Water Softener Dimensions; How A Water Softener Works; Softening Cycle; Regeneration Cycle - Whirlpool WHES45 Installation And Operation Manual

Softening Cycle

Regeneration Cycle

Water Softener Dimensions

INLET - - OUTLET
50---3/8"
MODEL
WHES45

How a Water Softener Works

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 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.
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.
14"
3---7/8"
41---5/8"
11"
NOMINAL RESIN TANK SIZE
18"
39"
10" DIA. X 40"
5