A water supply manifold is needed in order to increase the comfort of using water. When wiring with a single pipe when opening several taps, the pressure may weaken. As a result, a person taking a shower can be scalded if someone turns on the water in the kitchen. You can fix this problem using the distribution manifold, however, it is important to know how to choose it.
Description
A water supply manifold is a device that divides water into several streams at once. The principle of operation remains the same as with a conventional tee. One stream comes into the pipe, and two come out of it at once. The diameter of the inlet should be greater than the diameter of the outlet by an average of 20-40%. Therefore, when opening several taps at once, there is no decrease in water flow and pressure.
The water supply manifold can divide one stream into several small ones, while the pressure with increased consumption will remain stable, the separation of flows is carried out in a pipe of a larger diameter in comparison with the traditional scheme. The more impressive the diameter of the pipe, the more water will pass through it in a certain time.
Why choose comb
As practice shows, the collector circuit of the water supply system is more comfortable during operation, if we compare with the traditional circuit, which has tees and joints. However, the cost of materials for arrangement exceeds this parameter by 8-10 times. That is why this scheme does not apply if the budget is limited for laying the water supply .
The main types of distribution manifolds
The water supply manifold can be classified by material in the base. In the production process can be used:
- brass;
- crosslinked polyethylene;
- polypropylene;
- stainless steel.
Varieties of installation technology
You can also subdivide the collectors according to the method of fastening pipes. If the thread is internal or external, then the mount is threaded. Fixation can be carried out using the Euro cone or by means of compression fittings for metal-plastic and plastic pipes. For plastic pipes, solder fittings are also used, among other things, the fastening can be combined. In the latter case, a thread is located on holes of a more impressive diameter, while a compression fitting is located on a small diameter , it is still sometimes replaced by a Euro cone.
Varieties of collectors by the number of taps
The collector of cold water supply, as well as hot, can be divided by the number of outlets. Their number can be equal to the limit from 2 to 6. Products have two fasteners that correspond to the diameter of the feed pipe and are intended for docking. With their help, several blocks are connected into one collector without the use of additional adapters.
Sometimes it happens that one block is enough, but as an alternative solution, special plugs are used for the plug. Collectors can be used to disconnect some consumers, while the rest are not affected. This is suitable in cases where it is necessary to repair or replace plumbing, restore the damaged area or clean the sewer, as well as a certain area of the pipeline.
Varieties of collectors by manufacturer
Considering the types of combs, the consumer sometimes pays attention to the Far collector, which can be purchased at a cost ranging from 1000 to 2400 rubles. In the first case, it is a regulating manifold with two branches. The range of operating temperature can vary from +5 to +100 ° . The working pressure is 10 bar, the distance between the taps is equivalent to 45 mm.
If you need a collector with three taps, then you may prefer a model that will cost you 1,500 rubles. The operating temperature range and operating pressure remain the same as the distance between the branches. The Far collector can have 4 taps, while for the model you will have to pay 2050 rubles. Other characteristics remain the same. The most expensive collector model from this manufacturer - (BP-HP) 1 "-1/2" has 4 taps and costs 2309 rubles.
On sale you can also find Rehau collectors. They cost a little more. For example, a model with two taps for radiator heating systems costs 5500 rubles. If there are three branches, the model will cost a little cheaper. The cost in this case is 5300 rubles. The device consists of distribution pipes, the diameter of which is equal to one inch. The seal used is flat and connection is possible on both sides. Straight brackets have soundproofing properties and are made of galvanized metal. Rehau collectors for water supply require connecting nipples for clamping. The whole structure is made of brass.
Installation
Installation of the water supply manifold is carried out in a certain place, which will depend on the purpose of the device. Most often, this element of the circuit is intended for the organization of multi-circuit heat supply. In addition, the comb can be an indispensable component for a warm water floor. Before starting the installation, it is necessary to calculate the combs, the main task in this case is the uniform distribution of pressure along the circuit.
If the system has a complex circuit of highways, then the calculation should be performed using special programs. To equip a system with the number of circuits within five, you can use the principle of equal sections: N0 = N1 + N2 + N3 + N4. In this formula, N0 is the diameter of the collector, while all other values are sections of its outlet pipes. This calculation system is used in the manufacture of the comb yourself. It is important to ensure that the sizes of the output and input collectors match. The standard collector arrangement does not have form requirements. It can have a round or square section.
The main principle of the installation is as follows: in order to improve circulation, it is necessary to install pumps for each circuit, while the distribution comb does not have to synchronize the operation of the pumps. The distribution manifold for water supply can become part of a system that provides for a boiler room. If the unit is located in it, then the use of a protective box is optional. An exception is the installation of a comb for heating in a warm floor system, the elements of which are made of polypropylene. In order to regulate the volume of the coolant, it is necessary to install control valves on the outlet and inlet pipes, it can be a balancing flow meter and inlet valves.
The collectors of the water supply system should be installed after planning the installation, while the foreman must provide for the presence of a security group on the distribution unit. Depending on the specific parameters of the heating system, general recommendations may be supplemented and changed. In addition to these rules, professionals advise taking into account the difference in the length of the circuits when calculating the heating collector. It is important to draw up a diagram so that the length of the contours is approximately the same. In order to reduce energy consumption, you can install the mixing unit of the comb device, which will reduce heating costs.
How to choose a suitable collector
Before you purchase a collector, you must determine what the number of consumers of hot and cold water will be. This should include toilet bowls, faucets, dishwashers, washing equipment and other devices. The wizard should determine the type of water pipes, on which the choice of device and additional fittings will depend. If you get a comb with installed valves, then it will prove to be quite good during installation, because each valve does not have to be mounted separately.
Conclusion
If the number of consumers does not coincide with the number of taps, then you can purchase several combs, making up a single whole. In order to connect to a feed pipe made of cross-linked polyethylene or polypropylene, you should buy a collector of these metals. They are cheaper than metal, easier to install and not inferior in reliability. The polypropylene comb must be joined by soldering, while the polyethylene comb using compression fittings.