Parallel connection of hydraulic accumulators. Pressure switch for hydraulic accumulator: information on installation and configuration. Optimal pressure inside the hydraulic tank








In a country house it is not enough just to create an autonomous water supply system. The water supply system must provide for trouble-free operation of the equipment included in it, even with pressure drops in the system, because if the water supply is unstable, there is a possibility that household appliances will simply fail. Connecting a hydraulic accumulator to the water supply system allows you to solve this problem, but for the right choice device you need to know its features.

Hydraulic accumulator connected to the water supply system in a wooden house

Why do you need a hydraulic accumulator, its difference from an expansion tank

Hydraulic accumulators are often confused with expansion tanks, even despite the fundamentally different problems that these devices solve. An expansion tank is needed in heating and hot water supply systems, since the coolant, moving through the system, inevitably cools and its volume changes. The expansion tank is set up when the system is “cold”, and when the coolant warms up, its excess, which is formed due to expansion, has somewhere to go.

The hydraulic accumulator is needed for completely different purposes: if it is not installed in the water supply system, the pump will be activated every time a tap is opened. If this happens often, then not only the pump, but the entire system wears out faster, since each time the pressure increases abruptly - a so-called water hammer occurs.

As a result, a hydraulic accumulator is installed with the aim of getting rid of water hammer and extending the service life of the system as a whole. In addition, the accumulator has other functions:

    Creates a certain supply of water (useful if there is a power outage).

If there are frequent interruptions in water supply, the hydraulic accumulator can be combined with a storage tank

    Reduces the frequency of pump startup. The reservoir is filled with a small volume of water. If the flow rate is small, for example, you need to wash your hands or wash your face, water begins to flow from the tank, while the pump remains turned off. It is activated after very little water remains;

    Maintains stable pressure in the system. In order for this function to be performed properly, an element called a water pressure switch is provided, capable of maintaining a given pressure within strict limits;

All the advantages of hydraulic accumulators make this device an indispensable element of any autonomous water supply system in country houses.

Design and varieties

The hydraulic accumulator is a special sealed metal tank, which inside is divided in two by an elastic membrane. The membrane itself is made in the form of a diaphragm or cylinder. The first one is mounted across the tank, and the bulb is mounted at the inlet near the inlet pipe.

Hydraulic accumulators are equipped with two-level protection - pressure gauge and mechanical valve

On our website you can find contacts construction companies who offer design and installation services for water supply and sewerage. You can communicate directly with representatives by visiting the “Low-Rise Country” exhibition of houses.

Hydraulic accumulators have different purposes. First of all, devices are divided into those intended for hot and cold water supply and heating systems. The latter are painted red, and the water ones are blue. Tanks used in heating are usually smaller in volume and more affordable. This is not due to this quality material membranes, because in a regular water supply there is drinking water, and in heating there is technical water.

Hydraulic accumulators are also divided by type of placement - devices located vertically or horizontally. In the lower part vertical models there are legs with which they are placed on the surface, and some models provide special plates that allow them to be attached to the wall.

Connecting a hydraulic accumulator, as well as selecting its characteristics, is not the easiest task

Hydraulic accumulators installed in heating systems, equipped with radial membranes that look like plates. For plumbing systems, devices with a rubber bulb are more often chosen.

Principle of operation

The work cycle is divided into several stages:

    If there is only air inside the accumulator, then the pressure will be standard - 1.5 atm (factory or set independently, depending on the pressure in the system).

    When the pump is activated, water is drawn into the bulb, causing it to become larger in volume. The air located between the membrane and the tank wall is compressed as the tank fills.

    When the air pressure reaches the set pressure, the pump will turn off and the system will stabilize.

    If you open the tap, the pressure in the system will drop and air will begin to push water out of the accumulator. It will flow until the air pressure drops below the specified mark. Then the pump will turn on again and the cycle will repeat.

The system is configured in such a way that at high water flows, for example, if you need to fill a bath, the pump begins to pump water in transit, that is, without pumping it into the tank. The latter will be filled when all the taps are closed. An element such as a pressure switch turns the pump on and off.

Battery Installation

The connection diagram of the hydraulic accumulator to the pump and the water supply system may differ, since during the work not only a submersible, but also a surface pump is used. Each of the schemes has its own connection features.

Scheme with surface pump

If water is pumped into the water supply system through a water supply system (that is, there is no need to submerge the pump), it is mounted directly next to the battery. The connection diagram is not complicated, but you should familiarize yourself with the nuances.

Before installing the device, an accurate calculation of the operating and minimum pressure is necessary. IN various systems Different pressures are set, but if a standard, small system is considered, then the standard here is a pressure of 1.5 atm. It happens that systems are connected to a device that requires high pressure, therefore the parameter increases up to 6 atm, but no more, as this can negatively affect the pipes and their connecting elements.

Scheme with a submersible pump

Scheme of installing a hydraulic accumulator in a water supply system using a submersible pump model. This case is relevant if water for the system is drawn from a well or a pump installed underground.

The described scheme has a key feature - a check valve is installed in the system. This device prevents backflow of injected water. The check valve should be installed before subsequent elements of the system are connected. It is mounted directly to the pump (at one end), and a pipeline leading to the accumulator is connected to the other.

The procedure for connecting the battery to the pump is as follows:

    First of all, measure the depth to which the pump will be lowered (it should be located 30 cm above the surface of the bottom of the well or borehole). It is convenient to measure the distance with a rope to which the load is attached;

    The pump, to which the valve is already connected, is lowered into the well and secured with a safety rope;

    The pipe from the pump, which goes to the surface, is connected to a water pressure switch, for which a special fitting is used;

    A hydraulic accumulator is also connected to the fitting, consuming water supply and the control system. Based on this, a fitting with five connectors is most optimal. It is important that all connections are airtight, for which FUM tape or ordinary tow, which should first be impregnated with sealant, are excellent.

Video description

How does the connection happen? submersible pump and hydraulic accumulator, watch the video:

If you plan to install a hydraulic accumulator, then it is important to know how to determine the critical pressure. Based on the operating value, you must first determine the minimum pressure, that is, the one at which the pump starts operating. The pressure switch is set to this value. Next, the pressure in the empty battery is measured. The result should be below the critical parameter by approximately 0.5 - 1 atm. Then the system is assembled. Its center, as in the previous situation, is a fitting with five connectors, where they are connected in turn: a battery, a pipe from the pump (it is connected to a water source), household water supply, a relay and a pressure gauge.

How to install plumbing system equipment

How to install a hydraulic accumulator for water supply systems is clear, but all equipment must be carefully adjusted in order for the resulting system to function effectively. The key element to pay attention to is the pressure switch. Although the device looks simple from the outside, it can take several hours to set it up. As a rule, a specialist copes with the task quickly, but if there is no special knowledge, then the device can be damaged.

Video description

How to set up a hydraulic accumulator, see the following video:

To set up the pressure switch, first of all, remove the cover from the device. Underneath there are four bolts and four springs. It is these bolts that are responsible for turning the pump on and off when a certain pressure is reached. The standards noted in the instructions for the device state that the difference between the modes is 2 atm. A couple of screws need to be adjusted to set the value. This is done as follows:

    The pump is in working condition, while one of the nuts is rotated until it turns off;

    To effectively regulate the pressure, you should open the taps in the house. Here it is important to pay attention to the indicators of the pressure gauge - it is necessary to fix the mark at which the pump starts;

    If necessary, the minimum pressure in the pipes is adjusted - for this, the upper nuts are rotated. It is very important to rely on the readings of the pressure gauge and the standards stated in the instructions;

    The lower pair of nuts is responsible for the pressure indicator at which the pump turns off;

    The adjustment should be carried out until the difference between the on and off states of the pump is 2 atm.

Setting up a pressure switch is a rather difficult task, but if it is done correctly, then the adjustment work can be considered complete.

To correctly adjust the pressure switch, you need appropriate knowledge and experience, so it is better to entrust this procedure to a specialist

In addition to the direct adjustment of the hydraulic tank, much depends on the correctly selected connection diagram. And if everything is done correctly, then there will always be a stable water pressure in the country house.

Conclusion

A hydraulic accumulator is a special device whose task is to stabilize the pressure in the water supply system. It is important to correctly install the hydraulic accumulator for water supply systems, but you should also carefully consider the choice of device. During the work process, many different parameters are taken into account, starting with the installation location of the device and ending with the choice of container volume. It is also important to understand how the unit itself works. This knowledge will allow you to assemble a reliable and stable plumbing system.

Ensuring uninterrupted water supply to taps and Appliances, is impossible without the use of a hydraulic accumulator. Interruptions in the water supply create additional stress on household appliances connected to the water supply, and pump equipment. Particularly dangerous is the increase in pressure, which in a short period of time can damage the dishwasher or washing machine and also damage the pump.

It is to ensure constant pressure in the system and provision soft start pumping engine, special tanks were created that accumulate water and create pressure in the pipes. Currently, there are several types of hydraulic accumulators, differing in the method of use.

What it is?

Any hydraulic accumulator is a tank-shaped container, the body of which can be made of steel, cast iron or especially durable plastic. Inside there is a membrane or, as it is often called, a pear. The membrane is attached to the body using a flange with a pipe through which water flows.

The housing has a technical hole for the nipple, through which it is pumped into the tank. required volume air. For ease of placement, the accumulator is equipped with legs and a platform in the upper part of the housing for installing the pump.

A block is mounted on the pipe automatic control with a pressure gauge and pressure switch - this is the “heart” of the entire plumbing system.

Operating mode

The operating principle of the device is extremely simple and at the same time effective. Using a pump, water is pumped into the bulb, causing it to expand. The air located under the housing casing (between its walls and the bulb) creates external pressure, which pushes water into the water pipes, thereby creating the necessary pressure and water pressure. Air also prevents rapid wear and tear of the bulb. The standard air pressure is 1.5 bar.

The pressure in the system is controlled automatically using a control unit, which is responsible for turning the pump on and off in a timely manner. The upper and lower readings (on and off) can be seen on the pressure gauge. The relay is configured according to technical passport pump It is not recommended to exceed the maximum recommended by the pump manufacturer.

All hydraulic accumulators are divided into three types:

  • intended for cold water and water pipes (painted in Blue colour);
  • designed for hot water(Red);
  • special for heating systems (they are often called expansion tanks).

It is believed that the hydraulic accumulator, due to proper pressure regulation, protects pumping equipment from rapid wear. The larger the accumulator tank, the less often the pump turns on and wears out. However, the larger the battery, the higher its cost on the market. And this factor holds back many owners when purchasing a battery for home plumbing. Manufacturers today offer various models with a capacity from 5 to 100 liters. The largest battery will cost 15,000 rubles. With the help of these devices you can establish.

How to connect?

The algorithm for connecting the hydraulic accumulator has slight differences depending on the type of installation and type of pump.

Water supply with surface pump

This is the most common engineering solution for country house. In this case, the pump is always located inside the utility room, and sometimes even the living space. Next to it is a hydraulic accumulator with an automatic control unit.

Battery connection algorithm:

  1. The air pressure is checked using a car pressure gauge through the nipple. Its value should be 0.3 bar less than that set by the manufacturer on the pressure switch.
  2. Assemblies and materials for connection are prepared: a fitting with five terminals, FUM tape or tow, a pressure gauge and a pressure switch (included with the equipment).
  3. The fitting is mounted to the battery using a flange with a bypass valve.
  4. All other elements are fixed. Water pipes for water intake and supply are screwed in, a relay and a pressure gauge are connected to the corresponding terminals of the fitting.
  5. The pump is turned on and all connections are checked for leaks.

Water supply system for two residential buildings from one pump

This is a rare engineering solution that allows you to use one source for water intake.

Battery connection algorithm:

  1. The air pressure in both batteries is checked in the manner indicated above. The pressure must be the same, otherwise water will not flow into one of the batteries!
  2. The water supply system is being routed into two separate systems. To do this, a tee is installed in the well, connected to a pump and two water pipes in different houses.
  3. The automation is mounted only to one of the hydraulic accumulators. Pipes for water inlet and supply, as well as a pressure gauge, are connected to the second.

More practical solution There will be an installation of one battery for two houses with a tee inserted. Such installation requires more powerful pumping equipment, but there are no problems with setting up hydraulic accumulators (pressure synchronization is not required).

A similar connection principle is used to enhance a previously installed pumping station. The second hydraulic accumulator will reduce the load on the engine, allowing the pump to turn on less often.

Connecting a submersible or well pump

The most important thing in such a water supply system is the installation of a check valve, which is mounted immediately after the pump in front of the water intake pipe and ensures that the pressure in the system is maintained (water does not flow out arbitrarily).

The work order is as follows:

  1. The depth of a well or borehole is measured using a rope equipped with a sinker.
  2. The pump is lowered into the shaft to a depth of approximately 0.5 meters from the bottom. A check valve is pre-installed on it!
  3. The water intake hose or pipe is connected to the pressure switch. For this purpose, a fitting with five connectors is used.
  4. A pressure gauge and water supply are connected to the fitting. And the fitting itself is attached to the hydraulic accumulator.
  5. All connections are checked for leaks. It is necessary to use FUM tape to ensure the tightness of the entire system.

Pressure switch installation

When connecting this vital technical unit You need to pay attention to the special labels. To do this, remove the protective cover from the relay. Below it there are contacts indicated by the corresponding indicators. “Pump” is the connection point for the specified unit, “network” is the point for connecting the electrical power cable.

If no marks are found (this deficiency is present in some models of hydraulic accumulators), the owner will have to contact an electrician, since it is impossible to determine the connection method by eye. To seal the junction of the relay with the fitting, technical flax (tow) with sealant or FUM tape is used.

Operating rules

Experts recommend that when choosing a hydraulic accumulator, you should focus on the intensity of water consumption and the number of family members. For a family of two people, a 24-liter device is sufficient. Homes with large families and high water consumption need a larger battery. When installing a 24 liter model and connecting a powerful household appliances the pressure in the system will constantly drop, causing frequent activation of the pump and its wear.

IN Maintenance The device includes regular checking of air pressure using a car pressure gauge. If the pump is turned on too often, you should be alerted. This is a sign of depressurization of the accumulator or rupture of the rubber bulb. Both problems are easily fixed. However, delay in repair may cause pump failure.

It is necessary to adjust the factory settings of the pressure switch for a specific water supply system and pump. Optimal difference between the upper and lower pressure readings (according to the built-in pressure gauge) is one to two atmospheres.

Today it’s hard to even imagine Vacation home without water supply system. However, in addition to pumping equipment for a well or well, in some cases it may be necessary to install a hydraulic accumulator. This device is used if, after lifting from the well, water cannot be delivered to all water collection points. The hydraulic accumulator helps regulate the water pressure in the water supply system. Exist different schemes connecting the hydraulic tank to the water supply network. The choice of one scheme or another depends on the pump used. In our article we will look at a diagram for connecting a hydraulic accumulator to a submersible pump installed in a well or well.

The hydraulic accumulator is metal container cylindrical in shape with a rubber bulb inside it. This pear functions as a membrane. In essence, a hydraulic tank is a link in the water supply system. It is capable of accumulating a certain volume of liquid and creating the necessary water pressure in the pipeline. Due to the fact that the required pressure is created in the system, it is ensured effective work sanitary appliances, washing and dishwasher, as well as supplying liquid to the upper floors of a residential building and to the most remote points.

The hydraulic accumulator itself consists of the following components:

  • membrane in the form of a rubber bulb- This is an elastic product that is attached to the inlet part of the tank and is located inside the body. A flow flange with a valve is installed in the neck of the container;
  • metal body with legs– this is a sealed tank that can cope with operating pressure from 1.5 to 6, and sometimes 10, atmospheres;
  • nipple with safety closing mechanism located on the back of the case. This device allows you to pump air into the space between the rubber bulb and the walls of the housing.

In addition, for the operation of the entire water supply system with a hydraulic tank, a pressure switch is required, which allows you to maintain a given pressure in the system and controls the start and stop of the submersible pump, as well as a check valve.

A special flange is used to fix the rubber bulb to the body. Its design has an inlet pipe. Internal structure This tank is designed so that there is air between the membrane and the walls of the housing. It must be under a certain pressure, which is pumped into the chamber using a car or bicycle pump. This air not only helps maintain the required pressure in the water supply system, but also counteracts overextension of the bulb into which water is pumped using a submersible pump from a well or well.

All hydraulic accumulators can be divided into several types:

  • units designed to work with cold water supply systems;
  • devices for hot water pipelines;
  • hydraulic expansion tanks for heating systems.

In our article we will look at the connection diagram and operating principle of a hydraulic tank for cold water supply systems. This tank is designed in such a way as to accumulate the required volumes of water and ensure the supply of liquid to the water distribution points. Similar equipment allows you to avoid water hammer and protect borehole pump from frequent switching on.

Principle of operation


The operation diagram of the hydraulic tank after connecting it to the water supply system is as follows:

  1. Using a submersible pump, water is pumped from a well or well into the rubber bulb of the tank.
  2. As water is pumped in, the air pressure in the chamber between the walls of the housing and the rubber bulb increases due to the stretching of the membrane by water. When it reaches the maximum set on the relay, the contacts open and the pump turns off.
  3. At the same time, you can continue to use water due to the fact that the membrane pushes it to the point open tap, household appliances or sanitary fixtures. As the volume of liquid in the rubber bulb decreases, its walls put less pressure on the air in the chamber and the pressure gradually decreases. When it reaches the minimum set on the relay, the contacts close and the pump starts working again and pumping water from the well or well into the tank.
  4. Then the cycle repeats.

Important: the frequency of starting well pumping equipment is directly related to the volume of the rubber bulb and the intensity of water consumption. That is, the volume of the tank must be selected taking into account the water needs of a particular family, so that the startup frequency does not increase pumping unit oh, and this did not lead to its rapid wear.

Advantages of using a hydraulic tank


  • Thanks to the large capacity of the tank, you always have a supply of water, even if for some reason the water disappears from the source.
  • Using this equipment, you can maintain the required pressure in the water supply system, which will provide you with a uniform supply of liquid at all water distribution points.
  • The hydraulic tank reliably protects the system from water hammer.
  • The service life of pumping equipment is increased due to less frequent unit starts.
  • By injecting water into the pipeline, optimal conditions for operation of household appliances (washing machine and dishwasher).

Installation Features


  • well pump;
  • relay;
  • pipeline for supplying water from pumping equipment to the tank and from it to water collection points;
  • check valve;
  • shut-off valves;
  • filter device for rough water purification;
  • drainage into the sewer system.

Connection diagram to surface pump or a pumping station looks much simpler, since the relay is installed in a block manner, that is, it is installed in conjunction with pumping equipment, and there is also a built-in coarse filter and check valve.

Connecting the hydraulic accumulator


When connecting a hydraulic tank to submersible pumping equipment, a check valve must be used, which prevents water from flowing back into the supply pipeline and source after the pumping equipment is turned off. Otherwise, after turning off the pump, the air from the tank will squeeze water into the well.

Check valve mounted on pumping equipment before connecting all other elements of the water supply system. Further work is carried out in the following sequence:

  1. First you need to properly install the submersible pump. To do this, you need to use a rope with a load to measure the depth of the well or well. After this, the wet spot on the rope can be used to determine the immersion depth of the pumping equipment.

Important: the well pump should be lowered below the water surface no more than 30 cm.

  1. After the pump is lowered into the well, the cable on which it is attached is securely fixed to the surface at the head of the hydraulic structure.
  2. After this, the hose or pipeline coming from the pumping unit on the surface is attached to the relay using a special fitting. This fitting must have five connectors.
  3. After this, you need to connect the water supply system going into the house and the hydraulic tank to the connectors on the fitting. Also, a control device for the entire water supply system must be connected to another connector.

Attention: all connections must be carefully sealed using tow treated with sealant or FUM tape.

  1. Now you can configure the relay.

Relay settings


For effective and proper operation hydraulic tank and the entire water supply system, the relay must be configured correctly. Since this unit usually comes with factory settings, this is done in the following sequence:

  1. If there is water in the system, it must be drained by opening the bottom tap.
  2. Now you can open the cover on the relay and turn on the pump to pump water.
  3. At the moment the pumping equipment is turned off, you need to take the pressure gauge readings and write them down.
  4. After this, open the most remote tap in the system and wait for the pumping equipment to start again after a certain amount of water has flowed out. At this moment, record the pressure gauge readings and write them down. Now we find the difference by subtracting the smaller value from the larger number. It should be equal to 1.4 bar. If your indicator is lower, you need to tighten the nut installed on the small spring more tightly. If the found number is greater, this nut must be loosened.
  5. Moreover, if at the moment the water flows out of the most remote tap, you do not like the pressure, then you need to tighten the nut on the large spring after disconnecting the unit from the network. To make the pressure less, you need to loosen the nut on the contrary.
  6. After the setup is completed, the system is launched and its effectiveness is checked. The setting can be repeated several times until you are completely satisfied with how the water supply system works.

Traditionally, hydraulic accumulators are in demand in the private sector and in populated areas with problematic water supply. This device allows you to make any water supply system more efficient. Installing and operating a hydraulic accumulator is not a difficult task, but, as with everything else, there are some nuances that need to be understood in more detail.

Purpose

This device allows you to reduce the load on the water pump: when pumping from a well, well or other container, part of the water enters the hydraulic accumulator reservoir. This way, the water from the tank will be used first, and the pump will only turn on again when the tank is empty. IN general outline, the hydraulic accumulator allows you to reduce the number of starts and stops of the water pump. And this device minimizes the likelihood of water hammer, which increases the maintenance-free operation of the entire water supply system. In heating systems, a hydraulic accumulator is used as a " expansion tank": excess heated water goes into the hydraulic tank, reducing the overall pressure in the system.

Connecting a hydraulic accumulator with your own hands, for example, a pass-through or a deep-seated one, is not at all difficult, if you take into account the recommendations of specialists.

Device, principle of operation and types

Regardless of the brand, configuration and intended purpose, practically All hydraulic accumulators have a similar design, including the following elements:

  • body on a stand (legs or reinforcing “shoes”);
  • a membrane or rubber “bulb” for pressurizing, which is located inside the housing;
  • air supply nipples, which are equipped with protective covers.

According to the type of housing location (configuration), hydraulic accumulators can be as follows:

  • horizontal models used for connection to external pumps;
  • vertical models are usually connected to a water supply system with submersible pumps.

Depending on the type of purpose, different models of hydraulic accumulators may have such additional elements designs like:

  • to bleed off excess air, horizontal models are equipped with special valves;
  • hydraulic accumulators for drinking water equipped with bulbs made of chemically neutral rubber, which prevents the accumulated water from imparting an unpleasant aftertaste;
  • housings for heating systems are used as “expansion tanks” and perform important role in pressure regulation.

The configuration of the hydraulic accumulator is determined based on considerations of space saving, intended purpose, and local water supply features.

Criterias of choice

For long-term use, experts recommend purchasing models with a pear. Membrane accumulators are more susceptible to corrosion, since the membrane is not able to isolate the walls of the housing from the effects of water. However, for models with a pear, repairs are more complicated than for membrane analogues. When choosing a storage tank, you also need to take into account future water consumption.

If the number of permanent residents in a house or apartment is no more than three people, and there are a minimum of plumbing fixtures, then a 24-liter container is sufficient.

If there are more users, then an appropriate hydraulic accumulator is required. Please note the following before installation:

  • number of users;
  • number of water points;
  • number of household plumbing fixtures;
  • presence of heating elements.

If preliminary calculations do not turn out to be final, for example, another person has appeared in the family or the number of plumbing fixtures has increased, the best way out will be the installation of the tank larger volume or installing an additional tank.

Both procedures have approximately the same complexity and comparable equipment costs.

Installation: options and connection diagrams

Depending on the internal features plumbing system installation methods may vary. It is worth considering the most popular options.

Connection to a pumping station

In this case, work on connecting the hydraulic accumulator to autonomous system water supply is carried out simultaneously with the installation of automation and adapters. Most general cases installation requires the following components:

  • pressure gauge;
  • five-inlet fitting;
  • switching hydraulic relay (pressure switch).

If a submersible pump is used to draw water, the well piping must be equipped with a check valve and a dry inlet relay. If a simpler surface centrifugal pump is used to pump water, it is cheaper and more expedient to buy an assembled pumping station rather than install individual elements. The second option is preferable for those who have little experience but want to install the pump themselves.

Two hydraulic tanks for one pump

Connecting two (or more) hydraulic tanks is a common problem for people faced with a forced increase in water consumption. If the volume of one tank is too small, installation additional hydraulic accumulator- This is not a very burdensome matter.

Additional elements can be installed parallel to the existing system: it is enough to use another adapter fitting, flexible hose or water pipe. A system with two (or more) tanks is rational decision, and excellent insurance. If the membrane fails in one of the tanks, you can still use the pump, but not in intensive mode. Such a system will provide enough time to replace the faulty unit.

To submersible

You can guess that we are talking about a pump that is immersed in the aquifer of a well or well. For uninterrupted water supply, such a system must be equipped with a check valve: this device will not allow the pumped out water to return to the bottom of the well after use. Accordingly, the pump will not run idle and will last much longer.

The check valve is in most cases already installed on the pump, additional installation may be needed during the repair process. To avoid being left without water for an indefinite period of time, it is recommended to purchase a pump with a spare valve, which is sold separately or supplied with the pump.

Another important point– this is the quality of the pressure pipeline: since the pipe lies at a fairly large depth, possible breakdown may not be immediately noticeable.

The first sign of problems with the pipeline is a sharp drop in pressure; the accumulator takes longer to fill with water; over time, this gap may increase.

Superficial

Connecting a hydraulic accumulator to a system with an external centrifugal pump also has its own nuances, namely:

  • first of all, you need to check the internal pressure of the tank: it should not exceed 1 bar;
  • To prepare for connection, you will need a five-pin fitting. This one is small, but very important detail combines the accumulator itself, a pipeline, a pressure switch, a pressure gauge and an external pump. Before the actual installation process, you need to stock up on sealing materials (sealant or plumbing tape);
  • to connect the fitting to the tank, use a rigid hose or flange with a bypass valve;

  • after installing the tank, it is worth installing the remaining elements: pressure gauge, relay, water supply leading to the pump unit;
  • before starting operation, a series of on and off cycles should be carried out to identify possible leaks;
  • if something goes wrong, you need to find out the cause of the problem and, if necessary, repeat the entire installation cycle again.

To the water heater

Hydraulic accumulator in a system with storage water heater acts as an expansion tank. As water heats up, it increases in volume, which also increases the load on the water supply. Since pressure increases in a confined space, the process can become very critical, and the temperature decrease is unacceptable. There is a need to transfer this excess pressure somewhere. This is where the hydraulic accumulator comes to the rescue. Excess heated water will go into the hydraulic tank, which will normalize the pressure in the system. Further, the water from the expansion tank can be used for domestic purposes.

Relay settings

To understand the principle of operation of the pressure switch on a hydraulic accumulator, you do not need to have special knowledge - everything is quite simple. Until it is completely filled, water is supplied to the tank with a membrane (or bulb) under pressure, which causes an increase in pressure in the system. When it reaches the maximum, the relay is activated and the water supply stops. As it is used, the pressure begins to drop, and when the minimum threshold is reached, the relay is activated again and the water supply is activated. The above cycle is repeated until the system is in good condition.

Many people mistakenly imagine the process of installing a relay as something incredibly complicated. In fact, this is far from the case. Any homeowner in the private sector who has a well or artesian well at his disposal can easily cope with this task on his own. The main thing is to approach this wisely and patiently. After all, water supply to a private home is a vital thing.

It is worth understanding that the relay is an “intermediate link” between the plumbing system and the electrical supply system. It is obvious that this device bears a huge responsibility. For this reason, all the nuances (and there are not so many of them) should be treated with the greatest possible attention. To secure the system, it is recommended to provide a separate power supply line. For connection you should use a two-wire copper cable. The wires must be grounded and well insulated: we are talking about the interaction of current and water, and this combination is always dangerous for humans.

The wiring must be connected to the terminal block through the perforations on the housing. Next, according to the instructions, you should connect the phase, neutral wire and ground to the corresponding terminals. You need to be careful and careful; the entire relay installation process must take place in a de-energized environment. You need to take care of this in advance. Under no circumstances should you neglect basic safety rules.

To adjust the pressure switch on the hydraulic accumulator, you will need a high-quality, high-precision pressure gauge capable of measuring pressure exactly to a tenth of a bar. The more accurate the pressure gauge, the faster the adjustment will occur. To avoid mistakes in further work, you must adhere to the following sequence of actions:

  • it is necessary to turn on the system, record the pressure gauge readings in the cycles of turning the relay on and off. At this stage, it is possible and necessary to identify malfunctions of the pressure gauge;
  • You should adjust the lower pressure level spring (it is the largest). For fitting, you should use an ordinary wrench the right size(it is best to have an adjustable one);
  • you need to test the set level. If something goes wrong, repeat the previous step;
  • Next, you should tighten the nut of the upper pressure level spring (it is smaller);
  • it is necessary to conduct a full test of the system. If any shortcomings are identified, repeat the entire setup cycle again.

A correctly selected hydraulic accumulator connection diagram for water supply systems will ensure ease of operation, as well as durability and cost-effectiveness of the system. The hydraulic accumulator is an important component of the water supply system, which contains water and compressed air, separated by a membrane.

When the water flow parameters change (pressure decreases), the pump turns on and water is pumped into the accumulator, restoring the parameters of the required maximum pressure and then turns off. Further consumption water is coming from hydraulic device, preventing frequent switching on of the pumping unit, which occurs until the next moment the pressure drops to the minimum threshold. In addition, hydraulic accumulators can ensure the operation of the system for some time (depending on the volume of the tank) in the event of a power outage or damage to the pump.

IN general view All hydraulic accumulators consist of the following main parts:

  • body with legs,
  • membrane (in some models it is replaced by a rubber bulb located in the body according to the “vessel within a vessel” principle),
  • air injection nipple, usually equipped with a protective cap.

Some products have distinctive design features:

  • horizontal models are supplemented with a tap or valve for bleeding air,
  • equipment for drinking water is supplied with “pears” made of special types of rubber, chemically neutral and not giving the liquid any foreign odors or tastes,
  • hydraulic accumulators for heating systems are expansion tanks.

Based on the type of location, there are two types of models:

  • Horizontal products are more often used for external pumps. In such cases, pumping units are installed on hydraulic accumulators.
  • Vertical models are often equipped with water supply systems with submersible pumps.

The choice of configuration and installation of a hydraulic accumulator for water supply systems at the same time can be carried out based on availability considerations free space for installation of one or another model.

According to their purpose, the following types of hydraulic accumulators are distinguished:

  • for cold water supply (the most popular option, used not only in houses with permanent residence, but also at dachas),
  • for hot water supply, made of materials capable of withstanding high temperatures and installed during installation full-fledged system, including cold and hot water supply

Heating accumulators are painted red, and equipment for water supply systems (hot water supply and hot water supply) are painted blue.

Connecting a hydraulic accumulator to a submersible pump

The connection diagram of the hydraulic accumulator to the submersible pump must be include. Its presence will not allow compressed air to squeeze water back into the well through the membrane. The valve is mounted directly on the pump, before connecting other elements of the system.


The photo shows a diagram of connecting a hydraulic accumulator to a submersible pump

The first step is to install a submersible pump. To do this, use a rope and a weight to determine the depth of the well, after which a place on the rope is marked to which the pumping unit will need to be lowered so that it is at a distance of 20-30 cm from the bottom. After fixing the pump, its pressure pipe or hose that goes to the surface is connected to the pressure switch using a manifold (fitting) with five connectors. A hydraulic accumulator and water supply system are connected in series to the same collector for supply to points of consumption. The remaining connector is used to connect the equipment control system.

Connecting a submersible pump to a hydraulic accumulator, like the other systems described below, necessarily requires sealing of all connections. For this purpose it is used FUM tape or tow with sealant.

Connection to surface pump

Before you begin connecting the hydraulic accumulator to the surface pump, you need to determine the required water supply parameters, in particular, decide what pressure is needed in the system. It is believed that water supply with a small number of consumption points can operate at a pressure of 1.5 atm. Depending on the presence of equipment that requires high pressure, this value can increase to 6 atm; higher pressure is considered dangerous for communications and connecting elements.

Considering the selected pressure to be nominal, it is determined what reduction should be considered acceptable, that is, At what value will the pump turn on?. The critical value is set on the control relay, and from the nipple side the air pressure in the accumulator is measured when there is no water in it. The resulting value should be 0.5-1.0 atm below the minimum acceptable value.


The connection diagram of the hydraulic accumulator to the surface pump is the same as when connecting a pumping station, the package of which already includes a hydraulic accumulator

If no adjustment is required in this direction (for example, pumping), a hydraulic accumulator connection diagram for water supply systems is assembled
using a five-input collector. The hydraulic accumulator is installed first, then sequentially: pressure pipe pump, domestic water supply, pressure switch, pressure gauge.

Connecting the pumping station