Cartridge for the mixer: design features and existing

In this article we will look at how the cartridge for the 40 mm mixer works. This element is the most important part of the most used to date taps installed in your kitchens and bathrooms. Understanding of its device will allow you to avoid typical mistakes in the operation of such a demanded plumbing equipment.

Types of construction in accordance with the mixing mechanism

There are the following types of cartridges for mixers: ball and disk. The second is much more common, which does not affect the cost or reliability of the product. The main technical characteristics of both models are about the same, but for manufacturing using a hollow ball, a special license is required, which is very difficult to acquire.

With the production of disks in the legal plane, the situation is much simpler. But let's go directly to their device.

The structure of the spherical cartridge

Ball cartridges for kitchen faucets function as follows:

• A hollow ball located inside the device has two holes designed for the inflow of hot and cold water, and one for the release is already mixed.
• A regulating rod is also connected to it, as it moves, the openings of the ball itself are shifted.
• The manipulations with the lever allow you to reduce and increase all three streams, which allows the fluid inside the ball to mix in different proportions and exit with different intensity.

As you can see, the operation of the ball mechanism is very simple.

Disc cartridge structure

The disc cartridge of a shower cabin or kitchen equipment mixer is slightly different in its operation from the above ball model.

Here, cold and hot water flows through the inlets, and then when the lever is moved, the upper ceramic disk moves relative to the lower one, which gives various effects on the output of the structure:

• The tight coincidence of the holes and edges of the discs leads to a complete overlap of the water flow, that is, the tap is turned off.
• Immersion of one disk element in another regulates the force of the outgoing head.
• The overlapping of hot and cold water by the upper disk sets the temperature of the liquid at different levels to a different degree.

Technical differences disk cartridges

As we have already mentioned, the most common are plastic cartridges with two ceramic discs inside.

Between themselves, they differ in the following parameters:

1. By diameter. You can find cartridges with diameters from 25 mm to 45 mm, but the most commonly used are forty-millimeter products with d40 markings. It is noteworthy that this parameter does not have a serious impact on performance, it is all about the shape and dimensions of the mixer itself.

1. Seat. Regardless of the diameter can be completely different for each manufacturer, and the price does not change.

Tip: before choosing a new cartridge, compare it with the old one, so as not to make a mistake with the seat.

1. The length of the regulating rod. Again, this indicator is completely dependent on the characteristics of the model of the crane, or rather its lever.

Replacement

That is how much the cartridge costs on the mixer, in any case, is an insignificant value in comparison with the whole faucet. Therefore, it is economically profitable and feasible to carry out periodic replacement of this element using our own resources without calling a plumber.

Tip: if you want to extend the life of the water-mixing device, then install an additional filter for the sink mixer, which will prevent large particles from entering the ceramic discs.

The necessary steps to change a failed product are as follows:

1. Shut off the flow of hot and cold water. After that, open the valve in case a part of the liquid remains in it.
2. Remove the decorative cap, which closes the access to the locking screw. Usually it has a blue-red color, indicating the direction of the mixer.
3. We unscrew the screw with the allen key and remove the body of the lever.

1. Remove the decorative ring, then unscrew the pressure nut of the mixer. Try not to damage anything while doing so.
2. We take out the old cartridge and put in its place a new one. At the same time carefully check the coincidence of all the landing fragments, otherwise the mixer may flow later.

1. Set back the clamping nut and decorative ring.
2. We put in place the lever.
3. Screw in hexagon fixing screw.
4. We return a decorative cap.
5. Open the water and turn on the mixer to test its performance.

The whole replacement is easy to do with your own hands, if you follow the above recommendations.

Conclusion

Single lever faucets can be found today in apartments, houses and bathrooms of public buildings. The main elements that are responsible for their proper operation are special cartridges that directly perform the very mixing of the produced water. They are quite practical and simple in their device. Rarely break, and when it does happen, it is easily replaced.

The video in this article will provide you with additional study materials that are directly related to the topic outlined. The simplicity of the device guarantees its practicality.