Comparison KRONER Elbe-C072 CV029680 vs KRONER Rhein-C072 CV018076

The tap type is indicated by the type of controls installed in it. A number of features of both management and application in general depend on this. Nowadays, on the market you can find single cross handle, two cross handle, single lever (including those with additional touch control), non-contact and thermostatic taps, as well as push button models, which include both self-closing and thermostatic with a button. Here are the main features of these options:

— Single handle. Taps controlled by a single rotary handle (or a lever that moves in only one plane). In fact, they are not even "taps" as such, since they cannot mix hot and cold water and only regulate the pressure of the water supplied to them. It makes sense to use single handle models where the water temperature is constant and/or it makes no sense to regulate it — for example, in models for a kitchen filter (see "Suitable for"), for a washbasin where only cold water is used, or for an English-style washbasin, where hot and cold water is supplied from separate taps and mixed in the sink.

— Double handle. The classic design of taps, which does not lose popularity nowadays: two rotary handles responsible for...hot and cold water, respectively. This design is simple and inexpensive, while being reliable, moreover, it is convenient for precise temperature control. In addition, two handle taps are not afraid of the difference in the pressure of hot and cold water, and therefore it is recommended to use them with boilers. The disadvantage of this option is the impossibility of changing the pressure separately from the temperature and vice versa — any change requires turning both valves, while the pressure and temperature can fluctuate.

— Single lever. Taps where the flow of water is controlled by a single lever. Most often, turning the joystick from side to side in such models regulates the temperature, and tilting relative to the axis of rotation controls the pressure. This allows you to adjust the temperature without changing the pressure (and vice versa) and even “remember” the selected temperature option (just lower the lever to close without turning it sideways). At the same time, such devices are less accurate in adjustment than double cross handle ones.
Occasionally, you can also find a more specific variety — single-lever taps, supplemented by a separate temperature control lever (see below). In such models, the main joystick controls only the pressure.

— Push button. Models of mixers in which the control of turning the water supply on and off is assigned to a button. The first press turns on the water flow, the second turns it off. The button can be either an auxiliary means for conveniently turning on/off the water, or the main control element for the tap. In the latter option, to adjust the water supply pressure, the button is often made rotary.

— Self-closing. A variety of taps with button activation. However, here the button works on the principle of a timer: when you press it, water flows, and then a special mechanism gradually returns the button back, blocking the flow. Closing time is selected in such a way that one press allows you to more or less effectively wash your hands. Such devices are especially popular in public places, such as toilets of cafés, shopping centres, cinemas, etc.: there is no need to worry that an inattentive visitor will forget to turn off the tap. Most often, these taps are single-temperature, but there are also models with a temperature adjustment lever (see below).

— Thermostatic. Taps that have a thermostat function — that is, capable of automatically maintaining the temperature set by the user. Such models are extremely convenient: when the pressure or temperature of the water in the pipes fluctuates, you do not need to fiddle with the settings — the device will independently select the operating mode so that the outlet temperature does not change (or at least these changes are minimal). The main disadvantage of thermostatic models is the complexity of the design and, as a result, the high cost. In addition, many of them require an electrical connection. For control, models may include rotary controls or a button (see above).

— Non-contact. Models operated in a non-contact way — without the need to touch the device. This format of operation is most popular in washbasin taps (see "Suitable for"): in such models, a sensor is used that reacts to the presence of the user's hands under the spout. This is especially convenient in common areas where it is undesirable to touch the tap once again. There are other types of non-contact models — in particular, devices for the kitchen or shower. In the first case, it can be inconvenient to open an ordinary tap with dirty hands after kitchen work. At the same time, the control may not be completely contactless — there are devices with valves or other equipment for pre-setting the temperature, while the sensor in them works only as a water flow switch. And touchless shower taps necessarily have an additional control for setting the temperature; the sensor in them reacts not just to the hands, but to the whole person.

— Single-lever + touch. A variety of single-lever mixers (see above), equipped with an additional switch. As in conventional single-lever models, the joystick in such devices is used to adjust the pressure and temperature; the difference lies in the fact that the water is opened not by a lever, but by the mentioned switch. In other words, it is enough to set the optimal pressure and temperature once using the joystick — and then you can turn on the water by simply touching the switch. The device of the switch itself can be different: in some models, the entire tap's body plays its role, in others a special button or even a foot pedal is provided. The exception is the non-contact models described above — they may be similar in design and method of use, but all the same, these taps are classified into a separate category.

The shape of the handles provided in the design of the tap of the corresponding type — usually two-valve (see "Tap type").

This feature mainly affects the appearance of the structure, but different design options also have practical application features:

— Cross. Gates in the form of classic four-pointed crosses are the most popular design nowadays. It is great for retro-style taps, but can also be used in more modern designs. However, the main advantage of this option is the presence of reliable stops under the fingers, which makes cross handles very convenient to use. This is primarily due to their popularity. The disadvantages of "crosses" include some difficulty in cleaning due to the abundance of protruding parts; however, to facilitate this task, the bars of such a handle can be made removable.

— Round. This category includes both strictly round valves and parts that have small protrusions or recesses for a more secure grip (and in the first case, for the same purpose, a special notch may be provided around the circumference of the valve). Anyway, the main advantages of round products are a neat appearance and maximum ease of cleaning. On the other hand, this shape is the least secure to hold, requires a tight grip, and is most likely to slip the handle in the hand when turning. However, most often modern taps do not require much effort, and this moment is not particula...rly critical.

— Triangular. Handles with three pronounced cutouts or protrusions. The specific shape may be different: some models are very close to round, others have the shape of triangles, others differ from cross handles only in the number of rays. The stronger the shape of such a handle differs from a circle, the more reliable it is to hold. On the other hand, sometimes the best option in terms of design are more rounded models.

— Square. Handles with four pronounced cutouts or projections. Note that a strictly square shape is rare, mainly in expensive designer taps (in fact, for design reasons, it is used in them). Much more popular are "square" handles in the form of a kind of star with four rays/petals. This is a kind of compromise between round and cross-shaped: the handle turns out to be more secure in holding than round, and more convenient to clean than the "cross".

— Polygonal. "Handles with corners", not related to the triangular or squared described above. The most popular type of such parts is round rotary knobs with a set of protrusions — “rays” (from 5 or more) for reliable retention; however, there are also more specific options — for example, an oblate polygon that resembles a figure eight.

— Oval. Handles having an oval or close to it shape (for example, a rectangle with rounded corners). One of the options for this design is bath and shower taps, in which the body has a horizontal layout and elongated proportions, and the handles are located on the side ends of the body and are actually its continuation. Another option is a round handle shape with a flat cut on one edge for added retention. There are other, more specific options. However, anyway, "ovals" are rarely used, mainly among designer-level taps, and the role of this form is more aesthetic than practical.

The length of the spout characterizes the distance from the body to the place where the water is flown out, i.e. the actual length of the conditional "nose" of the tap.

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.

A diverter is a device that switches a water flow between spout and shower head. The design of such a device and the way it is controlled can be different, in modern taps you can mainly find the following options:

— Button. Diverters of this type have the form of a button; but its design depends on the characteristics of a particular tap. In relatively simple mechanical models (most of them), the button is also made mechanical, and to switch from spout to shower, you need to pull it up. And switching in the opposite direction — from a shower to a spout — can often be carried out not only manually, but also automatically, when the water is turned off (see "Features — Shower / bath auto switch"). In some taps, auto-switching can also be blocked by the user (usually by turning the button in the up position).
In turn, in advanced electronic devices, such a diverter is made in the form of an electric button that closes the contacts that control the valve.

— Lever. Diverter in the form of a rotary lever. Most often, this lever directly controls the valve that switches the flow of water. This design is considered somewhat less reliable than push-button, but it is much simpler and cheaper, which makes it very popular — especially in relatively inexpensive taps. But in premium devices, this type of diverter can operate according to other, more advanced principles — for example, a lever can work as an electronic switch.

— Turning the spout. A r...ather rare and specific option: the role of the lever that controls the flow of water is performed directly by the spout, to the base of which a shower hose is connected. Such a control, usually, works as follows: while the spout is perpendicular to the tap body, water flows through it, and to switch to the shower, the spout turns, being under the tap. Such devices look interesting, and are convenient to use. On the other hand, they are quite complex and expensive, and the spout itself, for a number of reasons, is typically made quite short. Therefore, this variant has not gained popularity.

— Removable. A diverter located outside the body — usually between the tap itself and the spout. Typically, on one side of such a device there is a control element (most often a small lever or a rotary tap), and on the other, a pipe for connecting a shower hose. And the name "removable" suggests that this part can be easily removed if needed — unlike, for example, push-button or lever solutions, which are usually built directly into the tap body and are very difficult to dismantle or replace. Accordingly, after removal, the diverter can either be replaced with another one, or removed altogether by connecting the spout directly to the tap. This is the main advantage of this option: in case of malfunctions in the diverter, it can be removed without any problems for repair or replacement, while the tap (with the exception of the “shower part”) remains fully operational.

Shower head mount placed directly on the tap's body. It is provided mainly in models with a shower set (see "Spout design") or the possibility of connecting it, although theoretically the mount can be installed on any tap that is intended to be used close to the shower head. Anyway, this function simplifies the holding of the shower set when not used — the hose does not dangle, and there is no need to look for a separate place for shower head.

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).

The distance from the extreme front to the extreme back of the tap determines the installation possibilities of the device. In comparison with the depth of the jet, it gives much more visual data precisely on the dimensions of the entire tap, especially for models where there is either no spout (built-in models) or the spout is not the longest part of the set (vertical taps).