WHAT IS A CERAMIC TAP CARTRIDGE?
A ceramic tap cartridge is a device in a modern tap (especially mixer taps) that controls
the flow of water.
In modern mixer taps it may also control the mixing of hot and cold water in the body
of the tap.
HOW DO CERAMIC TAP CARTRIDGES WORK?
A ceramic tap cartridge consists of a valve body holding two discs, each with holes
through the middle.
In the closed position the holes on the two discs are in different positions and this
prevents water flowing through the tap.
As the handwheel or mixer control arm of the tap is turned the ceramic discs rotate
and the holes align with each other, allowing water to flow through the tap.
In the case of mixer taps with a single combination cartridge, opening the tap also
adjusts the mixture of hot and cold water to provide the desired water temperature
at the tap outlet.
To maintain a seal and shut off the water supply ceramic cartridges rely on a very
smooth surface between the ceramic faces of the valve.
These smooth faces can become roughened if grit in the water supply gets trapped between
the disc faces and grinds scratches into them.
For this reason, when fitting a tap with ceramic cartridges the installer should make
sure that the supply pipe is flushed thoroughly before fitting the tap and preferably
also install a line strainer as well to help prevent
grit reaching the cartridge in day-to-day use.
Tap manufacturers can usually supply replacement cartridges. There are also general
purpose cartridges available which may fit a tap if a manufacturer's own brand is
no longer available.
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CERAMIC MIXER TAP CARTRIDGE
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