At the mention of the word "eccentric" for faucets, everyone thinks what it is, of course, except for plumbers. It seems that the word is familiar, but what it means is incomprehensible. In the article we will understand what it is, why it is necessary and how to work with it.
What is it
Actually the word "eccentric" stands for "outside" and "center" - "outside the center", or "displaced center".
An eccentric for mixers is a device, in fact, an adapter from a water pipe to a tap or vice versa. This adapter, in which the axis has a wide and narrow threaded parts, offset in relation to each other. Its size is 3/4 x 1/2 (15 x 20 mm). The standard center distance of the pipe inlet openings is 150 mm.
Why do you need an eccentric
The range of faucets today is very diverse. Each mixer has its own technical parameters that differ in design features, appearance and distance between the nozzles. Often when installing the mixer there are some difficulties with its fastening and mismatch of the butt holes. And in such cases, an eccentric for mixers comes to the rescue.
The installation of eccentrics for the mixer involves screwing one edge with a narrow and external thread directly into the water supply, that is, a water pipe, and the other end with an internal thread serves to attach one of the pipes of the plumbing device to it. Some types of eccentrics for the mixer are made of brass or bronze. If the pipes are made of plastic, then there is no difference what material the eccentric is made of, but when screwed into a metal water pipe, the eccentric must be of the same metal, in this case it is stainless steel. In this way, the same pressure in the middle of the pipe and thermal expansion are ensured, which automatically eliminates the leakage of water.
Cam sizes
According to plumbing standards, the center distance of the cam between the inlets of the water pipes is 150 mm. If this parameter does not coincide, it is enough to slightly turn the eccentric for the mixers by simply turning the adapter along the axis to the desired position, achieving the best result. Using this method, you can install any type and size of mixer on the pipes set according to the standards, and even regardless of their supply. But there is a slight restriction - the distance between the ends of the pipes.
If the size of the hole in the tile is smaller than the standard, you must either expand it, or you can buy extra long eccentrics for the mixer. The main dimensions of the shoulder in the center of the eccentric are 40 mm, 60 mm and 80 millimeters. Not only do they differ in size, but also in shape, the longer the shoulder of the product, the greater the distance between their ends. In most cases, when buying a mixer, eccentrics are already included in the plumbing fixture kit. But perhaps the length of the adapters is not suitable and therefore often have to buy them separately.
How to install by yourself
Often the installation of the adapter is the responsibility of the plumber, but it so happens that there is a need for self-installation. This process can be divided into two stages:
- installation of eccentrics;
- installation of adapters on the mixer.
First of all, make sure that access to the water supply is blocked. This ensures that in case something goes wrong, the neighbors below will not be hurt.
In order to be convinced of the complete set of the product, it is necessary to assemble the structure without using gaskets, check all components for skew, if there is any jamming in the threaded joints. Are all the details involved, is there something superfluous, or vice versa.
The second stage of work is the connection through eccentrics for the mixer, the dimensions of which must be checked in advance with other components. Eccentrics consist of two parts - wide and narrow thread. Flax or winding is necessarily wound on narrow threads. It is necessary to wind it clockwise, so that the winding does not move during the twisting of the product. A paste for threaded joints is applied to the flax thread , it is also possible to use silicone sealant. You can resort to the old way of winding the thread, for this, oil paint is used. After installing the eccentrics, be sure to check that the center distances are observed. Using a horizontal level, check the position of the eccentrics that are centered. They should be at zero level. If during the installation of the eccentrics of the mixer it suddenly appears that the shoulder length of the adapter is insufficient, then in this case it is necessary to purchase a longer one.
To accurately cover the holes of the pipes, decorative reflectors are used.
At the final stage, a mixer is installed.
Things to remember
- Before starting work, you must ensure that the complete set of the crane. Check for defects in parts and their dimensions.
- Make sure the size of the cam is correct.
- Remember that flax or insulation should be wound only in the direction of the thread.
- Check the tightness and reliability of the insulation fixing. It should not scroll with the thread.
- Be sure to use grease on top of the flax. A great option is silicone sealant or oil paint.
- First, the eccentric must be acquired manually, then apply the key.
Final conclusion
From the whole article we can conclude that without the use of eccentrics the mixer cannot be installed. Certain skills are not required during the installation process, so it is possible to produce it yourself. The main thing is to choose the right types of eccentrics for the mixer, apply a sealing tape, install silicone, rubber or nylon gaskets. It is also necessary to monitor the correct installation of the mixer, which should be in the zero horizontal position. The steps are to check the nodes for a water leak. If necessary, it is required to tighten them. If you follow the instructions and follow all the above tips, then everything will work out the first time.