Pipes

How to set up automation at the pumping station. Adjusting the water pressure switch for the pump and troubleshooting on your own

Pressure switch adjustment pumping station- a key step in setting up an autonomous water supply system for a country house.

This operation is not particularly difficult, but in order to perform it correctly, you need to know a few rules, which we will discuss later.

Consider, also, the most common errors that may occur during adjustment.

1 Construction
2 Preparing the storage tank
3 Setting the pressure switch of the pumping station
4 Setting up from scratch
5 Common Mistakes
- 5.1 Small spring overstretched
- 5.2 Pressure Poff is more than 80% of the maximum allowable for this relay model
- 5.3 The pressure Pon is set so high (large spring is overtightened) that the pump cannot overcome it and "get" to the working range
6 Features of relays from some manufacturers
7 Related videos

Design

The pressure switch of the pumping station is an electronic-mechanical device that starts and stops the pump at certain pressure values in the water supply network.

The relays produced by various manufacturers are structurally very similar, the differences, as a rule, are in minor details. The pump is powered on or off by closing and opening the contact group - the main element of the relay.

In addition to it, the device includes a piston with a membrane and two springs, which in most cases have different sizes.

After connecting the relay to a special adapter of the pumping station, the water pressure begins to act on the membrane, and that on the piston, which is connected to the contact group.

On the opposite side, a large spring acts on the contact group, the compression force of which can be adjusted using the corresponding nut.

If, due to water intake, the pressure in the water supply system drops, the spring overcomes the effect of the piston and the contact group closes, supplying power to the pump.

With increasing pressure in the pipeline, the piston will gradually displace the platform with contacts, overcoming the resistance of the spring. But the contacts do not open immediately, but only after moving a certain distance, which depends on the degree of compression of the second - small - spring. Like the big one, it is planted on a stem with a nut. After opening the contacts, the pump is switched off.

The device of a typical pressure switch of a pumping station

Thus, by adjusting the compression force of the larger spring, the user sets the pump on pressure or, as it is also called, the lower pressure - Pon. To set the cut-off (upper) pressure - Poff - a small spring is used, the compression force of which actually determines the difference between Poff and Pon.

At the stage of pre-sales preparation, the manufacturer configures the relay. Pon is usually set within 1.5 - 1.8 atm (or bar, which is the same thing), Poff - in the range from 2.5 to 3 atm. If the settings are not suitable for the user or they have gone astray, they resort to adjusting the relay.

However, before doing this, you need to prepare a storage tank.

To organize an independent water supply in the presence of a well, it is necessary to connect a pumping station. Pumping station for a well - varieties and features, the principle of operation of the device.

What is a drainage pump and what are the advantages of float options, read here.

Caisson - a device that contributes to the uninterrupted supply of water. Here http://aquacomm.ru/vodosnabzenie/zagorodnyie-doma-v/avtonomnoe-vodosnabzhenie/istochniki/kesson.html you will learn what types of caissons are and how to install them on a well with your own hands.

Storage tank preparation

A storage tank or hydraulic accumulator is a sealed container with a rubber bulb located inside.

The latter is connected to the water supply, as a result of which it can be filled with water. Air is pumped into the space between the pear and the walls of the tank using a conventional automobile pump.

This air spring compresses the pear with water and for some time maintains the pressure in the water supply network at an acceptable level without turning on the pump.

The air pressure in the accumulator must be selected correctly, otherwise the system will not work optimally.

If it is too low or high, the pump will turn on very often, which will adversely affect its service life.

In addition, at low air pressure, the accumulator pear stretches excessively, as a result of which it also quickly fails.

Before pumping air, as well as before checking its pressure, water from pipelines must be drained by opening the lowest tap. At the same time, the pear of the storage tank will also be empty.

Now you can pump in air and check its pressure. It must be 10% less than Pon. If the system has not yet been set up and you have not yet decided on the switching pressure, the pressure is developed to the following values:

1.4 - 1.7 atm with a hydraulic accumulator volume of 20 - 25 l;
1.7 - 1.9 atm with a volume of 50 - 100 liters.

The air pressure in the storage tank should be checked approximately once a month.

Do not leave the accumulator bulb without water for a long time. Its walls can stick together or dry out.

Setting the pressure switch of the pumping station

If the air pressure in the storage tank turned out to be correct and all filters in the system are cleared of blockages, you can start adjusting the water pressure switch for the pumping station. To do this, you must adhere to the following sequence of actions:

After disconnecting the pump from the mains, it is necessary to drain the water from the water supply through the lowest tap and remove the cover from the relay (for this you need a regular screwdriver or a suitable wrench).
Now you should turn on the pump, thus starting filling the system with water.
When the pump turns off, record the pressure gauge reading. This will be the current value of Poff.
Now you need to slightly open the valve located in highest point water supply or as far as possible from the pump (with a single-level system). As soon as the pressure in the network drops to a certain level, the pump will turn on again. At this point, it is necessary to record the readings of the pressure gauge again, thus determining the current value of Pon and the pressure difference to which the relay is set. At the same time, try to determine whether you are satisfied with the pressure with which the water was flowing at that moment. Recall that the test valve must be located above or farther than all the others, that is, at the point where the water pressure is the smallest.
If the pressure at the time of starting the pump seemed insufficient, the pressure Pon must be increased. To do this, the power to the installation is turned off again, after which the largest spring in the relay is pressed with the corresponding nut. If you think that the pressure can be reduced, loosen the spring.
Now you need to set up the pressure difference Poff and Pon, which you have already calculated. Its optimal value is 1.4 atm. If you get a lower result, then the water supply will be more uniform, but the pump will start more often, which will reduce its life. If the difference between Poff and Pon turned out to be more than 1.4 atm, then the installation will work in a more gentle mode, but the difference between the maximum and minimum pressures will be much more noticeable. To adjust this parameter, it is necessary to rotate the nut of the second - small - spring. By increasing the force of its compression, we increase the pressure difference and, accordingly, Poff. Weakening the spring will have the opposite effect.
After adjustment, it is necessary to check how correctly it was performed. The water supply is drained again, the pump is connected to the network and starts. Further, all actions are repeated in the same order.

Please note: the sensitivity of the second spring, which is responsible for adjusting the pressure difference, is greater than that of the first. Therefore, the force of its compression should be adjusted carefully by turning the nut a small angle.

Setting up from scratch

Sometimes you have to deal with a relay whose springs are completely weakened. In this case, do it like this:

Turning on the pump, the pressure in the network is pumped up to the level at which water from the most remote or highly located tap flows with an acceptable pressure. Suppose the pressure gauge showed 1.5 atm. After that, the pump must be turned off.
After disconnecting the station from the mains and removing the cover from the relay, tighten the large spring until the relay clicks, closing the contacts.
Having closed the relay, the pump is turned on and the pressure is adjusted to 2.9 atm (1.5 + 1.4).
Turning off the pump again and opening the relay, tighten the small spring until the contacts open.
Now the relay is set to Pon = 1.5 atm and Poff = 2.9 atm. It is necessary to close it with a lid and turn on the station in the mains.

Setting the pressure switch

Common Mistakes

Relay adjustment does not always go smoothly. Here are the most common situations:

Small spring overstretched

As a result, the cut-off pressure has exceeded the maximum head of the pump.

In this case, the pump simply will not turn off.

What needs to be done:

apply power to the pump and start it;
as soon as the pressure on the pressure gauge stops increasing, the station must be turned off;
opening any of the taps, drain a small amount of water;
after making sure that the equipment is completely disconnected from the mains, remove the cover from the relay and loosen the small spring until the contacts open with a characteristic click;

Now you can put the cover back on and turn on the pump.

Pressure Poff is more than 80% of the maximum allowable for this relay model

The relay of most pumping stations is designed for a pressure of 5 - 5.5 atm. This parameter is given in the product passport or on the packaging.

Consequently, the pressure Poff for such a device should not exceed 4–4.4 atm.

If this is not enough for a comfortable water supply, you will have to install a relay with a large limiting pressure.

The pressure Pon is set so high (large spring is overtightened) that the pump cannot overcome it and "get" to the operating range

In this case, the station will not turn off again.

What needs to be done: before starting the adjustment, study the pump passport and find the maximum value of the pressure it develops. Usually it is indicated in meters of water column (m.w.st.). To convert it to atmospheres, the value given must be divided by 10.34. Under all conditions, Pon and Poff must be less than the maximum head that the pump is capable of.

Features of relays from some manufacturers

Some relay models may have additional elements that often confuse inexperienced owners of pumping stations.

The most typical are:

Dry run safety lever: most often found in expensive imported models that come with a complete set.
An additional spring that prevents spontaneous turning of the nuts on the adjusting springs: such a device can be observed in the RDM-5 relay installed at the pumping stations of the Russian company Gileks Jumbo.

The presence of these elements should not confuse you, perform the settings in accordance with the instructions provided.

It is also worth mentioning the features specific to Marina and Pedrollo stations (Italy). For the first, the maximum pressure for the relay is only 3.2 atm and the springs in it have to be tightened every six months. For the latter, there is a manufacturer's recommendation regarding the air pressure in the accumulator: it should be 0.2 atm less than the Pon pressure, which at standard settings is 1.4 atm.

One of the reasons why the pump turns on more often than it should and does not provide a smooth supply of water is incorrect adjustment of the pressure switch and setting the parameters of the accumulator. These are two different operations on different devices. And although the tank of the water storage device itself does not have a relay or built-in automatic devices, the pressure in the air pocket of the tank indirectly affects the operation of the entire water supply system.

What and how to adjust in a system with a pump and a hydraulic accumulator

To organize normal work pumping equipment Three main parameters must be set:

Adjust the air pressure in the air space of the accumulator;
Fix the level at which the control relay starts the water pump;
The limiting level of water pressure at which, using the relay command, the pumping unit is turned off.

Important! All three parameters will need to be adjusted several times, adjusting a more comfortable level of pressure in the water supply and the water flow on the accumulator to the characteristics for your home.

Regulate the pressure in the accumulator

The water storage device is very simple in design. Inside the steel tank is a rubber membrane, which occupies approximately 2/3 of the volume of the accumulator. The rest of the space is occupied by the air chamber. With the help of excess air pressure in the chamber and the elastic forces of the stretching rubber membrane, water is squeezed out as needed into the plumbing system. There is nothing special to adjust and regulate, except for the pressure in the air compartment of the accumulator.

From the factory, the device comes with a preset air pressure of 1.5 atm. Before buying a device, you should make sure that the factory pressure is available. Usually this indicates the serviceability of the nipple and the integrity of the rubber sheath inside the cylinder, we proceed to adjust the accumulator for water supply systems.

First, a hydraulic accumulator is installed in the system and the pump is started to determine the working pressure parameters in the system. They try to regulate the air pressure in the air pocket of the accumulator by 10-13% below the turn-on pressure of the pumping station. Simply put, it is necessary to adjust to 0.6 - 0.9 atm. below the water pressure at which the engine starts. We check the adjusted level with a pressure gauge for an hour to make sure there are no air leaks.

The air pressure in the accumulator cavity must be adjusted when the water pressure is turned off, just turn off the tap. The value must be checked and adjusted at least once a quarter.

How the pressure switch for the accumulator is adjusted

The relay or automatic pressure control for water supply to the water supply system looks like a small black plastic box with two fittings made of body material and one metal outlet fitting with an external or female ¼ inch pipe thread, as in the photo. With the help of a fitting, the relay is connected to a five-pin fitting fixed on the inlet pipe of the accumulator.

In other cases, the relay can be installed together with a pressure gauge directly on the body of a surface pump or pumping station.

Through plastic tides, wires from the pump winding are brought into the housing. If you unscrew the screw in the upper part with a conventional screwdriver, the cover can be removed, after which two parts of the device become available - a pair of vertical springs on a metal base plate, with which you can adjust the operating parameters of the water pressure, and a contact group to which the wound wiring is connected from the pump. The yellow-green “earth” wire is connected to the metal lower contacts, the blue and brown wires of the pump motor winding are connected in pairs to the upper pads.

The springs are different sizes. A large spring is seated on the axle and secured with a nut, by turning which you can adjust the degree of compression of the elastic spring element. Here, arrows are applied on the plate to help you orient yourself correctly and rotate the nut to adjust the relay threshold.

Important! Despite the large number of turns on the central stud that holds the spring to the plate, the relay and membrane are quite sensitive even to a small turn of the nut that regulates the actuation level. In some cases, to adjust and change the response threshold by about 1 atm. water pressure, it is enough to turn the nut only ¾ turn.

Therefore, it is necessary to work with nuts carefully, and do not rush to adjust and knock down the factory settings.

Next to the large spring there is a small one, about 4 times smaller. By design, it is completely identical to the large spring, but, unlike the first, a small spring is needed to adjust the difference between the pump start pressure and the maximum water pressure at which the pump turns off.

Under the metal plate is a membrane that contains pressurized water from a water pipe system or a hydraulic accumulator. Due to the water pressure in the membrane, the plate overcomes the resistance of the springs and closes and opens the group of contacts.

A good excursion on the topic of the pressure switch device and its adjustment organs can be obtained from the video:

How to adjust the water pressure switch

Adjusting the water pressure switch type RP-5 is quite simple. Most often, it is necessary to adjust the relay in two cases - at the stage of commissioning the water supply system and after repair, modification or changes to the operation of the water supply system and the hydraulic accumulator. In any case, before you start adjusting, follow a few mandatory procedures:

Warn the residents of the house that during the time you are adjusting the pressure switch, it is impossible to use taps, a toilet, a shower, in general, all elements of the water supply system;
Close all faucets and check the integrity of the connection and the absence of water leakage, especially on newly installed or repaired appliances, pay special attention to the toilet cistern. If it remains in operation or leaks, it will be difficult to properly adjust the relay in the system;
Check the working air pressure in the accumulator, if it is unstable or below normal, it must be adjusted to the factory standard;

Advice! When adjusting, you will need a wrench to turn the nuts, a tap to relieve the water pressure in the system and a control pressure gauge that can be used to monitor the water pressure in the water supply.

To adjust the pressure switch thresholds, perform the following procedures:

Breakdowns and problems in the operation of the relay

The positive aspects of the characteristics of the relay include its simplicity and reliability. If there is no air in the system, and the response thresholds are correctly adjusted, such a device usually lasts a very long time.

Like any contact device, the relay must be periodically serviced - check the operation of the mechanical "rocker", adjust and clean the contacts. But sometimes the relay starts to operate unevenly, at different on-off thresholds. It happens that the relay simply does not turn off at the upper or lower threshold. If you gently tap the piece of wood on the case, the device will work.

Do not rush to adjust the thresholds or throw the device into a landfill. Most likely, the cause was sand and debris accumulated in the membrane space. To correct the situation, you will need:

Unscrew the four bolts on the bottom of the relay housing, the metal plate with the inlet fitting and remove the steel cover;
Carefully rinse the rubber membrane and the cavity under it from sand and accumulated dirt;
Install all elements in place and tighten the mount;
Adjust the thresholds and check the normal operation of the relay to turn off the motor.

Even a person unfamiliar with the relay device can easily remove, clean and adjust the device, as in the video:

In addition to the contacts and the membrane, it is possible to lubricate the “rocker” hinge with grease, a similar procedure can be performed no more than once a year.

Conclusion

It is relatively easy to adjust the thresholds for the relay if the water supply system is in good condition and does not poison the water on the connections or on the toilet bowl. Considering the fact that it is necessary to maintain and clean the water supply system from sand and salt quite often, it makes sense to understand the question of how to adjust the relay, and then independently test the device as necessary.

The pressure switch is one of the key control elements of the pumping station, which provides automatic switch on and shutdown, and controls the water supply to the tank according to the preset settings. There are no recommendations regarding upper and lower pressure limits. Often, manufacturers supply their products customized to certain parameters. Most often it is 1.8 bar to turn on and about 3 bar to turn off. But during operation it is often required additional setting, and therefore each user is forced to independently adjust the pressure switch of the pumping station according to the data specified in the instructions.

The design and principle of operation of the pressure switch

The relay is a small block with maximum and minimum pressure springs. Its adjustment is carried out by means of the same springs that respond to changes in the pressure force. Having reached the minimum values, the spring weakens, and at the maximum, it compresses even more. Thus, it causes the relay contacts to open, and accordingly turns the pumping station on and off.

If there is water in the water supply, the relay allows you to create a constant pressure in the system and the required pressure. Thanks to correct setting automatic operation of the pump is ensured which significantly extends its service life.

But before proceeding to the setup, let's go through the device and the principle of operation of the pumping station.

It includes the following components:

an electric pump that draws water from an external source. It can be submersible, permanently under water or outdoor;
non-return valve that prevents water from leaving;
pressure switch;
water storage tank;
piping system, which consists of various auxiliary components such as filters, pipes, etc.

As for the principle of operation, there is nothing complicated in this device. Inside the reservoir or tank there is a pear-shaped balloon made of modified food rubber, and air is pumped between it and the walls of the container. The pump fills the "pear" with water, because of which it expands and compresses the outer air layer, which begins to put pressure on the wall. By adjusting the relay, the owner of the pumping station can set the tank filling limit and the moment it is turned off. All this is controlled by a manometer.

To prevent water from going back into the well or into the system, in the pump spring loaded valve. It is enough just to open it and the water that has collected in the "pear" will go through the system. The pressure will drop as the water is consumed, and after it drops below the threshold set in the relay, the pumping station will automatically turn on and fill the tank with water.

The relay is connected between the outlet of the tank and the check valve on the pipeline. All splitters are usually assembled from separate components in order to save money, but in fact it is easier to buy a five-way fitting, which has threads for all parts, including a pressure gauge. In this case, it is extremely important not to confuse the inlets for the check valve and the fitting, since the pump setting will be impossible in this case. But the use of standard spare parts allows you to reduce such errors to a minimum.

How is the relay arranged?

For pumping stations intended for home use often used pressure switch RM-5 or its analogues. It is worth considering that device can be changed, and therefore the description given in this article will only be approximate and if problems arise, you will have to look for their cause either in the attached instructions or in the information on the World Wide Web.

Each relay model PM-5 has a metal movable plate. Two springs exert pressure on it from opposite sides. In addition, a “pear” filled with water also presses on it. By turning the clamping nut on the appropriate spring, the actuation limits can be reduced or increased. Springs do not allow water to displace the spring, that is, the relay mechanism is designed in such a way that when displacement occurs, groups of electrical contacts are closed.

But to make it easier to understand, let's write a detailed algorithm of work:

the pumping station pumps water into the reservoir. The engine turns on due to the closure of the contacts in the relay;
the amount of water in the tank increases and when a certain value of the upper pressure is reached, the mechanism is triggered and the electrical circuit is broken, after which the pump is turned off. Water leakage is prevented by a non-return valve;
as the water is consumed, the “pear” is emptied, in the system the pressure drops and the relay turns on again closing contacts.

Setting the pressure switch

If you are not satisfied with the factory presets of the pressure switch, then in this case you can configure it yourself. All you need for this is a screwdriver and a wrench to adjust the nuts.

It is worth understanding that relay setting is a very important and responsible process, since it depends on how correctly the limit levels of operation will be set, how convenient it will be to operate the pumping station and the terms of trouble-free operation of both it and its individual components.

The first step is to check the pressure in the reservoir tank. Most often it comes from the factory, with an on level of 1.5 bar, and a shutdown of 2.5 bar. You need to check the pressure when the tank is empty and the pumping station is disconnected from the network. To check, you should use an automotive mechanical pressure gauge, since its body is made of metal, and therefore the accuracy of the readings will be more reliable, which cannot be said about electric or plastic ones. The fact is that their readings can be seriously affected by the air temperature in the room or the battery charge level. It is also recommended that the limit of the pressure gauge scale be as small as possible, since it will be difficult to measure 1 atmosphere on a scale of 50 atmospheres.

To check the pressure in the tank, open the cap that closes the spool and connect a pressure gauge. In the future, this procedure should be carried out at least once a month. There should be no water in the tank at this moment, and the pumping station should be disconnected from the 220V network.

Having chosen the required mode of operation, you should fix it by removing excess air or, conversely, by additionally pumping it. It should not be forgotten that pressure must never be reduced to less than one atmosphere and, accordingly, pump over. If there is little air in the tank, then the rubber "pear" with water will touch the walls of the tank, and a large amount will not allow much water to be pumped in, since a significant volume of the tank takes air.

How to correctly set the pressure levels for switching on and off the pump?

As mentioned above, pumping stations supplied ready for operation have a relay already configured according to the most optimal parameters. But, if it is assembled from individual elements on the spot, then Relay needs to be adjusted., since it is necessary to ensure a normal relationship between the volume of the tank and the power of the pump. There is also a need to change the initial setting. Therefore, in these cases, the procedure should be as follows:

Typically, the pump is selected with parameters that do not allow the tank to be pumped to the extreme limit. And the pressure that should turn it off is set to a couple of atmospheres more than the turn-on threshold.

It is also allowed to set pressure limits that differ from the values recommended by the relay manufacturer, which allows you to create your own version of the mode operation of the pumping station. When adjusting the pressure with a small nut, it should be borne in mind that the starting point should be the lower level set by the large nut. Rubber hoses and other plumbing are designed for pressure not higher than recommended by the manufacturer, which should be taken into account during installation. In addition, excessively strong water pressure is often unnecessary and causes discomfort.

Pressure switch adjustment

Now let's talk directly about the adjustment of the relay. Its process cannot be called difficult, but some points will have to get used to. In our example, you need to set the upper threshold to 3 atmospheres, and the lower threshold to 1.7 atmospheres. It is adjusted like this:

Thus, if you set the pressure to high to turn off and low to turn on, more water will be filled into the tank, which will reduce the use of the pump. A slight inconvenience may occur if a large pressure difference is observed, in cases where the container is full or almost empty. Otherwise, when the pressure range is small, the pump will have to be used more often. But water will flow into the system evenly and thus a stable and comfortable pressure will be ensured.

It is possible to repair the pumping station relay, but keep in mind that this is only a temporary measure. Since this element protects the pump itself from overloads, and the membrane inside the tank from damage. With this in mind, it would be better to immediately purchase a new relay. Therefore, the only exception will be only current maintenance, namely lubrication of moving parts to reduce resistance and achieve maximum precision.

The control system of a water pumping station includes several elements, among which the relay occupies an important place. It is responsible for automatically turning on, as well as turning off the pump in advance set parameters. The consumer buys equipment with manufacturer-adjusted settings.

During its operation, it may be necessary to adjust the pressure switch of the pumping station - you can do it yourself. This is the subject of our article.

What does it look like

Before adjusting the relay on your own, study its device. The water pressure switch for the pumping station has a compact design, which consists of a metal base and a cover made of plastic. On top of the base platform there is a contact group consisting of a terminal block, as well as two regulators. The pressure regulator for the pumping station is a spring that is pressed by a nut.

By pressing the spring nut, you can adjust the pressure in the system at which the pump turns on or off. The cover is attached to a screw on which a large spring is located. At the bottom of the base is a piston and a membrane. Pressure switches for different models of equipment may differ in shape, size or location of elements, but at the same time they remain the design we have described.

How Relay Adjustment Works

How does the pressure switch for the pump unit work:

The water pumped by the pump presses on the membrane, that on the piston, and it on the base of the relay of the pumping station.
220 watts of voltage passes through the contacts. The location of the platform depends on whether the contacts open or close, and this will turn the pump on or off.
Spring adjusters balance piston action.

As the consumer uses water, its amount in the system decreases, and the water pressure in the hydraulic tank drops. As a result, the spring manages to overpower the piston. The movement of the platform made at the same time provokes the closure of the contacts, which leads to the start of the pumping unit.
The pump pumps water to fill the system. An increase in the volume of water causes the air in the hydraulic tank to act on the piston, which overcomes the resistance of the spring and slowly shifts the platform.
The amount of displacement depends on the compression of the smaller spring. As soon as the platform reaches a predetermined level, the contacts will open and the pump will turn off.

Now we can conclude how to set up a pumping station. By compressing a large spring, you can adjust the value of the lower pressure in the pumping station, at which the pump will turn on. Accordingly, the upper pressure in the system is regulated by the compression of a small spring. The difference between the opening and closing values depends on the small spring regulator.

VIDEO: Reasons for job failure

The value of the hydraulic tank (hydroaccumulator)

You can correctly configure the pumping station only by adjusting the hydraulic tank. The set parameters determine how long the pumping station will serve you, as well as what the water pressure will be. A hydraulic tank, which is also called a hydraulic accumulator (GA), is a sealed container with parts. One part (rubber bulb) is designed to receive fluid from a running pump. The other part is around the pear. There is air in there.

Under the action of air, a pear with water is compressed and, thereby, water pressure is provided in the water pipes of the house. It is thanks to this HA device that when the consumer opens the tap, the water flows under pressure without the pump running. Therefore, it is very important to correctly adjust the pumping station.

Proper adjustment of the air pressure in the HA helps to extend the life of the water unit. A value that is too high causes the pump to start frequently. This mode of operation leads to rapid wear of the equipment. An underestimated value negatively affects the operation of the pear. It will overstretch.

VIDEO: What pressure to pump into the accumulator

How to set up a hydraulic tank

You can adjust the GA of the pumping station with your own hands. We offer guidance:

Open the bottom faucet and wait for all the water to flow out.
We check the pressure in the GA. For this, a car pressure gauge is best suited (it is desirable that it has been previously tested). An ordinary automobile spool is placed on the GA, which is closed with a cap.

Experts believe that for a hydraulic tank with a volume of 20-25 liters, the optimal value is 1.4-1.7 bar, and 50-100 liters - 1.7-1.9 bar.

How to adjust the pressure? If the value is less than the optimal one, then pump it up, and if it is more, you bleed it. It is advisable to carry out such manipulation every month. Sometimes there is an air leak. It is very important that the pear is not left empty for a long time. She will fall into disrepair.

Procedure

How to set up a pumping station pressure switch? After you have adjusted the GA, you can set the pressure switch for the water unit.

Adjustment of the pressure switch of the pumping station begins with measurements of the current indicators of its operation. This stage is carried out according to the following algorithm:

Open the bottom tap so that water flows out of the system.
We fix the upper value. It is necessary to turn on the pump so that it pumps water into the system. When it turns on, we record the pressure gauge reading.
We mark the lower value. We open the far faucet of the system to release some water and provoke the pump to turn on. We write down the value of the pressure gauge when the device is started.
We calculate the current difference between the pressure gauge readings.

In addition to fixing the values, visually evaluate the water pressure. Fully open the valve farthest from the pump. If you want to increase the water pressure, then you need to tighten the large spring regulator harder. Loosening the nut has the opposite effect. Be sure to unplug the equipment first.

Do-it-yourself adjustment of the pressure switch of the pumping station

How to adjust the pressure switch? Optimal value difference in readings is considered 1.4 bar. If you have a lower value, then the pump starts more often. This ensures a very uniform water supply. But this mode leads to too rapid wear of the equipment.

When the value of the difference exceeds the recommended one, the pump operates in a gentle mode - it starts less often than provided by the manufacturer. The consumer will observe quite noticeable drops in water pressure. The pump station will need to be adjusted. How to set the pressure switch of the pumping station to the desired value of this parameter?

The pressing force of the small spring adjuster. Turn the nut very carefully. A small spring is more sensitive than a large one. In order to increase the value of the difference, the spring must be compressed more. Accordingly, the weakening of the spring regulator leads to the opposite effect.

After you have completed the pressure adjustment yourself, according to the algorithm we proposed, be sure to check the new indicators. Perform again in the same sequence all the steps described above. If the setting of the pressure switch of the pumping station did not suit you, then repeat everything again until you are satisfied with the result. We wish you success!

VIDEO: Pressure switch adjustment procedure

How to set up a pumping station pressure switch.

Hydrophore pressure adjustment

The air pressure must be determined with an empty tank and the station disconnected from the mains!

IN expansion tank a pear-shaped rubber diaphragm is installed into which the pump pumps water. There is pressurized air between the diaphragm and the metal body of the tank. To determine the pressure, as well as to pump or bleed air, a special valve (nipple) is provided at the rear of the tank. The air pressure in the tank is measured using a pressure gauge designed to measure the pressure in automobile tires. If necessary, air is pumped with a car pump.

For tanks with a volume of 20-25 liters, the air pressure should be 1.4 - 1.7 bar, and 1.7 - 1.9 bar for tanks with a capacity of 50 - 100 liters.

There must always be air in the tank. Its pressure must be checked periodically (once a month) and maintained at the recommended values, which will positively affect the service life of the rubber diaphragm and the comfort of using the pumping station as a whole.

2) Determining and adjusting the switching on and off pressure of the pumping station

After adjusting the air pressure, the pumping station must be connected to the network. The pump will begin to pump water into the tank and turn off when the set pressure is reached. This will be the “upper” pressure and its value will be displayed on the pressure gauge. If this value differs from the recommended value, then adjust it using the relay bolt No. 2 (see Fig.).

Similarly, the "lower" pressure is measured. After opening the tap and starting to drain the water, watch the pressure gauge. The pressure will gradually drop and when the lower limit is reached, the pump will turn on again. The pressure value on the pressure gauge at the moment the pump is turned on will be the “lower” pressure. If necessary, adjust it to the recommended parameters using the relay bolt No. 1 (see figure).

It is important to know that the pump start pressure must be 10% higher than the air pressure in the tank! Failure to do so may result in accelerated wear of the rubber diaphragm.

You can set on the relay and other, different from the recommended, on and off pressure values, thereby setting the pumping station to your own comfort level. By increasing the difference between "upper" and "lower" pressure, you can extend the life of the pump due to its less frequent inclusions. However, the pressure in the system will be uneven. By reducing the difference between "upper" and "lower" pressure, the pump will turn on more often, but at the same time the pressure in the system will be constantly even and comfortable.

When setting up the pressure switch, it is also important to remember that the accumulator, plumbing, rubber hoses and the mechanics of the relay itself have their own pressure limits that should not be exceeded.

Relay electrical connection

Sincerely, Zhlobin online store M arcade".

The pressure switch for the pump controls the operation of the entire station. After all, it is the relay that turns on the pump when the pressure in the accumulator drops (and turns it off when the pressure rises to a critical point). As a result, even a small malfunction of the relay affects the functionality of the entire autonomous water supply system.

However, any malfunction of the relay can be eliminated with a simple adjustment. And in this article we will analyze both the adjustment process and the procedure for connecting and initial setting the pressure switch.

The pumping station consists of a hydraulic accumulator (sealed water storage), a unit (centrifugal or vibration pump) and a pressure switch that regulates the operation of these units.

Moreover, the principle of operation of the relay is determined by the operation scheme of the station itself, which is as follows: turning on the pump - filling the accumulator - turning off the pump. Well, when you need to turn the pump on and off, it is the pressure switch that determines.

Moreover, the process of making a decision to turn on or off the unit is based on monitoring the following values: the minimum and maximum pressure in the accumulator. In addition, the operation of the relay is also affected by such characteristics as the difference between the minimum and maximum pressure and the maximum allowable pressure in the accumulator.

The first value is the minimum pressure, usually equal to 1.5 atmospheres. That is, when the pressure in the accumulator drops below the indicated 1.5 atmospheres, the pump will be activated (by closing the contacts in the pressure switch).

The second value - the maximum pressure, as a rule, does not exceed 4 atmospheres. That is, when the pressure in the accumulator rises to 4 atmospheres, the pump is disconnected from the power supply (by opening the relay contacts).

Accordingly, the difference between the minimum and maximum pressure (at the factory setting of the relay) is 2.5 atmospheres. Moreover, when adjusting the pressure, they operate precisely with this characteristic, setting the desired difference from the minimum indicator.

The maximum allowable pressure in the accumulator is 5 atmospheres. That is, if the pressure in the accumulator reaches five atmospheres, then the pump will turn off in any case (at any value of the pressure difference).

Primary adjustment of the water pressure switch

The initial adjustment of the relay is carried out at the factory of the company that produces pumping stations. That is why all the "default settings" (1.5 atmospheres of minimum pressure and 2.5 atmospheres of difference) are called "factory".

However, the connection of the pressure switch to the pump (with the introduction of factory settings) is carried out at the last stage of the assembly of the station. And the sale of the unit will not take place soon. And over the past months from the moment of manufacture to the moment of sale, the springs and membranes of the relay and drive can weaken.

Therefore, with a newly purchased pump, it is worth checking the pressure in the accumulator and the minimum and maximum pressure indicators set at the factory.

Well, the drive itself is checked as follows:

A pressure gauge is connected to the nipple of the accumulator or tank. Moreover, in this case, you can use a conventional automotive device with which to check tire pressure.
The arrow on the pressure gauge will indicate the air pressure behind the membrane of the empty accumulator. And this value cannot be less or more than 1.2-1.5 atmospheres.

If the gauge shows greater value, then the air is “bled” from the tank, but if it is less, then the tank is “pumped up” with a car pump. Indeed, the “starting” indicator of the relay (minimum pressure) will depend on the level of pressure behind the membrane.

After checking the pressure in the hydraulic tank or accumulator is completed, you can start inspecting the pressure switch, during which the actual values of the minimum and maximum pressure are compared with the values set on the control unit.

Moreover, this operation is carried out very simply, namely:

A pressure gauge is attached to the collector mounted on the neck of the tank or accumulator.
Next, turn off the pump and empty the drive (by opening the tap). The pressure on the pressure gauge should drop to 1.5 atmospheres.
After that, close the valve and turn on the pump. The pump should raise the pressure in the tank to the maximum value and turn off. After turning off the pump, you need to compare the pressure on the pressure gauge with the factory indicators declared in the passport.

If the actual values on the pressure gauge do not match those declared in the passport, or the factory settings do not meet the needs of the consumer, then in this case, an individual setting of the relay is necessary. We will discuss the nuances of the individual setup process below in the text.

How to set up a pressure switch for individual needs

Individual adjustment or reconfiguration of the relay operation after a failure is carried out as follows:

At the very beginning, you need to open the relay case by disconnecting the protective cover from the base. After all, it is under the casing that the contacts of the electric motor and the adjusting relay nodes are “hidden”: a stud with a large nut holding a large spring and a stud with a small nut holding a small spring. At the same time, the minimum pressure is regulated by the tension of the large spring, and the pressure difference is regulated by the small spring.
The adjustment of the “starting” (minimum) pressure is started on an empty accumulator. Moreover, to release the accumulator from the liquid, it is enough just to turn off the pump and open the tap. The adjustment itself is carried out as follows: the large spring is completely weakened (the nut is unscrewed counterclockwise), then the pump should be turned on and the spring should be gradually tightened. At the moment when the pump starts working and starts pumping water, manipulations with the large nut are stopped - the minimum pressure has reached the pressure mark in the air part of the accumulator plus 0.2-0.3 atmospheres. And if there are 1.2-1.3 atmospheres behind the accumulator membrane, then the minimum pressure in the tank will approach the desired 1.5 atmospheres. Well, who wants more - he must, at the beginning of the adjustment, “add” pressure in the accumulator (by pumping air over the membrane).
Adjusting the pressure difference is even easier. You just need to wait for the pump to stop and read the indicator from the pressure gauge on the accumulator manifold. If the result is not satisfactory, then the pump is turned off, the water drains, and a small nut is screwed (to increase pressure) or unscrewed (to decrease pressure) onto a stud with a small spring. After that, the pump is turned on and the “new” upper pressure obtained after adjustment is read.

The adjustment of the automation of the pumping station is initially performed by the manufacturer at a certain pressure value when the equipment is turned on and off. Typically these factory settings are between 1.5 and 1.8 bar when turned on and between 2.3 and 3 bar when turned off.
But there are situations when additional pressure adjustment on the equipment is necessary during operation. How to adjust the pumping station is invited to learn from this article.

Pressure switch device for a pumping station

Before you start adjusting the pressure switch, you need to familiarize yourself with its device and the principle of operation.

The photo shows the design of the device.
Its main elements:

1 and 2 are spring adjusters.
3 - the base of the device.
4 - a nut that fixes the relay to the adapter and the membrane cover.
5 - block with terminals for connecting the 220V network, the pump itself and its grounding.

A membrane cover is attached to the metal base from below, under which there is a membrane and a piston with a quick-release nut pos. 4. On top there is a contact group, terminal blocks and two spring adjusters of different sizes.
All elements are closed on top with a plastic cover attached to the screw of the large regulator and which, depending on the model, can be easily removed with a screwdriver or wrench.
Different models of products, the price of which does not fluctuate greatly, may differ in size, shape, arrangement of the constituent elements, but most of them have the above-described design. Some of the products include additional elements, such as a lever that includes protection against "dry running".

How a relay works

The relay works like this:

Under the action of the pressure of the liquid supplied from the pump, the membrane begins to put pressure on the piston.
It activates the contact group, which is mounted on a metal platform with two hinges.
Contacts for connecting voltage 220V and the pump, depending on the position, can be open or closed, which corresponds to turning the pump off and on.
When the contact group of the large regulator spring acts on the platform, the piston pressure is balanced.
If the pressure begins to weaken, under the action of the spring, the platform begins to fall and the contacts close, which turns on the pump (see).
The spring of the small regulator also acts against the water pressure, but it is located farther from the platform hinge and does not immediately enter into operation, but after the platform with the contacts can rise to a certain height.
A small hinge with a spring is responsible for actuating the electrical section of the relay, for closing and opening its contacts.

The design of the relay is designed so that the hinge and the platform cannot be located in the same plane.
When the platform is raised above the hinge, the contacts jump down, and when lowered below its plane, the elements immediately snap upwards.
The location of the plane of this hinge is slightly higher than the base of the spring of the small regulator, allows the platform to rise without opening the contacts to this level, and when it is reached, under the action of the springs of these two regulators, the contacts will open and the pump will turn off.
At the same time, the large spring regulator is thus responsible for the moment the unit is turned on or for the “lower” pressure (P), and the smaller one is responsible for the difference in pressures off and on (∆P).
When the spring of the large regulator is compressed, which is done by turning the nut clockwise, it acts with greater force on the platform of the contact group, which causes an increase in the “lower” pressure.
If in this case you do not change the degree of compression of the spring of the smaller regulator, the "upper" pressure or shutdown will also increase, up to the same value. In this case, ∆P will remain unchanged.
When the spring of the smaller regulator is compressed, the "upper" pressure will increase, while the "lower" pressure will not change, which will lead to an increase in ∆P.
With a corresponding weakening of the springs, these figures will decrease.
The adjustment of the pressure switch of pumping equipment is based on this principle.

How is the pressure switch regulated independently

Before adjusting the automation, it is necessary to prepare a screwdriver or a wrench to remove the relay cover and a wrench for tightening or unscrewing the nut adjusters.
After that, the manual for doing the work with your own hands is as follows:

Disconnected from voltage by the pressure switch.
The plastic cover of the relay is removed and it is adjusted depending on its purpose:

increase in pressure;
downgrade;
change in the range of operation of the equipment.

Under the cover are mounted two spring regulators responsible for the lower and upper pressure.

To increase or decrease the pressure in the network, you must:

Just screw or unscrew the nut on the larger regulator.
After changing the setting, the lid closes.
The voltage is turned on.
The valve opens and the pressure gauge built into the pumping station determines the pressure at which the pump turns on or “lower”.
The valve closes and the “upper” pressure is checked on the pressure gauge when the pump is turned off.

Tip: If the pressure is satisfactory, the adjustment is considered complete. If not, everything repeats again.

How to change the range of the relay

If the "lower" pressure is normal, but you only need to increase or decrease the "upper" pressure, you need to use a smaller regulator.
Wherein:

Tightening the nut for this regulator clockwise will increase the "upper" pressure, while the "lower" pressure remains unchanged.
Unscrewing is the opposite: in this case, the difference between them will decrease or increase - ∆P.
After changing the adjustment, the power is turned on and the moment is noticed on the pressure gauge when the pump is turned off - the “upper” pressure.
With satisfactory results, the adjustment can be stopped at this point, if not, the process is repeated until the desired result is obtained.

Tip: It must be taken into account that an increase in ∆P allows the pump to turn on less often, but in this case more noticeable pressure drops will occur in the water supply network, and if it is reduced, on the contrary, it will equalize it in the system, but the pump will turn on more often, which will lead to to reduce its service life.

If both the “lower” pressure and the range of operation of the relay do not suit you, you must first adjust with a large regulator, and then with a smaller one, while the whole process is controlled by the station pressure gauge.

What is taken into account when making adjustments

When adjusting the operation of the equipment relay on your own, it is necessary to take into account such important points:

It is impossible to set the "upper" pressure, which is more than 80% of the maximum for the product, on this model. As a rule, it is indicated on the packaging or in the instructions, and ranges from 5 to 5.5 bar.
To set a higher level in the system of a private house, it is necessary to select a relay with a higher maximum pressure.
Before increasing the pressure to turn on the pump, it is necessary to get acquainted with its characteristics, whether it can develop such pressure. Otherwise, if it cannot be created, the unit will not turn off, and the relay will not be able to turn it off, because the set limit cannot be reached.
The pump head is measured in meters of water column: 1 m of water. Art. = 0.1 bar. In addition, hydraulic losses in the entire system are also taken into account.
It is impossible to tighten the nuts of the regulators to failure during regulation, otherwise the relay may completely stop working.

Influence of air pressure in the tank

The normal operation of the equipment depends on the amount of air pressure in the accumulator (see) of the equipment, but it has nothing to do with the adjustment of the relay. In any case, it will start to work at a certain “lower” and “upper” pressure, regardless of its presence in the tank.
In the absence of air in the membrane tank, it can only lead to complete filling with water and the pressure in the system will begin to rise instantly to the “upper” one and the pump will immediately turn off after the fluid intake stops. Each time the tap is opened, the pump turns on, it will immediately fall to the "lower" limit.
In the absence of a hydraulic accumulator, the relay will still work. Reduced air pressure leads to a strong stretching of the membrane, and increased air pressure leads to insufficient filling of the tank with water. In this case, excess air pressure will displace the liquid.
For the normal operation of the pumping station and the long service life of the membrane, it is necessary that the air pressure be 10% less than the “lower” one set during the adjustment. Then the accumulator will be normally filled with water, and the membrane will not stretch too much, which means it will last for a long time. In this case, the pump will turn on at intervals corresponding to the ∆P adjusted in the relay.
In addition, it is necessary to check the air pressure in the tank of the pumping station in the absence of liquid pressure in it. In this case, you need to open the tap located in the system below everything and drain all the water.
The details of adjusting the pressure switch are well shown in the video in this article.

Tip: When setting up the pressure switch, you need to remember that the accumulator or tank, plumbing, all hoses and relay mechanics have their own pressure limits that cannot be exceeded.

When organizing a water supply system at home, not only a pump is needed, but also automation to ensure its operation. One of the necessary devices is a water pressure switch. This small device turns on the pump when the pressure in the system drops and turns it off when the threshold is reached. The value of the on and off parameters can be adjusted. About how this device is arranged, how to connect it and how to regulate it - in the article.

Purpose and device

In order to maintain a constant pressure in the water supply system of a private house, two devices are needed - a hydraulic accumulator and a pressure switch. Both of these devices are connected to the pump through the pipeline - the pressure switch is located in the middle between the pump and the accumulator. Most often it is located in the immediate vicinity of this tank, but some models can be installed on the pump housing (even submersible). Let's understand the purpose of these devices and how the system works.

A hydraulic accumulator is a container divided by an elastic pear or membrane into two halves. In one, air is under some pressure, in the second, water is pumped. The water pressure in the accumulator and the amount of water that can be pumped there is regulated by the amount of air pumped. The more air, the higher the pressure maintained in the system. But at the same time, less water can be pumped into the tank. Usually it is possible to pump no more than half of the volume into the container. That is, it will be possible to pump no more than 40-50 liters into a hydraulic accumulator with a volume of 100 liters.

For normal operation of household appliances, a range of 1.4 atm - 2.8 atm is required. To support such a framework, a pressure switch is required. It has two operation limits - upper and lower. When the lower limit is reached, the relay starts the pump, it pumps water into the accumulator, and the pressure in it (and in the system) increases. When the pressure in the system reaches the upper limit, the relay turns off the pump.

In a circuit with a hydroaccumulator, for some time water is consumed from the tank. When enough flows out so that the pressure drops to the lower threshold, the pump will turn on. That's how this system works.

Pressure switch device

This device consists of two parts - electrical and hydraulic. The electrical part is a group of contacts that closes and opens on / off the pump. The hydraulic part is a membrane that exerts pressure on a metal base and springs (large and small) with which the pump on / off pressure can be changed.

The hydraulic outlet is located on the back of the relay. It can be an outlet with an external thread or with a nut like an American. The second option is more convenient during installation - in the first case, you either need to look for an adapter with a union nut of a suitable size or twist the device itself by screwing it onto the thread, and this is not always possible.

The electrical inputs are also located on the back of the case, and the terminal block itself, where the wires are connected, is hidden under the cover.

Species and varieties

There are two types of water pressure switches: mechanical and electronic. Mechanical ones are much cheaper and usually prefer them, while electronic ones are mostly brought to order.

Name	Pressure adjustment limit	Factory settings	Manufacturer/country	Device protection class	Price
RDM-5 Gileks	1- 4.6 atm	1.4 - 2.8 atm	Gilex/Russia	IP44	13-15$
Italtecnica RM/5G (m) 1/4"	1 - 5 atm	1.4 - 2.8 atm	Italy	IP44	27-30$
Italtecnica RT/12 (m)	1 - 12 atm	5 - 7 atm	Italy	IP44	27-30$
Grundfos (Condor) MDR 5-5	1.5 - 5 atm	2.8 - 4.1 atm	Germany	IP 54	55-75$
Italtecnica PM53W 1"	1.5 - 5 atm		Italy		7-11 $
Genebre 3781 1/4"	1 - 4 atm	0.4 - 2.8 atm	Spain		7-13$

The difference in prices in different stores is more than significant. Although, as usual, when buying cheap copies, there is a risk of running into a fake.

Connecting the water pressure switch

The water pressure switch for the pump is connected immediately to two systems: to electricity and plumbing. It is installed permanently, since there is no need to move the device.

Electrical part

To connect a pressure switch, a dedicated line is not required, but desirable - there are more chances that the device will work longer. A cable with a solid copper core with a cross section of at least 2.5 square meters should go from the shield. mm. It is desirable to install a bunch of automatic + RCD or difavtomat. The parameters are selected according to the current and depend more on the characteristics of the pump, since the water pressure switch consumes very little current. The circuit must have grounding - the combination of water and electricity creates a zone of increased danger.

Scheme of connecting the water pressure switch to

Cables are brought into special inputs on the back side of the case. There is a terminal block under the cover. It has three pairs of contacts:

grounding - the corresponding conductors coming from the shield and from the pump are connected;
terminals line or "line" - for connecting the phase and neutral wires from the shield;
terminals for similar wires from the pump (usually on the block located above).

The connection is standard - the conductors are stripped of insulation, inserted into the connector, tightened with a clamping bolt. Pulling on the conductor, check whether it is securely clamped. After 30-60 minutes the bolts can be tightened as copper is a soft material and the contact may loosen.

Pipe connection

There is different ways connecting the water pressure switch to the plumbing system. The most convenient option is to install a special adapter with all the required outputs - a five-pin fitting. The same system can be assembled from other fittings, just a ready-made version is always better to use.

It is screwed onto a pipe on the back of the case, a hydraulic accumulator is connected to the other outlets, a supply hose from the pump and a line that goes into the house. You can also install a mud sump and a pressure gauge.

A pressure gauge is a necessary thing - to control the pressure in the system, monitor the settings of the relay. The sump is also a necessary device, but it can be installed separately on the pipeline from the pump. There, in general, a whole is desirable

With such a scheme, at a high flow rate, water is supplied directly to the system - bypassing the accumulator. It begins to fill up after all the taps in the house are closed.

Water pressure switch adjustment

Consider the process of adjusting the most popular instance - RDM-5. It is produced by different factories. Adjustment limits vary, as different sizes of water pipes require different pressures. This device leaves the factory with a basic setting. Usually it is 1.4-1.5 atm - the lower threshold and 2.8-2.9 atm - the upper threshold. If some parameter does not suit you, you can reconfigure it as required. Such a procedure is usually necessary when installing a hot tub: a standard pressure of 2.5-2.9 atm is not enough for the desired effect. In most other cases, reconfiguration is not required.

The RDM-5 water pressure switch has two springs that regulate the pump off / on threshold. These springs differ in size and purpose:

large regulates the limits (immediately upper and lower);
small changes the delta - the gap between the upper and lower bounds.

The parameters are changed when tightening or loosening the nuts on the springs. If the nuts are tightened, the pressure increases, if loosened, it decreases. There is no need to turn the nuts strongly one turn - this is a change of about 0.6-0.8 atm, and this is usually a lot.

How to determine relay thresholds

The threshold for turning on the pump (and the lower pressure threshold on the water pressure switch) are related to the pressure in the air part of the accumulator - the minimum pressure in the system should be 0.1-0.2 atm higher. For example, if the pressure in the tank is 1.4 atm, the shutdown threshold is 1.6 atm. With these parameters, the tank membrane will last longer. But for the pump to work in normal conditions, look and not its characteristics. It also has a lower pressure threshold. So, it should not be higher than the selected value (below or equal). Based on these three parameters, you select the switching threshold.

By the way, the pressure in the accumulator must be checked before setting - there are significant deviations from the declared parameters. Under the removable cover (in different models it looks and is located in different places) the nipple is hidden. Through it, you can connect a pressure gauge (you can use a car or the one you have) and see the actual pressure. By the way, it can be adjusted through the same nipple - raised or lowered if necessary.

The upper threshold - pump shutdown - is set automatically during adjustment. The relay in the initial state is set to some kind of pressure difference (delta). This difference is usually 1.4-1.6 atm. So if you set the inclusion, for example, to 1.6 atm, the shutdown threshold will be automatically set to 3.0-3.2 atm (depending on the relay settings). If you need a higher pressure (to raise water to the second floor, for example, or the system has many draw-off points), you can increase the shutdown threshold. But there are limitations:

The parameters of the relay itself. The upper limit is fixed and in household models usually does not exceed 4 atm. It just won't work anymore.
The upper limit of the pump pressure. This parameter is also fixed and the pump must be turned off at least 0.2-0.4 atm before the declared characteristic. For example, the upper pressure threshold of the pump is 3.8 atm, the shutdown threshold on the water pressure switch should not be higher than 3.6 atm. But in order for the pump to work for a long time and without overloads, it is better to make a larger difference - overloads have a too bad effect on the life of the pump.

That's all for choosing the settings of the water pressure switch. In practice, when setting up the system, you have to adjust the selected parameters in one direction or another, because you need to choose everything so that all draw-off points work normally, including household appliances. Therefore, it is often said that the parameters are chosen by the “scientific poke” method.

Setting the water pressure switch for a pump or pumping station

To set up the system, you will need a reliable pressure gauge, the readings of which can be trusted. It is connected to the system near the pressure switch.

The adjustment process consists in twisting two springs: large and small. If you need to raise or lower the lower threshold (turn on the pump), turn the nut on the large spring. If you turn it clockwise, the pressure rises, counter-clockwise - it falls. Turn by a very small value - half a turn or so.

The sequence of actions is as follows:

The system is started, the pressure gauge monitors at what pressure the pump turned on and turned off.
Press or release the large spring.
They turn on and check the parameters (at what pressure it turned on, at what pressure it turned off). Both values are shifted by the same amount.
If necessary, make adjustments (adjust the large spring again).
After the lower threshold is set as you want to see it, proceed to adjust the pump shutdown threshold. To do this, press or lower a small spring. Do not turn the nut on it too much - half a turn is usually enough.
Turn the system back on and look at the results. If everything suits, they stop there.

What else do you need to know about adjusting the water pressure switch? That not all models have the ability to change the delta, so look carefully when buying. There is a pressure switch for the pump in a moisture- and dust-proof housing. They can be placed in a pit, some models can be installed directly on the pump housing if it has such an outlet.

In some water pressure switches there is also an idle (dry) relay, in general this device is in a separate case, but there are also combined ones. Idling protection is necessary so that the pump does not break if suddenly there is no water in the well or well. Some pumps have built-in protection of this type, for others they buy and install relays separately.

Modern pumping stations equipped with a hydraulic accumulator tank are a common and popular solution used both for dacha works, and to provide water supply systems for private houses.

In such units there is a special pressure switch - a mechanism responsible for maintaining a certain pressure of water in the system. And in some situations, you may need to adjust it - if the device does not work in the desired mode.

Adjustment method

First of all, we will consider a question that can be useful to all owners of such devices: how to adjust the pressure of a pumping station using a relay.

This is quite a responsible and almost jewelry part of the pressure troubleshooting work. Work is carried out with the pump turned on. Work progress:

Remove the cover that covers the pressure regulator for the pumping station.
Fully loosen the clamp of the smaller spring.
We begin to adjust the pressure, at which the pump starts to work: we will rotate the clamping nut of the large spring. If you need to increase the pressure - turn clockwise, reduce - against.
Then open the faucet for water to flow.- thereby reducing the water pressure in the pumping station. We are waiting for the pump to start working and check the result - whether the moment of starting the device corresponds to the required pressure. If something does not suit you (the station did not work on time), we continue the adjustment.
Then you need to adjust the upper limit at which the pumping station should be switched off. We twist the clamping nut of the smaller spring, set the required upper pressure. Then - turn on the pump and wait for the relay to work. If the result does not suit you (again - if the device does not work at the right time) - we drain the water again and repeat the whole process.

Whatever company makes the pumping station, the pressure setting for everyone will be approximately the same. Differences can only be in the design, but the principle will necessarily be the same.

If, nevertheless, setting the pressure regulator of the pumping station did not bring tangible results, and the pumping station does not create pressure, you will have to change the relay. The average price of this part is 500-600 rubles.

Alternatively, you can not change part of the mechanism, but use the service of a wizard to configure it. It will cost an average of 500-1000 rubles.

Pumping stations high pressure With proper use and proper tuning, they will serve you for a very long time.

What to do if the device does not build up pressure?

During the operation of any pumping station - domestic or imported, a situation may occur when the pressure adjustment of the pumping station has failed, and the device has ceased to function correctly.

The reasons for this are very different. Let's look into them.

When the pumping station does not build up pressure, the reasons may be as follows:

Low pump power.
Collector damage.
Reduced voltage in the mains.

In the first case, most likely, the pumping station was chosen incorrectly: it did not increase the water pressure in the pipes, because it could not lift water that was too far or deep.

Or, if the pump has been in operation for quite a long time, some parts may wear out, which also prevents it from working at full power.

To fix this problem, you will either need to change the pumping station to a more powerful one, or manually lower the maximum pressure to the level at which it can work optimally.

In order to avoid such troubles, you need to correctly calculate the power of the device - since the mistake made will cost you a considerable amount, which you will have to pay for the purchase of a new device.

Sometimes the pumping station builds pressure for a long time (or does not build it up to the required level at all), because water is leaking: a pipe could burst somewhere or any of the threaded connections could be depressurized.

In this case, you should check the entire piping system, walking along it along its entire length, and pay attention to its integrity. The most common places for leaks are:

knees, bends;
connection points (it does not matter how the connection was made).

If a leak is detected, it should be eliminated - either tighten the nuts more tightly (if water digs through the flange connection), or, if it leaks “alive”, turn off the section and close the crack.

If the voltage of the electricity in the network is less than 220 V, then the pressure in the pumping station will not rise to the required rate. It is worth turning off the pump and checking the home electrical network with a tester.

By the way, the loss of efficiency with a lack of voltage is quite significant - up to 10-15%. At the same time, you should also be aware that the mains voltage is very often lower than required - so it is recommended to check it before buying.

What to do if the device "does not hold" pressure?

In the case when the pumping station does not hold pressure, that is, it decreases when there is no water flow, then the problem lies in the operation of the check valve: sometimes it can become clogged and bleed water back into the tank.

If the valve is in good condition - look for a leak in the pipes, as described above.

A problem such as low pressure at the pumping station also occurs if water is supplied to the system at a lower pressure. In this case, you need to adjust the pressure in the accumulator of the pumping station.

Here you will have to adjust the automatic relay, which controls just the on / off functions of the pump, as already described above.

What is the optimal pressure in the pumping station? The standard pressure that meets the specifications is as follows:

Switching pressure- 1.5-1.8 atmospheres;
Shutdown pressure 2.5-3.0 atmospheres.

Any action with the pressure regulator must be done very carefully, especially if it is an adjustment of the pressure sensor of the pumping station, so as not to harm the pump and not to knock down the setting.

Setting up the pressure regulator of the pumping station should begin with checking the accumulator, namely: find out what the pressure is in the tank of the pumping station. Before starting the test, the pump must be disconnected from the mains and the tank must be emptied.

You can check the pressure in the receiver of the pumping station with an ordinary automobile pump, which has a pressure gauge. It should be about one and a half atmospheres.

If the pressure is low, you need to pump it up. In general, make it a rule to periodically monitor the air pressure in the pumping station (meaning in the tank, of course), and when it decreases, pump it up.

This will significantly extend the life of the accumulator.

If, after you have tried to equalize the pressure in the pear of the pumping station, the pump still malfunctions, you need to adjust the pressure sensor for the pumping station itself.

You should also pay attention to the integrity of the membrane - a rubber pear located in the tank, which, in fact, is its most important part. This is checked by pressing the nipple on the accumulator housing.

If water flows from there, it means that the tightness of the membrane is broken, and the pressure cannot be maintained at the required level. In this case, you should initially deal with the pear, and only then - pay attention to the adjustment, if necessary.

To repair the membrane, the tank must be disassembled. This is easy to do - you just need to unscrew the bolts on the body and remove part of it. Then you need to pull the pear and check it.

If the damage is minor, it can be vulcanized at any tire changer. It costs literally 200-300 rubles.

In case of serious damage, you will have to buy a new pear - such a solution will be much more reliable than fixing the old one. For a tank with a volume of 24 liters (one of the most popular household options), it will cost about 800-1000 rubles.

Larger pears, of course, will cost more - for example, 50 liters - about 1,500 rubles.