Plumbing

Overview and comparison of water protection systems

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

Principle of operation and constituent elements

The protection system kit consists of the following elements:

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

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

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

Overview of modern flood protection systems

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

"Neptune"
Hydrolok
"Stop the flood "Rainbow"

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

Neptune

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The table below compares the Neptune models.

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

Summary:

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

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

Gidrolock

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

Additional options for Hydrolock water leakage protection models:

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

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

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

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

Overview of the "Aquaguard" kit:

Stop flood "Rainbow"

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

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

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