Jet depth
Distance from the fixing point (for vertically mounted taps) or from the centre of the mounting hole (for horizontally mounted taps) to the middle of the spout. It is a characteristic that determines the "reach zone" of the tap.
Water jet angle
The angle of the water jet produced by the tap, relative to the vertical. Generally stated for full head; with partially blocked water, this angle is smaller. Anyway, the water jet is usually directed towards the user, and the greater the angle of inclination, the farther from the spout the point of incidence of the jet will be placed. However, in most cases this point is not critical; problems can arise only in very cramped conditions, with small basin sizes.
Cartridge diameter
The diameter of the cartridge used in the tap.
The cartridge is called the "heart" of the tap — the part directly responsible for adjusting the pressure and/or temperature of the water (in some models — also for switching between spout and shower). The main dimension of this part is precisely the diameter. However, in fact, this size becomes relevant only if it is necessary to replace the cartridge. But when choosing a tap, it does not really matter — from the point of view of characteristics, only the overall dimensions of the device depend on the diameter of the cartridge, and then quite approximately and without a fundamental difference between individual models.
Mixing unit
Unit for mixing hot and cold water in wall-mounted taps and sensor models. Concealed mixing units are installed primarily at the stage of construction or overhaul of housing. The tap's units are hidden in the installation box directly in the wall. The external
mixing unit usually has two openings for the supply of cold and hot water, a hose with mixed water which enters the tap. The outdoor control unit is equipped with a handle for adjusting the water temperature.
Tap height
The height of the tap, measured from its base or lowest point to the highest point of the spout. The height of the spout partly determines the installation possibilities — in fact, this is the minimum vertical free space that is required for the tap. In addition, in models with horizontal installation (see "Type of installation"), the spout height is related to the jet height (see below).
Country of brand origin
Country of origin of the brand under which the tap is marketed. Usually, it is indicated by the "homeland" of the manufacturing company or by the location of its headquarters. The brands under which modern mixers are produced come mainly from the following countries (in alphabetical order):
Austria,
Belgium,
Germany,
India,
Spain,
Italy,
China,
Poland,
Russia,
Turkey,
Czech Republic,
Finland,
France,
Sweden.
There are many stereotypes associated with the “nationality” of brands and products, but most of them have no basis nowadays. First, the actual place of production is often different from the brand's country of origin. Secondly, the quality of the goods depends not so much on geography, but on the policy of a particular company and how carefully this very quality is controlled in it. Therefore, you should pay attention to the country of origin of the brand only if you fundamentally want or (do not want) to support a manufacturer from a certain state. Quality is best judged by the reputation of a particular
...brand and the overall price category of the tap.Manufacturer's warranty
The warranty period claimed by the manufacturer for a certain tap model is the period during which the manufacturer guarantees the normal operation of the device. The specific terms of the warranty may vary, however, usually, it covers factory defects and malfunctions caused by the fault of the manufacturer or seller and discovered during normal use, without violating the rules; if such defects or malfunctions appear during the warranty period, the manufacturer undertakes the obligation to correct the situation at its own expense — up to replacing the tap with a working one.
Nowadays, you can find taps with a guarantee of
4 years,
5 years,
7 years,
10 years and even
25 years. In general, the longer the warranty period, the more reliable the product is, the higher its overall quality, ceteris paribus, but the more expensive it will cost compared to analogues.
