The collector of water supply: types, installation

The water supply manifold is needed in order to increase the comfort of using water. When carrying out wiring with a single pipe, when opening several cranes, the head may become loose. As a result, a person taking a shower can be scalded if someone turns on the water in the kitchen. Eliminate this problem by using a distribution manifold, but it is important to know how to choose it.

Description

The water supply collector is a device that divides water into several streams at once. The principle of functioning remains the same as that of a conventional tee. One stream comes into the pipe, and two out of it immediately. The diameter of the inlet should be greater than the diameter of the output by an average of 20-40%. Therefore, when several valves are opened at once, there is no decrease in flow and water pressure.

The water supply manifold can divide one stream into several small ones, while the pressure with increased consumption will remain stable, the separation of the flows is carried out in a pipe of a larger diameter as compared to the traditional scheme. The more impressive is the diameter of the pipe, the more water will pass through it for a certain time.

Why choose a comb

As practice shows, the collector circuit of the water supply system is more comfortable in operation, if compared with the traditional scheme, which has tees and joints. However, the cost of materials for improvement exceeds this parameter by 8-10 times. This is why this scheme does not apply if the budget for laying the water supply system is limited.

Main Types of Distribution Collectors

The water supply manifold can be classified according to the material at the base. In the production process can be used:

• brass;
• Cross-linked polyethylene;
• polypropylene;
• stainless steel.

Varieties of installation technology

You can also divide the collectors by the method of fixing the pipes. If the thread is internal or external, the mounting is threaded. Fixation can be carried out with the help of Eurocone or by means of compression fittings for plastic and plastic pipes. For plastic pipes, fittings for soldering are also used, among other things, the fastening can be combined. In the latter case, on the holes of a more impressive diameter is the thread, whereas on the small diameter there is a compression fitting, it is sometimes replaced by the eurocone.

Types of reservoirs by the number of taps

The collector of cold water supply, as well as hot water, can be subdivided according to the number of bends. Their number can be equal to the limit from 2 to 6. The products have two fasteners, which correspond to the diameter of the supply pipe and are intended for docking. With their help, several blocks are connected to one manifold without the use of additional adapters.

Sometimes it also happens that one block is enough, but as an alternative solution, special plugs for the plug are used. Collectors can be used to disconnect some consumers, while the rest are not affected. This is useful in cases where it is necessary to repair or replace the plumbing, repair the damaged area or clean the sewage system, as well as a certain area of the pipeline.

Types of collectors by producers

Considering the types of combs, the consumer sometimes pays attention to the collector Far, which can be purchased at a cost ranging from 1000 to 2400 rubles. In the first case we are talking about a regulating manifold with two branches. The operating temperature range can vary from +5 to +100 ° C. The operating pressure is 10 bar, the distance between the taps is equivalent to 45 mm.

If you need a collector with three branches, then you can prefer the model, you will have to pay for it 1500 rubles. The operating temperature range and operating pressure remain the same as the distance between the taps. The Far collector can have 4 branches, while for the model it is necessary to pay 2050 rubles. The remaining characteristics remain the same. The most expensive collector model from this manufacturer - (BP-HP) 1 "-1/2" has 4 branches and costs 2309 rubles.

On sale, you can also find collectors Rehau. They are somewhat more expensive. For example, a model with two outlets for radiator heating systems costs 5500 rubles. If the bends are three, the model will cost a little cheaper. The cost in this case is 5300 rubles. The device consists of distribution pipes, the diameter of which is one inch. The seal used is flat, and the connection is possible from both sides. Direct brackets have soundproofing properties and are made of galvanized metal. The collectors "Rehau" for water supply assume the presence of connecting nipples for the clamping connection. The whole construction is made of brass.

Mounting

Installation of the water supply collector is carried out in a certain place, which will depend on the purpose of the device. Most often this element of the scheme is intended for the organization of multi-circuit heat supply. In addition, the comb may be an obligatory component for the warm water floor. Before starting the installation it is necessary to perform the calculation of the comb, the main task here is the uniform distribution of the pressure along the contour.

If the system has a complicated scheme of highways, the calculation should be carried out with the help of special programs. To equip the system with the number of circuits within five, one can use the principle of equal sections: N0 = N1 + N2 + N3 + N4. In this formula, N0 denotes the diameter of the reservoir, while all other values are the cross sections of its branch pipes. This system of calculation is used in the manufacture of the comb by hand. It is important to ensure that the sizes of the output and input manifolds match. The standard collector arrangement does not have any form requirements. It can have a circular or square section.

The main principle of installation is as follows: in order to improve the circulation, it is necessary to install pumps for each circuit, the distributor comb must not provide synchronization of the pumps. The distribution manifold for water supply can become part of the system, which provides for the presence of a boiler house. If the node is located in it, then the use of a protective box is optional. As an exception, the installation of a comb for heating in a system of warm floor, the elements of which are made of polypropylene. In order to regulate the volume of the heat carrier, it is necessary to install control valves on the output and inlet connections, this can be a balancing flowmeter and inlet valves.

Collectors of the water supply system should be installed after planning the installation, and the master must provide for the presence of a safety group at the distribution center. Depending on the specific parameters of the heating system, general recommendations can be supplemented and changed. In addition to these rules, professionals are advised to take into account the difference in the length of the contours when calculating the heating collector. It is important to design the circuit in such a way that the extent of the contours is approximately the same. In order to reduce the energy consumption, it is possible to install a mixing unit of the comb unit, which will reduce the cost of heating.

How to choose a suitable collector

Before acquiring a collector, it is necessary to determine what the number of consumers of hot and cold water will be. These include toilet bowls, faucets, dishwashers, washing machines and other devices. The master should determine the type of water pipes, which will determine the choice of the device and additional fittings. If you purchase a comb with installed valves, it will prove to be quite good at installation, because each valve will not have to be mounted separately.

Conclusion

If the number of consumers does not coincide with the number of bends, then several combs can be purchased, making up a single whole. In order to connect to a supply pipe made of cross-linked polyethylene or polypropylene, you should buy a collector from these metals. They are cheaper than metal, easier to install and not inferior in reliability. Polypropylene comb should be connected by soldering, whereas polyethylene - using compression fittings.