Shape
The shape of a complete watering can of the top shower (see «Type»). From a technical point of view, shape has some influence on shower performance: for example, at the same size (width or diameter)
square upper shower will allow more water than
round shower. However, in practice, the effectiveness of the shower and the sensation of its use are determined by so many different factors that the effect of the shape of the watering on their background is simply lost. Therefore, usually the choice of this parameter is solely due to the aesthetic tastes of the user or the requirements for the design of the bathroom. Therefore, in addition to the round and square form, there are
oval,
rectangular and
non-standard.Water flow
Water consumption during operation of the upper shower (cf. «Equipment»). Indicates the amount of water passing through the watering can with the tap fully open and the water pressure 3 bar (standard household water pressure).
The higher the bandwidth of the watering can be - the more powerful and intense the shower becomes. On the other hand, high water consumption is undesirable if you want to save water - for example, if you have meters installed or if water is supplied from a boiler with a small volume. In addition, it is worth remembering that the watering can have different settings and features of water supply. So, by selecting the lake with the right parameters, you can get a nice and effective top shower even when
low water flow. Actually, a low value in this case is considered to be up to 10 l /min; the average is 10 - 20 l/min, and in the most productive watering can be up to 30 l/min and even more.
Divertor
The diverter is a device by which the flow of water can be switched between individual components of the system - for example, the spill (if it is present) and the shower box, or between the watering can and the upper shower. The design of such a device and the way it is controlled can be different; in modern shower systems, you can find, inter alia, such options:
— Levery. Diverters are in the form of a swivel lever; most often this lever is driven directly by a valve that switches the water flow, but in advanced models there is also an electronic working principle. In any case, lever switches are most popular in modern shower systems: they are very convenient and intuitive to operate, and mechanical diverters of this type are also very simple and inexpensive.
— Push-button. Diverters of this type have the form of a button; but its specific design depends on the features of a particular system. In relatively simple mechanical models (such a majority) the button is also made mechanical, and to switch to the shower watering can be pulled up. And switching to the other side - from the watering box to the drain or the top shower - can often be carried out not only manually, but also automatically, when the water is turned off. Due to this function, the next time the tap opens, the water begins to flow not through the shower hose, which may be in the wrong place, but through the spout or the upper shower, which usually does not cause problems. In some models..., the autoswitch can also be locked at the user’s request (usually by turning the button at the top).
In turn, in advanced electronic devices, such a diverter is made in the form of an electric button, which closes the contacts that control the valve.
— Bend. Rather rare and specific variant: the role of a lever controlling the flow of water, performed directly draining, to the base of which a shower hose is connected. This control usually works as follows: as long as the spout is perpendicular to the mixer housing (that is, directed towards the bath or pan) the water flows through it; and to switch to the shower, the pour is rotated under the mixer. Such devices look interesting, and in use convenient. On the other hand, they are quite complex and expensive, and the flow itself, for a number of reasons, is usually made quite short. Therefore, this option is not available.
— Rotate the drain + push button. The combination in one system of two divers described above. As a rule, the flush turns are responsible for switching the water between the flush and the «shower part», and the button switches between the shower hose and the upper shower. Due to its complexity and cost, this combination is extremely rare.