Overview and comparison of water leakage protection systems

Principle of work and components

The protection system kit consists of the following elements:

1. Control block.
2. Water leakage sensors.
3. Faucets for automatically shutting off the water supply in the water supply and heating system of an 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 bathrooms and washbasins, washing machines and water heating appliances, as shown in the diagram below:

Upon contact with water, a signal is taken 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 ball valve or to the electromagnetic quick-release valve, which emergencyly shut off the water in the water supply or heating system of the apartment.

Overview of advanced flood protection systems

The possibility of equipping the apartment with protection against flooding is not a prospect for the distant future. This is one of the real steps that can be taken today to introduce high-tech smart home systems into your home. Today, several complexes dominate the market, protecting the apartment from leaks. Ready-made kits of the following types are in deserved demand:

• "Neptune"
• Gidrolok
• Aquastorozh
• "Stop Flood" Rainbow "
• Aquastop

Often, an ordinary consumer, faced with the choice of protection, gets into a difficult situation and simply does not know which is better suited to ensure the safety of his apartment from leaks and to prevent a flood. The performed analysis of the working technical capabilities and characteristics of the listed devices will allow a comparison of their advantages and disadvantages, on the basis of which the choice of the necessary protection device should be made.

Neptune

According to the Moscow Business Times, the Neptune brand is the most popular water leak control system on the Russian market.The company’s assortment has a solution for any budget - from an affordable kit with a cost of less than 10,000 to an ultramodern with smartphone controls. Neptune's protection against water leaks can be installed not only on water pipes, but also on heating and a heated towel rail, which also pose a risk of water leaks.

The product line includes ready-made kits for the 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 on the radio channel, which allows you to install protection against water leaks at facilities with a complete repair, where it is no longer possible to hide the wires.

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

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

Of the entire range of the company's products, the most popular among consumers are the models Neptun Aquacontrol, Neptun Bugatti Base, Neptun Bugatti ProW, Neptun Bugatti ProW + and Neptun Bugatti ProW + WiFi (there is a separate article on our portal https://our.electricianexp.com/en/neptun-prow-wi-fi.html).

There are three key points to consider when choosing a suitable Neptune leakage protection kit:

1. Is the repair completed at your facility.If the repair is just beginning, then you can choose any Neptune kit, since all control modules support wired sensors. They are usually used at the stage of repairing a room, since it is cheaper than wireless sensors and you do not need to change the batteries from time to time. If the repair is already completed and you cannot hide the wires from the sensors, then only kits that support radio sensors are suitable - these are Neptun Bugatti ProW + and Neptun Bugatti ProW + WiFi
2. Diameter of pipes for water supply, heating or a heated towel rail.Ready-made Neptune kits are equipped with ball valves of a certain diameter. For example, the most common size of taps for an apartment is ½ inch. Check it out at your facility or at your master.
3. The budget allocated for the purchase of a Neptune water leakage control system.The set of options that the consumer will receive depends on the budget.

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

Neptun Bugatti Base - This is an excellent value for money. As in the previous kit, 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 backup power - if this function is important to you, then pay attention to the modules of the ProW series.

Neptun Bugatti Prow - This is a kit with advanced functionality that works on wired sensors. Additional features of the ProW module:

• Protection of cranes against souring (automatic cranking 2 times a month).
• Power supply for cranes –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 the "smart home" (the presence of a low-current relay).
• Indication of the status of the ball valve (open / close).
• Indication of backup power status.
• The ability to open and close the ball valve manually (button on the module).

Neptun 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 repairs.

Neptun Bugatti Prow+ Wifi - This is the most modern and functional interesting control module. Here is what he can do:

• Management of the protection system via smartphone. To do this, just install the free application and synchronize your mobile phone.
• Timely notification of an accident. In addition to the fact that the module issues sound and light alerts on the front panel, additional information about the occurrence of leakage is received on the screen of your mobile phone. A very important function, especially if no one is at home at this time.
• Monitoring the flow rate of hot and cold water. Now it’s not at all necessary to manually take readings every month, opening the cabinet with counters, which is in the bathroom or in the kitchen. Just open the mobile application and view the readings in it. This is a very convenient feature for those who rent an apartment.
• Backup power protection system. Even if the power supply of 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 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 position of ball valves. You can not only remotely monitor the cranes, but also if you wish, automatically control them (close and open). If, having gone on vacation, you forgot to play it safe and shut off the water, this can always be done through the application.
• Auto cranking function. It is a self-cleaning mode of ball valves that prevents souring of valves. Auto-rotate every 15 days.
• The Neptun ProW + Wi-Fi control module can be connected to the Smart Home system and the alarm system of a residential building. A special outlet is provided for this.

The table below shows a comparison of Neptune models.

How the protection against flooding by the example of the Neptune kit works, is shown in the video:

Summary:

1. Over the years, the Neptune system has earned the recognition of customers as sales data indicates - this is the most popular protection against water leaks.
2. Each buyer can choose his system based on the budget and options. The most affordable kit costs less than 10,000.
3. The Neptune system is equipped with Italian Bugatti cranes.
4. There is a very interesting solution Neptun ProW + WiFi with control on a smartphone.

Gidroloсk

Products of the Russian company "Hydroresource". If we make a comparison with the Neptune device, we can note 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 introduced into production several models of leakage protection systems, the basic version of which is Gidroloсk Standart.

Additional options of models of protection against water leaks Hydrolock:

Gidrolock is equipped with three sensors, the technical capabilities of this device for protection against water leaks include connecting 20 wired and up to 100 wireless sensors. Water shutdown time up to 30 seconds. The manufacturer guarantees 10 thousand work cycles and a general guarantee for the operation of the protection complex for 3 years.

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

Aquastorozh

Russian development from the company "Supersystem." The principle of operation and equipment are the same as the two previous analogues. Thanks to the introduction of innovative materials in the design of cranes, efforts to overcome friction are significantly reduced; emergency shut-off of cranes when leaks are detected in an apartment occurs in 3 seconds with minimal energy consumption.

Compared to other systems, Aquastorozh operates at an operating voltage of only 5 volts. The degree of automation of the control system does not require human intervention. It is equipped with four sensors, both wired and wireless versions are possible. Warranty from the manufacturer 4 years.

Overview of the Aquastorozh kit:

Stop Flood "RaDuga"

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

Aquastop

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

In case of a leak in 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:

Comparison of the cost of sets

Finally, we bring to your attention a comparison of the cost of the provided anti-flooding systems:

This concludes our review. We hope that now it has become clear to you how the protection against water leaks in the apartment works and which systems are popular today. Price comparisons and video reviews provide a clear understanding of which kit is best to protect your home from flooding!

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• Low voltage - what to do
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