Air gap

Air gap refers to a safety measure implemented in the design of electrical and plumbing systems. It is a physical separation between a water supply outlet and the receiving vessel's maximum water level. The primary purpose of an air gap is to prevent the contamination of potable water due to backflow, particularly from a non-potable source.

Definition

An air gap is defined as the unobstructed vertical distance through the free atmosphere between the lowest opening from any pipe or faucet supplying water to a tank, plumbing fixture, or other device and the flood level rim of the receptacle. The vertical, physical separation must be at least twice the diameter of the water supply outlet, and never less than one inch.

Applications

Air gaps have a wide range of applications in both electrical and plumbing systems.

Electrical Systems

In electrical engineering, an air gap is used in magnetic cores of transformers to store energy, prevent saturation, and control the magnetic field's performance. It is also used in electric motors and generators to separate the rotor and the stator.

Plumbing Systems

In plumbing, an air gap is used to prevent backflow of potentially contaminated water into the potable water supply. This is particularly important in dishwashers, where an air gap separates the device's drain line from the home's drain system.

Advantages and Disadvantages

While air gaps provide a fail-safe protection against backflow, they have some disadvantages. They can be bulky and unsightly, especially in plumbing systems. They can also reduce the flow rate and pressure of the water supply.

Regulations

Regulations regarding the use of air gaps vary by country and region. In the United States, the Uniform Plumbing Code and the International Plumbing Code both mandate the use of air gaps where there is a potential for contamination of the potable water supply.

See Also

• Backflow prevention device
• Cross-connection control & backflow prevention
• Hydraulic jump

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