Installing a pump on a household air conditioner

Often, users of split systems complain about the condensate that flows into the room. In this case, a drainage pump is installed on the air conditioner.

This solution is equally effective for a household split system,for a cassette air conditioner, and for any type of device. The air conditioner pump helps to remove excess moisture outside the room, if the condensate does not leave the system by gravity.

In this article, we will briefly describe what an air conditioner pump is, how to install an air conditioner pump and what nuances should be taken into account.

General information

During the operation of the air conditioner, condensation forms in the system. It is collected in a special pallet, and then taken out to the street. But sometimes the owner simply does not have the opportunity to correctly perform the slope. In this case, a drainage pump for the air conditioning system, which is also often called a drainage pump, comes to the rescue.

Most devices from the budget and medium price categories are not equipped with drainage pumps. This is due to the cheaper production. And, besides, the pump is not needed in 100% of cases. Often, the condensate is successfully removed to the street by gravity through a special tube. You’ve probably seen it many times if you paid attention to the facades of residential buildings.

The pump may be needed if the installation of the drainage tube was carried out without taking into account the slope, or it is simply not possible to install the tube in accordance with the rules.

The pump always works in conjunction with the drainage system. It, in turn, consists of a drainage tray ( condensate accumulates in it), a water sensor (it is installed in the tray and monitors the level, when it is exceeded, it automatically turns on the air conditioner pump), a drainage tube (it looks like an ordinary thin-walled corrugated tube, is made of plastic, has a small diameter).

In detail

If one of the components of the drainage system needs to be replaced, the pump will not work efficiently enough. Therefore, before installing the pump, both the pallet, the sensor, and the tube are checked.

A high-quality pump must meet the following requirements:

Low noise level during operation;
Small size, which will allow you to mount the pump secretly;
Easy installation;
High reliability, so that you do not have to regularly service the pump and repair it.

The principle of operation

A standard air conditioner pump hides three components:

The engine. It turns on automatically when the water level sensor detects an increased amount of condensate in the pan. After turning on the pump, the condensate begins to be pumped from the pallet into the drainage tube, and then flows out into the street;
Working node. It is hidden in a small case and is protected from external influences. All electronics are located in the working node;
Pipes for connecting drainage pipes.

You probably already guessed what the principle of operation of the drainage pump is. It consists in the following: condensate slowly accumulates in the pan, its amount is monitored by a water level sensor. After exceeding the permissible level, the sensor sends a signal to the pump and it automatically turns on. Water enters the drainage pipe and is poured out onto the street, but not by gravity, but under the influence of pressure from the pump.

Installation

Below we tell you how to connect a pump for a household split system. For a cassette air conditioner, the order of operation will be different, but the principle will remain the same.

Before installation, you need to decide exactly where the drainage pump for the air conditioner will be installed. Remember that pumps can’t work forever. They need to be serviced and replaced if necessary. Therefore, you should provide access to this detail.

Here are a few options where you can install the pump:

In the free space in the indoor unit, if it is provided by the manufacturer. This is the most convenient option;
In a pre-made niche in the wall. The option is aesthetic, but if the niche is plastered on top, and then the wall is painted, then difficulties may arise when dismantling the pump or repairing it. You can not putty, but just make a decorative door;
On the rough ceiling, provided that a stretch ceiling is then installed. But when repairing or dismantling the pump, you will have to remove part of the ceiling.

Which option to use is up to you. We will proceed directly to the installation.

Also

The process of installing the pump may differ depending on the characteristics of a particular pump model. Therefore, there is no universal scheme that will suit everyone. We will list only the main stages:

The water level sensor is connected to the outlet of the pallet. You may need an adapter;
The ventilation tube is connected to the device;
A discharge tube is connected to the sensor. For mounting, you can use plastic ties;
The tube from the sensor is cut off at the pump level and connected to its intake pipe;
Pumping tube is connected to the discharge pipe;
The cable is connected to the connector of the water level sensor is connected, then the power is connected to the pump motor;
The air conditioning system is switched on, testing is carried out.

Results

Sometimes the presence of an air conditioner drainage pump may become mandatory. For example, if the slope of the drainage tube is insufficient for the removal of condensate by gravity. In this case, the air conditioner pump will quickly and without unnecessary problems solve the problem. This principle works both for a cassette air conditioner and for any other type of devices. Any other questions? Ask them in the comments below. We wish you good luck!