Renewable Units for Water Fixtures
Introduction
WaterSaver renewable units are manufactured in a variety of styles and configurations for the many applications in which they are used. These styles and configurations are described below: 1. Manual vs. Self-Closing Control. Typical laboratory faucets and valves are manufactured with a renewable unit that has manual (also called compression) control. The unit is manually opened and manually closed by turning the valve handle. However, in certain applications, it is desirable to have a faucet with a self-closing valve and handle. WaterSaver therefore also manufactures renewable units with a spring-loaded valve mechanism. The faucet closes automatically when the handle is released. WaterSaver manual and self-closing units are dimensionally identical and therefore interchangeable. Faucets can be converted from manual to self-closing control, and vice versa, simply by changing the faucet cartridge. 2. Round Serrated Stem vs. Tapered Square Stem. The WaterSaver renewable unit was originally manufactured with a round serrated stem end. Handles had a matching round serrated broach to fit on the stem. In 1991, we changed to a valve stem with a tapered square end. Handles were also changed to have a matching female taper. The tapered square end provides a much more solid, durable fit between the stem and handle. However, we still offer renewable units and stems with the round serrated end (the BNV100 series) for use in maintaining older faucets. 3. Right Hand Thread vs. Left Hand Thread. A typical faucet or valve is opened by rotating the handle in a counterclockwise direction. The faucet or valve is closed by turning the handle in the opposite (clockwise) direction. This rotation is called “right hand” construction, since the thread on the valve stem is a right hand thread. The vast majority of faucets manufactured by WaterSaver work in this way. However, when faucets are furnished with wrist blade or lever handles, it is preferable to have the handles open in opposite directions. For example, on an L400 series deck mounted mixing faucet, both handles should open by rotating up and close by rotating down. This requires that the valve mechanisms open in opposite directions. One of the valve mechanisms must therefore be furnished with a valve unit that has a reversed (i.e. left hand) thread. The unit with the left hand thread will open in the clockwise direction and close in a counterclockwise direction. The left hand unit is typically, though not always, installed on the cold water side of the faucet.
WaterSaver faucets utilize an interchangeable unit or cartridge that is standardized across the product line. The unit contains all working components of the water faucet or valve. There are no moving parts in the faucet or valve body itself to wear out. As a result, WaterSaver water fittings are virtually everlasting. Key features of the WaterSaver renewable unit are: • The unit has outer serrations or splines to lock the unit in position in the faucet body. The unit cannot rotate or turn as the faucet is used. The handles of the faucet will maintain position, even with lever or wrist blade handles. • The valve seat is machined from solid stainless steel bar stock. The main wearing component of the valve is thus ultra-hard and corrosion resistant for superior durability. • A hard rubber valve disc provides positive shut-off of the water flow. The valve does not have a soft or “spongy” feel that reduces the ability to meter the water flow. • The valve stem is sealed with a molded TFE packing. The packing prevents leakage over hundreds of thousands of cycles. An adjustable packing nut permits take up of wear. The WaterSaver renewable unit has been in use since the late 1940s, and has provided high performance and durability in literally millions of faucets. The overall design and dimensions of the unit have never changed. As a result, every WaterSaver faucet ever made can use the same renewable unit that goes into every faucet we make today.
3 rev 1110 / © 2010 WaterSaver Faucet Co.
WaterSaver Faucet 701 W Erie St Chicago, IL 60654
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