Electronic 'Hands Free' Faucets and Repair
The energy crisis along with the numerous 'politically correct minded' individuals have made a big push with conserving energy and natural resources in todays marketplace. One of the biggest products to get attention and change the way manufacturers bring their products to market has been the "Hands Free" or Electronic Faucet.
Automatic faucets were first developed in the 1950's but were not produced for commercial use till the late 1980's when they first appeared (to the general public) at airport and public lavatories. Called by other names such as Electronic Faucet, Sensor Faucet, Hands Free Faucet, Touch-less Faucet, even Infrared Faucet, automatic faucets have become a central theme in the American experience. Most major manufacturers of faucets and plumbing products have created additional lines to their product lineup to include, among other things a 'Hands Free' faucet, for use in homes and busineeses.
Automatic faucets are created by combining four key components:
Although there are variations to this theme, these are key tools each with a distinct function that, once combined, constitute an automatic faucet. Here's an overview break down of these components:
1. Solenoid operated diaphragm valve which is entrusted with the task of physically starting and stopping water flow. A small number of foreign manufacturers use geared motors to achieve valve opening and closing.
2. Sensor and control electronics who's combined mission is to sense the presence of an object in front of the faucet (automatic faucets employ presence sensors and not motion sensors) and order the solenoid valve to initiate the flow of water. Then, when the object is no longer present, the sensor and control electronics order the solenoid valve to terminate the flow of water, but only after a predetermined time have passed. This "off delay" time is generally measured in seconds.
3. Power source, generally batteries or AC transformer. Since both solenoid valve as well as sensor and control electronics require power source, this readily available component is crucial to insure faucet operation. Commonly used batteries are C, AA, 6Volt and 9Volt Lithium batteries. Automatic faucets using AC transformer as power source are generally inexpensive to produce and are priced accordingly in the marketplace. A notable exception to this cost basis detail is the type of automatic faucet specifically designed for either power source.
4. Faucet spout, for water delivery. Most automatic faucet spouts are design to house within them the sensor capsule, or in the case of some manufacturer, the faucet spout houses fiber optic cables to carry the infrared signal from the sensor to the spout. Some spouts house within them the whole "enchilada" sensor, control electronics, solenoid valve, and even, batteries.
Electronic Hands Free Faucets
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