WATER HAMMER ARRESTOR SIOUX CHIEF

Although water hammer is a subject usually left up to plumbing engineers, the effects of water hammer must be dealt with every day by plumbing contractors everywhere. Water hammer is easily recognized by the banging or thumping noise that’s heard when valves are shut off. Although this is an easy way to recognize the problem, water hammer doesn’t always make these telltale noises. Water hammer occurs when the flow of moving water is suddenly stopped by a closing valve. This sudden stop results in a tremendous spike of pressure behind the valve which acts like a tiny explosion inside the pipe. This pressure spikes reverberates throughout the plumbing system, rattling and shaking pipes, until it is absorbed. Normally, a sufficient pocket of air will absorb such a pressure spike, but if no pocket of air is present, expensive fixtures and appliances within the plumbing system will be damaged as they are left to absorb this pressure spike

Controlling Water Hammer

The most effective means of controlling water hammer is a measured, compressible cushion of air which is permanently separated from the water system. Sioux Chief arresters employ a pressurized cushion of air and a two O-ring piston, which permanently separates this air cushion from the water system. When the valve closes and the water flow is suddenly stopped, the pressure spike pushes the piston up the arrester chamber against the pressurized cushion of air. The air cushions in the arrester reacts instantly, absorbing the pressure spike that causes water hammer. Although arresters are typically tested to 10,000 cycles, Sioux