Water tap design: detailed diagrams of the insides of all types of mixers

A faucet or mixer is a small device, but extremely necessary in any home. Designers are developing more and more design options for cranes, but the internal design of these products is not too diverse. Having studied the device of a water tap, it is easier to choose the appropriate mixer model. You can even install a crane yourself or make the necessary repairs.

Types and types of water taps

Until recently, a consumer could choose mainly from two types of cranes: a valve design with one or two levers. A ball valve of a very simple design was used mainly in heating systems. Today on the shelves of plumbing stores you can find more modern products. By type, cranes can be divided into:

• monovent;
• two-valve;
• single lever;
• equipped with a thermostat;
• sensory.

You should immediately understand the difference between the concepts of “faucet” and “mixer”. All devices that allow you to regulate the flow of water in the pipeline and completely stop it are usually called taps. And mixers are devices to which two pipes are connected: with hot and cold water. The mechanism of the mixers allows you to adjust not only the flow of water, but also its temperature.

Whatever the type of tap or mixer, each of them has elements such as:

• the housing in which the water flow control mechanism is located;
• spout, colloquially - a spout through which water enters;
• lever or levers (valves) controlling the mechanism;
• actually locking mechanism located in the housing.

The shape and color of the mixer, the design of the spout largely depend on the design tricks of the manufacturer. Often the spout is supplied with aerator or divider: a special mesh that distributes the flow of water more evenly. The main difference between faucets and mixers of various kinds is the arrangement of the locking mechanism and levers.

How are valve valves arranged?

Single valve

Good old valve taps have a simple design and a fairly high reliability. Single valve models are used for faucets with cold or hot water only. A locking mechanism in the form of a crane axle box: worm or ceramic is enclosed in a copper or brass case of the device. The first option uses the principle of reciprocating motion. The valve controls the worm rod, which presses a rubber or leather gasket to the special “seat”. Gasket wear is the most common cause of valve damage.To stop the water from leaking out from under the leaky gasket, you just need to replace it with a new one.

The ceramic axle box consists of two plates with a clearance. One of the plates is fixed motionless, and the second is rotated using a valve. There are gaps in both plates, when their position coincides, water enters the spout. Since ceramics are exceptionally resistant to wear, such a mechanism breaks extremely rarely. Valves with a ceramic box-mounted crane are more expensive than worm models, but they are much more reliable.

Single-valve taps are used only to control the flow of cold or hot water. It is recommended to purchase more durable models with a ceramic crane

The spout of such a tap is sometimes cast as a unit with the body. In this case, the spout of the crane will be motionless. Much more convenient and popular models of valve valves with a spout in the form of a tube. The spout is inserted vertically into the body of the product and held in special grooves using two plastic hinge rings. This design allows you to rotate the spout in a horizontal plane, setting it in a suitable position for use.

Note! Choosing between a steel and a brass model, the latter should be preferred, since brass tolerates corrosion much better.

Dual valve mixer

Of course, in a house with hot water it makes sense to use a mixer. For two-valve devices, almost the same axle boxes are used as for cranes with one valve. Through one locking mechanism, cold water enters the mixer, and hot water through the other. When controlling the axleboxes, the corresponding valves are used.

To repair a two-valve mixer, it is also often necessary to change worn gaskets. However, sometimes it makes sense to completely replace the entire crane mechanism, which is relatively inexpensive. The procedure for this type of repair work is presented in detail in the following video:

This model is perfect for a kitchen sink or washbasin. Bathrooms also include faucets with an extra hole for the shower hose. The design is complemented by a switch directing the flow of water from the spout to the hose and back. Two-valve mixers have been used in plumbing for many years and still successfully compete with newer faucet options.

Ball Mixer Design

Ball valves in plumbing are used relatively recently. They quickly gained popularity due to their exceptional ease of use compared to valve devices. In detail, the arrangement of a water ball valve is shown in the diagram:

The central element in the device of the ball water tap is a cartridge that can be rotated both left-right and up-down

Inside the housing there is a spherical cartridge in which there are three holes. Through two of them, cold and hot water enters the cartridge cavity, and through the third, the stream, already mixed and brought to the required temperature, is fed to the spout.

Only one lever is used to control the movement of the cartridge. The movement of left and right controls the amount of cold and hot water entering the mixer, i.e. its temperature. To increase or decrease the pressure of water, it is necessary to move the lever up and down. Thus, you can adjust the temperature and pressure of the water flow with just a couple of movements.

Please note that due to the high popularity of ball mixers, many fakes of low quality have appeared on the market. The thickness of the metal body of such a device should be at least 2 mm. You can distinguish a good crane by weight: a quality model is heavier.

It should be noted that it is quite possible to repair the ball mixer at home. To do this, the device is disassembled and completely replace ceramic cartridge with a new one. Of course, the cost of such repairs is much higher than replacing the conventional valve manifold gasket. Cartridges of different models may vary, therefore, when repairing it is recommended:

• disassemble the damaged mixer;
• remove the defective cartridge;
• take it to the plumbing shop;
• purchase an identical device;
• complete the repair.

When removing the cartridge, you need to remember its location in order to install the new item correctly.

The simplest model of ball valve has been used for quite some time. This is a simple mechanism that allows you to simply block the flow of water. Most often, such devices are used in pipelines, for example, in heating systems. A crane device of this type is shown in the diagram below:

Such a simple and reliable ball valve is not used to control the temperature or pressure of the water, but only for opening and closing the flow

To block the flow of water, just turn the knob 90 degrees. This simple design is usually not used very intensively, so it breaks extremely rarely.

Features of the device mixers with thermostat

Modern technologies make it possible to use the mixer simpler and more convenient. Devices equipped with a thermostat are gradually gaining popularity. They are distinguished from a conventional mixer by the presence of a thermocouple that controls the flow of hot and cold water to bring the flow to a predetermined temperature. Outside, a handle is mounted with which temperature indicators are set. Another lever controls the pressure of the water coming from the spout.

Water faucets with a temperature sensor are very convenient to operate. With the help of the valve, only the pressure of the water flow is regulated, and the temperature value can be set in advance

Read more about this type of faucets in the article: Mixer with thermostat: device and principle of operation + self-assembly example.

Contactless taps and mixers

Faucets with touch control are increasingly installed in the bathrooms of large institutions. The device is equipped with a photocell, which is triggered when hands are simply brought to the tap. As soon as the visitor removes his hands, the photocell shuts off the flow of water. This is a very hygienic and economical solution, because visitors do not come into contact with the device and the water is shut off as soon as there is no need for it.

Contactless or touch water taps can significantly save water consumption. They are especially popular in institutions with a large number of visitors.

To regulate the temperature and pressure of water, a special rod is usually used, located on the body of the tap. There is an option when the initial temperature is set on the control panel of the water heater or with the help of a temperature sensor in the device body. In this case, the mixer is equipped with an electronic control unit.