Parallel connection of hydraulic accumulators. Rules and step-by-step instructions for setting up a hydraulic accumulator pressure switch

A stable, properly functioning water supply network is a real credit to the owner country house. Everyone involved in installation and maintenance autonomous system, knows how difficult it is to foresee water supply failures that are dangerous for household appliances. One pressure surge and there is a risk of breakdown dishwasher or gas water heater. To warn possible problems, you need to contact a specialist or connect the accumulator yourself.

Design and types of hydraulic accumulators

Before you start connecting, you need to get acquainted with its component parts and the purpose of each of them.

Hydraulic accumulators of blue color designed for water supply systems. Expansion tanks for heating systems are red

Diagram of the hydraulic accumulator: 1 – metal body, 2 – membrane, 3 – flange with valve, 4 – nipple for air injection, 5 – compressed air, 6 – legs, 7 – platform for the pump

A hydraulic accumulator is a metal reservoir, inside of which there is a rubber membrane in the shape of a pear. A rubber (caoutchouc) membrane is attached to the body with a flange and a pipe.

The hydraulic accumulator stores water under pressure. The pressure in household appliances (1.5 bar) is created using air, in production models– inert gas.

Compressed air can be pumped into the body using a bicycle or car pump. When water enters the tank, the compressed air prevents the bulb from bursting by providing resistance. It is also used to regulate the pressure in the hydraulic accumulator. During the water collection process, water moves from the apparatus into the system.

Hydraulic accumulators are somewhat different in their purpose, so they can be divided into 3 types:

• For cold water. Supplies and stores water, protects equipment from water hammer during pressure surges. Protects the pump from wear and tear during frequent starts.
• For hot water. Its difference is its ability to function in high-temperature environments.
• For heating systems (expansion tanks). They are an important part of closed heating systems.

You will learn about the types of expansion tanks for heating systems, their pros and cons from our next article:.

Place of the accumulator in the water supply system

The pump pumps water from a well, a well or a water supply system through pipes into a hydraulic accumulator, or more precisely, into a rubber membrane inside it. The process continues until the pressure reaches a certain point. Required pressure set on the relay regulator, usually 1-3 atmospheres. When the required pressure is reached, the pump turns off (automatically).

Let's assume you've turned it on washing machine, shower or kitchen faucet - water from the membrane immediately flows back into the pipes. At the moment when the pressure reaches the lower threshold, the relay is activated and turns on the pump again. Thus the cycle begins again.

The video below will give a complete picture of how the accumulator works:

The frequency at which the pump is turned on directly depends on the volume of the accumulator. The larger its tank, the less often the pump turns on. Accordingly, the less often the pump is turned on, the longer both the flange with the valve and the pump itself last. The equipment is placed on the floor or mounted on the wall. In any case, its body does not suffer from use.

Connection using a surface pump

Let's consider step by step how to connect a hydraulic accumulator to a water supply system if a surface-type pump is used.

1. Checking the air pressure inside the tank. It should be 0.2 - 1 bar less than the indicator indicated on the relay (to turn on the pump).
2. Preparation of equipment for connection: a fitting with 5 outputs (used to connect a hydraulic accumulator, relay, pump and pressure gauge; another outlet, the fifth, is necessary to connect a water supply pipe); pressure gauge; tow with sealant or FUM tape; relay for pressure regulation.
3. Attaching the fitting to the tank. The connection point can be either a rigid hose or a flange equipped with a bypass valve.
4. Screwing the remaining elements one by one: relay, pressure gauge, pipe leading to the pump.

Testing the system to detect leaks. Particular attention is paid to connections.

Surface connection diagram pumping station similar to the pump connection diagram

When connecting the pressure regulator, carefully examine the marks. Under the cover there are labeled contacts: “network” and “pump”. The main thing is not to mix up the wires. If there are no marks under the relay cover, you should call a specialist (electrician) for connection.

During connection, it is necessary to ensure sealing threaded connections. For a tighter fit, use tow (technical flax) with sealant or FUM tape.

Connection diagram using a submersible pump

A submersible type pump is distinguished by the fact that it is located in a well or in a well, that is, right in the place from where water is supplied to the house, in this case to the hydraulic accumulator.

Installation diagram of a hydraulic accumulator in a water supply system with a well

Installation diagram of a hydraulic accumulator with a submersible pump in a well

Here important role plays a check valve, which insures the system against water flowing back into the well (well). The check valve is mounted in front of the pipe, directly on the pump. To do this, an internal thread is cut into its lid. Therefore, the fitting will have external thread from all sides. First, a check valve is installed, then the accumulator is connected to the water supply system.

An approximate diagram for connecting a hydraulic accumulator is as follows:

After installing the fitting, you need to check the tightness of the connections

To measure the length of the pipe leading from the submersible pump to the edge of the well (well), use a string with a weight. Having lowered the load to the bottom, mark the upper edge of the well on the rope. I will stretch the rope, you can calculate the length from the bottom to the top point. We subtract the length of the pump and the distance from where the pipe goes into the ground to the top point of the well. We also take into account the location of the pump: it should be approximately 20-30 cm from the bottom.

Which accumulator model should I choose?

Manufacturers, responding to consumer requests, produce equipment various sizes. The “corridor” of volume indicators is 24-1000 liters. What should you consider when choosing?

The volume of the tank depends on the amount of water consumed

The determining factor is the amount of water required to maintain the house (possibly personal plot). The minimum tank volume - 24 liters - is enough for a family of 2 people, if you take into account the shower, toilet, kitchen and watering of crops on the site.

More significant water consumption requires a tank with a volume of 50 liters or more. You should count how many household appliances use water at the same time, add the number of people who also use water, and, based on this, select the necessary model.

It happens that the number of users has increased or a new household appliance has appeared that uses water. In this case, you should simply replace the container with a larger tank, since connecting the hydraulic accumulator with your own hands is a quick and uncomplicated process.

A hydraulic accumulator is an extremely useful device, both for organizing autonomous water supply and for improving the characteristics of a system connected to central water supply.

A master with at least minimal experience execution plumbing work, you can easily install the hydraulic accumulator with your own hands and connect it to the water supply system.

Agree, the key to successful completion of work is an understanding of the structure and operating principle of the equipment. We will help you understand these issues, and also describe and illustrate step-by-step technology installation of a hydraulic accumulator.

Information about connecting, setting up and carrying out routine repairs storage tank will be useful during its operation.

Water is taken from this device and pumped throughout the day. As a result, the unit is constantly influenced by the operating process, during which it makes noise and vibrates. This point should be taken into account when choosing a place to install it.

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Schematically, the connection of the pumping station can be represented in the following steps:

1. Prepare solid foundation in a place suitable for installation.
2. Install the pumping station on the base.
3. Measure and adjust the air pressure in the empty hydraulic accumulator.
4. Install a fitting with five outlets onto the outlet pipe of the hydraulic accumulator.
5. Connect the pipe of the surface pump to the outlet of the fitting.
6. Connect a water pipe to the other outlet.
7. Fill the accumulator with water.
8. Check the presence/absence of leaks at the threaded connections.
9. Set up the pressure switch.

A surface pump is not always used in the autonomous water supply system of a private home. Owners deep wells you have to use special submersible pumps.

The process of connecting the hydraulic accumulator to the water supply system is carried out according to the following scheme:

1. Lower the submersible pump prepared for operation into the water source (well, well, etc.)
2. Connect the pressure hose or water supply pipe of the pump to the fitting with five connectors.
3. Connect the accumulator pipe to one of the fitting outlets.
4. Install a pressure gauge and pressure switch.
5. Connect the accumulator to the water supply system of the house.

When connecting a hydraulic tank to a submersible pump, an installation should be provided that will prevent water from flowing into the well when the pump is turned off.

A few important nuances

To connect the hydraulic accumulator, special flexible adapters are used. This helps reduce the effect of vibrations on the plumbing system.

It should be taken into account that in this area, between the water supply and the hydraulic accumulator, it is unacceptable to reduce the clearance of the connecting structures, since this will worsen the hydraulic characteristics of the system.

To reduce the influence of vibration that occurs during operation of the hydraulic tank, it is recommended to use special flexible leads. Their dimensions should not be smaller than the diameter of the outlet to which the connection is made

The initial filling of the tank with water must be done very slowly. The point is that when long-term storage the rubber membrane, made in the shape of a pear, could simply stick together.

A sharp flow of water can tear the gasket, but with low pressure it will straighten out neatly. Another one indeed important point– before supplying water to the accumulator, air must be completely removed from the part into which water will be pumped.

Immediately after unpacking the purchased battery, and/or immediately before connecting it, you need to measure the pressure of the air that is pumped inside. This figure should be 1.5 atm, this is how hydraulic accumulators are pumped during manufacture. However, during storage in a warehouse before sale, leakage of some of this air is a completely natural phenomenon.

Most reliable option for such measurements - a regular car pressure gauge with a suitable gradation scale, allowing measurements to be taken with an accuracy of 0.1 atmosphere. As practice has shown, it is not worth using cheap Chinese plastic models for these purposes; their accuracy is highly questionable.

Electronic models are condition sensitive environment, and this is too expensive an option for a conventional accumulator.

What should the air pressure be in a hydraulic tank filled with water? It all depends on the situation.

A pressure of 1.5 atmospheres will provide quite decent water pressure in the plumbing system. But it should be remembered that the higher the pressure, the smaller the volume of water stored in the tank. If you need both a solid supply of water and good pressure, it makes sense to look for a large-volume tank.

To monitor the air pressure in the hydraulic tank, it is recommended to use a regular automobile pressure gauge, which allows measurements with an accuracy of 0.1 atmosphere

It is recommended that the operating parameters of the air pressure in the hydraulic accumulator be less than the minimum pressure that causes the pump to turn on, by approximately 0.5-1.0 atmospheres. Sometimes they do things differently.

The air pressure in the accumulator is left at 1.5 atmospheres, as set at the factory, and the value of the minimum pressure or switching pressure is calculated as 2.0-2.5 atmospheres. Thus, to the air pressure in an empty tank - 1.5 atmospheres - add this difference of 0.5-1.0 atmospheres.

Excessive pressure does not have a very good effect on the integrity of the hydraulic tank elements, but low air pressure in it is not beneficial either. If you reduce this indicator to a level of less than one atmosphere, the membrane will touch the walls of the tank. This will lead to its deformation and rapid failure.

Two springs are used to regulate the pressure switch. Using the first, you set the pump shut-off pressure, and using the second, you set the difference between the maximum and minimum pressure.

After the system is installed and connected, it is necessary to configure the pressure switch. For this purpose, there are two adjusting nuts with springs under the housing. The procedure for adjusting the pressure switch is usually described in detail in the instructions that come with the device.

Rules of operation and repair

Connecting and setting up the hydraulic accumulator correctly is only half the battle. For the device to work long time, it must be properly operated and periodically performed preventive inspection and maintenance.

Instructions require medical examinations to be carried out twice a year, but practice shows that this is not enough. The condition of the hydraulic accumulator should be checked every three months. At the same frequency, it is advisable to monitor the pressure switch settings in order to correct them if necessary.

Incorrect operation of the relay creates additional loads on the entire system, which can also affect the condition of the accumulator.

If during inspection dents or traces of corrosion are found on the device body, these damages must be repaired. It is best to do this as early as possible, otherwise corrosion processes will develop, which can lead to damage to the integrity of the accumulator housing.

An important preventive measure is checking the pressure in the hydraulic tank itself using a pressure gauge. If necessary, the required amount of air should be pumped into the device or excess air should be vented.

If this does not help and the new pressure gauge readings do not correspond to the expected ones, it means that either the integrity of the accumulator body is compromised or its membrane is damaged.

If the membrane installed in the accumulator is worn out, you can try to replace it with a new one. To do this, the device will have to be dismantled and disassembled.

Some craftsmen manage to detect and repair areas of damage to the body, but such repairs are not always durable and reliable. Rubber liner or membrane – weakness hydraulic accumulator. Over time it wears out.

You can replace the membrane with a new element at home, but to do this you will have to completely disassemble and reassemble the hydraulic accumulator.

Choosing appropriate place to install a hydraulic accumulator, it should be remembered that it must be spacious enough to carry out Maintenance devices

If a home craftsman doubts his abilities in this area or does not have sufficient experience, he can damage the device even more. more harm than the previous breakdown. In such a situation, it is better to contact a service center.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

An overview of the operation of a 50-liter hydraulic accumulator is presented in the following video:

This video clearly demonstrates the procedure for adjusting the pressure in the hydraulic tank and setting the pressure switch:

The advantages of using a hydraulic accumulator are obvious, so this device is increasingly being used both in private houses outside the city and in metropolitan apartments. If the unit is installed and connected correctly, it will long years work without breakdowns or interruptions, providing the family with high-quality water supply.

Do you have experience in self-installation and connecting the hydraulic accumulator? Please share information with our readers, tell us about the features of setting up and operating the hydraulic tank. You can leave comments in the form below.

A hydraulic accumulator is a special metal sealed container containing inside an elastic membrane and a certain volume of water under a certain pressure.

A hydraulic accumulator (in other words, a membrane tank, hydraulic tank) is used to support stable pressure in the water supply, protects the water pump from premature wear due to frequent switching on, protects the water supply system from possible water hammer. When the power goes out, thanks to the hydraulic accumulator, you will always have a small supply of water.

Here are the main functions that a hydraulic accumulator performs in a water supply system:

1. Protecting the pump from premature wear. Thanks to the water supply in membrane tank, when you open the water tap, the pump will only turn on if the water supply in the tank runs out. Any pump has a certain rate of starts per hour, therefore, thanks to the hydraulic accumulator, the pump will have a reserve of unused starts, which will increase its service life.
2. Maintaining constant pressure in the water supply system, protecting against changes in water pressure. Due to pressure changes, when several taps are turned on at the same time, sharp fluctuations in water temperature occur, for example in the shower and in the kitchen. The hydraulic accumulator successfully copes with such unpleasant situations.
3. Protection against water hammer, which can occur when the pump is turned on, and can seriously damage the pipeline.
4. Maintaining a supply of water in the system, which allows you to use water even during a power outage, which happens quite often these days. This function is especially valuable in country houses.

Hydraulic accumulator device

The sealed body of this device is divided by a special membrane into two chambers, one of which is intended for water and the other for air.

Water does not come into contact with metal surfaces housing, since it is located in a water chamber-membrane made of strong butyl rubber material, resistant to bacteria and meeting all hygienic and sanitary standards requirements for drinking water.

The air chamber contains a pneumatic valve, the purpose of which is to regulate pressure. Water enters the accumulator through a special threaded connection pipe.

The hydraulic accumulator device must be mounted in such a way that it can be easily disassembled in case of repair or maintenance, without draining all the water from the system.

The diameters of the connecting pipeline and the pressure pipe should, if possible, coincide with each other, then this will avoid unwanted hydraulic losses in the system pipeline.

In the membranes of hydraulic accumulators with a volume of more than 100 liters there is a special valve for bleeding air released from the water. For small-capacity hydraulic accumulators that do not have such a valve, the water supply system must have a device for bleeding air, for example, a tee or tap that shuts off the main line of the water supply system.

IN air valve The hydraulic accumulator pressure should be 1.5-2 atm.

Operating principle of a hydraulic accumulator

A hydraulic accumulator works like this. The pump supplies water under pressure to the accumulator membrane. When the pressure threshold is reached, the relay turns off the pump and water stops flowing. After the pressure begins to drop during water intake, the pump automatically turns on again and supplies water to the accumulator membrane. The larger the volume of the hydraulic tank, the more effective result his works. The response of the pressure switch can be adjusted.

During operation of the accumulator, air dissolved in water gradually accumulates in the membrane, which leads to a decrease in the efficiency of the device. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out preventive maintenance on the hydraulic accumulator by bleeding off the accumulated air. The frequency of maintenance depends on the volume of the hydraulic tank and the frequency of its operation, which is approximately once every 1-3 months.

These devices can be in vertical or horizontal configurations.

The operating principle of the devices is no different, except that vertical hydraulic accumulators with a volume of more than 50 liters have a special valve in the upper part for bleeding air, which gradually accumulates in the water supply system during operation. Air accumulates in the upper part of the device, therefore the location of the valve for bleeding is chosen in the upper part.

In horizontal devices for bleeding air, a special tap or drain is mounted, which is installed behind the hydraulic accumulator.

From small devices, regardless of whether they are vertical or horizontal, air is released by completely draining the water.

When choosing the shape of a hydraulic tank, proceed from the size of the technical room where they will be installed. It all depends on the dimensions of the device: whichever fits best into the space allocated for it will be installed, regardless of whether it is horizontal or vertical.

Connection diagram for hydraulic accumulator

Depending on the assigned functions, the connection diagram of the hydraulic accumulator to the water supply system may be different. The most popular connection diagrams for hydraulic accumulators are given below.

Such pumping stations are installed where there is high water consumption. As a rule, one of the pumps at such stations operates constantly.
At the booster pumping station, the hydraulic accumulator serves to reduce pressure surges during switching on additional pumps and to reimburse small water withdrawals.

This scheme is also widely used when the water supply system frequently interrupts the supply of electricity to booster pumps, and the presence of water is vital. Then the water supply in the hydraulic accumulator saves the situation, playing the role backup source for this period.

The larger and more powerful the pumping station, and the greater the pressure it must maintain, the larger the volume of the hydraulic accumulator, which acts as a damper, must be.
Buffer capacity The hydraulic tank also depends on the volume of the required water supply, and on the difference in pressure when the pump is turned on and off.

For long-term and uninterrupted operation the submersible pump must make from 5 to 20 starts per hour, which is indicated in its technical characteristics.

If the pressure in the water supply system drops to minimum value The pressure switch is automatically turned on, and at the maximum value it is turned off. Even the most minimum consumption water, especially in small water supply systems, can reduce the pressure to a minimum, which will instantly give the command to turn on the pump, because the water leakage is compensated by the pump instantly, and after a few seconds, when the water supply is replenished, the relay will turn off the pump. Thus, with minimal water consumption, the pump will run almost idle. This mode of operation adversely affects the operation of the pump and can quickly damage it. The situation can be corrected by a hydraulic accumulator, which always has the required supply of water and successfully compensates for its insignificant consumption, and also protects the pump from frequent activation.

In addition, a hydraulic accumulator connected to the circuit smoothes out a sharp increase in pressure in the system when the submersible pump is turned on.

The volume of the hydraulic tank is selected depending on the frequency of activation and power of the pump, water flow per hour and the height of its installation.

For storage water heater In the connection diagram, the hydraulic accumulator plays the role of an expansion tank. When heated, water expands, increasing the volume in the water supply system, and since it does not have the ability to compress, the slightest increase in volume in a confined space increases the pressure and can lead to destruction of the water heater elements. The hydraulic tank will also come to the rescue here. Its volume will directly depend and increase from an increase in the volume of water in the water heater, an increase in the temperature of the heated water and an increase in maximum permissible pressure in the water supply system.

The hydraulic accumulator is connected in front of the booster pump along the water flow. It is needed to protect against a sharp decrease in pressure in the water supply network when the pump is turned on.

The capacity of the hydraulic accumulator for the pumping station will be greater, the more water is used in the water supply system and the smaller the difference between the upper and lower pressure scale in the water supply in front of the pump.

How to install a hydraulic accumulator?

From all of the above, it can be understood that the design of a hydraulic accumulator is absolutely different from an ordinary water tank. This device is constantly in operation, the membrane is always dynamic. Therefore, installing a hydraulic accumulator is not so simple. The tank must be strengthened during installation reliably, with a margin of safety, noise and vibration. Therefore, the tank is secured to the floor through rubber gaskets, and to the pipeline through rubber flexible adapters. You need to know that at the inlet of the hydraulic system, the cross-section of the line should not narrow. And another one important detail: the first time you fill the tank very carefully and slowly, using weak pressure water, in case the rubber bulb has stuck together due to long inactivity, and with a sharp pressure of water it may be damaged. It is best to remove all air from the bulb before putting it into use.

The hydraulic accumulator must be installed in such a way that it can be easily approached during operation. It is better to entrust this task to experienced specialists, since very often the tank fails due to some unaccounted for, but important little detail, for example, due to a mismatch in pipe diameter, unregulated pressure, etc. Experiments cannot be carried out here, because the normal operation of the plumbing system is at stake.

So you brought the purchased hydraulic tank into the house. What to do with it next? You immediately need to find out the pressure level inside the tank. Usually the manufacturer pumps it up to 1.5 atm, but there are cases when, due to a leak, the performance drops by the time of sale. To make sure the indicator is correct, you need to unscrew the decorative cap on an ordinary automobile spool and check the pressure.

How can I check it? Typically a pressure gauge is used for this. It can be electronic, mechanical (with a metal body) and plastic, which is supplied with some pump models. It is important that the pressure gauge has greater accuracy, since even 0.5 atm changes the quality of the hydraulic tank, so it is better not to use plastic pressure gauges, as they give a very large error in the indicators. These are usually Chinese models in a weak plastic case. Electronic pressure gauges are affected by battery charge and temperature, and they are also very expensive. That's why the best option is an ordinary car pressure gauge that has been tested. The scale should have a small number of divisions to allow more accurate pressure measurements. If the scale is designed for 20 atm, but you only need to measure 1-2 atm, then you cannot expect high accuracy.

If there is less air in the tank, then there is a larger supply of water, but the difference in pressure between an empty and almost full tank will be very significant. It's all a matter of preference. If you need constant high water pressure in the water supply, then the pressure in the tank must be at least 1.5 atm. And for domestic needs, 1 atm may well be enough.

At a pressure of 1.5 atm, the hydraulic tank has a smaller supply of water, which is why the booster pump will turn on more often, and in the absence of light, the supply of water in the tank may simply not be enough. In the second case, you will have to sacrifice pressure, because you can take a shower with a massage when the tank is full, and as it empties, you can only take a bath.

When you decide what is more important to you, you can set the desired operating mode, that is, either pump air into the tank or bleed off excess air.

It is undesirable to reduce the pressure below 1 atm, as well as to exceed it excessively. A bulb filled with water with insufficient pressure will touch the walls of the tank and can quickly become unusable. And excess pressure will not allow pumping a sufficient volume of water, since most of the tank will be filled with air.

Setting up the pressure switch

You also need to configure the pressure switch. Opening the cover, you will see two nuts and two springs: a large one (P) and a small one (delta P). With their help, you can set the maximum and minimum pressure levels at which the pump turns on and off. A large spring is responsible for turning on the pump and pressure. You can see from the design that it seems to encourage water to close the contacts.

Using a small spring, the pressure difference is set, which is specified in all instructions. But the instructions do not indicate a starting point. It turns out that the reference point is the spring nut P, ​​that is lower limit. The lower spring, responsible for the pressure difference, resists the water pressure and moves the movable plate away from the contacts.

When the correct air pressure has already been set, you can connect the accumulator to the system. After connecting it, you need to carefully observe the pressure gauge. All hydraulic accumulators indicate normal and maximum pressure values, exceeding which is unacceptable. Manual disconnection of the pump from the network occurs when the normal pressure of the accumulator is reached, when the limit value of the pump pressure is reached. This occurs when the increase in pressure stops.

The pump power is usually not enough to pump the tank to the limit, but this is not even particularly necessary, because when pumping, the service life of both the pump and the bulb is reduced. Most often, the pressure limit for switching off is set 1-2 atm higher than switching on.

For example, when the pressure gauge reads 3 atm, which is sufficient for the needs of the owner of the pumping station, you need to turn off the pump and slowly rotate the nut of the small spring (delta P) to decrease until the mechanism is activated. After this, you need to open the tap and drain the water from the system. While observing the pressure gauge, you need to note the value at which the relay turns on - this is the lower pressure limit when the pump turns on. This indicator should be slightly higher than the pressure in an empty accumulator (by 0.1-0.3 atm). This will make it possible to serve the pear for a longer period of time.

When the nut of the large spring P rotates, the lower limit is set. To do this, you need to turn on the pump and wait until the pressure reaches the desired level. After this, it is necessary to adjust the nut of the small spring “delta P” and complete the adjustment of the accumulator.

In the air chamber of the accumulator, the pressure should be 10% lower than the pressure when the pump is turned on.

An accurate indicator of air pressure can only be measured with the tank disconnected from the water supply system and in the absence of water pressure. Air pressure must be constantly monitored and adjusted as necessary, which will increase the life of the membrane. Also, to continue the normal functioning of the membrane, a large pressure drop should not be allowed when the pump is turned on and off. A normal difference is 1.0-1.5 atm. Stronger pressure drops reduce the service life of the membrane, greatly stretching it; moreover, such pressure drops do not allow comfortable use of water.

Hydraulic accumulators can be installed in places with low humidity, not subject to flooding, so that the flange of the device can successfully serve for many years.

When choosing a brand of hydraulic accumulator, you need to pay attention Special attention check the quality of the material from which the membrane is made, check certificates and sanitary and hygienic conclusions, making sure that the hydraulic tank is intended for systems with drinking water. You also need to make sure that there are spare flanges and membranes, which should be included in the kit, so that in case of a problem you do not have to buy a new hydraulic tank.

The maximum pressure of the accumulator for which it is designed must be no less than the maximum pressure in the water supply system. Therefore, most devices can withstand a pressure of 10 atm.

To determine how much water can be used from the accumulator when the power is turned off, when the pump stops pumping water from the water supply system, you can use the membrane tank fillability table. The water supply will depend on the setting of the pressure switch. The higher the pressure difference when turning the pump on and off, the greater the supply of water in the accumulator. But this difference is limited for the reasons stated above. Let's look at the table.

Here we see that in a membrane tank with a volume of 200 liters, with the settings of the pressure switch, when the indicator on the pump is 1.5 bar, the pump off is 3.0 bar, the air pressure is 1.3 bar, the water supply will be only 69 liters, which is equal to approximately a third of the total volume of the tank .

Calculation of the required volume of the hydraulic accumulator

To calculate the accumulator, use the following formula:

Vt = K * A max * ((Pmax+1) * (Pmin +1)) / (Pmax- Pmin) * (Pair + 1),

• Amax – maximum flow rate of liters of water per minute;
• K is a coefficient that depends on the power of the pump motor;
• Pmax – pressure when the pump is turned off, bar;
• Pmin – pressure when the pump is turned on, bar;
• Pair. – air pressure in the hydraulic accumulator, bar.

As an example, let’s select the required minimum volume of a hydraulic accumulator for a water supply system, taking, for example, the Aquarius BTsPE 0.5-40 U pump with the following parameters:

Using the formula, we calculate the minimum volume of HA, which is 31.41 liters.

Therefore, we choose the next closest GA size, which is 35 liters.

Tank volume in the range of 25-50 liters is ideally consistent with all methods for calculating the volume of HA for household plumbing systems, as well as with empirical assignments different manufacturers pumping equipment.

If there are frequent power outages, it is advisable to choose a tank of a larger volume, but at the same time you should remember that water can only fill the tank by 1/3 of the total volume. The more powerful the pump installed in the system, the larger the volume of the accumulator should be. This sizing will reduce the number of short starts of the pump and extend the life of its electric motor.

If you bought a large-volume hydraulic accumulator, you need to know that if water is not used regularly, it will stagnate in the hydraulic accumulator and its quality will deteriorate. Therefore, when choosing a hydraulic tank in a store, you need to take into account the maximum volume of water used in the home’s water supply system. After all, with a small water consumption, using a tank with a volume of 25-50 liters is much more expedient than 100-200 liters, the water in which will be wasted.

Repair and maintenance of hydraulic accumulator

Even the simplest hydraulic tanks require attention and care, like any working and useful device.

There are different reasons for repairing a hydraulic accumulator. This is corrosion, dents in the body, violation of the integrity of the membrane or a violation of the tightness of the tank. There are also many other reasons that oblige the owner to repair the hydraulic tank. To prevent serious damage, it is necessary to regularly inspect the surface of the accumulator and monitor its operation in order to prevent possible problems. It is not enough to inspect the HA twice a year, as stated in the instructions. After all, you can eliminate one malfunction today, but tomorrow you will not pay attention to another problem that has arisen, which within six months will turn into irreparable and can lead to failure of the hydraulic tank. Therefore, the hydraulic accumulator must be inspected at every opportunity so as not to miss the slightest malfunctions, and they must be repaired in a timely manner.

Causes of breakdowns and their elimination

The reason for the breakdown of the expansion tank may be too frequent switching on and off of the pump, water exiting through the valve, weak water pressure, weak air pressure (lower than designed), weak water pressure after the pump.

How to troubleshoot a hydraulic accumulator with your own hands? The reason for repairing the hydraulic accumulator may be low air pressure or its absence in the membrane tank, damage to the membrane, damage to the housing, a large difference in pressure when turning the pump on and off, or an incorrectly selected volume of the hydraulic tank.

Troubleshooting can be done as follows:

• to increase air pressure, you need to pump it through the tank nipple using a garage pump or compressor;
• a damaged membrane can be repaired at a service center;
• the damaged housing and its tightness are also repaired at the service center;
• The difference in pressure can be corrected by setting the differential too large in accordance with the frequency of pump activation;
• The adequacy of the tank volume must be determined before installing it in the system.

To ensure water supply to summer cottage, a hydraulic accumulator is required. It will provide the required level of pressure. This unit always has a supply of liquid, which makes the system autonomous. Installation similar element does not require special skills, and the work can be done with your own hands.

Hydraulic accumulator.

Functions, purpose, types

The main function of the hydraulic accumulator is to ensure stable pressure. In the absence of a device in the system, the pump wears out; even the most reliable equipment quickly deteriorates under such conditions.

Moreover, the process also affects other elements of the system. When pressure changes, they experience water hammer.

Purpose

The use of such devices to smooth out water hammer is the main purpose of their use. But they are also connected to the system to solve other problems.

For example:

1. Ensuring stable pressure. To do this, two additional elements are connected - a pressure gauge and a pressure switch.
2. Creating a small supply of liquid if the device does not work due to lack of electricity or other factors (for example, in case of failure due to breakdown).
3. Increasing the service life of the unit by reducing the number of its starts.

Kinds

The hydraulic accumulator is a tank made of either plastic or high-quality metal. The device is divided into 2 zones by a special membrane. It is made of elastic material.

Hydraulic accumulator design.

There are 2 types of membranes - in the form of a balloon (pear) and in the form of a “plate”-diaphragm. In the latter case, transverse fastening is practiced. And if we are talking about a cylinder, then it is fixed directly to the inlet pipe.

Depending on the purpose, there are types of equipment used in heating systems, cold and hot water supply. They are distinguished as follows: heating hydraulic tanks are red, and those intended for water supply are blue. Devices used in heating systems are cheaper and are produced in smaller volumes.

For a pumping station, devices cost more due to the membrane material. It is subject to higher requirements, since the water in the tap must be suitable for drinking.

Depending on the installation features, vertical and horizontal devices are distinguished. Type 1 hydraulic tanks are equipped with a stand, but some versions are equipped with plates for wall mounting. When installing a water supply system with their own hands, owners often choose vertical models because they are more compact and require little space.

- A common type of equipment, but many systems use surface varieties. For them good choice There will be horizontal hydraulic accumulators. When installing them, the device is placed on top of the container to save space.

If vibration pumps are connected to the systems, then vertical or horizontal models can be connected.

Operating principle of a hydraulic accumulator.

When there is air inside the structure, the standard pressure is 1.5 atm. When the pumping equipment is turned on, water is pumped into the container. The more fluid enters, the more the free space of the hydraulic tank is compressed.

When the pressure reaches a given level (for 1-story dachas - 2.8-3 atm.), the pump is turned off, which stabilizes the work process. If you open the tap at this time, water will flow from the reservoir until the pressure level in the water supply drops to 1.6-1.8 atm. After this, the electric pump turns on and the entire cycle starts again.

If the water consumption is high, the well unit will pump water in transit, it will not enter the hydraulic tank - it is filled only after the taps are closed.

Automation is responsible for switching on depending on the specified indicators. This is a pressure gauge and pressure switch, thanks to which the operation of the equipment is optimized.

Large tanks

Hydraulic tanks with a volume exceeding 100 liters are considered large. Although the operating principles will be the same as described above, there are slight differences.

The membrane is attached at the top/bottom so that you can deal with air jams V aquatic environment. In such tanks, an additional valve is installed that automatically releases air.

How to choose tank volume?

The tank contains a supply of water when the pump is turned off, so when choosing, you need to proceed from the indicator of its consumption - for this it is summed up average consumption liquids at each intake point. For a house where 2 people live, a 25 liter tank is enough.

Specified in technical documentation value is a general indicator for the container, and the liquid in it will be half as much.

What should be the pressure in the accumulator?

The air when supplied in the hydraulic tank has a pressure value of 1.5 atm. These are factory settings and do not depend on volume.

The maximum value is reflected in the technical documentation. It is determined by the characteristics of the membrane itself.

Preliminary check and pressure correction

After connecting the accumulator to the system, be sure to check the pressure in it, since the correct operation of both the relay and the system depends on this. It is convenient to monitor the indicator using a pressure gauge, which is installed at the top or bottom of the tank, where it becomes a piping element.

What air pressure should be

The pressure must provide normal work all connected household appliances. Average is 1.4-2.8 atm. Here you also need to take into account the presence of a membrane. To prevent it from deteriorating, the pressure inside the system should slightly exceed the pressure inside the tank, by 0.1-0.2 atm.

Pressure in the accumulator.

These are the levels for a 1-story dacha; for a 2-story house, the pressure increases taking into account the height of the highest water intake point.

How to choose?

Regardless of where the pump is located, in a well or well, the hydraulic accumulator is selected taking into account the characteristics of its membrane, since it bears the main load.

The material from which it is made plays an important role, since it affects the service life of the equipment. Food grade rubber is considered the most suitable for the membrane.

As for the case material, it does not matter. It is better to choose a flange from a stainless alloy or galvanized steel.

Connecting the accumulator to the system

In the standard version, the water supply system of a country house includes, in addition to the pipeline, components such as a pressure switch and one that prevents the flow of water into the well. It must contain a pressure gauge, a pump and a hydraulic accumulator.

Connection to the system.

Features of connecting all of these elements come down to the choice of connection - with a fitting or a more complex method.

With or without five-pin fitting

When a surface pump is connected, the hydraulic accumulator must be installed near it, while the check valve is placed on the suction pipes, and the remaining listed components are mounted in 1 bundle.

The connection is made using a five-pin fitting. It is a device with leads of different diameters corresponding to the elements listed above.

But the process can be carried out without a fitting, and fittings and pipe sections will be used instead. But this option is considered more labor-intensive and less reliable.

With a 1-inch diameter outlet, the fitting is installed on the tank so that the pipe faces downward, and pressure control devices are connected to the 1/4-inch outlets each. Then the remaining elements are added.

How to install two hydraulic tanks on one pump

Sometimes, during the use of the structure, water consumption increases and the equipped hydraulic tank is not enough. In such cases, you can install 1 more tank in parallel.

No system reconfiguration is required. The pressure switch must monitor the indicators in the accumulator in which it was originally supplied. But the reliability of the system increases - if 1 tank fails, the 2nd one will continue to work.

When an additional connection is made to a hydraulic accumulator, you need to install a tee at the input of the existing one, connect a pump to any of its outputs, and connect a new tank to the second one.

The water supply system of a private house simply must be reliable and provide the house with water uninterruptedly under any climatic conditions. With grief half and half it turns out centralized system water supply and where it is possible to connect to it, private owners are provided with water all year round. In cases where this is not possible, you have to build a water supply system with your own hands, and the connection diagram of the system elements depends on a lot of factors.

Purpose of a modern hydraulic accumulator

The durability, efficiency and uninterrupted operation of the water supply system depend entirely on the connection diagram. One of the main elements of the system is the hydraulic accumulator. The performance of the entire complex will depend on the correct choice of its piping scheme. - promote stability of water supply, stability of water pressure in the system and provision of the necessary reserve volume of water, depending on the model and type of device.

In principle, all hydraulic accumulators are designed in the same way. Their work is based on the interaction of compressed air and water. Compressed air exerts pressure on the mass of water through a rubber membrane, thereby maintaining the required level in the entire system. This can be useful when there are power outages or temporary inoperability of the water pump, when the pressure in the system is unstable.

Types and brands of hydraulic accumulators

The connection diagram for a hydraulic accumulator for water supply systems directly depends on the type of hydraulic accumulator, so we simply must consider them at least schematically. Despite the almost identical principle of operation, all hydraulic accumulators may have some design features that directly affect their physical location and, as a result, the connection diagram:

But the type of location of the hydraulic accumulator directly depends on the type of pump supplying water. Thus, horizontal models are mainly used for remote, external pumps, and vertical hydraulic accumulators work in tandem with submersible ones. From domestic producers Among hydraulic accumulators, the most popular, but not the highest quality, hydraulic accumulators are considered to be Gilex, and among European brands - Reflex and Tsilmet.

Hydraulic accumulator functions

It is also necessary to touch upon the main ones in more detail, then the connection diagrams and the need for each of them will be much clearer.

1. Stabilization of pressure in the water supply system. The pressure is created by the pump, and the hydraulic accumulator plays the role of a capacitor in the electrical circuit. It accumulates water, but releases it strictly under the specified pressure, regardless of what pressure the hydraulic pump creates and what type it is. This extends the life of an expensive pump because it does not have to turn on and off every time the user opens the tap.
2. Accumulation, accumulation of a minimum supply of water in case of interruptions in energy supplies. Depending on the model of the hydraulic accumulator, it can accumulate a certain amount of water and operate for some time in autonomous mode, without the participation of a pump. The minimum volume of an emergency hydraulic accumulator is 100-120 liters.
3. Advance and damping of hydraulic shock. A very useful function of the hydraulic accumulator. The fact is that with a relatively unstable voltage in the network, a situation may arise when the pump electric motor sharply increases the pressure in the system, which can lead to failure of household appliances connected to the heating system. The hydraulic accumulator eliminates pressure surges and water hammer.

Connection diagram of the hydraulic accumulator to the pumps

Depending on the type of pump, as we said earlier, the connection diagrams for the hydraulic accumulator to the pumps may be different. Let's briefly look at the main ones.

1. Connection diagram deep well pump and hydraulic accumulator involves installing a hydraulic accumulator after the pump. In this case, it will be necessary to install check valve so that water under the pressure created in the device is not pushed back into the well. The volume of the accumulator is calculated based on the level of water consumption. The average number of pump starts according to the passport is about 10, therefore, based on these data, a hydraulic accumulator of the appropriate volume is selected.
   
2. A surface pump with a hydraulic accumulator is connected slightly differently. Exactly the opposite. The water sucked in by the pump first passes through a storage tank, after which it is supplied to the consumer. This connection diagram allows you to adjust the lower pressure threshold and the upper one. To know them, in each specific case you need to start from the average pressure of the system, which is dictated by the devices and the number of consumption points. In this circuit, it is necessary to take into account the connection diagram of the hydraulic accumulator pressure switch, on which the boundary parameters are set.
   
3. In addition to these diagrams, there are also diagrams for connecting a hydraulic accumulator as part of a pumping station, with a booster pump, as well as a connection diagram for installing a heating system. They differ slightly, mainly in the presence additional elements, such as expansion tank, additional electronic valves and regulators.
   

Knowing these schemes, at least in general terms, you can provide your home with water all year round and on a stable basis high level. The main thing is to choose the right hydraulic accumulator.