An increasing number of people choose life in suburban cottages, village houses and new settlements. It is proved that the urban rhythm exhausts even the strongest person, which directly affects the effectiveness of his work and even relations with loved ones. This is understood even in the government, promoting the program "One-story Russia". But this is all a theory. In practice, it turns out that a simple person who decides to equip permanent or temporary housing outside the boundaries of the city faces a number of nuances that must be taken into account. So, living in a city, it is not at all necessary to understand what a pressure switch of a pumping station is. In rural areas, where, as a rule, there is no centralized water supply, it is difficult to do without such knowledge.
Where to get water in the cottage
Not all suburban homes are located in the area of centralized water supply lines. Quite the contrary - “lucky ones”, who just need to get a pipe into the room from the main branch with water and enjoy the benefits, are much less than the rest. But there is a solution. And there are several of them. The choice, as often happens, is determined by the final cost of installation and subsequent operation of the autonomous water supply system .
The best known three solutions to the problem:
- With the help of a capacious container on the territory of the holding, into which you need to periodically bring / bring water from somewhere for filling. In fact, it is a compact analogue of a water tower. The barrel itself is set at a height, so that water flows out of it by gravity, you just have to open the tap. The disadvantages of this solution are more than advantages.
- In the classic way - with the help of a well and a bucket (sometimes with a rocker). Reliability is 100%, but there is no need to talk about convenience. Is it worth recalling that to fill a small bath will require 14 walkers to the well with a bucket?
- Having mounted a pumping station, which automatically takes water from a well or well and gives it to the consumer if necessary. This makes it possible in relation to water supply to organize the usual urban life in a village house. In this article, we will consider this particular case. We will also explain what a pump station pressure switch is and indicate its role in ensuring the operation of a domestic water supply system.
Individual water supply
A pumping station is a device designed to pump water from an external source and create and maintain the desired pressure in a home water distribution system. Structurally, it is a set of components interconnected in a certain way, each of which performs its function. For example, the pressure switch of the pumping station controls the pressure, in fact, completely controlling the operation of the entire system. In addition, if this element malfunctions or is incorrectly configured, the storage membrane tank may fail, and this is a significant recovery cost.
What a pumping station consists of
This device includes:
- An electric pump that pumps water from an external source. Depending on the method of implementing the scheme, it can be submersible, constantly under water, as well as external, surface.
- Non - return valve, preventing the flow of water by gravity.
- Pressure switch of the pumping station, regulating the pressure by turning on / off the pump.
- Hydraulic accumulator tank, accumulating and issuing water.
- The piping system, consisting of auxiliary elements (pipes, five-way fitting, filter).
Principle of operation
Before we explain how to configure the pressure switch of the pumping station, it’s worth at least in general terms to talk about the operation of the individual home water supply system. Inside the accumulator there is a container in the form of a pear made of modified food rubber, and air is pumped between it and the walls of the tank. The pump pumps water into the "pear", it expands and compresses the outer air gap, which begins to exert pressure on the walls. Adjustment of the pressure switch of the pumping station enables the system owner to set the limit for filling the tank and, as a result, the moment the pump is turned off, controlling the pressure gauge.
Water will not leave back into the well, as this is prevented by a spring-loaded valve. It is necessary to open the tap at any point of the intake - and water will rush out of the pear according to the system, and the initial pressure will be equal to the set value. As the water is consumed, the pressure will drop, and when the lower threshold set in the relay is reached, the pump will turn on and the cycle will repeat.
Proper installation
As we have already indicated, the most important element of such a water supply system is the pressure switch of the pumping station. It is connected between the outlet of the accumulator and the check valve on the pipeline. Although in order to save all the splitters can be assembled independently from single components, we recommend purchasing a five-way fitting, which provides threads for all the main parts, including a pressure gauge. It is important not to confuse the arrangement of the non-return valve and the fitting, otherwise adjustment of the pressure switch of the pumping station will be impossible. When using standard components, such an error is minimized.
Pump station pressure switch device
In the design of stations for individual water supply, the RM-5 or its foreign analog fully compatible with the findings is used as a pressure limiter. However, changes in the internal structure are possible and, as a result, malfunctions of the pressure switch of the pumping station are also different, although they can be grouped by similarity.
Inside each model (RD5 or PM5) there is a metal movable plate (platform), on which two springs exert pressure from opposite sides. Also, water pumped into a pear indirectly presses on it. By turning the clamping nut of the corresponding spring unit, the operation limits can be increased or decreased. The springs seem to “help” (or interfere) with the pressure of the water to move the plate. The mechanism is designed in such a way that when the platform is displaced, several groups of electrical contacts are closed or opened.
That is, the circuit itself works as follows:
- The pump pumps water into the accumulator. Power to the engine is supplied through closed contacts to the pressure switch.
- The water pressure in the tank grows, when a certain value is reached, set by the springs of the upper limit in RD-5, the mechanism is triggered and the circuit breaks - the pump turns off. Liquid does not flow back into the well thanks to the valve.
- As the pear is removed, the pear is emptied, the pressure in the system drops and the lower limit spring activates in the relay, closing the contacts to the pump. The cycle repeats.
Configure the RM-5 relay
Outwardly, it is a small plastic box, on the lower side of which there is a metal base with a union nut located there, the system of which is similar to the “American” one. With its help, the device is screwed to the output of the five-way fitting. Setting the pressure switch of the pumping station consists in tightening two nuts. The larger one is located on top of the metal plate and is indicated by the letter "P". It is responsible for the upper pressure value at which the contacts open and the pump motor is switched off. A smaller nut is designated as "ΔP" and indirectly indicates a lower value, upon reaching which the electrical circuit is switched on. When tuning, it is very important to understand that “Delta P”, unlike “P”, does not set a lower limit, but regulates the difference between the shut-off and turn-on pressures.
Adjust the upper limit at which the pump shuts off
A prerequisite for proper adjustment is to check the air pressure in the accumulator tank. Usually it is about 1.5 Atmospheres. The higher it is, the less water the capacity will accumulate, but then the average pressure will be larger. Imagine that with a completely empty tank there is 1 Atm. This is permissible. If less, then you need to use a pump.
After that, you should apply power to the circuit (it is understood that everything is assembled, and the taps are closed) - the pump will turn on, water will begin pumping into the tank. Next, you need to monitor the movement of the arrow on the manometer. When a certain value is reached, the relay will trip and the engine will shut off. After that, turning the nut P a little, you can reduce or increase the disconnection limit. The arrows next to the symbol on the plate indicate the direction (+ or -). You should not be too zealous, since each model of the accumulator is designed for its allowable volume of water, which should not be exceeded. The air pressure, previously measured, allows you to calculate the volume of accumulated liquid: if the shutdown occurred at 4 Atm, and in the air gap 1 Atm, then 3 Atm (about 30 liters) were collected in the tank. Of course, full return does not occur, so less is available to the owner.
Adjust the lower limit
After turning off the circuit at the upper limit, open the tap and monitor the pressure gauge. The value at which the pump is switched on is precisely the lower limit. If it is large, then by rotating the ΔP nut, you can increase or decrease it. In any case, the remaining pressure should not be lower than 0.9 Atm.
A few nuances
An important rule to extend the life of a rubber tank is that: the pressure in the air gap should not exceed by more than 10% the lower limit on which the pump is turned on. Otherwise, it will be possible to get more water and reduce the engine starting frequency, however, the pear will bend in different directions, reducing its life.
If the pump does not turn off when adjusting the upper value, and the pressure gauge needle stops at a certain number, this means that there is not enough pump power to pump to the set limits. It is necessary to interrupt the power supply and, slightly reducing the "P", repeat the test, having previously disassembled the accumulated water.
Repairing the pressure switch of the pumping station, although possible, is only a temporary means. Since this element actually protects the pump from overload, and the bulb from damage, it is better to purchase a new relay. The only exception is routine maintenance, in which internal friction parts are lubricated to reduce resistance and more accurately respond.