What is an aquasensor in a dishwasher?

New generation dishwashers are equipped not only with a standard set of programs, but also with additional programs and functions. One of them is automatic dishwashing, carried out using the Aquasensor built into the dishwasher. Many people wonder what it is and how it works? We will answer these questions within the framework of this story.

Operating principle and its necessity

Translated from Latin, “Aqua Senor” literally means water sensor. In a dishwasher, this sensor determines 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 helps save energy.

The dishwasher's aqua sensor is an infrared photodiode and a phototransistor, which are located opposite each other on a common board. The board is protected by a light-proof case, which has a curved “U” shape. The infrared beam sent from the photodiode passes through the water and hits 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 added, and additional rinsing of 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 cycle, the sensor is calibrated and the purity of the water is determined. This method of automatic dishwashing 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 dishwasher's turbidity sensor also depends on the formation of scale and detergent residue in the water.

The water purity sensor is located at the bottom of the dishwasher body. It can be seen if you remove the left cover of the dishwasher housing. The water sensor is inserted into the connector of the circulation pump, and therefore replacing it 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 not available in low-price dishwashers, but it is available in mid- and luxury-class machines. For example, in such popular models:

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

For your information! Even a desktop compact dishwasher from Bosch or Siemens can have a built-in sensor that determines the purity of the water.

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. Thus, dishwasher manufacturers Miele called a similar sensor “Eco sensor”, and manufacturers Hotpoint-Ariston call it Sensor System. Here are some examples of dishwashers:

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

Thus, the dishwasher water purity sensor is an example of a new technology that allows you to control the quality of dishwashing. Thanks to this sensor:

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

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