Sink mixer tap: how it works

Technology does not stand still these days. Every day there are more and more new inventions, which are aimed primarily at making life easier for people. They are comfortable, safe, economical and even bring a certain zest to the interior of the house. This is how, in particular, “smart” mixers were created, which combined ease of use, water saving and stylish modern design.

When it comes to a mixer, people immediately imagine a faucet that has either two valves (for hot and cold water) or one lever. The mixer got its name from the fact that it mixes hot and cold water.

In the modern world, everyone strives to follow new technologies and use them in everyday life. Many have already refurbished their homes, getting rid of the traditional valve system of mixers, which often brought a lot of trouble: they had to change the gasket in the faucet, as it was constantly leaking, or even install a new one if the previous one was completely out of order. Now this and many other problems have been resolved.

With the help of a sensor faucet, you can forget about constant leaks from the tap, save water consumption, not be afraid that children may burn themselves by opening cold hot water instead of cold water, and leaving the house without worrying that the tap is not turned off.

These faucets are equipped with highly durable lithium batteries.that will last more than one year. In addition, these faucets have a very attractive design: they have no valves, no levers or joysticks. They are made of quality materials, chrome-plated and will adorn any sink or washbasin.

The sensor mixer primarily has external specific features that distinguish it from a conventional mechanical one. It has no valves or levers. It is just a crane.

The only thing that can be located on it is a small water temperature regulator, although expensive faucets do not even have one - they have a sensor temperature control, which is most often located at the base.

Such a mixer has its own specific features:

• the water supply starts automatically and depends on how long the hands will be in the IR sensor's field of view;
• it is possible to adjust the water pressure;
• you can set a comfortable water temperature, which will be constant;
• the sensor's sensitivity zone can also be adjusted in the range from 1 to 30 cm;
• many mixers provide for setting the time of water supply, on and off.

There are many types of mixers according to different parameters.

Depending on the purpose, sensor mixers are divided into:

• swivel type kitchen mixer;
• outdoor and built-in bidet mixers;
• toilet taps that supply water for 10-15 seconds.

In appearance, they can be:

• mixer with push-button touch display;
• contactless mixers;
• backlit touch-sensitive faucets.

By shape and size, they are distinguished:

• fixed;
• swivel;
• long (up to 35 cm);
• medium (about 20 cm);
• shortened;
• design.

By the principle of work, the following options can be distinguished:

• with separate taps;
• with double spout;
• single-lever;
• electronic.

By type of program there are:

• faucets that constantly supply water while the hands are in the sensor's field of vision;
• faucets that periodically supply water turn off if the palms do not move.

The following mixers can be distinguished by the type of sensor:

• with infrared sensor;
• with photocell;
• with ultrasonic sensor.

Like any thing, this device, necessary in any home, has a number of advantages and disadvantages.

The positive aspects include the following characteristics.

• Hygiene. There is no need to touch this tap with your hands, so bacteria do not accumulate on it. Since there are no valves, they do not require constant opening, and dirt and various microorganisms do not accumulate on them.
• Convenience. There is no need to open the water - as soon as your hands get into the field of view of the IR sensor, water will flow from the tap by itself.
• Reliability. Since there are no levers and valves, they do not need to be constantly turned, which as a result prolongs the life of the mixer.
• Profitability. The consumption of water is noticeably reduced, since it turns off immediately after the hands are removed from the tap.

• Original design. Such a mixer will look great in any room.
• Security. The water will always be blocked, so there is no possibility of flooding the neighbors. Since the temperature is adjusted according to personal desire, you cannot get burned or overcooled, because the water will always be at a comfortable temperature.
• Ideal for public spaces. People do not touch it with their hands, they will not twist or break the valve, moreover, the water will not flow in vain.

As for the negative aspects, they are as follows.

• A “smart” mixer is not very good for a kitchen where it is necessary to constantly adjust the temperature of the water - for example, when washing meat, fish, fruits, vegetables and dishes, different temperatures are required. With such a mixer, this is uncomfortable, because each time it will be necessary to change the temperature level of the supplied water, and this is not entirely convenient due to the relative complexity of the setting. It is also inconvenient to draw water from it, for example, into a saucepan, kettle and even the sink itself in order, for example, to soak plates, mugs and cutlery. To do this, the hand must be near the sensor.
• The sensor faucet is also inconvenient for the bath. To fill it, you have to turn off the sensor.
• The sensor faucet is most often attached to the sink itself. Although it has many varieties, there are no wall faucets yet.

Of course, everyone who came across such mixers was interested in how they work and what is the scheme of their functioning. Like any other high-tech device, such a mixer requires an electrical power source. This is the 9 V lithium battery. It is quite durable - it works up to two years if the water is turned on from three to five thousand times a month. This amount is more than enough at home.

The set of such a mixer consists of:

• electronic unit;
• batteries;
• valve;
• spout;
• filter;
• connecting hose.

The installation of the sensor mixer is different from the installation of a conventional tap, but it is also easy to install it with your own hands, especially since all the necessary parts are included in the kit.

Connection takes place in two stages:

• installation of the body part;
• connection to the water supply.

The first step is to turn off the water. If we are talking about replacing an old crane, then it must be removed further. The body is mounted on a sink or washbasin. A special gasket is installed, then the device is fixed with a nut. Then you need to connect the mixer to the electronic control unit using a connecting hose - it is usually included in the mixer kit.

Next is the connection of the nipples to the pipes. The hot water pipe connects to the red nipple, and the cold one to the blue one. Then be sure to connect the sensor cable to the electronic unit. Now you can install the necessary batteries and check how the tap works. To do this, you need to move your hand in front of the sensor and see if water flows. If everything is in order, then you can proceed with additional settings for temperature, time interval and sensitivity.

If problems arise during the operation of the mixer, it is better, of course, to contact a specialist. Most often, consumers are faced with the problem of aerator clogging. In this case, the water pressure is greatly reduced, since this element becomes clogged or rusts. This is not such a serious problem: it is enough to remove the old one and put in a new aerator.

It will also happen that water starts to flow without bringing your hand to the sensor. This means that a bright light has hit it. To solve this problem, you just need to eliminate its source.

Currently on sale you can find products from various manufacturers of sensor mixers. Among the manufacturing countries, Germany occupies a leading position - it produces high-quality mixers in different price categories.

You can buy such a device in the range from 5 to 30 thousand rubles, depending on the brand, configuration, material and design.

Popular brands are:

• Oras;
• Grohe;
• Varion.

Oras manufactures sensor faucets for both public and home environments. She often arranges special promotions and discounts for customers on her products. There is also an Oras App application for setting, adjusting and maintaining faucets.

The Grohe brand produces high-tech mixers, shower sets, installation systems and all kinds of accessories. There is an online store where you can get acquainted with the assortment, select and order the desired product.

Varion is a Russian mixer manufacturer that is also well known among buyers. Produces taps for kitchens, bathrooms, shower systems and accessories.

Judging by the numerous reviews of customers who decided to install a touch mixer of any company with a decent reputation, there is no need to be afraid of the application of new technologies and developments in everyday life - in most cases they make our life more comfortable. If you follow all the advice on the selection, installation and location of the sensor mixer, then its use will bring only positive aspects to everyday life.

Before buying a mixer, you need to understand what type of water supply in the house - one-pipe or two-pipe. With the latter type, the sensor mixer will only be able to be installed on a hot or cold pipe. When choosing, it is necessary not to fall into the trap and not buy a conventional tap with a sensor for starting and stopping the water supply instead of the touchscreen.It is better to choose taps that have sensitivity adjustment so that with its help they can be optimally adjusted. Do not forget about the presence of special functions, which are also important: adjusting the interval of operation and water supply, switching off and on. Faucets are also good, in which you can adjust the comfortable water temperature.

The price of a sensor mixer will depend primarily on:

• number of functions;
• size;
• presence or absence of remote control;
• jet length;
• design;
• the quality of the materials used;
• manufacturer.

Today, when choosing a touchscreen faucet for your home, you need to take into account that the optimal place for their installation and use is a washbasin or a sink for washing hands in the bathroom, as well as a bidet. They turned out to be not very convenient in the kitchen and in the bathroom - these are the places where you often need to change the temperature of the water or collect liquid in containers.

To do this, you will have to constantly stand nearby and keep your hand in the sensitivity zone of the sensor, so you should not completely trust the advertisements of well-known brands that insist on a complete refurbishment of housing using only sensor faucets. It is possible that it will be a waste of money. After a while, you will have to replace such a mixer with a conventional one for ease of use.

It is immediately worth deciding what characteristics the mixer should have, what its device will be - this will facilitate the choice.

The installation can be easily done by hand, since everything you need is included in the kit, but in the event of a serious breakdown, it is better to seek professional help.

In the next video you will find the installation, connection and configuration of the Roca M3 infrared sensor mixer.