A Bosch dishwasher can significantly simplify modern life, eliminating the need to wash dishes yourself, spending a lot of time on this, which can be used much more rationally.
It is important to remember that the use of any Bosch household appliances requires compliance with some basic rules, thanks to which the devices will serve their owners longer without requiring repairs. They are usually specified in the instructions.
Particular attention should be paid to the installation and connection of the dishwasher, since not only the ease of use of it depends on this, but also the safety when it is in operation.
The Aquastop system, which is often found in modern household appliances connected to water, serves to protect against leaks.
"Smart" hoses
Filler and drain hoses (sleeves) on a “dishwasher” are lines that are responsible for supplying and draining water. “Aquastop” is an electromagnetic locking device installed on the machine arm. Manufacturers guarantee that during operation of a dishwasher with a hose on which Aquastop is installed, there will be no water leaks.
The principle of their operation
A “smart” hose is a water inlet hose located in a protective sheath with a device (Aquastop system) that shuts off the flow of water into the dishwasher in case of emergency: a breakthrough or leaks. This is a double type of protection device: the machine is protected (Aqua-control system), and there is no flood of water on the floor (Aquastop system).
Not everyone knows that the pressure at the inlet of cold or hot water is not always constant, water hammer can occur, therefore the protective system of hoses for filling water into equipment is very important.
Components of the Aquastop system
The main components of the protection system: arrangement of electromagnetic or mechanical valves; hose for supplying water to the system; tray, float sensor, safe electrical cable, cable, excess water release button.
How the system works
The design functions quite orderly and with full efficiency. Mechanical or electromagnetic shut-off devices are installed in the filler sleeve. When the dishwasher is turned on, the safety valve is energized, it opens, and the working shut-off device is in the closed position. When you press the "Start" button to start the machine, the operating valve opens.
In an emergency, when leaks occur and water flows into the pan, the device shuts off the water.
A special float sensor monitors the water level in the pan; if the level increases, the contacts open: the power is turned off, and the water flow is blocked by a shut-off device.
Float sensor - found on dishwasher models: Electrolux, Hansa, Ariston, but not on budget models. After repair and elimination of the defect, you need to turn off the Aquastop by pressing the reset button, the operation of the dishwasher will be restored, you can put the machine back into operation.
How to lengthen?
If the machine is equipped with a hose that is too short, it can be extended. To do this, perform the following chain of actions:
measurements are taken to determine how much the tube needs to be extended - the length of the system for safe operation should not exceed 3 m;- purchase an inlet hose of the desired length and quality, as well as a connecting coupling (nipple), preferably brass rather than plastic;
- if the hose is extended without the Aquastop system, the hoses are connected into a single unit using a coupling, then connected to the water supply and dishwasher in the standard way described in the paragraph above;
- if a product with the Aquastop system is extended, a regular hose (without Aquastop) is additionally purchased, the elements are connected in a chain so that the hose with Aquastop is connected to the water supply, and the regular hose is connected to the dishwasher; the reverse order is not allowed.
The additional connection increases the risk of water leakage, so it is recommended to replace the hose whenever possible rather than extend it.
This is interesting: The washing machine does not spin: causes of malfunction, repair tips
Varieties of the Aquastop system
Inlet hoses are manufactured with built-in devices for various types of protection: using an electromagnetic field, absorbent, mechanical type.
Mechanical method of protection
It is not used so often, for example, on inexpensive Bosch dishwashers. The device consists of a spring with a valve. The spring is designed for a strictly defined operating pressure: when there is a leak, it immediately drops, the spring is triggered, and the flow of water is blocked by the valve. The disadvantage of this method is that the system does not respond to small leaks, only floods.
According to statistics, the mechanical appearance of the Aquastop system can recognize only about 150 leaks out of a thousand, that is, quite a bit.
The mechanical shut-off device located on the drain line, once activated in the event of a leak, is not suitable for reuse; the entire hose must be replaced.
Absorbent protection
This system is more common and is used more often. Its operating principle is simple: when there is a leak, water flows into a container with an absorbent; as a result of contact with water, the absorbent begins to swell and expand, as a result, it helps to stop the supply of water to the “dishwasher” using the valve. A device using an absorbent is equipped with a spring or plunger. The disadvantage of the system is that the absorbent, after increasing in size, hardens and blocks the valve. It is impossible to use it in the future; the hose also needs to be changed.
Electromechanical method
The principle of operation is similar to the absorbent type of protection. The difference is that instead of an absorbent, 1 or 2 solenoid valves are used here, depending on their types. This is the most reliable Aquastop protection device. Based on research by specialists, the device “fails” in very rare cases.
How to choose?
To choose the best price/quality product, consider the following points:
Machine performance characteristics . If it consumes less than 5 liters of water per minute, you can purchase a budget hose option. More powerful devices will require a higher quality product.- Allocated budget . A product with an Aquastop valve is more expensive.
- Hose parameters The price is affected by the presence of a water filtration system and the material of manufacture (polyvinyl chloride or rubber).
- length . Both too short and too long options are equally bad - both will eventually lead to interference with work. It is advisable to install the dishwasher so that the length of the tube does not exceed 1.5 m.
The inlet hose must have a technical passport where its parameters are specified. If a document is not provided, the numbers are indicated on the product itself.
Typically the manufacturer reports the operating pressure specifications. It is also indicated whether the product is designed for cold (20-25°C) or hot (60-70°C) water.
Structurally, the products have the following modifications:
- In length. Suitable for devices located near water supply; length does not exceed 1-1.5 m.
- In a bay (up to 10 m long). They suggest the ability to adjust the length to the optimal size. It is not recommended to leave it too long so as not to increase the likelihood of damage.
- Telescopic. Thanks to the corrugated wave, the tube is able to stretch to the desired length. The telescopic device has a disadvantage: it is prone to blockages.
- With the Aquastop system, which provides protection against leaks: it can be mechanical or electronic.
For the manufacture of modifications, different materials are used, which do not fundamentally affect the service life of the product.
Most often, the base is a flexible PVC tube, which is placed in a nylon braid reinforced with reinforced thread. The complex structure allows the product to successfully resist water pressure and rupture.
Products equipped with the Aquastop system have a different structure . Here the hose is enclosed in a tube, and the space between them is filled with an absorbent substance. When there is a leak, the substance swells, compresses the check valve, and the water shuts off automatically.
Connecting Aquastop to a dishwasher
If there is a device in the machine, the water supply hose cannot be unscrewed, since it has 2 valves built into it to protect against leaks. It is best to pull the water supply line from the plumbing block to the “dishwasher” itself. After connecting the line, shut-off valves are installed and the filling hose of the machine is attached; it is best to use a new one.
Diagnostics and maintenance
For long and uninterrupted operation of the dishwasher, it is important to periodically examine the condition of the inlet hose, as the most vulnerable part of the unit.
With regular use, diagnostics are done at least once every 1.5-2 months, which allows you to notice changes in time and prevent larger problems.
At home, diagnostics and maintenance include the following:
The main parameter is tightness (no leaks).
Evaluated during operation of the device. If the tube is leaking, replacement is required. Experts do not recommend sealing the leak site - it is unreliable and will lead to a more serious leak after a while.- Due to kinks or improper installation of the tube, blockages may form in it. The first sign is a difficult water supply, even to the point of stopping. A radical solution to the problem is to replace the element with a new one.
- If the dishwasher refuses to perform its duties and there is no water supply, in most cases this means that the Aquastop system has worked and the hose will also need to be replaced.
The cause of rupture and leakage is often not normal wear and tear, but a bend point that could not withstand the increased pressure on the narrowed passage.
The main factor for long-term operation is proper installation and connection to the dishwasher. It is also important to make the tube difficult to access: this will prevent accidental mechanical damage.
System problems
The main disadvantage of hoses with Aquastop is the inability to lengthen them, as well as install them in inconvenient or narrow places due to the overall body. Some users of Bosch dishwashers claim that their housing must be placed with the arrow pointing down, as written in the instructions, otherwise replacing the system will be problematic. Therefore, it is necessary to follow the manufacturer’s requirements so that there are no problems with the installation and operation of the device.
Troubleshooting
When a water leak occurs, the “dishwasher” signals error E15 - this means that the “Aqua control” has been activated.
Further actions must be carried out in accordance with the instructions; there will be a description of how to check “Aquastop” in this case.
Sometimes there is no warning and no water flows into the machine. In this case, it is necessary to: close the shut-off valves at the water inlet; disconnect the hose with Aquastop; Inside the sleeve, there is a valve within visual reach, located behind the nut. If there is no clearance between the valve and the nut, it means that the Aquastop has worked and water will not have the opportunity to flow through the sleeve. To be sure, you need to remove the lower frame of the machine body; if water is found in the pan, then the system has worked, you need to look for a leak.
Replacing a hose with Aquastop
Changing the hose is a simple job: turn off the water, remove the old one and attach the new hose. If you have a device with a solenoid valve, you must connect a wire with a connector to the sensor. The sensor is located near the water fill hole on the machine.
Every user can replace a hose with Aquastop, even without qualifications.
How to connect?
Before connecting the inlet hose, determine the place where the household appliance will be located. This will allow you to accurately determine the length of the tube.
For standard components, the length rarely exceeds 1-1.2 m, so you may have to purchase a new one or lengthen the existing one.
The main thing to do is to properly connect to the water supply. Installation includes the following steps:
connection to a water supply pipe - a plumbing tee with a shut-off valve (ball valve) is installed on the pipe;- a nut with a fitting is screwed to the tee (the second fitting is attached to the dishwasher);
- if the water hardness is high, it is highly advisable to install a flow filter between the tee and the hose - this measure will extend the life of the device;
- connecting the tube to the fitting is done manually so as not to damage the fragile plastic;
- the corner fitting is attached to the inlet valve of the machine - in most models the attachment point is located at the bottom of the rear wall, in some models the connection is located inside the body; then it will have to be partially disassembled (remove the bottom or back panel), for which the machine is placed on its side;
- when the corner fitting is secured, the free end of the hose is connected to it and both connecting parts are sealed using fum tape.
The video will show you how to connect the dishwasher yourself:
How to clean?
Although in practice the drain hose is more likely to become clogged than the inlet hose, the latter also requires periodic cleaning. The cause of clogging may be poor quality water.
The smallest particles penetrate through the filter and create blockages in the pipe, especially if there are kinks in it. This interferes with the normal operation of the system and, sooner or later, leads to failure.
For preventive purposes, it is useful to carry out the following procedure:
cut off the water supply;- carefully disconnect the hose from the water pipe and dishwasher;
- clean the tube under water pressure (convenient in the bath) or mechanically using a brush;
- Additionally, you can immerse the tube in a weak acid or alkaline solution for half an hour to an hour, then rinse with running water;
- return the hose to its place.
DIY repair and replacement
When installing equipment, users often find it difficult to install a protected hose. Its body is quite massive and does not fit everywhere, and the length cannot be increased. But if you succeeded in connecting, how do you know that Aqua-Control has worked and it’s time to take action?
In Bosch cars, error code E15 is displayed on the display. Interpretation: overflow of water in the system or activation of Aquastop. Then you can immediately check the design.
But if there is no error and no water flows into the hopper, you need to check the valve:
- Close the shut-off valve.
- Disconnect the hose from the PMM body.
- Look through the hole, you can shine it with a flashlight.
- If the valve is located tightly to the body, there was a leak.
- On some models, the leakage indicator is activated.
Need more evidence of a leak? Then look in the dishwasher tray. If there is water there, the fears are confirmed.
Replacement and connection of Aquastop is simple. Remember that a simple mechanical design does not need to be changed. Compress the spring until you hear a click. That's it, continue operation as usual.
To replace, remove the old hose and screw on a new one. In the case of an electromagnetic system, connect the wire.
Make sure your dishwasher is properly protected. Before purchasing, study the technical specifications and find out whether the case has full or partial protection.
