Protection against water leaks in the apartment - what to choose? Do-it-yourself water leakage protection system Do-it-yourself water leakage protection

Emergencies, when water fills the whole house, can happen to anyone. A special alarm system can prevent flooding. The sensor works to determine the problem and block the sources of water supply to an apartment or house.

Then it can happen in any house or apartment. The reasons may be a pipe break or a drain problem. In this case, not only plumbing and furniture in the house may suffer, but also the apartment on the floor below. A water leak sensor will help prevent an unpleasant situation.

Flood alarms work much more simply than other sensors. The system is fast enough, it will help not only to identify problems, but also to shut off the water. This option is good when the owners are away from home.

Reasons for the flood:

1. Leaking tub or sink drain
2. Broken water supply pipe;
3. Clogged drain, which leads to obstruction of the drain and overflow of water over the edge of the plumbing;
4. Pipe burst when liquid spurts like a fountain;
5. Breakage of heating pipes.

Problems with the heating system are especially dangerous when it comes to the central system. Water moves through pipes with high pressure and has a high heating temperature. Even when the owners are at home, it is very difficult to stop the hot flow.

In just a few minutes, a house can pour 5 cubic meters of hot liquid.

In this case, it will be necessary to urgently shut off the coolant supply. But, in order not to endanger your life, it is easier to install a flood sensor. He does not panic, unlike people, and regularly performs his duties.

One of the causes of a sudden flood may be water hammer in the pipeline. The reasons, consequences and methods of protection are described in the article:.

The principle of operation of the Anti-Flood system and its classification

The operation of the system lies in the difference between the electrical conductivity of water and air. In the design of any sensor there is a pair of electrodes. When liquid enters them, the resistance decreases and the circuit closes.

Information is decoded on the controller. Next, the controller signals the closing of the solenoid valve. It is installed at the entrance to the riser.

The closing period lasts from 2 to 30 seconds. This is affected by the type of system selected.

The inlet valve will be stopped in operation until the cause of the leak is found. After setting up the controller, the system will return to its original form. The stationary signaling device works autonomously. Only if there is a problem will you need to intervene in the system.

Classification of the "Antipot" system:

• Over the number of electric cranes;
• Behind the method of informing about the problem;
• Behind the option of data exchange between the sensor and the controller.

Normally, the number of electric cranes is at least two. This is due to the installation of sensors for hot and cold water. But if desired, the number of taps can be increased.

Water leakage alarm circuit

You can use different versions of the system from leaks. The most popular are Neptune, Aquawatch, Ardvino and Gidrolock. They work on the same principle. Devices are installed on ball mixers with an electric drive. The safety elements not only shut off the water, but also signal the user that there is a problem with sound or light. These mechanisms get along well with the "smart home" system.

Leak sensor circuit elements:

• Controller;
• Water leakage sensor;
• Ball valve with electric drive.

The controller is used to decode the signal that comes from the sensors and the drive voltage. The element feeds the rest of the structure and signals a problem. The controller can be mounted anywhere. The main thing is that water does not get on the device.

The leakage sensor reacts to moisture and sends a signal to the controller. To connect it, only safe power sources are used so that there are no emergencies when the plates are accidentally touched. It is mounted in places of probable leaks: next to plumbing.

Operation of the sensor includes wiping the plates with a damp sponge once every three months. This is a preventive measure.

Ball valves are used to block the operation of a water supply or heating system. Protective measures will be carried out until the unpleasant situation is eliminated, when the outflow of fluid is ensured. The installation of the device takes place after the water valves. Installation should be carried out by professionals, as the connection requires the use of a special power cable.

Installing a flood sensor from the manufacturer

Collecting the protection system is not difficult. The control box is mounted on the wall. Then the batteries are mounted. If necessary, make a power supply.

Sensor locations:

• Under the bath or shower;
• Under the sink and toilet;
• Under washing machines and dishwashers;
• Behind the radiators
• Immediately at the point of entry and installation of the counter.

Then the signal cable is laid. Next, connect the sensors to the controller. If the system is wireless, then the action is performed with each sensor.

The ball valve is installed at the hot and cold water inlet points. It is also provided at the inlet of each riser or at the outlet of the boiler, if the system is autonomous. connected to the control unit. Everyone is given their own number and program.

This completes the installation process. You can safely go on vacation without fear of flooding your neighbors. The system is quite reliable, there is no doubt about its effectiveness.

The nuances of the location of the water sensor on the floor

There are many options for using sensors. There are many tasks that a small device can handle. But the system itself is quite simple.

Purposes of using sensors:

1. Bathroom flood detection;
2. Preventing leaks in basements where there is a high level of groundwater;
3. Control of kitchen plumbing;
4. Installation in areas where there is a high risk of flooding of houses;
5. Elimination of problems with leakage of the heating system.

Installation of sensors takes place in the most dangerous places. These are corners under plumbing, batteries. But at the same time, accidental ingress of water on the device should be minimized. Otherwise, the signaling device will work constantly for no reason.

Small leaks at pipe joints can be repaired with special sealants. What are the sealants, and how to use them, you will learn from our material:.

Do-it-yourself water leakage sensor assembly

Thanks to a simple mechanism, you can build a wired sensor with your own hands. The leak detector consists of simple elements that can be at hand. You may have to buy something, but the cost of the device is still petty. It should be understood that a home-made system only signals problems, it cannot shut off the water.

Necessary materials for work:

1. 3 V battery - CR1632 device is used;
2. Transistor BC816 or BC517 with NPN composite;
3. 1-2 MΩ resistor;
4. Piezo emitter complete with generator;
5. Plastic bottle.

The assembly process provides step by step instructions. First you need to familiarize yourself with the design scheme. Next, the resistor is soldered to the piezo emitter. Then the transistor is connected. The circuit is connected to the batteries using blue electrical tape.

Such an aquaguard will only work if water gets on the hull. Therefore, the battery will last a long time.

To create the case, you will need a large bottle, from which the neck is cut off. The bottom is made on one side of the bottle, which is fixed with glue. You will need to make 2 holes to insert the housing. Holes for the piezo are also made in the lid. We screw the cap on the neck and check the performance of the system.

The water leakage sensor is a reliable protection against flooding in the house. By turning it on and off, you can control its operation. The mechanism itself may differ depending on the manufacturer, but the main elements remain unchanged. Interestingly, a primitive sensor can be built on its own. For this, you do not need to have special knowledge and materials.

Leakage of water from the water supply can have very serious consequences. We will learn details about protective systems that you can create with your own hands.

In a country house, especially not intended for permanent residence, a leak from the water supply can have very serious consequences. There are many ready-made solutions on the market for protective systems, however, today we will talk about building a leakage protection scheme on our own.

General description of the system

There are two main topologies of leak protection systems. The main difference between them is the way the signal is transmitted between the sensor, controller and actuators. Systems using wired transmission are simpler and more reliable, but it is not always convenient to use them when the places of possible leaks are far from each other, when the signal may not be recognized by the controller due to the considerable length of the cable.

In turn, wireless systems do not require cabling, so that decorative finishes will not be disturbed during installation, but such protection is more expensive.

In wired systems, the connection between the leakage sensor and the controller is carried out via a three-wire wire. In addition, actuators are connected to the control output of the controller: electric shut-off valves, light and sound signaling devices. If desired, the scheme can be supplemented with communication devices to alert the user through a mobile or home wireless network.

Schematic diagram of protection against water leaks: 1 - control unit; 2 - radio module; 3 - spherical electric drive; 4 - inlet taps; 5 - wire sensors; 6 - radio sensors

The main difference between the wireless system is that a radio communication module is installed together with the flood sensor. This does not require a wired connection between the controller and the sensor, however, the leak detector itself and the transmitter need a stabilized power supply from an external unit or a battery.

Shut-off valves can also be controlled by radio, but often this is not required, because it is much easier to install the controller next to the actuator.

Controller selection

The brain of the system is the electronic control unit. Its main function is to accurately recognize the change in the signal level from the sensor and apply voltage to the actuator. At the same time, it is important that the controller has the function of recovering from emergency mode after the cause of the leak has been eliminated.

As you can see, the logic of the controller is quite simple, and therefore even the simplest devices, including handicraft ones, can be used. In general, there are three options.

Relay modules are the simplest class of control devices for connecting one or two sensors. There are a number of disadvantages: the lack of state retention when the power is turned off, the need to convert the signal from the sensor to the correct level and provide the circuit with a manual reset shunt to hold in the emergency mode.

However, this is the most budgetary option for building a circuit. Suitable solutions include Omron relay modules and Arduino expansion boards, as well as more expensive programmable relays such as OWEN PR110 for connecting up to 12 sensors.

Programmable relay OWEN PR110

Programmable logic controllers are the most versatile type of control devices that allow implementing more complex algorithms for the operation of a leakage protection system and interconnecting them with other automation systems.

For the same purpose, cheap single-board computers such as Arduino can be used, with the help of which functions such as forced draining of water from the washing machine tank can be implemented.

One of the channels of a home automation or fire alarm controller can be used to connect a flood sensor. The only problem is that the type or level of the signal at the output of the sensor does not match, so it often becomes necessary to supplement the circuit with an amplifier or a single-channel discrete converter.

An example of a leakage protection circuit on Arduino

The simplest control device can also be made by hand from common electronic components. Amplification of the signal from the sensor can be implemented on transistors marked Logic Level (IRL series), which use very low voltages (about 2–3 V) for control and are capable of switching up to 20 A of load current.

A 300-500 ohm pull-up resistor is installed between the gate and source to prevent accidental operation. It is desirable to supplement the circuit: limit the control signal with a zener diode to 50–70% of the maximum gate-source voltage, and also provide a shunt with a voltage divider between the source and gate to hold the key in the open state.

It is necessary to install an emergency reset button in the shunt circuit break. Such a circuit can have an almost unlimited number of transistors and, accordingly, control a number of actuators and indicators.

Leak sensors

The leak detector has a simple, if not primitive device. Its two main elements are a pair of electrodes, when wet, which closes the circuit, as well as a signal amplifier, which is usually a bipolar transistor with a low saturation current.

The sensor is powered by two wires, the third alarm signal is transmitted to the control unit. Some sensors have built-in sound and light alarms, and a galvanically isolated switch in the form of a relay can be installed in one housing to supply power directly to the actuator.

The most common, primarily due to their low cost (about 500 rubles / piece), are considered to be the sensors "H2O Contact", "Aquarius-R" and Equation.

They have several versions for connection both to analog inputs of control devices and to inputs of the "dry contact" type in normally open and normally closed states. The detectors have a built-in signal indication, but their main drawback is that they are not capable of switching a significant load, that is, they cannot directly control the valves.

More advanced, but also more expensive (from 1.5 to 2.5 thousand rubles) sensors - Ajax LeaksProtect, Ezviz T10, Neptun RSW + and other wireless devices. As a rule, these detectors are powered by a Krona battery; for some models, the battery life can be up to two years.

Most of the detectors are designed to work as part of the protection system of the same manufacturer, for some the operating frequency is indicated and it is possible to configure it for connection to universal radio receivers. A certain part of autonomous models works in the alarm mode - it emits a sound signal or sends a notification via mobile communications when a leak is detected.

In everyday life, not individual sensors, but kits for mounting leak protection systems have gained the greatest popularity. They can include up to three sensors, one or two electric valves, a power supply and a central control unit. Similar kits are supplied to the market under the trademarks Neptun, Akvastor and Gidrolock.

Water leakage protection system "Aquastorage Classic 2x20"

Executive and auxiliary devices

The third element of the system is a device that shuts off the water supply when a leak is detected. For this purpose, either motorized ball valves or electromechanical valves are used.

Ball valves with a motor are controlled by a three-wire circuit, so they can often only be used in systems controlled by a full-fledged controller, because in addition to the closing signal, an opening signal must be given when the system is restored to its original state. However, the signal to open can be given through the reverse contact of the relay or manually through the button - a kind of replacement for resetting the alarm.

Electromechanical valves of normally open type act once when a control signal is applied and block the flow. In this case, the voltage on the control channel can remain indefinitely, because during operation the circuit is opened by a contact group mechanically connected to the valve stem.

It must be remembered that it is the normally open valve that, after the protection is triggered, remains in this position even in the event of a power failure and is cocked manually after the leakage has been eliminated.

Solenoid valve for water

Actuators do not have to be specialized; any taps or valves for plumbing systems will do. However, you need to pay attention to the operating voltage range, because some relay modules cannot control direct current, and the switching outputs of the controllers can only work with limited voltage and current.

Auxiliary devices may also be present in the circuit:

1. Radio communication modules - a set of transmitter and receiver, for example, the MX series at 433 MHz, will allow you to create a wireless connection between the sensor and the control unit, using equipment designed to build systems with wired communication.
2. Signal amplifiers and modulators are designed to match the logic levels between the sensors and the control unit. As amplifiers, single-board modules based on the LM358 chip are most popular, for signal conversion - modular DAC / ADC based on PCF8591.
3. Intermediate relays will be useful if the relay group of the control unit does not allow switching currents of significant magnitude. The most preferred relays are designed for low control voltage - 24 or 36 V.

Circuit assembly and installation

There is no difficulty in installing a leak protection system if a ready-made kit is used: all elements are fully compatible, the connectors fit together, there is a detailed instruction. Assemblies of an individual configuration are more difficult to implement, so we will consider the topology of a protection system with two sensors and wireless communication.

The “H2O Contact” will be used as a flood sensor in a four-wire version with a normally open contact. Brown (+) and white (-) wires are connected to a power source - a 9 V battery. One of the remaining wires is connected to the power plus, the other to the TX DATA pin of the MX-FS-03V radio transmitter.

Solder 10-15 cm of copper wire coiled into a spiral to the ANT pad on the transmitter board. The sensor is attached with screws or double-sided tape, the electrodes must be firmly pressed to the floor. The wire from the sensor runs along the wall to a small plastic case that houses the radio transmitter and power supply.

Wiring diagram for a leak protection system with two sensors and wireless communication

The radio receiver MX-05V is installed near the control device, which will be used as a programmable relay module FRM01. The RX terminal of the radio receiver is connected to the IN input of the LM358 amplifier module, the GND and VCC terminals are connected to the negative and positive 5V power supply.

The amplifier module also needs 12V power through the VCC and GND terminals. The output from the amplifier module is connected to the input terminal of the relay module IN, which is also connected to a 12V power supply (the circuit is reverse polarity protected).

As an actuator, it is recommended to use a ball valve NT9047 with a supply voltage of 24 V, which is installed at the inlet of the water main. The neutral wire of the tap is connected to the minus of the power source, the wire of the closing contact is connected to the normally open output of the relay, the opening one is connected to the normally closed one.

The relay must be configured according to the instructions - set function number 10. As you can see, the entire assembly requires three voltage levels for operation, which is solved by purchasing several cheap power supplies for 5, 12 and 24 V, the latter with a current of up to 2 A.

This article describes the manufacture of an apartment.

The main task of this automated system is to close the electric valves on the apartment's water supply pipelines in case of emergency. Emergencies can be created in case of breaks in flexible (braided) connecting hoses and malfunctions of valves, tees, pipelines. The principle of operation of the system is to detect flooding by sensors that, using an electronic device, close the valves on the water supply pipelines.

Leak and flood protection eliminates significant time and money costs and problems with neighbors. The costs of purchasing and installing an automated system are incommensurable with the costs of eliminating the consequences of an accident.

You can purchase and install a ready-made anti-flooding system. Such systems are commercially available. These are Aquaguard, Neptune, Hydrolok. Each system has its advantages and disadvantages, but the main disadvantage of all of them is their high cost of $200 - $500, depending on the types of sensors (wired and radio sensors) and types of controllers and actuators.

I decided to assemble the system myself. In the selection of components, preference was given to the reliability and practicality of the components used.

As an electronic device that performs the functions of control and management according to a given algorithm, the “SAU-M7.E level control device” was chosen.

"The SAU-M7.E device is designed to create automation systemstechnological processes associated with the control and maintenance of a given level of liquid or bulk substances in various types of tanks, containers, containers, etc.”- a quote from the instructions.

This device is characterized by reliability, a large selection and flexibility of parameter settings, and small overall dimensions. As well as the maximum allowable load current, switched by the contacts of the built-in relay 8A, which allows you to control actuators without additional starters.

The next step was the selection of flood sensor housings and the drawing of printed circuit boards for the selected housings. For the sensor housings, four apartment bell buttons were purchased in the store.

Production of flood sensors.

Under the dimensions of the button, a sketch of the printed circuit board of the flood sensor is drawn.

We cut out four boards from foil fiberglass according to the given dimensions. With the help of a drawing pen filled with bituminous varnish, we draw conductive paths on the boards according to the sketch. We dry the varnish and place the boards in a solution of ferric chloride for etching. When the areas of copper that are not varnished are dissolved in ferric chloride, we wash the boards and wash off the bituminous varnish with a solvent.

We attach a bundle of stranded wire to the soldering iron tip and with its help we service the printed conductors. The solder should cover the copper conductors with a thin, shiny film.

The boards, at first, were planned to be installed in the button cover, as evidenced by the grooves on the sides of the boards. But then it was decided to install boards in the lower recess of the button itself.

The appearance of the button without a cover.

We install the board on the prepared place below the button and with a drill with a diameter of 0.8-1.0 mm we drill the board together with the button in the corners. We insert brackets from tinned copper wire with a diameter of 0.8 mm into the drilled holes.

We stretch the bracket towards the printed circuit board until it stops and form legs 2.5 - 3.0 mm high from the wire brackets at the corners. Solder the wire to the PCB.

We disconnect the LED with a resistor from the terminals. We solder the terminal lugs to the wire segments, connect them under the button terminal screws and solder them to the PCB brackets.

The button itself and its contacts have not been changed and are used in the sensor and serve to control the integrity of the connecting line (when you press the button of any sensor, an accident should go off and the siren should turn on). The flood sensors are ready, now you need to place the sensors in the places of the alleged leakage (under the cabin of the hydrobox, under the washing machine, under the washbasin, under the water supply distribution panel) and run connecting lines from them to SAU-M7.E. I used a flat flexible four-wire telephone wire 4x0.75 mm 2 for the lines. The wire is inserted into the button box, the conductors are connected in pairs, terminal lugs are soldered to the pairs and fastened under the button screws.

All four wires are led under the plinth to the installation site of the SAU-M7.E device and connected in parallel to terminals 1 and 4. A jumper is placed between terminals 4 and 2. This jumper is needed to turn on the second relay of the device, which, when turned on, will turn off the pumping station. But this operation is needed only for those who have a pumping station installed to increase and stabilize the pressure of the water supply network when using showers and hydromassage boxes.

Connection and adjustment of the level control device SAU-M7.E.

To connect the device, use the scheme

When any flood sensor is closed by spilled water, the output electromagnetic relays “Up” and “Work” are switched on. With their contacts, the relays turn off the pumping station and connect the electromagnetic valves EK1 and EK2, embedded in the water supply pipelines. I used the Italian "CEME" 8715NN0206, normally open, for the electrovalve. They close when 220 V voltage is applied to the valve winding.

Together with the solenoid valves, contacts 10 and 11 of the Top relay, the E17M-12 time relay is connected, which is designed to limit the sounding time of the emergency siren to one minute (so that the neighbors do not get nervous when no one is at home). Contacts PB 15 and 16 turn off the emergency siren, the alarm lamp remains on until the trouble is eliminated. Any time relay, siren and signal lamps can be used. To power them, you can use a constant voltage of 12V on pins 5 and 6 of the SAU-M7E device.

Before switching on the SAU-M7.E device, it is necessary to configure it by switching jumpers on the switches K1-K4.

The photo shows how to position the jumpers.

We apply power to the circuit and check the operation. In the absence of water, the flood sensors are dry, the water supply system is operating normally.

If water gets on the flood sensors, the alarm on the front panel of the SAU-M7E looks like in the photo

The solenoid valves must shut off the water flow, an audible alarm sounds, the red alarm lamp is on.

Thus the system protection against leaks and flooding collected do it yourself and tested. The cost of the system is an order of magnitude less than the industrial one, but in terms of reliability it is in no way inferior. In this protection system, it is better to use a three-channel liquid level control device SAU-M6 instead of SAU-M7E. This device is simpler and more convenient to use in this case. It contains three individually adjustable channels and three relays. Therefore, it is easier to implement the system operation algorithm on it. But I could not find such a device, so I used SAU-M7E.

If you decide to assemble the system on SAU-M6, please contact [email protected]. There is a scheme of the system and instructions for SAU-M6. Write reviews, share new ideas.

A rare owner of an apartment does not know how much misfortune the flooding of the apartment brings due to an open tap in the kitchen or in the bathroom, as well as water leaks in the water supply and heating systems. A flood in an apartment entails colossal material losses and unpleasant proceedings with neighbors living on the floor below. Walls of an apartment flooded with water can cause failure of hidden electrical wiring and electric shock. Developed and implemented mass production of flood protection kits will allow you to avoid and forget all the problems associated with it. Next, we will look at how water leakage protection works in an apartment, as well as provide an overview and comparison of the most popular systems today.

Principle of operation and constituent elements

The protection system kit consists of the following elements:

1. Control block.
2. Water leakage sensors.
3. Taps for automatic shutoff of the water supply in the water supply and heating system of the apartment.

Understanding how protection works is not difficult. Sensors are installed in places where leaks are most likely to occur. As a rule, they are installed under bathtubs and washbasins, washing machines and water heating appliances, as shown in the diagram below:

Upon contact with water, a signal is removed from them and fed to the control module (controller), which performs the functions of a dispatcher. Having received a signal about the presence of water in the controlled area of ​​the leakage protection system, the controller sends a command to the electric drive of the ball valve or to the electromagnetic quick-closing valve, which emergency shut off the water in the water supply or heating system of the apartment.

Overview of modern flood protection systems

The possibility of arranging an apartment with flood protection is not a prospect for the distant future. This is one of the real steps that can be taken today towards the introduction of high technologies of the “smart home” system into your home. Today, the market is dominated by several complexes that protect the apartment from leaks. Ready-made kits of the following types are in deserved demand:

• "Neptune"
• Hydrolok
• "Stop the flood "Rainbow"

Often, an ordinary consumer, faced with the choice of protection, finds himself in a difficult situation and simply does not know which one is best suited to ensure the safety of his apartment from leaks and prevent flooding. The analysis of the working technical capabilities and characteristics of the listed devices will make it possible to compare their advantages and disadvantages, on the basis of which to select the necessary protection device.

Neptune

A product of Russian development, which first appeared on the Russian market back in 2000. The Neptune brand, according to the Moscow Business Times, is the most popular water leakage control system on the Russian market. The company's product range has a solution for any budget - from an affordable kit costing less than 10,000 rubles to an ultra-modern one controlled by a smartphone. Neptune water leakage protection can be installed not only on water pipes, but also on heating and water heated towel rails, which also pose a risk of water leakage.

The product line includes ready-made kits for an apartment, as well as individual components, which will allow you to assemble a complete set specifically for your tasks. In addition, Neptune leakage sensors work not only on wires, but also via radio, which allows you to install protection against water leaks at facilities with completed repairs, where it is no longer possible to hide the wires.

The warranty for Neptune water leakage control systems is up to 6 years for all elements of the system.

It is worth noting that the Neptune water leakage protection has been equipped with world-famous Bugatti ball valves, which are made in Italy, for many years. The peculiarity of these taps, in addition to a strong brand in the world of plumbing, premium sealing materials, and electric motor power, is that the electric drive has manual emergency control, that is, the tap can be opened / closed without electricity.

To choose the right Neptune leak protection kit, there are three main points to consider:

1. Are the renovations completed at your facility? If the repair is just starting, then you can choose any Neptune kit, since all control modules support wired sensors. At the stage of repairing a room, they are usually used, since they are cheaper than wireless sensors and you don’t need to change batteries from time to time. Bugatti ProW+ WiFi
2. The diameter of the pipes for water supply, heating or a water heated towel rail. Ready kits Neptune are equipped with ball valves of a certain diameter. For example, the most common faucet size for an apartment is ½ inch. Check with your facility or with your craftsman.
3. The budget allocated for the purchase of the Neptune water leakage control system. The set of options that the consumer will receive depends on the budget.

Neptune Aquacontrol- the most affordable leakage protection system, since the cost is less than 10,000 rubles per set for an apartment (control module, two taps and two sensors). This kit is completed with the Neptun Base module - this is a very simple and reliable control module that will shut off the water in the event of a leak and once a month will automatically rotate the taps against souring.

Neptune Bugatti Base- it's excellent value for money. As in the previous set, a simple Base module is used, however, ball valves are already made in Italy by Bugatti with a large margin of safety. The Neptun Base module does not have a backup power supply - if this function is important to you, then pay attention to the modules of the ProW series.

Neptune Bugatti ProW is a kit with extended functionality that works on wired sensors. Additional features of the ProW module:

• Protection of taps from souring (automatic turning of the tap 2 times a month).
• Supply voltage on taps –12 V DC
• Built-in backup power supply.
• Targeting - the ability to indicate leaks in 4 lines.
• The ability to connect warning systems, security systems and integration with a "smart home" (the presence of a low-current relay).
• Ball valve status indication (open/closed).
• Backup power status indication.
• Possibility of opening and closing the ball valve manually (button on the module).

Neptune Bugatti ProW+ similar to the ProW module, but has the ability to work not only with wired, but also with radio sensors - this is an ideal choice for those who have already completed home renovations.

Neptune Bugatti ProW+ WiFi- This is the most modern and functional interesting control module. Here's what he can do:

• Security system control via smartphone. To do this, just install a free application and synchronize your mobile phone.
• Timely notification of an accident. In addition to the fact that the module emits sound and light notifications on the front panel, additional information about the occurrence of a leak is sent to the screen of your mobile phone. A very important function, especially if no one is at home at this time.
• Monitoring of hot and cold water consumption. Now it is not at all necessary to manually take readings every month by opening the cabinet with counters, which is located in the bathroom or in the kitchen. It is enough to open the mobile application and view the readings in it. This is a very handy feature for those who rent an apartment.
• Backup power supply of the protection system. Even if the power supply to the apartment or house is turned off for a long time (up to 36 hours), the Neptun ProW + Wi-Fi module will work. The developers have introduced batteries into the design, which will be the source of backup power. By the way, the application will notify you in advance of the need to replace these batteries.
• Indication of the position of ball valves. You can not only remotely monitor the taps, but also, if desired, automatically control them (close and open). If, having gone on vacation, you forgot to play it safe and turn off the water, this can always be done through the application.
• Function of automatic turning of cranes. It is a self-cleaning mode of ball valves, which prevents the "souring" of valves. Automatic rotation is carried out every 15 days.
• The Neptun ProW+Wi-Fi control module can be connected to the Smart Home system and the security alarm system of a residential building. There is a special exit for this.

The table below compares the Neptune models.

How flood protection works using the example of the Neptune kit is shown in the video:

Summary:

1. The Neptune system has earned customer recognition over the years, as sales data show - it is the most popular water leakage protection in Russia (source: Moscow Business Times).
2. Each buyer can choose his system based on the budget and options. The most affordable kit costs less than 10,000 rubles.
3. The Neptune system is equipped with Italian Bugatti cranes.
4. There is a very interesting Neptun ProW + WiFi solution with smartphone control.

In preparing this material, our readers were kindly provided with a 15% discount on the entire range of the Neptune store. Website: systemneptun.rf. Promo code: self-electric.

Gidrolock

Products of the Russian company "Gidroresurs". If we compare with the Neptune device, it can be noted that the principle of its operation is the same, the package includes water sensors, a controller and electric ball valves. The company has developed and put into production several models of leakage protection systems, the basic version of which is Gidroloсk Standard.

Additional options for Hydrolock water leakage protection models:

Gidrolock is equipped with three sensors, the technical capabilities of this water leakage protection device include the connection of 20 wired and up to 100 wireless sensors. Time of the emergency termination of water to 30 seconds. The manufacturer guarantees 10 thousand working cycles and a general guarantee of the protection complex for 3 years.

An overview of the Hydrolock kit is shown on the video:

Russian development from the Supersystem company. The principle of operation and equipment are the same as those of the two previous analogues. Thanks to the introduction of innovative materials into the design of taps, efforts to overcome friction are significantly reduced, emergency closing of taps when a leak is detected in the apartment occurs in 3 seconds with minimal power consumption.

Compared to other systems, "Aquastorage" operates at an operating voltage of only 5 volts. The degree of automation of the control system does not require human intervention. It is completed with four sensors, both wired and wireless options are available. 4 year manufacturer's warranty.

Overview of the "Aquaguard" kit:

Stop flood "Rainbow"

A characteristic feature of this protection system is that all sensors are wireless and operate in the mode of supplying radio signals, the power of which allows them to remain operational at a distance of 20 meters from the controller in an apartment building. The product set includes 1 solenoid valve, 4 sensors. The control unit is designed to connect 9 sensors.

Compared to protection systems, Aquastop is just a mechanical device developed by Russian and Italian specialists. Prevents flooding of the room with water in the event of a rupture in the filling hose of the washing machine. Installed in front of the hose with a threaded connection, as shown in the diagram below:

In the event of a leak in the hose and a decrease in pressure in the system, Aquastop will shut off the water in a matter of seconds, which will stop further leakage. The principle of operation of the aquastop is demonstrated in the video:

Comparison of the cost of kits

Finally, we bring to your attention a comparison of the cost of the provided apartment flood protection systems:

This is where our review ends. We hope that now it has become clear to you how protection against water leaks in an apartment works and which systems are popular today. Price comparison and video reviews give a clear understanding of which kit is better to choose in order to protect your home from flooding!

A leak is not only an unpleasant phenomenon, but also dangerous, capable of causing harm to health and property, leading to conflicts and litigation with flood-affected neighbors and always associated with a considerable loss of nerves and finances. And all that is worth putting is protection against leaks!

Leaks are dangerous in any home, but only a smart home can "take care" of safety and stop the leak at the very beginning, blocking the flow of water. Of course, this will not save you from a wet floor, but the amount of damage will be minimal. To do this, in a smart home, leakage protection systems are designed, produced by various manufacturers, but working on the same principle.

The principle of operation of the leakage protection system

The design of most leak protection systems on the market today consists of four main elements:

• sensors that signal the appearance of water
• servo-driven taps that shut off the water supply
• signaling device that notifies of the appearance of leaks
• controller that processes the information received from the sensors and activates the system

The system can be supplemented with a GSM module that transmits a distress signal to a mobile device.

In order for the protection system to work, the sensor must become wet. A few drops of water or contact with a damp mop is not enough. Water should moisten the surface of the sensor, thus closing its contacts and creating conditions for transmitting a radio signal to the controller.

The controller, upon receiving a radio signal from the sensor, activates a servo that closes the taps and turns on a leak notification.

Place of installation of leakage sensors

Install sensors in places where leaks are most likely to occur: under the washing machine, on the floor behind the toilet, bathroom water and sink. Connection of sensors to the control unit can be wired and wireless. Wireless is more convenient, but their performance cannot be controlled. Wired sensors are connected to the wire management unit, which can be somewhat inconvenient, but the controller "sees" the sensors and will send a warning signal if they are lost.

The control unit is placed on the wall in any convenient place, trying to reduce the length of the wires used during installation.

Shut-off valves are installed at the water inlet to the apartment immediately after the meters. The system can be operated from a conventional 220V power supply (considered unsafe) or (preferably) from a 12V power source.

Which protection system to choose?

Leak protection systems are produced by many companies, but in our country the most widely used are Aquaguard, Aquastop, Neptun and Gidrolock.

Aquaguard

Aquaguard is an innovative water leakage protection system

The scope of delivery of the Aquaguard anti-leak system includes

• Main control box
• Gulf sensors
• Two taps with actuators for cold and hot water
• External power supply

A distinctive feature of the controller is the possibility of its expansion. In this case, the device is assembled like a designer. So, for example, by adding a panel of sensors, you can increase their number to the desired number, by purchasing a radio unit, make a wireless system from a wired system, and by adding a GSM module, receive leak messages on your mobile phone. However, you can be content with the basic version and what is included in the package.

The device is equipped with an uninterruptible power supply on ultra drives, thanks to which you can be sure that in the event of a leak, the taps will be closed even on discharged batteries. Moreover, to resume the water supply, you do not need to urgently change the power source, just press the start button on the controller, and then calmly go for new batteries.

Connection of wired sensors parallel to each other. The number of them can be any. A pleasant moment is a lifetime warranty for sensors from the manufacturer and the possibility of free replacement of three sensors that are out of order.

The Aquastorage system uses ball valves with low friction, which require little force to close. The faucet is closed by a metal gear (in earlier models, the gears were made of plastic) driven by an electric motor mounted on the faucet body and connected to the controller.

To bring the engines into operation and close the taps, a radio signal from the control unit is required, which is sent by the leakage protection system when a corresponding signal is received from the water sensors.

The device of the sensor is quite simple and reliable: the body and the plate with contacts are made of fiberglass, the contacts are coated with immersion gold to protect against corrosion. To increase the reliability of the system, you can use a sensor with wire break protection, which allows the controller to more accurately determine the status of the sensors and inform about problems in the system in a timely manner.

The sensor is only triggered if the water level is above 1 mm. Protection against erroneous operation is a gap of 1 mm between the lower part of the sensor housing and the floor surface.

The radio sensor can be installed in two types: a simple one, which works only in case of a leak, and a remote sensor, by pressing the button of which you can turn off the taps at any time.

Neptune

The Neptun Leak Protection System is a Russian development manufactured by Special Engineering Systems.

The principle of its operation is similar to that of the Aquaguard: the delivery set also includes a control unit, two ball valves with servo drives and wired sensors. The difference is that the system only works when it is permanently connected to a 220 V power supply.

The operation of such a system is possible only if the sockets are grounded.

A nice addition to the Neptune system is the cleaning mode, which allows you to wash the floor with plenty of water for 45 minutes without worrying about the operation of the leak protection, as well as the ability to choose kits with taps not only ½ inch, but also ¾ inch.

Aquastop - protection against leaks

Aquastop uses an unusual way to detect a leak. It does not have sensors in which contacts close under the action of water. But a sensor is installed that determines the water pressure. This sensor works on the principle of a pressure gauge - the higher the pressure, the stronger the effect on the valve. When the pressure in the hose or line is stable, the influence of the sensor is compensated by the internal spring and the valve is opened. When a hose breaks or a pipe bursts, the pressure in the device drops and the spring shuts off the water supply until the pressure is restored to normal.

The principle of operation of this device is simple. The special shape of the internal channel of this device reduces the throughput, due to which the pressure during normal water consumption (up to 10–12 liters per minute) practically does not change. When the hose suddenly breaks, the water supply increases greatly, the pressure at the outlet of the device drops sharply, however, remains unchanged at the inlet. This causes the valve to actuate. The valve response time does not exceed 10 seconds. This allows you to turn off the water, prevent the flood and the troubles caused by it - damage to the floor, walls, furniture and conflict with neighbors from below.

Aquastop is used as one of the elements of protection against water leaks. The low throughput of this device does not allow it to be installed at the entrance to the home water supply network. If you open several faucets,

Aquastop will work and shut off the water supply. Therefore, it is used to protect end users - washing machines and dishwashers. This device is not afraid of water hammer and can withstand pressure up to 10 atmospheres. For its effective operation, the water pressure must be at least 2 atmospheres. If the water pressure is less, then the pressure difference is not enough to operate the valve.

The cost of the device starts from 180 rubles. It is produced both in plastic and in a metal (most often steel) case. Both ends of the device are threaded - internal at the inlet, external at the outlet. Thanks to this configuration, it is installed without any alterations in the gap between the pipe adapter and the hose suitable for the washing machine or dishwasher. Aquastop in a plastic case is used for tapping into polyethylene pipes. It is equipped with standard fittings at both ends, so it is enough to cut the pipe, put Aquastop on it and tighten the fixing nuts.

Gidrolock (Hydrolock)

The delivery of the Gidrolock anti-leakage system also includes two ball valves, water control sensors and a control unit.

If desired, you can choose a version of the protection system specifically designed for use in an apartment, a country house, a public or industrial building, a hotel or a warehouse. The difference in the kits is in the number of water sensors and the number of connected taps.

The manufacturer's warranty for Hydrolock systems is 4 years.

As you can see, protecting yours from leaks, and yourself from the troubles associated with emergencies in the house, is not difficult, you just need to choose the right protection system.