in price), buy the Chinese version of “Aquastop” with a pipe, you can try to put it on a sealant or use a soldering iron.
Replacing the Aquastop system is not difficult: just remove the side and top walls of the cover in the housing.
Sealing will bring a temporary effect, since the device will always be under the influence of water pressure, and the sealant will gradually be washed off. You can try soldering it if the crack is visible and it is not visually hidden.
Dishwasher – a good invention, in order for it to last longer, must be used carefully and in accordance with the instructions.
