Comparison Neptun Aquacontrol Light 1/2 vs Akvastorozh Klassika 1x15

The largest number of leakage sensors allowed for simultaneous connection to the control unit. Essentially, this parameter determines the number of places that can be protected from leaks using a particular system. An apartment building or a small office rarely requires more than 10–15 sensors, but large buildings may need several dozen, or even hundreds of them.

Note that the number of sensors in a set (see “In box”) is often less than the maximum possible — in the expectation that the customer will complete the system with the required number of sensors as needed. It is also worth saying that this paragraph takes into account all types of sensors — both wired and wireless. If the kit allows both connection methods, then the number of supported wireless sensors is specified separately in the specifications.

The speed of the valve responds to an alarm signal. The faster the valve closes, the less water will spill from the depressurized circuit. A good response time is 2.5 s. For entry-level and mid-level leak protection systems, the normal response time is 5 to 7 seconds.

The torque developed by the electric drive of the ball valve — in other words, the force supplied by the motor to the valve.

For normal operating conditions, this parameter is not of fundamental importance — more precisely, it is selected by the manufacturer in such a way that the crane can be guaranteed to perform its task, taking into account the diameter of the pipe (larger diameter requires more effort) and other parameters. But if there is a risk of getting dirt into the mechanism, then in such cases a high torque is desirable. As for specific values, in the "weakest" valves it is about 6 – 7 Nm, and in the most powerful — from 30 Nm or more.

Ability to temporarily disable individual sensors of the leak detection system.

In some cases, getting water on the sensor is not an emergency and does not indicate a leak — for example, if you decide to wash the walls in the bathroom where the sensor is installed. For such cases, it is possible to disable some sensors.

The frequency with which the system carries out preventive maintenance to protect the valve from jamming.

Jamming can occur if the valve has been in a stationary position for a long time: deposits appear on its internal parts that interfere with the movement of these parts. To avoid this, with a certain frequency (once a month, once every half a month or once a week), valve exercise can be turned on: the device closes and opens the valve several times. The more often this process is carried out, the less likely it is that the valve will become dirty and will not be able to function normally.

The type of power for which the system is designed.

— 230 V. Power is supplied from a standard household outlet with a voltage of 230 V. The device itself often has a built-in power supply that reduces the voltage to a safe level (5 - 12 V) in case of contact with water.

— 12 V. Powered by DC voltage 12 V. As a rule, this marking means that the device actually operates from the same 230 V network, but uses an external power supply. From a safety point of view, this option is convenient because the external adapter is located directly in the outlet and all dangerous voltage remains in its same area - a wire with a reduced voltage goes to the device. It may also be possible to connect directly to low-voltage DC networks, but this point should be clarified separately.

— 4.5 V. This option usually means battery power. Such devices do not depend on sockets, and the voltage in them is absolutely safe for humans. True, the batteries need to be changed periodically, but their continuous operation time often reaches several months, or even years.

— Battery. This option may imply both the main power supply of the system from the built-in battery or replaceable energy sources, and backup power supply in case of power outages. The batteries maintain a charge for a long time, thanks to which the leakage...protection system functions properly regardless of the presence of voltage in the electrical network. This ensures proper detection of leaks and rapid response to them.

The presence of a backup power source in the design of the device. Such a source is needed when the main power is not available; thanks to this, the system remains operational even during power outages. The classic backup power option is batteries in devices powered by the mains. For a long time, such batteries are not enough, but at least they allow you to detect failure without losing protection.

Types of alerts provided in the protective system.

— Sound. Notification of various events with a sound signal. The most common use is to sound an alarm when a leak is detected to draw attention to the problem and possibly contain the water that has already spilt and prevent damage. In addition, there may be other reasons for sound notification — for example, a critically low battery.

— Wire break alarm. Notification of a broken wire going to the wired sensor. Protective systems with this function during operation constantly monitor the connection with the sensors and give a signal when a break is detected. This avoids situations where the sensor does not work due to damage to the connecting wire.

— Valve failure alarm. Leak detection systems with this function periodically check the operability of the valves and if problems are detected, they issue a warning. This reduces the likelihood that the valve will be broken and will not be able to perform its function.

The warranty period for the valve provided by the manufacturer.

The nuances of the warranty conditions may be different, but the general principle is unchanged: if during the specified period the product shows defects that arose due to the fault of the manufacturer, or it fails for the same reason, the buyer will receive compensation (in the form of a refund, free replacement of the product or free repair). Specific warranty periods can vary from 1 year in relatively simple and inexpensive models to 7 or even 10 years in advanced solutions. Some high-end systems are even sold with a so-called lifetime warranty — it is unlimited and is valid until the product fails for reasons beyond the control of the manufacturer.