Whirlpool WHES40 Troubleshooting Guide download pdf (Page 5)

Water Softener Dimensions

MODEL

WHES40

,=_ 19"

3-3/4"

Lt c

]FOUl- _

18"

NOMINAL RESIN TANK SIZE

10" DIA. X 40"

41-1/2"

How a Water Softener Works

Softening Cycle

When the water softener is providing soft water, it is called "service" or the "softening cycle". During

this cycle, hard water flows from the main water pipe in the household into the water softener. Inside

the resin tank is a bed made up of thousands of tiny, plastic resin beads. As hard water passes through

the bed, each bead attracts and holds the hardness minerals. Water without the hardness minerals (soft

water) flows from the water softener to the rest of the house.

Regeneration Cycle

Eventually the beads become coated with calcium or magnesium ions. At this point, the water softener

needs to replenish the beads with sodium ions. This process is called "regeneration".

Regeneration occurs when the resin beads are washed with a strong salt water solution. The sodium

forces the calcium and magnesium ions to be released where they are then discharged as waste during

the regeneration cycle. The beads are then ready to once again collect the hardness minerals (calcium

and magnesium) from the water. Regeneration consists of five cycles; brine fill, brining, brine rinse,

backwash and fast rinse. The total time of the regeneration cycle is approximately two hours.

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Whirlpool WHES40 Troubleshooting Guide Page 5