Culligan MC405, MC550 Operating Manual
Contents
1
Introduction, features and benefits
2
PART ONE
3
Overview of the softening process
4-5
Installation and operating considerations
6
Installation layout
PART TWO
7-8
Installing your water softener
9
Water hardness test
Programming procedure
10
PART THREE
Troubleshooting guide
13-14
Specification table
15
Warranty
16
Page
CONTENTS
1
WHAT IS A WATER SOFTENER?
A water softener works by passing hard
water through a cylinder containing ion
exchange resin.
The resin consists of tiny beads that attract
and retain the hardness minerals, allowing
the now softened water into your
household water supply.
Periodically, these resin beads are
automatically cleaned and regenerated by
rinsing with a small amount of brine, (a salt
solution).
The brine, with the accumulated hardness
is then flushed away to the drain.
All this takes place automatically, all that
remains for you to do is occasionally top
up the water softener with salt.
2
On the following pages we provide full installation and operating instructions.
You may find this booklet easier to follow if you first take a few minutes to familiarise
yourself with the basic principles of the water softening process and benefits of the
"Millennium" valve.
INTRODUCTION
At the heart of your Culligan water softener is the Millennium valve controlled by the
Waterside “Advanced Memory Electronic Control System” (AMECS). AMECS is
manufactured and tested to meet the latest EU standard for performance, safety and
testing of water softeners. The protocol used in the system design is based on the
extensive experience of Culligan in the UK.
" Rotary valve means less moving parts for greater reliability.
" Flow rates suitable for use on conventional and modern plumbing systems.
" Custom backlit easy read display.
" At a glance, "capacity remaining indicator" helping to provide a continuous supply of
softened water.
" Memory back-up facility allows the AMECS to restore all key settings held in its
memory after a temporary power supply failure, (for up to 72 hours).
" Low salt alarm.
" Low voltage control system.
" High capacity resin for generous amounts of softened water between regenerations.
" Proportional brining technology reduces water and salt usage for maximum efficiency.
FEATURES AND BENEFITS
Thank you for choosing an MC450 / 550 Waterside water softener.
OVERVIEW OF THE WATER SOFTENING PROCESS
3
PR
T O
E
A
N
WHAT IS A WATER SOFTENER?
A water softener works by passing hard
water through a cylinder containing ion
exchange resin.
The resin consists of tiny beads that attract
and retain the hardness minerals, allowing
the now softened water into your
household water supply.
Resin
Brine
Hard water
Soft water
Water inlet
To drain
Brine
pick up
Rinse
water
to drain
Hard water
SOFTENING CYCLE
REGENERATION CYLCE
RINSING CYCLE
Periodically, these resin beads are
automatically cleaned and regenerated by
rinsing with a small amount of brine, (a salt
solution).
The brine, with the accumulated hardness
is then flushed away to the drain.
All this takes place automatically, all that
remains for you to do is occasionally top
up the water softener with salt.
3
PART ONE
OVERVIEW OF THE WATER SOFTENING PROCESS
1. Before you begin
The installation of your new water softener is relatively straightforward. However, we
would recommend that either a qualified plumber or a person with relevant plumbing
experience carries out the installation.
Before embarking on the installation, please ensure you have familiarised yourself with
both these instructions and the components required to complete the installation.
2. Positioning the water softener
Please measure your water softener to ensure that it will fit into the area you are placing
the unit into. PLEASE remember to include additional space for connecting pipe work in
your calculations along with the regular access that is needed for topping the unit up with
salt and future service.
Where possible, the distance of both the incoming water supply and nearest drain should
be kept to a minimum. Two metres is an ideal distance, however, longer distances are
permissible, dependant on the incoming water pressure.
Please remember the weight of your new water softener will considerably increase once
installed and filled with salt. Therefore, please ensure your chosen location is strong
enough to support an approximate total weight of 50 Kg.
Your new water softener has been designed to operate efficiently and effectively with an
incoming water pressure of between 1.7 to 5 BAR. If your water supply is likely to fall
outside these limits, then we would recommend that a booster pump or pressurelimiting valve should be fitted respectively.
PLEASE NOTE: UK Water Regulation guidelines on the installation of water softeners
indicate that a minimum of one tap is left as a source of untreated water / drinking water
within the home. It is also recommended that any garden taps should also be left
untreated.
INSTALLATION AND
OPERATING CONSIDERATIONS
4
Important - do not install the water softener where it, or its connections (including the
oo
drain overflow lines) will be subject to temperatures under 0 C or above 49 C.
The water softener should be installed within a container of not less than100 litre
capacity, to which there should be connected an overflow pipe of not less than 20mm
diameter. The overflow should be connected at the bottom of the container and not less
than 150mm below the height of any electrical components mounted on the water
softener. It is recommended that an anti vacuum valve be fitted to the inlet pipework
supplying the water softener.
3. Loft installation
If you are planning to install the water softener above ground level e.g. In the loft,
P
A
R
T
ON E
4. Plumbing systems
5. Backflow prevention device
Your water softener installation must include at least one drinking water tap that is not
fed by the water softener.
It is recommended that individuals on a low sodium diet should follow the Department of
Health's advice that water from a domestic water softener should not be used for
drinking or cooking. Softened water contains a small amount of sodium, it has been
calculated that 1 pint of softened water contains a similar amount of sodium as two slices
of white bread or ¼ pint of milk.
Water that is used for mixing powdered milk for babies must only be taken from an un-
softened mains tap as some powdered milks and softened water both contain sodium for
which young babies have a limited tolerance.
6. Drinking water
There are several types of plumbing systems in common use:
For 15mm pipework (e.g.Static Head systems) The water softener is supplied with a high
flow installation kit and flexible high flow hoses suitable for 22mm pipework, for 15mm
pipework use the reducing bushes supplied with the kit, (see diagram on page 6).
For 22mm pipework (e.g.Combination Boilers or Unvented Fully Pressurised systems)
We recommend using the standard high flow installation kit and that your water softener
be “hard plumbed” using copper tube or the flexible high flow hoses supplied with your
softener.
INSTALLATION AND
OPERATING CONSIDERATIONS
4 5
When fitted to the supply feeding a single dwelling, a check valve complying with BS6282
Part 1 must be fitted on the cold water feed prior to the installation. All other types of
installation require the fitting of a double check valve.
The water softener should be installed within a container of not less than100 litre
capacity, to which there should be connected an overflow pipe of not less than 20mm
diameter. The overflow should be connected at the bottom of the container and not less
than 150mm below the height of any electrical components mounted on the water
softener. It is recommended that an anti vacuum valve be fitted to the inlet pipework
supplying the water softener.
3. Loft installation
If you are planning to install the water softener above ground level e.g. In the loft,
the following instructions should be strictly adhered to.
4. Plumbing systems
5. Backflow prevention device
5
Your water softener installation must include at least one drinking water tap that is not
fed by the water softener.
It is recommended that individuals on a low sodium diet should follow the Department of
Health's advice that water from a domestic water softener should not be used for
drinking or cooking. Softened water contains a small amount of sodium, it has been
calculated that 1 pint of softened water contains a similar amount of sodium as two slices
of white bread or ¼ pint of milk.
Water that is used for mixing powdered milk for babies must only be taken from an unsoftened mains tap as some powdered milks and softened water both contain sodium for
which young babies have a limited tolerance.
6. Drinking water
AE
PRT O
N
There are several types of plumbing systems in common use:
For 15mm pipework (e.g.Static Head systems) The water softener is supplied with a high
flow installation kit and flexible high flow hoses suitable for 22mm pipework, for 15mm
pipework use the reducing bushes supplied with the kit, (see diagram on page 6).
For 22mm pipework (e.g.Combination Boilers or Unvented Fully Pressurised systems)
We recommend using the standard high flow installation kit and that your water softener
be “hard plumbed” using copper tube or the flexible high flow hoses supplied with your
softener.
When fitted to the supply feeding a single dwelling, a check valve complying with BS6282
Part 1 must be fitted on the cold water feed prior to the installation. All other types of
installation require the fitting of a double check valve.
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