Contents
The work of dishwashers is associated with water, so they have a security system that prevents the flood. We will find out how leakage protection works in a dishwasher and what it happens to be.
Why is Aquastop necessary?
Dishwashers (PMM), working with water, are a source of danger – if water leaks, problems cannot be avoided. The cause of the flood can be either a damaged hose or an internal failure, accompanied by excessive water intake.
Flooding will harm not only the owners, but also the neighbors – if we are talking about an apartment building. Payments for lawsuits from affected residents can be many times higher than the cost of household appliances that caused the flood.
Whatever the cause of the leak, the machine must prevent it. The dishwasher itself regulates the supply and discharge of water, relieving a person from controlling the washing process.
Advantages
Thanks to “Aquastop” dishwasher:
- without a human command, it turns off the water intake;
- interrupts the washing program;
- de-energizes the dishwasher.
PMM, protected from water leakage, have indisputable advantages:
- If the apparatus breaks and water flows, the flood will not happen.
- You don’t have to pay neighbors from below for a damaged ceiling and make repairs in your kitchen.
- Water is saved – it is blocked when triggered. But this, of course, is not such a big loss that can occur when neighbors are flooded from below.
- PMM can be safely turned on at night and leaving home.
- Prevent even greater damage that can occur during flooding or short circuits.
What is the protection?
Today, almost all dishwashers are leak-proof – without this, the device becomes a source of big trouble. Different manufacturers of systems may be called differently. In PMM Electrolux and Bosch, for example, Aquastop operates.
At this time, there are almost no dishwashers on sale without Aquastop. Even in the cheapest machines there is at least a pallet with a float.
There are two types of protection against flooding – full and partial, we will consider them in more detail.
Partial
This option is twice as common. The body and the pipe inside it are protected. The hose remains in danger.
Body protection elements:
- pallet – metal or plastic (located at the bottom of the apparatus);
- sensor;
- mechanical valve;
- foam float, with lever.
Principle of operation:
- When water leaks appear, its level in the pan rises.
- The float, pushed out by the water, changes the position of the lever that closes the switch.
- The sensor sends a signal to the valve relay – it shuts off the water supply, and to the module – it starts self-diagnosis. An error code appears on the screen – the user learns about the problem.
- As soon as the signal arrives at the control module, the drain pump starts – it starts pumping. From the tank, water is redirected to the drain.
- To restore the operation of the machine, you need to find out what is the cause of the leak and empty the pan.
If a hose outside the housing is torn, everything will pour onto the floor.
Full
This option is much more efficient than the previous one. It is often referred to as “AquaControl” (AquaControl). With this system, the pallet is equipped with a particularly durable inlet hose, at the ends of which there are electromagnetic valves.
How does it work:
- When the water in the tank reaches a certain level, the sensor is activated.
- Further, the overflow protection system turns off the valves and interrupts communication with the water supply.
If the damage to the hose is accompanied by internal malfunctions – for example, the sensor or the evacuation pump is broken, the machine is insured by a pallet with a float. And then the fight against flooding proceeds similarly to the previous version – the tank is emptied automatically and the problem is eliminated.
This option provides greater security, which is why it is worth choosing devices with this function.
To increase the safety of PMM, you can buy and install a particularly reliable Aquastop hose. It is double – if the inner layer wears out, the outer layer saves the situation.
With minor leaks, the system in budget and outdated PMM models does not work immediately. In good cars, Aquastop works immediately.
What should I do after AquaStop is triggered?
There can be many reasons for triggering:
- Water does not drain due to clogged filter or drain. Or due to the failure of the drain pump.
- Uncontrolled water flow due to a faulty valve or torn hose.
- Malfunction of the Aquastop system – due to a detached hose, breakage of the float, deformation of the pallet.
Regardless of the cause of the trip, you must act in this order:
- Disconnect the dishwasher from the mains. Don’t step into the puddle. If it is impossible to turn off the device without stepping into the water, it is better to turn off the electricity in the shield.
- Shut off the water valve in the bathroom.
Please note that it is not safe to operate the machine after the AquaStop has been triggered. Diagnostics is necessary – the master must examine the device, find out the cause of the leak and find its place. If necessary, blockages will be cleared, faulty parts replaced with new ones.
When all faults have been eliminated, the system is activated by pressing the reset button. If necessary, a new Aquastop system is installed.
Which dishwashers are completely leak-proof?
Partial security is implemented mainly by Turkish and Chinese manufacturers. Full protection is preferred by German Bosch and Swedish Electrolux.
Installing 100% protection is inexpensive, so it is not clear why some brands neglect it, limiting themselves to partial security. Well-known European brands also sin with this – Hotpoint-Ariston Candy, Whirlpool, Indesit, Gorenje.
Conclusions
Summing up:
- In most budget PMMs, only the body is protected from leaks. Higher-class machines often have a more efficient system – in addition to the body, the outer hose is also protected in them.
- The presence of 100% protection does not actually affect the cost of the dishwasher. It is all the more expedient to choose a model that will be completely protected from leaks.
- The criterion under consideration is not a key one when buying a PMM. Usually buyers pay attention to design, price, loading, brand, number of baskets and other things that catch the eye or affect the cost / quality of the machine. But in vain. If a flood occurs, the losses may exceed the value of the equipment.
If you choose a model with 100% leakage protection when choosing a PMM, this will not greatly affect your wallet. But your dishwasher will be under complete control, and you will be insured against the troubles associated with the flood.