Which component directs water flow through the softener cycles?

The control valve is the component that directs water flow through the softener cycles in a water softener system. It plays a crucial role in managing the different phases of the softening process, such as service, regeneration, and backwash. This valve controls the timing and routing of water to ensure that it flows through the resin bed during the service cycle, where the hardness ions are exchanged for sodium ions. During regeneration, the control valve directs flow through the brine tank and back into the resin bed to allow for the rinsing and recharging of the resin with sodium.

In contrast, the bypass valve is designed to allow water to bypass the softener altogether, enabling the use of unsoftened water when needed. The flow regulator is responsible for ensuring a consistent flow rate through the system but does not direct the flow through the cycles like the control valve does. The resin bed, while integral to the softening process as it contains the material that ion exchanges, does not direct flow itself; it simply acts as the medium where the softening occurs. Understanding the distinct roles of these components emphasizes the importance of the control valve in the overall functionality of the water softener system.