What is an aquasensor in a dishwasher

New generation dishwashers are equipped with not only a standard set of programs, but also with additional programs and functions. One of them is an automatic dishwashing, carried out by the Aquasensor integrated in the dishwasher. Many people wonder what it is and how it works. We will answer these questions as part of this narrative.

The principle of work and its necessity

Translated from Latin, “Aqua Senor” (Aqua sensor) literally means a water sensor. In the dishwasher, this sensor detects the turbidity of the water by the presence of small particles of dirt, food debris, etc.. This allows you to change the course of the program: its duration, water consumption, which contributes to energy savings.

The dishwasher's aqua sensor is an infrared photodiode and a phototransistor, which are located on the common board opposite each other. The board is protected by an opaque case, which has a curved shape in the form of the letter “U”. An infrared ray sent from the photodiode passes through the water and enters the phototransistor. When the water is clean, a signal is sent to the control board, a change occurs in the washing program: clean water is reused, new water is not poured, and additional rinsing of the dishes is canceled.

If the water is contaminated, then the beam intensity is not enough for the phototransistor to work. In this case, the microprocessor of the Aqua sensor system sends information to the control module about the absence of a signal from the phototransistor, which is perceived as turbidity of the water. After each rinse, the sensor is calibrated and the water is clean. This automatic dishwashing method allows you to save up to 4 liters of water per wash, while the quality of washing remains excellent.

Important! The sensitivity of the photocell of the turbidity sensor of the dishwasher also depends on the formation of scale and the residue of detergents in the water.

The water purity sensor is located at the bottom of the dishwasher. You can see it if you remove the left cover of the dishwasher. The water sensor is inserted into the connector of the circulation pump, and therefore its replacement in the event of a breakdown will not be difficult.

Which dishwashers are equipped with a water sensor

The technology for determining water purity was first implemented in their machines by manufacturers Bosch and Siemens. Such a sensor is absent in dishwashers of a low price category, but in middle and elite class machines it is. For example, in such popular models:

• Bosch SPV 53M00 - a narrow fully integrated model;
• Bosch SMV 50E10 - a full-size fully embedded model;
• Siemens SR 66T090 - narrow dishwasher;
• Bosch SPV 63M50 is a narrow, fully integrated machine with enhanced functionality.

Note! Even in a compact Bosch or Siemens bench-top compact dishwasher, a sensor that detects clean water can be integrated.

A little later, a water purity sensor appeared in expensive dishwashers from other manufacturers, its name is slightly different from what Bosch engineers came up with. So, dishwasher manufacturers Miele called a similar sensor "Eco Sensor", and manufacturers Hotpoint-Ariston call it the Sensor System. Here are a few examples of dishwashers:

• Electrolux ESL 98810 RA;
• Miele G 4960 SCVi;
• Kuppersbusch IG 4407.0 GE;
• De Dietrich DVH 1120 J.

Thus, the dishwasher's water purity sensor is an example of a new technology that allows you to control the quality of washing dishes. Thanks to such a sensor:

• the number of rinses of dishes is regulated, which leads to water saving;
• is declining dishwasher time;
• reduced power consumption.