Hydrophore pressure switch setting. Water pressure switch adjustment. Where to install a mechanical controller

The pressure switch is one of key elements management pumping station, which provides automatic switching on and off, and controls the water supply to the tank according to the preset settings. There are no recommendations regarding upper and lower pressure limits. Manufacturers often ship their products customized certain parameters. Most often it is 1.8 bar to turn on and about 3 bar to turn off. But during operation, additional settings are often required, and therefore each user is forced to independently adjust the pressure switch of the pumping station according to the data specified in the instructions.

The design and principle of operation of the pressure switch

The relay is a small block with maximum and minimum pressure springs. Its adjustment is carried out by means of the same springs that respond to changes in the pressure force. Having reached the minimum values, the spring weakens, and at the maximum, it compresses even more. Thus, it causes the relay contacts to open, and accordingly turns the pumping station on and off.

If there is water in the water supply, the relay allows you to create a constant pressure in the system and the required pressure. With the right setting ensured automatic operation pump which significantly extends its service life.

But before proceeding to the setup, let's go through the device and the principle of operation of the pumping station.

It includes the following components:

  • an electric pump that draws water from an external source. It can be submersible, permanently under water or outdoor;
  • non-return valve that prevents water from leaving;
  • pressure switch;
  • water storage tank;
  • piping system, which consists of various auxiliary components such as filters, pipes, etc.

As for the principle of operation, there is nothing complicated in this device. Inside the reservoir or tank there is a pear-shaped balloon made of modified food rubber, and air is pumped between it and the walls of the container. The pump fills the “pear” with water, which causes it to expand and compress the outer air layer, which begins to put pressure on the wall. By adjusting the relay, the owner of the pumping station can set the tank filling limit and the moment it is turned off. All this is controlled by a manometer.

To prevent water from going back into the well or into the system, in the pump spring loaded valve. It is enough just to open it and the water that has collected in the "pear" will go through the system. The pressure will drop as the water is consumed, and after it drops below the threshold set in the relay, the pumping station will automatically turn on and fill the tank with water.

The relay is connected between the outlet of the tank and the check valve on the pipeline. All splitters are usually assembled from separate components in order to save money, but in fact it is easier to buy a five-way fitting, which has threads for all parts, including a pressure gauge. At the same time, it is extremely important not to confuse the inputs for check valve and fitting, since pump adjustment will not be possible in this case. But the use of standard spare parts allows you to reduce such errors to a minimum.

How is the relay arranged?

For pumping stations intended for home use often used pressure switch RM-5 or its analogues. It is worth considering that device can be changed, and therefore the description given in this article will only be approximate and if problems arise, you will have to look for their cause either in the attached instructions or in the information on the World Wide Web.

Each relay model PM-5 has a metal movable plate. With opposite sides two springs apply pressure on it. In addition, a “pear” filled with water also presses on it. By turning the clamping nut on the appropriate spring, the actuation limits can be reduced or increased. Springs do not allow water to displace the spring, that is, the relay mechanism is designed in such a way that when displacement occurs, groups of electrical contacts are closed.

But to make it easier to understand, let's write down detailed algorithm works:

  • the pumping station pumps water into the tank. The engine turns on due to the closure of the contacts in the relay;
  • the amount of water in the tank increases and when a certain value of the upper pressure is reached, the mechanism is triggered and the electrical circuit is broken, after which the pump is turned off. Water leakage is prevented by a non-return valve;
  • as the water is consumed, the “pear” is emptied, in the system the pressure drops and the relay turns on again closing contacts.

Setting the pressure switch

If you are not satisfied with the factory presets of the pressure switch, then in this case you can configure it yourself. All you need for this is a screwdriver and a wrench to adjust the nuts.

It is worth understanding that relay setting is a very important and responsible process, since it depends on how correctly the limit levels of operation will be set, how convenient it will be to operate the pumping station and the terms of trouble-free operation of both it and its individual components.

The first step is to check the pressure in the reservoir tank. Most often it comes from the factory, with an on level of 1.5 bar, and a shutdown of 2.5 bar. You need to check the pressure when the tank is empty and the pumping station is disconnected from the network. To check, you should use an automotive mechanical pressure gauge, since its body is made of metal, and therefore the accuracy of the readings will be more reliable, which cannot be said about electric or plastic ones. The fact is that their readings can be seriously affected by the air temperature in the room or the battery charge level. It is also recommended that the limit of the pressure gauge scale be as small as possible, since it will be difficult to measure 1 atmosphere on a scale of 50 atmospheres.

To check the pressure in the tank, open the cap that closes the spool and connect a pressure gauge. In the future, this procedure should be carried out at least once a month. There should be no water in the tank at this moment, and the pumping station should be disconnected from the 220V network.

Having chosen the required mode of operation, you should fix it by removing excess air or, conversely, by additionally pumping it. It should not be forgotten that pressure must never be reduced to less than one atmosphere and, accordingly, pump over. If there is little air in the tank, then the rubber "pear" with water will touch the walls of the tank, and a large number of will not allow you to pump a lot of water, since a significant volume of the tank takes air.

How to correctly set the pressure levels for switching on and off the pump?

As mentioned above, pumping stations supplied ready for operation have a relay already configured according to the most optimal parameters. But, if she is going to individual elements in place, then relay needs to be adjusted. without fail , since it is necessary to ensure a normal relationship between the volume of the tank and the power of the pump. There is also a need to change the initial setting. Therefore, in these cases, the procedure should be as follows:

Typically, the pump is selected with parameters that do not allow the tank to be pumped to the extreme limit. And the pressure that should turn it off is set to a couple of atmospheres more than the turn-on threshold.

It is also allowed to set pressure limits that differ from the values ​​recommended by the relay manufacturer, which allows you to create your own version regime operation of the pumping station. When adjusting the pressure with a small nut, it should be borne in mind that starting point reference should be the lower level set by the large nut. Rubber hoses and other plumbing are designed for pressure not higher than recommended by the manufacturer, which should be taken into account during installation. In addition, excessively strong water pressure is often unnecessary and causes discomfort.

Pressure switch adjustment

Now let's talk directly about the adjustment of the relay. Its process cannot be called difficult, but some points will have to get used to. In our example, you need to set the upper threshold to 3 atmospheres, and the lower threshold to 1.7 atmospheres. It is adjusted like this:

Thus, if you set high pressure to turn off and low to turn on, the tank will fill large quantity water, which will reduce the need to use the pump. A slight inconvenience may occur if a large pressure difference is observed, in cases where the container is full or almost empty. Otherwise, when the pressure range is small, the pump will have to be used more often. But water will flow into the system evenly and thus a stable and comfortable pressure will be ensured.

It is possible to repair the pumping station relay, but keep in mind that this is only a temporary measure. Since this element protects the pump itself from overloads, and the membrane inside the tank from damage. With this in mind, it would be better to immediately purchase a new relay. Therefore, the only exception would be ongoing maintenance, namely lubrication of moving parts to reduce resistance and achieve maximum precision.

Today, the dear reader and I will have to figure out what the pressure should be in the pumping station and what can cause deviations in its operation. We will analyze the applicable connection schemes, typical malfunctions and equipment installation errors. Let's get started.

What it is

  1. How is the pumping station set up?

It is a complex of equipment mounted on a common frame, including:

  • Centrifugal surface pump;
  • Membrane hydraulic accumulator;
  • Automatic relay for turning on the pump with a pressure sensor.

The price of a pumping station depends on the power of the pump, the volume of the accumulator and varies from 5 to 15 or more thousand rubles.

The device works like this:

  • When power is applied, the pump pumps water into the membrane tank. The pressure in it rises to the upper limit of the automatic relay setting and is maintained by air compression in the air compartment of the accumulator;
  • As soon as the pressure in the tank of the pumping station reaches the upper value in the relay settings, the pump turns off;
  • When water is flowing through plumbing fixtures, the pressure is provided by air compressed in the accumulator. When the pressure drops to the lower limit of the relay setting, it turns on the pump, and the cycle repeats.

Please note: the pump should not run constantly or turn on with a minimum frequency. For example, for the Neoclima GP 600/20n pumping station owned by the author, the manufacturer recommends an operating mode with twenty or less starts per hour.

A special case

In the vast majority of pumping stations, the suction of water is provided only by the vacuum created in the suction pipe. Accordingly, the theoretical maximum suction depth is limited by the height of the water column at an excess pressure of one atmosphere - 10 meters. In practice, for devices on the market, the suction depth does not exceed 8 meters.

Meanwhile, the so-called two-pipe stations with external ejector capable of lifting water from a depth of 25 meters or more.

How? Isn't that against the laws of physics?

Not at all. The second pipe descending into the well or well supplies water to the ejector with excess pressure. The inertia of the flow is used to entrain the masses of water surrounding the ejector.

Functions

  1. What are pumping stations used for?

Here is a list of the most popular use cases for these devices:

  • Autonomous water supply of the house from an open reservoir, a well or a well;

  • Reserve water supply from storage tank. When the centralized water supply is turned off and the pressure drops in the local water supply, the station turns on automatically. After the resumption of water supply, the tank is filled without the participation of the owner. It is this scheme that is implemented in the house of the author of the article;

  • Increasing the pressure of water in the pipeline. Pumping stations that increase water pressure are popular among cottage owners and country houses: condition country water pipelines often leaves much to be desired.

Operation parameters

  1. What pressure should be in the pumping station during its normal operation?

It is determined by the settings of the automatic relay. As a rule, the lower limit of its operation is set equal to 1-1.5 atmospheres, the upper - 3-4.5. For the aforementioned Neoclima GP 600/20n, the relay factory settings are 3/1.5 kgf/cm2.

Reference: the set of rules SP 30.13330.2012 limits the maximum water pressure at the points of water intake residential buildings value of 45 meters, which corresponds to 4.5 atmospheres.

If necessary, the pressure sensor for the pumping station can be adjusted by hand.

The instructions for setting it up are very simple:

  • For adjustment it is necessary to remove the cover of the automatic relay;
  • Under it you will find two studs with springs and nuts: the large one is responsible for setting the pump on pressure, the small one is for turning it off;
  • Turning the nut clockwise will increase the parameter of interest to us, counterclockwise - to decrease.

Author's note: the higher the upper threshold of the relay setting, the more water will be able to accommodate the accumulator, and the less often the pump will turn on. However, a range of 1.5-3 atmospheres makes it absolutely comfortable to use any household appliances and sanitary equipment.

  1. What pressure in the hydraulic accumulator of a pumping station is considered the norm?

It should be 10% less than the start pressure of the pump. For a hydraulic accumulator with a volume of 20-25 liters, typical for devices entry level, normal pressure charging - 1.4 - 1.7 kgf / cm2.

  1. How to measure and adjust the pressure in the receiver of the pumping station?

The measurement is performed with the power off and the plumbing drained. To do this, it is enough to connect a pressure gauge with a thread for the nipple, an automobile pump or a compressor with a pressure gauge to the accumulator nipple. The same pump or compressor can pump air into the membrane tank.

Please note: the nipple is often hidden under a plastic or metal cover to prevent contamination or accidental bleeding.

Connection

  1. How are booster pumping stations connected or autonomous water supply?

Here are the basic rules for their installation:

  • The suction pipe must be equipped with a check valve. If the station supplies water from a well or well, the valve is placed at the end of the suction pipe. For a device that increases pressure, or provides backup water from a tank, it can be installed directly on the body;

Hint: without a check valve, the water in the accumulator will merge into the well, container or water supply immediately after the pump is turned off.

  • The diameter of the suction pipe must not be smaller than the diameter of the pump nozzle. pressure pipe at the outlet may have a smaller diameter;

  • If a filling valve is connected to the water supply storage capacity reserve water supply, the outlet to it must be cut in before the output of the pumping station. Between the tie-ins, a check valve is again mounted. It will exclude the flow of water into the water supply line or into the tank.

Problems and Solutions

  1. Why the Gileks pumping station does not hold pressure in the accumulator(cm. )?

Here is the list possible causes malfunctions, typical for devices of all manufacturers:

  • Missing, dirty, incorrectly installed or defective non-return valve on the suction pipe or water inlet. The arrow on the valve body should point towards the pump, and it should only let water flow in one direction;

  • Lack of pressurized air in the air compartment membrane tank. To verify the absence or presence of this malfunction, press the nipple stem. If neither air nor water comes from there, the accumulator simply needs to be pumped up;

  • Rupture of the membrane of the accumulator. In this case, water begins to drip from the nipple when its stem is pressed. The membrane changes to a new one after turning off the water and opening the receiver tank;

  • The pump power is not enough to create a pressure corresponding to the settings of the automatic relay. A symptom of this problem is continuous, without shutdowns, pump operation. The problem is fixed by adjusting the relay;
  • Water leaks (primarily flow through drain cisterns in toilets). In case of leaks, the pump periodically turns on in the absence of water analysis through the mixers. The problem is eliminated by adjusting, repairing or replacing the filling or drain valves in the tanks.

  1. Why does air enter the water supply system with a pumping station?

The probable cause is a leak in the suction pipe (rupture or loose connection with the suction pipe of the pump or the check valve). The problem is eliminated by sealing the joints or replacing the pipe.

In addition: the pump can suck in air when the water level in the well or well falls below the check valve. The problem is solved by lengthening the suction pipe or by limiting the water flow to a lower flow rate than the source.

Conclusion

We hope that our material will help the reader to solve most of the problems one way or another related to autonomous and backup water supply. The video in this article will tell you more about how pumping unit pressure increase. Good luck!

When organizing a water supply system at home, not only a pump is needed, but also automation to ensure its operation. One of the necessary devices is a water pressure switch. This small device turns on the pump when the pressure in the system drops and turns it off when the threshold is reached. The value of the on and off parameters can be adjusted. About how this device is arranged, how to connect it and how to regulate it - in the article.

Purpose and device

In order to maintain a constant pressure in the water supply system of a private house, two devices are needed - a hydraulic accumulator and a pressure switch. Both of these devices are connected to the pump through the pipeline - the pressure switch is located in the middle between the pump and the accumulator. Most often, it is located in the immediate vicinity of this tank, but some models can be installed on the pump housing (even submersible). Let's understand the purpose of these devices and how the system works.

A hydraulic accumulator is a container divided by an elastic pear or membrane into two halves. In one, air is under some pressure, in the second, water is pumped. The water pressure in the accumulator and the amount of water that can be pumped there is regulated by the amount of air pumped. The more air, the higher the pressure maintained in the system. But at the same time, less water can be pumped into the tank. Usually it is possible to pump no more than half of the volume into the container. That is, it will be possible to pump no more than 40-50 liters into a hydraulic accumulator with a volume of 100 liters.

For normal operation household appliances require a range of 1.4 atm - 2.8 atm. To support such a framework, a pressure switch is required. It has two operation limits - upper and lower. When the lower limit is reached, the relay starts the pump, it pumps water into the accumulator, and the pressure in it (and in the system) increases. When the pressure in the system reaches upper limit, the relay switches off the pump.

In a circuit with a hydroaccumulator, for some time water is consumed from the tank. When enough flows out so that the pressure drops to the lower threshold, the pump will turn on. That's how this system works.

Pressure switch device

This device consists of two parts - electrical and hydraulic. Electrical part- this is a group of contacts that closes and opens on / off the pump. The hydraulic part is a membrane that exerts pressure on the metal base and springs (large and small) with which the pump on / off pressure can be changed.

The hydraulic outlet is located on the back of the relay. It could be the release external thread or with a nut like an American. The second option is more convenient during installation - in the first case, you either need to look for an adapter with a union nut right size or twist the device itself, winding it onto the thread, and this is not always possible.

The electrical inputs are also located on the back of the case, and the terminal block itself, where the wires are connected, is hidden under the cover.

Species and varieties

There are two types of water pressure switches: mechanical and electronic. Mechanical ones are much cheaper and usually prefer them, while electronic ones are mostly brought to order.

NamePressure adjustment limitFactory settingsManufacturer/countryDevice protection classPrice
RDM-5 Gileks1- 4.6 atm1.4 - 2.8 atmGilex/RussiaIP4413-15$
Italtecnica RM/5G (m) 1/4"1 - 5 atm1.4 - 2.8 atmItalyIP4427-30$
Italtecnica RT/12 (m)1 - 12 atm5 - 7 atmItalyIP4427-30$
Grundfos (Condor) MDR 5-51.5 - 5 atm2.8 - 4.1 atmGermanyIP 5455-75$
Italtecnica PM53W 1"1.5 - 5 atm Italy 7-11 $
Genebre 3781 1/4"1 - 4 atm0.4 - 2.8 atmSpain 7-13$

The difference in prices in different stores is more than significant. Although, as usual, when buying cheap copies, there is a risk of running into a fake.

Connecting the water pressure switch

The water pressure switch for the pump is connected immediately to two systems: to electricity and plumbing. It is installed permanently, since there is no need to move the device.

Electrical part

To connect a pressure switch, a dedicated line is not required, but desirable - there are more chances that the device will work longer. A cable with a solid copper core with a cross section of at least 2.5 square meters should go from the shield. mm. It is desirable to install a bunch of automatic + RCD or difavtomat. The parameters are selected according to the current and depend more on the characteristics of the pump, since the water pressure switch consumes very little current. The circuit must have grounding - the combination of water and electricity creates a zone of increased danger.

Scheme of connecting the water pressure switch to

Cables are brought into special inputs on the back side of the case. There is a terminal block under the cover. It has three pairs of contacts:

  • grounding - the corresponding conductors coming from the shield and from the pump are connected;
  • terminals line or "line" - for connecting the phase and neutral wires from the shield;
  • terminals for similar wires from the pump (usually on the block located above).

The connection is standard - the conductors are stripped of insulation, inserted into the connector, tightened with a clamping bolt. Pulling on the conductor, check whether it is securely clamped. After 30-60 minutes, the bolts can be tightened, since copper - soft material and contact may be weakened.

Pipe connection

There is different ways connection of the water pressure switch to plumbing system. The most convenient option is to install a special adapter with all the required outlets - a five-pin fitting. The same system can be assembled from other fittings, just ready-made version always use flatter.

It is screwed onto a pipe on the back of the case, a hydraulic accumulator is connected to the other outlets, a supply hose from the pump and a line that goes into the house. You can also install a mud sump and a pressure gauge.

A pressure gauge is a necessary thing - to control the pressure in the system, monitor the settings of the relay. Mudguard - too desired device, but it can be installed separately on the pipeline from the pump. There, in general, a whole is desirable

With this scheme, at a high flow rate, water is supplied directly to the system - bypassing the accumulator. It begins to fill up after all the taps in the house are closed.

Water pressure switch adjustment

Consider the process of adjusting the most popular instance - RDM-5. It is produced by different factories. Adjustment limits vary, as different sizes of water pipes require different pressures. This device leaves the factory with a basic setting. Usually it is 1.4-1.5 atm - the lower threshold and 2.8-2.9 atm - the upper threshold. If you do not like some parameter, you can reconfigure it as required. This procedure is usually necessary when installing a hot tub: standard pressure at 2.5-2.9 atm is not enough for the desired effect. In most other cases, reconfiguration is not required.

The RDM-5 water pressure switch has two springs that regulate the pump off / on threshold. These springs differ in size and purpose:

  • large regulates the limits (immediately upper and lower);
  • a small one changes the delta - the gap between the upper and lower borders.

The parameters are changed when tightening or loosening the nuts on the springs. If you tighten the nuts, the pressure increases, if you loosen it, it drops. There is no need to turn the nuts strongly one turn - this is a change of about 0.6-0.8 atm, and this is usually a lot.

How to determine relay thresholds

The threshold for turning on the pump (and the lower pressure threshold on the water pressure switch) are related to the pressure in the air part of the accumulator - minimum pressure in the system should be 0.1-0.2 atm higher. For example, if the pressure in the tank is 1.4 atm, the shutdown threshold is 1.6 atm. With these parameters, the tank membrane will last longer. But in order for the pump to work under normal conditions, look at its characteristics. It also has a lower pressure threshold. So, it should not be higher than the selected value (below or equal). Based on these three parameters, you select the switching threshold.

By the way, the pressure in the accumulator must be checked before setting - there are significant deviations from the declared parameters. Under the removable cover (in different models looks and is located in different places) the nipple is hidden. Through it, you can connect a pressure gauge (you can use a car or the one you have) and see the actual pressure. By the way, it can be adjusted through the same nipple - increase or decrease if necessary.

The upper threshold - pump shutdown - is set automatically during adjustment. The relay in the initial state is set to some kind of pressure difference (delta). This difference is usually 1.4-1.6 atm. So if you set the inclusion, for example, to 1.6 atm, the shutdown threshold will be automatically set to 3.0-3.2 atm (depending on the relay settings). If you need a higher pressure (to raise water to the second floor, for example, or the system has many draw-off points), you can increase the shutdown threshold. But there are limitations:

  • The parameters of the relay itself. The upper limit is fixed and in household models usually does not exceed 4 atm. It just won't work anymore.
  • The upper limit of the pump pressure. This parameter is also fixed and the pump must be turned off at least 0.2-0.4 atm before the declared characteristic. For example, the upper pressure threshold of the pump is 3.8 atm, the shutdown threshold on the water pressure switch should not be higher than 3.6 atm. But in order for the pump to work for a long time and without overloads, it is better to make a larger difference - overloads have a too bad effect on the life.

That's all for choosing the settings of the water pressure switch. In practice, when setting up the system, you have to adjust the selected parameters in one direction or another, because you need to choose everything so that all points of water intake work normally, including household appliances. Therefore, it is often said that the parameters are chosen by the “scientific poke” method.

Setting the water pressure switch for a pump or pumping station

To set up the system, you will need a reliable pressure gauge, the readings of which can be trusted. It is connected to the system near the pressure switch.

The adjustment process consists in twisting two springs: large and small. If you need to raise or lower the lower threshold (turn on the pump), turn the nut on the large spring. If you turn it clockwise, the pressure rises, counter-clockwise - it falls. Turn by a very small value - half a turn or so.

The sequence of actions is as follows:

  • The system is started, the pressure gauge monitors at what pressure the pump turned on and turned off.
  • Press or release the large spring.
  • They turn on and check the parameters (at what pressure it turned on, at what pressure it turned off). Both values ​​are shifted by the same amount.
  • If necessary, make adjustments (adjust the large spring again).
  • After the lower threshold is set as you want to see it, proceed to adjust the pump shutdown threshold. To do this, press or lower a small spring. Do not turn the nut on it too much - half a turn is usually enough.
  • Turn the system back on and look at the results. If everything suits, they stop there.

What else do you need to know about adjusting the water pressure switch? That not all models have the ability to change the delta, so look carefully when buying. There is a pressure switch for the pump in a moisture- and dust-proof housing. They can be placed in a pit, some models can be installed directly on the pump housing if it has such an outlet.

In some water pressure switches there is also an idle (dry) relay, in general this device is in a separate case, but there are also combined ones. Defence from idle move it is necessary that the pump does not break if suddenly there is no water in the well or well. Some pumps have built-in protection of this type, for others they buy and install relays separately.

A household pumping station is purchased to avoid problems with distribution cold water by cottage. This technique is fully functional offline and does not require much supervision. However, if it is poorly adjusted, then there will be zero sense from the equipment. Only a competent adjustment of the pressure switch of the pumping station will allow the water supply system to work with maximum efficiency.

The device and principle of operation of the relay

The pressure switch that comes with the pumping station monitors the volume of water in the accumulator and, if necessary, “turns on / off” the hydraulic pump. If the tank is empty, then the automation starts it. And then, when the set filling level is reached, the relay turns off the pump again. So the necessary pressure is automatically maintained in the water supply of the cottage, human participation in this process is not required.

A typical pumping station control relay consists of:

  • Two springs (each with an adjusting nut);

    Flange for connecting to a tee on a water supply system;

    Membrane that responds to changes in the water pressure system;

    Contact plate switching the power supply circuit of the hydraulic pump;

    Power and ground terminals.

Scheme of the device of internal elements

The relay springs of the pumping station are designed to set the parameters for switching on and off pressure. The large one is responsible for setting the lower threshold of operation, and the small one located next to it is for the upper limit of the termination of work. The first "turns on" the pump, and the second "turns off" it.

Without such automation, equipment pumping water will have to be constantly turned on and off with handles. These are the pros and cons of the pile foundation and other options must be carefully weighed in order to choose the optimal foundation for the cottage. With relay controlling water pressure pumping station, everything is much simpler. It is necessary by definition.

In the initial state, a large spring presses the plate to the maximum, which leads to the closing of the contacts of the circuit supplying the pumping equipment. Power is supplied to the pump motor. When the upper pressure threshold is reached, the plate rises under the simultaneous pressure of a small spring and a membrane, after which the circuit opens.

And then the water is wasted. As a result, the pressure decreases and the membrane contracts. The plate again closes the contacts that supply power to the pump. The process of the pumping station starts on a new cycle.

Preparation of the storage tank of the pumping station

Before adjusting the pressure switch itself, it is necessary to prepare the accumulator. It consists of a sealed container and a rubber pear that divides this tank into two parts inside. When pumping water into the first pump, air pressure rises in the second. Then this air mass, with its pressure on the pear, will maintain the pressure in the water supply pipe.

Hydraulic accumulator (storage tank)

In order for the pumping station to work in the optimal mode, it is necessary to correctly select the air pressure for the accumulator. If you make it too high or too low, then the hydraulic pump will start up too often. This setting is a direct path to rapid equipment wear.

Necessary air pressure in the accumulator is set after it is completely empty of water. After its descent, air is pumped at the rate of 1.4–1.7 atmospheres for a tank of 20–25 liters and 1.7–1.9 atmospheres with a larger volume. Specific values ​​should be viewed in the technical passport of the station.

Pressure setting and adjustment

For self-fulfillment settings of the relay in question, special knowledge in plumbing is not required. It will take a long time to figure out how to sheathe a house with siding or mount SIP panels according to the rules. There are many more nuances of work. With the adjustment of the pressure switch of the pumping station, everything is much simpler. All you need to do is follow five steps.

To set up the water pressure switch, you must:

    Disconnect the pump, and then drain the water from the cold water pipeline.

    Turn on the hydraulic pump and record the pressure gauge reading when the relay turns off (this is the value of the lower threshold set by the large spring).

    Open the water supply tap farthest from the pumping station and track the numbers on the pressure gauge when the pump turns on again (this is the upper threshold adjusted by a small spring).

    If the pressure in the open tap at the start of the hydraulic pump was too low, then it is necessary to increase the cut-off pressure by screwing the nut on the large spring. With excessively strong pressure, it should, on the contrary, be slightly weakened.

    With the help of a small spring, the delta between the upper and lower thresholds is set within 1.5–2 atmospheres.

To complete the adjustment of the pressure switch, the water from the system is completely drained again, and then the station is connected to the network. If everything is set up correctly, then the pressure in the taps should be satisfactory. Everything is extremely simple. This is the choice of building materials for the house and the layout of a plot of 15 acres of rectangular shape will take a lot of time. The pressure switch is set up in just half an hour.

Possible errors when debugging the pressure switch

When adjusting the relay, it must be remembered that a small spring is more sensitive than a large one. The nut on the first must be turned slowly and carefully. And most importantly, the small spring does not set the water pressure itself to turn off the pump, but the delta between the thresholds for the automation.

This difference during tuning is recommended to be selected in the region of 2 atm. This corresponds to the normal filling of the accumulator with water (half). If the delta is set to about 1 atm, then the tank will be filled only by 25–30%. And this is too little, the pump will run idle.

One more thing - the lower threshold should not exceed 80% of the maximum pressure for a particular relay that comes with pumping equipment. If the pressure in the taps is insufficient, then the relay switch will have to be changed to a more “powerful” one.

It is recommended to check the pressure of the pumping station once every six months. You will need to completely drain the water. And then turn it on, checking the real values ​​​​of the thresholds on the pressure gauge. In general, adjusting the water pressure at a home autonomous water supply station should not cause problems. It is necessary to tighten with a wrench or a screwdriver only a couple of nuts on two springs.

Pumping stations

The pumping station is quite compact and differs simple device. The relay itself consists of several elements.

Table. Components of the pressure switch.

Element namePurpose and brief description

This spring sets the pump shutdown parameters. When it is compressed, the maximum pressure increases. Adjustable with a nut. When the nut is loosened, the pressure drops. The spring is mounted on a movable plate that turns on/off the terminals. The movable plate is connected by a metal pipe to the hydraulic accumulator. The pressure of the water lifts it, the contacts open.

Made of metal, used to fix all relay elements.

With its help, water is supplied from the accumulator to the relay. At the same time fixes the device on the pumping station.

One is supplied with mains power, and the second supplies voltage to the electric motor.

The phase and zero of the engine are connected to the lower ones, the mains supply to the upper ones. It is not necessary to follow this order.

Connects the metal case of the pumping station to the grounding of a house or apartment. Don't be confused neutral wire and grounding are two different things.

Factory settings do not always meet the wishes of consumers, in this regard, it is very often necessary to do self-installation parameters.

What pressure should the pumping station be regulated to?

A very important question, not all consumers understand the intricacies of the operation of the equipment. Incompetent actions always have negative consequences.

Practical advice. Do not set the maximum pressure too high, as this will cause the pump to fail prematurely.

By increasing the pressure, consumers hope to solve two problems.


In connection with such beliefs, the maximum pressure is set within 3-4 atm., Especially since the technical characteristics allow you to create pressure up to five or more atmospheres. Working values ​​do not exceed 80% of the maximum, which means that everything is normal. But it's not. Which value to choose for optimal performance pump and household equipment? This issue must be considered in detail.

  1. As the pressure increases, the volume of water in the accumulator increases. But its increase is too costly in direct and figuratively the words. For your information, in a 10-liter cylinder, by increasing the pressure by one atmosphere, the amount of water increases by approximately 1 liter. If the initial air pressure in the cylinder is 1 atm., then at the water pressure in the rubber chamber 1 atm. its volume is 4 liters, if the pressure is 2 atm., then the volume increases to 5 liters, and at a pressure of 3 atm. the volume of water is 5.5 liters. Indeed, the pump will turn on less often. But we must understand that each increase in pressure by one atmosphere requires significantly more costs electrical energy in addition, the pump elements work with increased loads. As a result, attempts to achieve savings turn into direct losses - you will have to change expensive equipment more often.
  2. It is believed that if the pressure is low, then it does not function. Appliances. It's not true, all washing machines, dishwashers and other devices work fine at a water pressure of 1 atm.

Step-by-step instructions for adjusting the pressure switch

Important. Some craftsmen violate safety precautions and carry out adjustment work with the equipment plugged into the network. We strongly advise against doing this, a few minutes of saved time are not worth the lost health.

Step 1. Check the pressure compressed air in the accumulator. There is a rubber plug on the back of the tank, you need to remove it and get to the nipple. Check the pressure with an ordinary air pressure gauge, it should be equal to one atmosphere. If there is no pressure, pump in air, measure the data and after a while check the indicators. If they decrease - a problem, you need to look for the cause and eliminate it. The fact is that most equipment manufacturers sell hydraulic accumulators with pumped air. If it is not available when buying, then this indicates a marriage, it is better not to purchase such a pump.

Step 2. Turn off the electrical power and remove the protective cover of the pressure regulator housing. It is fixed with a screw, removed with an ordinary screwdriver. Under the cover there is a contact group and two springs compressed by 8 mm nuts.

  1. Big spring. Responsible for the pressure at which the pump turns on. If the spring is fully tightened, then the motor switch-on contacts will be constantly closed, the pump turns on at zero pressure and constantly works.
  2. Small spring. Responsible for turning off the pump, depending on the degree of compression, the water pressure changes and reaches its maximum value. Please note, not the optimal working, but the maximum according to technical specifications unit.

Important. The compression ratio of a small spring sets the so-called delta - the difference between the on and off pressures. Delta can be various quantities, from tenths to several atmospheres.

For example, you have a delta of 2 atm. If in this case the pump turns on at a pressure of 1 atm., then it will turn off at 3 atm. If it turns on at 1.5 atm, then it turns off, respectively, at 3.5 atm. etc. Always the difference between the pressure on and off the electric motor will be 2 atm. You can change this parameter by changing the compression ratio of the small spring. Remember these dependencies, they are needed to understand the pressure control algorithm. The factory settings are set to turn on the pump at 1.5 atm. and shutdown at 2.5 atm., delta is 1 atm.

Step 3. Check the actual operating parameters of the pump. Open the tap to drain the water and slowly release its pressure, constantly monitor the movement of the pressure gauge needle. Remember or write down at what indicators the pump turned on.

Step 4. Continue monitoring until shutdown. Also write down the values ​​for which Electrical engine turned off. Learn delta, subtract from greater value lesser. This parameter is needed so that you can navigate at what pressures the pump will turn off if you adjust the compression force of the large spring.

Step 5. Stop the pump and loosen the small spring nut about two turns. Turn on the pump, fix the moment it turns off. Now the delta should decrease by about 0.5 atm., The pump will turn off when the pressure reaches 2.0 atm.

Step 6 You need to ensure that the water pressure is in the range of 1.2–1.7 atm. As mentioned above, this is the optimal mode. Delta 0.5 atm. you have already installed, you need to lower the switching threshold. To do this, you need to release a large spring. For the first time, turn the nut, check the starting period, if necessary, fine-tune the compression force of the large spring.

You will have to start the pump several times until you get it turned on at 1.2 atm., and turned off at a pressure of 1.7 atm. It remains to replace the housing cover and put the pumping station into operation. If the pressure is correctly adjusted, the filters are constantly in good condition, then the pump will work for a long period of time, there is no need to do any special maintenance.