Touch tap for water

The development of modern technologies that can simplify a person’s life is progressing at an alarming rate. At the same time, innovations affect not only electronics or mobile gadgets. It turns out that even a conventional mixer can be a complex device with electronic filling. This is a touch tap for water. This technology belongs to the “smart home” project, where the home independently responds to the wishes of the owner, in accordance with the given parameters. Advertising says that contactless faucets are the best solution for a city apartment, saving water and making life easier for residents. Let's try to figure out how this statement is true.

What is an electronic mixer?

Plumbing stores offer contactless faucets for all plumbing fixtures in the apartment. This includes sinks, showers, bidets and bathtubs. What is the difference between an automatic tap and a conventional mixer?

1. Ergonomic and modern design. Such a mixer does not have the usual valves and levers for water supply or temperature control. The main node is a photocell, which is triggered by movement, opening the water for a certain time.
2. Automatic mode of operation. Water opens after falling into the sensor visibility zone of any part of the body. The sensitivity zone of the sensor and the response time of the locking mechanism are adjustable. Recommended parameters for the sensor visibility range: up to 30 centimeters, water on-delay - 3-5 seconds. Some models have a stop program that will stop the flow of water at a predetermined time interval.
3. High work resource. The device is powered by a 9 V battery. Under the manufacturer’s warranty, the battery lasts for two years of uninterrupted operation. Provided that the crane will turn on about 4,000 times a month (over 100 starts per day). The batteries are inserted after attaching the device to the sink. Accordingly, when replacing the battery, there is no need to dismantle the valve completely.
4. Flexible setup. There is no need to adjust the temperature of the water every time: the faucet is set once and functions in the set mode. Some models are equipped with a remote control that allows you to make changes to the mixer.

Varieties

Electronic mixers are classified according to several criteria:

• In accordance with the appearance. It stands out devices with a sensor, equipped with a touch screen for configuration and operation, or completely non-contact models that respond to movement.
• According to the established program. This category is divided into taps with constant or periodic water supply. The first option is triggered when the palms appear in the sensor visibility range and turns off when there is no movement, the second also responds to movement, but the water supply automatically stops after a certain time interval.

• By the type of sensor installed. Products are equipped with ultrasonic and infrared sensors or a photocell. The latter option is less reliable because incident light can trigger a false positive.

• Spout length. There are long, medium, fixed, rotary and shortened models on sale. The selection of the jet length depends on the location of the crane.

Advantages

The electronic sink faucet has a number of undeniable advantages. For example:

• This is the best option for installation in crowded places. Given that the mixer does not have rotary mechanisms, the risk of breakdowns is minimized. In addition, people will not touch the tap with their hands, trying to adjust the optimal flow of water. This is attractive in terms of personal hygiene.
• Given that the mixer automatically turns water on and off, the use of an electronic tap is economically viable. In addition, the risk of flooding the premises is completely eliminated if, during a temporary shutdown of the water, the tap accidentally remains open.
• Thanks to a one-time adjustment of the parameters, the consumer always receives water at the optimum temperature. This feature allows the use of an automatic faucet even for babies, without the risk of getting burned with hot water.

disadvantages

Consider the negative aspects of installing an electronic mixer.

• Advertising reports that this is ideal for a kitchen sink. After all, the hands of housewives in the process of cooking are often stained, so when opening the water, greasy marks and stains remain on the surface of the tap. This statement is nothing more than a marketing ploy. The fact is that in the cooking process, housewives usually use water of different temperatures. For example, warm water is used to wash vegetables and fruits, to wash dishes - hot, to fill the kettle - cold. Accordingly, it is necessary to constantly change the automatic settings of the mixer. Here you should give preference to the usual single lever crane.
• It is also impractical to install a mixer with a sensor in the bathroom. To fill the bathtub with water, you have to constantly keep your hand near the sensor. This is time consuming and inconvenient. In bathrooms, electronic taps are installed only in sinks or showers.
• High price. The acquisition of an automatic crane will cost from 5,000 to 50,000 rubles. Depending on the manufacturer, functionality and design.

Installation

You can install an electronic mixer on your own, without calling specialized specialists. First you need to shut off the water supply and dismantle the old mixer. Then install the tap body into the hole in the sink.

Please note that a rubber gasket is placed between the body and the sink (included in the basic package), which is pressed by the fixing nut.

Usually a control box with a step-down transformer is included. This element is attached to the wall and connected to the mixer body through a flexible hose. The installation of a step-down transformer is necessary for the correct operation of the sensor.

Then the mixer is connected to the water supply system. Upon completion of the installation, the water supply is opened, and the operation of the automatic crane is checked. After making the necessary settings, the mixer is ready for operation.

Subtleties of choice

Given that the electronic crane has not yet received wide distribution, consumers may have difficulty at the time of purchase. To purchase a quality product, you can use the following recommendations:

• Please note that not all touch taps are complete mixers. Some models are designed for single pipe water systems. Accordingly, you have to buy two products: for cold and hot water. In order not to be mistaken, pay attention to the number of inlets in the body: the mixer has two.
• You should go to a specialized store for a purchase, where you focus on products from European manufacturers.

Do not buy touch taps in the markets. Here there is a risk that under the guise of a quality product, they will slip you a Chinese fake. By the way, some electronic mixers made in China are of high build quality, while the cost of production is much lower than European counterparts. If you decide to save money and choose a cheap option, be sure to ask the seller for an international certificate of compliance with sanitary standards. The presence of the document will serve as a guarantee that the crane is made according to international standards, from quality materials.

• The mixer is selected individually, in accordance with the installation location of the sink, so it is necessary to carry out preliminary measurements. In addition, the faucet must fit seamlessly into the interior design.

Conclusion

Undoubtedly, a touch mixer with automatic supply and shut-off of water is an original and necessary thing. However, the effectiveness of such a device directly depends on the place of its installation. For example, for night clubs, gyms and educational institutions, this is really the best option. The practical benefit will be the installation of automatic mixers in hotels and places of spa treatment. The need to install a touchscreen crane in a residential apartment is a very controversial issue. If you feel a weakness for beautiful things with electronic filling, then this product is for you. The original design, “smart” filling and flexible settings mode will not leave anyone indifferent. However, the ordinary faucet will cope with the main task of the mixer (supplying water of a given temperature) no worse. Therefore, spending your money on this gadget or finding a more rational application for them is up to you.