When supplying a building with water from a well or well, a hydraulic accumulator must be installed, which is a container of suitable volume. It is usually used in conjunction with a special pressure switch. For the hydraulic accumulator, it is a control device that allows you to reduce the number of pump operating cycles.
Main components pumping unit with hydraulic accumulator
From point of view design features relay is a block small sizes equipped with special springs. The first of them determines the limit of maximum pressure, and the second - the minimum. The adjustment is made using auxiliary nuts located inside the housing.
The working springs are connected to a membrane, which reacts to pressure surges in one way or another. Exceeding the maximum values leads to compression of the metal spiral, and a decrease leads to stretching. Thanks to this device, the contact group closes and opens contacts at a certain moment.
The operating principle of a pressure switch for a hydraulic accumulator is as follows. Water enters the membrane tank until it is completely filled, which leads to an increase in pressure. With achieving the maximum permissible level stops pumping liquid.
As water is consumed, the pressure in the system drops. When the lower level is overcome, the equipment will turn on again. Cycles of on and off are repeated over and over again until the system elements are in working order.
Typically a relay consists of the following elements:
- plastic housings;
- rubber membrane;
- brass pistons;
- membrane cover;
- threaded studs;
- metal plate;
- couplings for cable fastening;
- terminal blocks;
- articulated platform;
- adjusting springs;
- contact node.
Addition! During operation, adjustment springs apply pressure to the moving part of the platform, counteracting the force created by the piston. Turning the pump on and off depends on the degree of compression.
Optimal pressure inside the hydraulic tank
Any hydraulic accumulator inside has a rubber membrane that divides the space into two chambers. One of them contains water, and the other contains compressed air. Thanks to this structure it is possible to create required pressure when filling and emptying the rubber container.
To extend the life of the device, you need to know what pressure should be in the accumulator. It largely depends on the indicators set to turn on the pump. The pressure inside the tank should be approximately 10 percent less.
For example, if the turn-on is set to 2.5 bar and the turn-off is set to 3.5 bar, then the air pressure inside the container should be set to 2.3 bar. Ready-made ones usually do not require additional adjustment.
Carrying out work on connecting and setting up a pressure switch for a hydraulic accumulator
Although many people consider the process of installing and adjusting the device to be difficult to understand, in fact it is not. Every owner country house with the presence of a well or well, he can independently connect and configure the device to provide the building with water.
Standard diagram for connecting a pressure switch to a hydraulic accumulator
The finished product interacts with both water supply and electrical system building. When the contacts are closed and opened, liquid is supplied or shut off. The pressure device is installed permanently, since there is no need to move it from place to place.
It is recommended to allocate a separate electricity line for connection. Directly from the shield you should run a cable with a copper core with a cross-section of 2.5 square meters. mm. It is not recommended to connect wires without grounding, because the combination of water and electricity is fraught with hidden danger.
The cables should be passed through the holes located on the plastic housing and then connected to the terminal block. It contains terminals for phase and neutral, wires for the pump.
Note! Electrical installation work must be carried out disconnected from the network. When installing, you must not neglect compliance general rules technical safety.
Correct setting of the accumulator pressure switch
To adjust the device, an accurate pressure gauge is required to determine the pressure without errors. Based on its readings, you can make a relatively quick adjustment. By turning the nuts located on the springs, the pressure can be reduced or increased. During setup, you must follow a certain sequence of actions.
So, the pressure switch for the hydraulic accumulator is adjusted as follows.
- The system turns on, after which, using a pressure gauge, the indicators at which the device turns on and off are monitored;
- First, the lower level spring is adjusted, having big sizes. For adjustment, use a regular wrench.
- The set threshold is tested. If necessary, the previous point is repeated.
- Next, the nut for the spring is rotated, allowing you to set the upper pressure level. It is smaller in size.
- The system is fully tested. If for some reason the results are not satisfactory, then re-tuning is performed.
Note! Before setting up the accumulator pressure switch, you need to remember a simple truth. The minimum permissible difference between the maximum and minimum values should not be less than 1 atmosphere.
Cost of relays and hydraulic accumulators of some manufacturers
Relay models can be purchased relatively inexpensively. Usually the cost of products does not exceed one thousand rubles. However, electronic analogues may have a higher price, as they allow for more precise adjustments. The table shows models of some manufacturers and their prices.
| Image | Model | Dimensions in millimeters | Price in rubles |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Gilex RDM-5 | 110x110x70 | 900 |
| Danfoss KP1 | 107x65x105 | 1 570 | |
| Belamos PS-7 | 150x80x150 | 575 | |
| Caliber RD-5 | 103x65x120 | 490 |
Related article:
If the water pressure is normal or even strong, then you simply need this device. You will find out why in our separate review.
As for hydraulic accumulators, their cost can be noticeably higher. It mainly depends on the volume of the structure. A large tank can significantly reduce the number of work cycles. However, there is not always enough space for it. The table shows prices for hydraulic accumulators for different sizes.
Note! On average, a hydraulic accumulator with a capacity of 50 liters is usually enough for a family of 4-8 people. If there are fewer people living, a capacity of 24 liters is purchased, and if there are more people, 100 liters.
Summarizing
Since a hydraulic accumulator cannot function without a pressure switch, which is a control device, Special attention paid attention to the installation and configuration of this particular device. With proper adjustment of the product, it is quite possible to extend the operating period of the main equipment.
Adjusting the pressure switch of the hydraulic accumulator of the pumping station - nothing complicated (video)
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Self-installation and adjustment of the water pressure switch for the pump
A hydraulic accumulator is a special metal sealed container containing inside an elastic membrane and a certain volume of water under a certain pressure.
A hydraulic accumulator (in other words, a membrane tank, hydraulic tank) is used to maintain stable pressure in the water supply system, protects the water pump from premature wear due to frequent activation, and protects the water supply system from possible water hammer. When the power goes out, thanks to the hydraulic accumulator, you will always have a small supply of water.
Here are the main functions that a hydraulic accumulator performs in a water supply system:
- Protecting the pump from premature wear. Thanks to the water supply in membrane tank, when opening water tap the pump will only turn on if the water supply in the tank runs out. Any pump has a certain rate of starts per hour, therefore, thanks to the hydraulic accumulator, the pump will have a reserve of unused starts, which will increase its service life.
- Maintaining constant pressure in the water supply system, protecting against changes in water pressure. Due to pressure drops, when several taps are turned on simultaneously, sharp fluctuations water temperature, for example in the shower and in the kitchen. The hydraulic accumulator successfully copes with such unpleasant situations.
- Protection against water hammer, which can occur when the pump is turned on, and can seriously damage the pipeline.
- Maintaining a supply of water in the system, which allows you to use water even during a power outage, which happens quite often these days. This function is especially valuable in country houses.
Hydraulic accumulator device
The sealed body of this device is divided by a special membrane into two chambers, one of which is intended for water and the other for air.
Water does not come into contact with metal surfaces housing, since it is located in a water chamber-membrane made of strong butyl rubber material, resistant to bacteria and meeting all hygienic and sanitary standards requirements for drinking water.
The air chamber contains a pneumatic valve, the purpose of which is to regulate pressure. Water enters the accumulator through a special threaded connection pipe.
The hydraulic accumulator device must be mounted in such a way that it can be easily disassembled in case of repair or maintenance, without draining all the water from the system.
The diameters of the connecting pipeline and the pressure pipe should, if possible, coincide with each other, then this will avoid unwanted hydraulic losses in the system pipeline.
In the membranes of hydraulic accumulators with a volume of more than 100 liters there is a special valve for bleeding air released from the water. For small-capacity hydraulic accumulators that do not have such a valve, the water supply system must have a device for bleeding air, for example, a tee or tap that shuts off the main line of the water supply system.
IN air valve The hydraulic accumulator pressure should be 1.5-2 atm.
Operating principle of a hydraulic accumulator
A hydraulic accumulator works like this. The pump supplies water under pressure to the accumulator membrane. When the pressure threshold is reached, the relay turns off the pump and water stops flowing. After the pressure begins to drop during water intake, the pump automatically turns on again and supplies water to the accumulator membrane. The larger the volume of the hydraulic tank, the more effective the result of its operation. The response of the pressure switch can be adjusted.
During operation of the accumulator, air dissolved in water gradually accumulates in the membrane, which leads to a decrease in the efficiency of the device. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out preventive maintenance on the hydraulic accumulator by bleeding off the accumulated air. The frequency of maintenance depends on the volume of the hydraulic tank and the frequency of its operation, which is approximately once every 1-3 months.
These devices can be in vertical or horizontal configurations.
The operating principle of the devices is no different, except that vertical hydraulic accumulators with a volume of more than 50 liters have a special valve in the upper part for bleeding air, which gradually accumulates in the water supply system during operation. Air accumulates in the upper part of the device, therefore the location of the valve for bleeding is chosen in the upper part.
IN horizontal devices To bleed air, a special tap or drain is installed, which is installed behind the hydraulic accumulator.
From small devices, regardless of whether they are vertical or horizontal, air is released by completely draining the water.
When choosing the shape of a hydraulic tank, proceed from the size of the technical room where they will be installed. It all depends on the dimensions of the device: whichever fits best into the space allocated for it will be installed, regardless of whether it is horizontal or vertical.
Connection diagram for hydraulic accumulator
Depending on the assigned functions, the connection diagram of the hydraulic accumulator to the water supply system may be different. The most popular connection diagrams for hydraulic accumulators are given below.
Such pumping stations are installed where there is high water consumption. As a rule, one of the pumps at such stations operates constantly.
At the booster pumping station, the hydraulic accumulator serves to reduce pressure surges when additional pumps are turned on and to compensate for small water withdrawals.
This scheme is also widely used when the water supply system frequently interrupts the supply of electricity to booster pumps, and the presence of water is vital. Then the water supply in the hydraulic accumulator saves the situation, playing a role backup source for this period.
The larger and more powerful the pumping station, and the greater the pressure it must maintain, the larger the volume of the hydraulic accumulator, which acts as a damper, must be.
The buffer capacity of the hydraulic tank also depends on the volume of the required water supply, and on the difference in pressure when the pump is turned on and off.
For long-term and uninterrupted operation the submersible pump must make from 5 to 20 starts per hour, which is indicated in its technical characteristics.
When the pressure in the water supply system drops to a minimum value, the pressure switch is automatically turned on, and when the maximum value is turned off, it is turned off. Even the most minimum consumption water, especially in small water supply systems, can reduce the pressure to a minimum, which will instantly give the command to turn on the pump, because the water leakage is compensated by the pump instantly, and after a few seconds, when the water supply is replenished, the relay will turn off the pump. Thus, with minimal water consumption, the pump will run almost idle. This mode of operation adversely affects the operation of the pump and can quickly damage it. The situation can be corrected by a hydraulic accumulator, which always has the required supply of water and successfully compensates for its insignificant consumption, and also protects the pump from frequent activation.
In addition, a hydraulic accumulator connected to the circuit smoothes out a sharp increase in pressure in the system when the submersible pump is turned on.
The volume of the hydraulic tank is selected depending on the frequency of activation and power of the pump, water flow per hour and the height of its installation.
For storage water heater in the connection diagram the hydraulic accumulator plays a role expansion tank. When heated, water expands, increasing the volume in the water supply system, and since it does not have the ability to compress, the slightest increase in volume in a confined space increases the pressure and can lead to destruction of the water heater elements. The hydraulic tank will also come to the rescue here. Its volume will directly depend and increase from an increase in the volume of water in the water heater, an increase in the temperature of the heated water and an increase in the maximum permissible pressure in the water supply system.
The hydraulic accumulator is connected in front of the booster pump along the water flow. It is needed to protect against a sharp decrease in pressure in the water supply network when the pump is turned on.
The capacity of the hydraulic accumulator for the pumping station will be greater, the more water is used in the water supply system and the smaller the difference between the upper and lower pressure scale in the water supply in front of the pump.
How to install a hydraulic accumulator?
From all of the above, it can be understood that the design of a hydraulic accumulator is absolutely different from an ordinary water tank. This device is constantly in operation, the membrane is always dynamic. Therefore, installing a hydraulic accumulator is not so simple. The tank must be strengthened during installation reliably, with a margin of safety, noise and vibration. Therefore, the tank is secured to the floor through rubber gaskets, and to the pipeline through rubber flexible adapters. You need to know that at the inlet of the hydraulic system, the cross-section of the line should not narrow. And another one important detail: the first time you fill the tank very carefully and slowly, using low water pressure, in case the rubber bulb has stuck together due to long inactivity, and with a sharp water pressure it may be damaged. It is best to remove all air from the bulb before putting it into use.
The hydraulic accumulator must be installed in such a way that it can be easily approached during operation. It is better to entrust this task to experienced specialists, since very often the tank fails due to some unaccounted for, but important little detail, for example, due to a mismatch in pipe diameter, unregulated pressure, etc. Experiments cannot be carried out here, because what is at stake is normal operation plumbing system.
So you brought the purchased hydraulic tank into the house. What to do with it next? You immediately need to find out the pressure level inside the tank. Usually the manufacturer pumps it up to 1.5 atm, but there are cases when, due to a leak, the performance drops by the time of sale. To make sure the indicator is correct, you need to unscrew the decorative cap on an ordinary automobile spool and check the pressure.
How can I check it? Typically a pressure gauge is used for this. It can be electronic, mechanical (with a metal body) and plastic, which is supplied with some pump models. It is important that the pressure gauge has greater accuracy, since even 0.5 atm changes the quality of the hydraulic tank, so it is better not to use plastic pressure gauges, as they give a very large error in the indicators. These are usually Chinese models in a weak plastic case. Electronic pressure gauges are affected by battery charge and temperature, and they are also very expensive. That's why the best option is an ordinary car pressure gauge, verified. The scale should be at a small amount of divisions to allow more accurate pressure measurements. If the scale is designed for 20 atm, but you only need to measure 1-2 atm, then high precision there is no need to expect.
If there is less air in the tank, then there is a larger supply of water, but the difference in pressure between an empty and almost full tank will be very significant. It's all a matter of preference. If you need constant high water pressure in the water supply, then the pressure in the tank must be at least 1.5 atm. And for domestic needs, 1 atm may well be enough.
At a pressure of 1.5 atm, the hydraulic tank has a smaller supply of water, which is why the booster pump will turn on more often, and in the absence of light, the supply of water in the tank may simply not be enough. In the second case, you will have to sacrifice pressure, because you can take a shower with a massage when the tank is full, and as it empties, you can only take a bath.
When you decide what is more important to you, you can set the desired operating mode, that is, either pump air into the tank or bleed off excess air.
It is undesirable to reduce the pressure below 1 atm, as well as to exceed it excessively. A bulb filled with water with insufficient pressure will touch the walls of the tank and can quickly become unusable. And excess pressure will not allow pumping in a sufficient volume of water, since most of the tank will be occupied by air.
Setting up the pressure switch
You also need to configure the pressure switch. Opening the cover, you will see two nuts and two springs: a large one (P) and a small one (delta P). With their help, you can set the maximum and minimum pressure levels at which the pump turns on and off. A large spring is responsible for turning on the pump and pressure. You can see from the design that it seems to encourage water to close the contacts.
Using a small spring, the pressure difference is set, which is specified in all instructions. But the instructions do not indicate a starting point. It turns out that the reference point is the spring nut P, that is, the lower limit. The lower spring, responsible for the pressure difference, resists the water pressure and moves the movable plate away from the contacts.
When already posted correct pressure air, you can connect the hydraulic accumulator to the system. After connecting it, you need to carefully observe the pressure gauge. All hydraulic accumulators indicate normal and maximum pressure values, exceeding which is unacceptable. Manual disconnection of the pump from the network occurs when the normal pressure of the accumulator is reached, when the limit value of the pump pressure is reached. This occurs when the increase in pressure stops.
The pump power is usually not enough to pump the tank to the limit, but this is not even particularly necessary, because when pumping, the service life of both the pump and the bulb is reduced. Most often, the pressure limit for switching off is set 1-2 atm higher than switching on.
For example, when the pressure gauge reads 3 atm, which is sufficient for the needs of the owner of the pumping station, you need to turn off the pump and slowly rotate the nut of the small spring (delta P) to decrease until the mechanism is activated. After this, you need to open the tap and drain the water from the system. While observing the pressure gauge, you need to note the value at which the relay turns on - this is the lower pressure limit when the pump turns on. This indicator should be slightly higher than the pressure in an empty accumulator (by 0.1-0.3 atm). This will make it possible to serve the pear for a longer period of time.
When the nut of the large spring P rotates, the lower limit is set. To do this, you need to turn on the pump and wait until the pressure reaches the desired level. After this, it is necessary to adjust the nut of the small spring “delta P” and complete the adjustment of the accumulator.
In the air chamber of the accumulator, the pressure should be 10% lower than the pressure when the pump is turned on.
An accurate indicator of air pressure can only be measured with the tank disconnected from the water supply system and in the absence of water pressure. Air pressure must be constantly monitored and adjusted as necessary, which will increase the life of the membrane. Also for continuation normal functioning membranes should not allow a large pressure drop when the pump is turned on and off. A normal difference is 1.0-1.5 atm. Stronger pressure drops reduce the service life of the membrane, greatly stretching it; moreover, such pressure drops do not allow comfortable use of water.
Hydraulic accumulators can be installed in places with low humidity, not subject to flooding, so that the flange of the device can successfully serve for many years.
When choosing a brand of hydraulic accumulator, you need to pay special attention to the quality of the material from which the membrane is made, check certificates and sanitary and hygienic conclusions, making sure that the hydraulic tank is intended for systems with drinking water. You also need to make sure that there are spare flanges and membranes, which should be included in the kit, so that in case of a problem you do not have to buy a new hydraulic tank.
The maximum pressure of the hydraulic accumulator for which it is designed must be no less than maximum pressure in the water supply system. Therefore, most devices can withstand a pressure of 10 atm.
To determine how much water can be used from the accumulator when the power is turned off, when the pump stops pumping water from the water supply system, you can use the membrane tank fillability table. The water supply will depend on the setting of the pressure switch. The higher the pressure difference when turning the pump on and off, the greater the supply of water in the accumulator. But this difference is limited for the reasons stated above. Let's look at the table.
Here we see that in a membrane tank with a volume of 200 liters, with the settings of the pressure switch, when the indicator on the pump is 1.5 bar, the pump off is 3.0 bar, the air pressure is 1.3 bar, the water supply will be only 69 liters, which is equal to approximately a third of the total volume of the tank .
Calculation of the required volume of the hydraulic accumulator
To calculate the accumulator, use the following formula:
Vt = K * A max * ((Pmax+1) * (Pmin +1)) / (Pmax- Pmin) * (Pair + 1),
- Amax – maximum flow rate of liters of water per minute;
- K is a coefficient that depends on the power of the pump motor;
- Pmax – pressure when the pump is turned off, bar;
- Pmin – pressure when the pump is turned on, bar;
- Pair – air pressure in the hydraulic accumulator, bar.
As an example, let’s select the required minimum volume of a hydraulic accumulator for a water supply system, taking, for example, the Aquarius BTsPE 0.5-40 U pump with the following parameters:
| Pmax (bar) | Pmin (bar) | Pair (bar) | A max (cubic m/hour) | K (coefficient) |
| 3.0 | 1.8 | 1.6 | 2.1 | 0.25 |
Using the formula, we calculate the minimum volume of HA, which is 31.41 liters.
Therefore, we choose the next closest GA size, which is 35 liters.
The tank volume in the range of 25-50 liters is ideally consistent with all methods for calculating the volume of hydraulic fluid for household plumbing systems, as well as with the empirical assignments of different manufacturers of pumping equipment.
If there are frequent power outages, it is advisable to choose a tank of a larger volume, but at the same time you should remember that water can only fill the tank by 1/3 of the total volume. The more powerful the pump installed in the system, the larger the volume of the accumulator should be. This sizing will reduce the number of short starts of the pump and extend the life of its electric motor.
If you bought a large-volume hydraulic accumulator, you need to know that if water is not used regularly, it will stagnate in the hydraulic accumulator and its quality will deteriorate. Therefore, when choosing a hydraulic tank in a store, you need to take into account the maximum volume of water used in the home’s water supply system. After all, with a small water consumption, using a tank with a volume of 25-50 liters is much more expedient than 100-200 liters, the water in which will be wasted.
Repair and maintenance of hydraulic accumulator
Even the simplest hydraulic tanks require attention and care, like any working and useful device.
There are different reasons for repairing a hydraulic accumulator. This is corrosion, dents in the body, violation of the integrity of the membrane or a violation of the tightness of the tank. There are also many other reasons that oblige the owner to repair the hydraulic tank. To prevent serious damage, it is necessary to regularly inspect the surface of the accumulator, monitor its operation in order to prevent possible problems. It is not enough to inspect the HA twice a year, as stated in the instructions. After all, you can eliminate one malfunction today, but tomorrow you will not pay attention to another problem that has arisen, which within six months will turn into irreparable and can lead to failure of the hydraulic tank. Therefore, the hydraulic accumulator must be inspected at every opportunity so as not to miss the slightest malfunctions, and they must be repaired in a timely manner.
Causes of breakdowns and their elimination
The reason for the breakdown of the expansion tank may be too frequent switching on and off of the pump, water exiting through the valve, weak water pressure, weak air pressure (lower than designed), weak water pressure after the pump.
How to troubleshoot a hydraulic accumulator with your own hands? The reason for repairing the hydraulic accumulator may be low air pressure or its absence in the membrane tank, damage to the membrane, damage to the housing, a large difference in pressure when turning the pump on and off, or an incorrectly selected volume of the hydraulic tank.
Troubleshooting can be done as follows:
- to increase air pressure, you need to pump it through the tank nipple using a garage pump or compressor;
- a damaged membrane can be repaired at a service center;
- the damaged housing and its tightness are also repaired at the service center;
- The difference in pressure can be corrected by setting the differential too large in accordance with the frequency of pump activation;
- The adequacy of the tank volume must be determined before installing it in the system.
Quite often, in private homes and dachas in the absence of a centralized water supply, submersible pumps are used.
Due to their advantages, their use has become widespread and they are quite popular.
But in order to achieve high-quality and uninterrupted operation, you should connect them correctly. After all, these devices are important node for water supply and they contain compressed air and water, which are separated by a membrane.
Hydraulic tank design
The presence of a hydraulic accumulator is required in cases where water pressure decreases.
If this happens, the pump turns on, pumps the required volume of water into the accumulator, and then turns off.
This device is also capable of providing the system with water in cases where the pump is damaged or there are problems with electricity.
The hydraulic accumulator consists of the following components:
- membrane;
- body with legs;
- nipple with protective cover.
Advantages
Like any other device, a hydraulic accumulator has its advantages and disadvantages.
The first include its large capacity, which, depending on the model, ranges from 5 to 100 liters. So it is quite possible to store water in it.
Also, its cost is quite objective and accessible to all segments of the population. For example, if the price of a hydraulic accumulator is approximately 15 thousand rubles, then its plastic analogue for 3 liters costs no more than 4 thousand rubles.
The presence of this device makes it possible to always maintain the required pressure at which household water supply appliances can operate. In addition, the use of a hydraulic accumulator allows you to increase the durability of the pump, since the frequency of its switching off and switching on is reduced.
How to connect
Relay settings
Pressure switch device One of the most important stages of connection is correct configuration.
Although at first glance this procedure seems quite simple, setting it up properly requires some knowledge.
All rules must also be followed. Having opened the pressure switch, you will see that under the cover there are only two nuts and the same number of springs, which, according to the instructions, are required to set the value at which the well pump turns on.
Specialist's note: To adjust the pressure difference, a smaller pair of screws should be used, while a larger pair is required to turn on this mechanism. In addition, it is also used to configure the smaller pair.
For the smooth functioning of the entire system, the difference between turning on and off should be equal to 2 atmospheres. When making settings, you need to remember that this should be done in the right sequence.
If the pressure is working, the pump turns off. In this case, the nut installed on the lower spring rotates in the decreasing direction to the point of its operation.
In addition, you should open the tap to drain the existing water from the system. When doing this, you need to use a pressure gauge to control the pressure at which the pump turns on. The value of the nut of the large pair should be set to the lower limit, and the small pair should be adjusted to the previously set value.
As we can see from what was written above, connecting a hydraulic accumulator to a pump is a fairly simple procedure, provided that everything is done according to the instructions. It can be produced independently in a fairly short period of time.
Watch the video in which a specialist explains in detail how to connect a hydraulic accumulator to a submersible pump:
A hydraulic accumulator is an extremely useful device for organizing autonomous water supply, and to improve the performance of the system connected to the central water supply.
A master with at least minimal experience in performing plumbing work, you can easily install the hydraulic accumulator with your own hands and connect it to the water supply system.
Agree, the key to successful completion of work is an understanding of the structure and operating principle of the equipment. We will help you understand these issues, and also describe and illustrate step-by-step technology installation of a hydraulic accumulator.
Information about connection, setup and implementation current repairs storage tank will be useful during its operation.
Water is taken from this device and pumped throughout the day. As a result, the unit is constantly influenced by the operating process, during which it makes noise and vibrates. This point should be taken into account when choosing a place to install it.
Image gallery
Schematically, the connection of the pumping station can be represented in the following steps:
- Prepare a solid base in a suitable location for installation.
- Install pumping station on the base.
- Measure and adjust the air pressure in the empty hydraulic accumulator.
- Install a fitting with five outlets onto the outlet pipe of the hydraulic accumulator.
- Connect the pipe of the surface pump to the outlet of the fitting.
- Connect a water pipe to the other outlet.
- Fill the accumulator with water.
- Check the presence/absence of leaks at the threaded connections.
- Set up the pressure switch.
A surface pump is not always used in the autonomous water supply system of a private house. Owners of deep wells have to use special submersible pumps.
The process of connecting the hydraulic accumulator to the water supply system is carried out according to the following scheme:
- Lower the submersible pump prepared for operation into the water source (well, well, etc.)
- Connect the pressure hose or water supply pipe of the pump to the fitting with five connectors.
- Connect the accumulator pipe to one of the fitting outlets.
- Install a pressure gauge and pressure switch.
- Connect the accumulator to the water supply system of the house.
When connecting the hydraulic tank to submersible pump an installation should be provided that will prevent the outflow of water into the well when the pump is turned off.
A few important nuances
To connect the hydraulic accumulator, special flexible adapters are used. This helps reduce the effect of vibrations on the plumbing system.
It should be taken into account that in this area, between the water supply and the hydraulic accumulator, it is unacceptable to reduce the clearance of the connecting structures, since this will worsen the hydraulic characteristics of the system.
To reduce the influence of vibration that occurs during operation of the hydraulic tank, it is recommended to use special flexible leads. Their dimensions should not be smaller than the diameter of the outlet to which the connection is made
The initial filling of the tank with water must be done very slowly. The point is that when long-term storage the rubber membrane, made in the shape of a pear, could simply stick together.
A sharp flow of water can tear the gasket, but with low pressure it will straighten out neatly. Another one indeed important point– before supplying water to the accumulator, air must be completely removed from the part into which water will be pumped.
Immediately after unpacking the purchased battery, and/or immediately before connecting it, you need to measure the pressure of the air that is pumped inside. This figure should be 1.5 atm, this is how hydraulic accumulators are pumped during manufacture. However, during storage in a warehouse before sale, leakage of some of this air is a completely natural phenomenon.
Most reliable option for such measurements - a regular car pressure gauge with a suitable gradation scale, allowing measurements to be taken with an accuracy of 0.1 atmosphere. As practice has shown, it is not worth using cheap Chinese plastic models for these purposes; their accuracy is highly questionable.
Electronic models are condition sensitive environment, and this is too expensive an option for a conventional accumulator.
What should the air pressure be in a hydraulic tank filled with water? It all depends on the situation.
A pressure of 1.5 atmospheres will provide quite decent water pressure in the plumbing system. But it should be remembered that the higher the pressure, the smaller the volume of water stored in the tank. If you need both a solid supply of water and good pressure, it makes sense to look for a large-volume tank.
To monitor the air pressure in the hydraulic tank, it is recommended to use a regular automobile pressure gauge, which allows measurements with an accuracy of 0.1 atmosphere
It is recommended that the operating parameters of the air pressure in the hydraulic accumulator be less than the minimum pressure that causes the pump to turn on, by approximately 0.5-1.0 atmospheres. Sometimes they do things differently.
The air pressure in the accumulator is left at 1.5 atmospheres, as set at the factory, and the value of the minimum pressure or switching pressure is calculated as 2.0-2.5 atmospheres. Thus, to the air pressure in an empty tank - 1.5 atmospheres - add this difference of 0.5-1.0 atmospheres.
Overpressure does not have a very good effect on the integrity of the hydraulic tank elements, but low air pressure in it is not useful either. If you reduce this indicator to a level of less than one atmosphere, the membrane will touch the walls of the tank. This will lead to its deformation and rapid failure.
Two springs are used to regulate the pressure switch. Using the first, you set the pump shut-off pressure, and using the second, you set the difference between the maximum and minimum pressure.
After the system is installed and connected, it is necessary to configure the pressure switch. For this purpose, there are two adjusting nuts with springs under the housing. The procedure for adjusting the pressure switch is usually described in detail in the instructions that come with the device.
Rules of operation and repair
Connecting and setting up the hydraulic accumulator correctly is only half the battle. In order for the device to operate for a long time, it must be properly operated and periodically performed preventive inspection and maintenance.
Instructions require medical examinations to be carried out twice a year, but practice shows that this is not enough. The condition of the hydraulic accumulator should be checked every three months. At the same frequency, it is advisable to monitor the pressure switch settings in order to correct them if necessary.
Incorrect operation of the relay creates additional loads on the entire system, which can also affect the condition of the accumulator.
If during inspection dents or traces of corrosion are found on the device body, these damages must be repaired. It is best to do this as early as possible, otherwise corrosion processes will develop, which can lead to damage to the integrity of the accumulator body.
An important preventive measure is checking the pressure in the hydraulic tank itself using a pressure gauge. If necessary, the device should be pumped required quantity air or release excess air.
If this does not help and the new pressure gauge readings do not correspond to the expected ones, it means that either the integrity of the accumulator body is compromised or its membrane is damaged.
If the membrane installed in the accumulator is worn out, you can try to replace it with a new one. To do this, the device will have to be dismantled and disassembled.
Some craftsmen manage to detect and repair areas of damage to the body, but such repairs are not always durable and reliable. The rubber liner or membrane is the weak point of the accumulator. Over time it wears out.
You can replace the membrane with a new element at home, but to do this you will have to completely disassemble and reassemble the hydraulic accumulator.
Choosing appropriate place to install a hydraulic accumulator, it should be remembered that it must be spacious enough to carry out Maintenance devices
If a home craftsman doubts his abilities in this area or does not have sufficient experience, he can cause even more damage to the device than the previous breakdown. In such a situation, it is better to contact a service center.
Conclusions and useful video on the topic
An overview of the operation of a 50-liter hydraulic accumulator is presented in the following video:
This video clearly demonstrates the procedure for adjusting the pressure in the hydraulic tank and setting the pressure switch:
The advantages of using a hydraulic accumulator are obvious, so this device is increasingly being used both in private houses outside the city and in metropolitan apartments. If the unit is installed and connected correctly, it will long years work without breakdowns or interruptions, providing the family with high-quality water supply.
Do you have experience in self-installation and connecting the hydraulic accumulator? Please share information with our readers, tell us about the features of setting up and operating the hydraulic tank. You can leave comments in the form below.
An indispensable device in modern systems water supply is not only a pump. Very often it is supplemented with a hydraulic accumulator, which can be included with the pump or purchased and installed separately.
Installing a hydraulic accumulator is very useful solution which improves the quality of work. Let's take a closer look at exactly how this mechanism works, how it works and how it is mounted.
1 The design of the hydraulic accumulator and the principle of its operation
First, we will describe the device of a hydraulic accumulator: it is a container with a metal casing, inside of which there is a membrane (or a cylinder, depending on the design). Pressure is created between it and the walls of the housing - thanks to compressed air pumped into the space.
Most often, the installation is used in water supply, but it is also important to use a hydraulic accumulator for heating - it is also suitable for this.
The objectives of the mechanism are as follows:
- Water accumulation.
- Maintaining stable pressure in the system.
- Providing water to the system when the pump is not running.
The operating principle is as follows: water enters the membrane, pumped by a pump. The membrane is filled and fills the space inside the housing (naturally, to a certain volume).
On the other hand, the pumped air begins to put pressure on the water, thereby displacing it into the water supply system. In this case, the pump operates up to a certain point - until the water pressure inside the tank reaches a certain limit.
After this, the unit turns off, and the air acting on it begins to “squeeze” water into the network. Well, when the liquid leaves the container and the pressure drops to a certain (only now minimum) level, the pump will start working again from the automatic control unit.
1.1 Classification
The range of products on the market is quite extensive, so it will be useful for the buyer to find out in advance what exactly they are, how they are classified, and which model is best to choose.
The differences lie in a number of factors, each of which should be mentioned.
According to the location of the container, the device can be either horizontal or vertical.
There may also be differences in the type of working part. In this regard, there are two variations: membrane or balloon. In the first case, the space inside the container is divided into two parts by a membrane: water flows into one, air is pumped into the second.
In the second case, an elastic cylinder is contained inside the container, into which liquid flows, and air is pumped into the free space between its walls and the walls of the body.
Separately, it is necessary to mention the volume - this is, in fact, the key parameter of any capacity. The most popular sizes are 24, 50, 100 and 200 liters. However, you can also find containers of other sizes on sale - 6, 12, or vice versa - 300 liters.
There are also larger devices - for example, the Aquasystem hydraulic accumulator, which can have a volume of up to 2000 liters. The Reflex hydraulic accumulator has a smaller capacity - the largest model has a volume of 1000 liters. The Wester hydraulic accumulator has the same limits.
The material from which the membrane (balloon) is made also deserves detailed attention. It can be either butyl or rubber. The differences are quite serious:
- butyl has an upper temperature limit of +99 degrees;
- for rubber this mark is lower - only +50 degrees.
This is very important nuance for those who choose a heating device. However, most often devices modern manufacturers(the same Aquasystem hydraulic accumulator) use butyl.
And finally, we need to mention the manufacturers of products of this type. Several items that are most popular have already been mentioned above. This is a Wester and Aquasystem hydraulic accumulator. Models of these brands are included in the high-budget segment, but the quality is appropriate.
The Reflex hydraulic accumulator is already cheaper, but at the same time it is practically not inferior in quality. In addition to these names, we can also highlight Gilex, which is quite popular on the Russian market for its positive qualities: low cost and reliability.
1.2 How to correctly calculate the volume of a hydraulic accumulator?
In principle, the main point that deserves attention is the volume of the tank. The material of the membrane (cylinder) was also mentioned above, however, such devices are used less frequently for heating, so we will focus on capacity.
It should be said right away that models with a capacity of several hundred liters (for example, the Aquasystem VAV 2000 hydraulic accumulator for 2000 liters or the Wester Line WAV 1000 hydraulic accumulator for 1000 liters) are suitable for providing water to large buildings (hotels, hospitals - for example).
For an ordinary residential building, this volume will be a lot, and buying such a model will be a waste of money. Moreover, they cost quite a lot: for example, the mentioned Wester Line WAV 1000 hydraulic accumulator will cost more than 10 thousand dollars, and the Aquasystem VAV 2000 hydraulic accumulator will cost three dozen.
For a cottage in which 3-4 people permanently live, a capacity of up to 100-200 liters will be sufficient (and this is with a huge margin). Often, buyers in such conditions are limited to models of 24-50 liters (for example, the Aquasystem VAV 50 hydraulic accumulator or the Wester Line WAV 50 hydraulic accumulator).
An increase to 100-200 liters is relevant if there are more residents in the house, and/or there are a large number of water intake points (2 toilets and 5-10 taps, for example). In this case, you should pay attention to the Wester Line WAV 100 hydraulic accumulator or the Aquasystem VAV 100 hydraulic accumulator.
For accuracy, we provide a more detailed calculation that will help the buyer more accurately select the appropriate device.
2 Stages and nuances of installation
We figured out how to perform the calculation and how to choose a device. Now we need to mention how exactly the hydraulic accumulator is connected to the water supply system. If you wish, you can do this work yourself - if you follow the tips below, then there should be no difficulties.
In this case, it does not matter which model is connected - a Reflex hydraulic accumulator for a couple of tens of liters or a tank for 300 liters.
The preparation looks like this:
- First of all, you need to choose the place where the equipment will be located: the station automatic water supply and, in fact, the tank itself. They do not have to be placed next to each other, but most often this is how it is done.
- The pressure inside the container is checked. It is necessary that this indicator be approximately 0.2-1 atmospheres lower than the parameter set on the automatic pump start relay. Otherwise, you can (and should) adjust it yourself.
Now you need to take care of necessary details to connect:
- A fitting with 5 outputs: for the tank itself, for the automatic switch-on relay, for the pressure gauge, for the pump and, in fact, for the water line itself.
- Pressure gauge (with a scale up to 10 atmospheres).
- FUM tape (for sealing joints).
Now let’s look at how you can make the connection yourself:
- The fitting is connected to the container using a hose.
- A pressure gauge, relay, pump, etc. are connected to the other outputs of the fitting. Each connection is pre-sealed with FUM tape.
Upon completion of work, you should perform trial run pump - to determine the tightness of the system. To do this, you need to carefully inspect the connection points: there should be no leaks along them.
When connecting the pressure switch with your own hands, be sure to look very carefully at the marks that are marked under its cover. There are two of them - these are "Network" and "Pump", and under no circumstances should they be confused. It is possible that these marks will not appear at all (this happens with some models) - in this case, it is recommended not to make the connection yourself, but to use the help of an electrician.
