The valve: the brain of the softener
On a water softener, the control valve drives the whole cycle: service, backwash, brine draw, rinse and return to service. It decides when and how the resin regenerates. Choosing it shapes installation simplicity, setting comfort, salt and water economy, and the service you deliver to your customers.
The Clack CE and Clack CI valves share the same proven mechanical base — the Clack WS1 platform — but differ in their electronic control head. This technical comparison helps you steer each customer to the right version.
A common base: the Clack WS1 platform
CE and CI both use the Clack WS1 valve body, a worldwide reference for residential and light-commercial: interchangeable pistons, seals and spacers, volumetric regeneration (triggered by actual consumed volume), co-current operation, standardised bypass and fittings. Both heads accept the mixing option to set residual hardness (recommended target: ~5 °f). The difference is in the controller, not the hydraulics.
Clack CI — the safe, familiar choice
The CI (Clack International) is the standard valve most professionals already know. Its controller works through a pictogram menu in English: universal, no translation barrier, quick for an experienced installer. It keeps the essentials — volumetric regeneration and mixing option — and is a robust, economical choice for a standardised fleet.
Clack CE — the expert version (Ecosoft × Clack exclusive)
The CE comes from a joint development by Ecosoft and Clack Corporation. Designed for professionals with special requests, it enriches the controller while keeping the WS1 hydraulics:
- Plain-text, multilingual menu (English, French, German, Ukrainian) — no more pictogram guesswork.
- Automatic configuration (auto-setup) and 2-minute programming: faster commissioning on site.
- Backlit LCD display, readable in dark plant rooms.
- Built-in Ecomix media settings: ideal for well water and multi-parameter treatment.
- Service & salt alarms and service-centre contacts on screen: customer loyalty and service opportunities (“more profit”).
- Two external devices connectable (vs one on the CI): remote monitoring, metering, alarm relay.
- Extended data retention (126 days) and adaptive hardness units (mg/l CaCO₃, meq/l, °dH, °fH).
CE vs CI comparison table
| Critère | Clack CI | Clack CE |
|---|---|---|
| Menu type | Pictograms | Plain text |
| Languages | English | English / French / German / Ukrainian |
| Automatic configuration (auto-setup) | — | ✔ |
| Screen backlight | — | ✔ |
| Colour screen | — | — |
| Mixing option (residual hardness) | ✔ | ✔ |
| Service-centre contacts on screen | — | ✔ |
| Ecomix media settings | — | ✔ |
| Service & salt alarm | — | ✔ |
| Connectable external devices | 1 | 2 |
| Data retention | Standard | Extended — 126 days |
| Adaptive hardness units | — | ✔ (mg/l CaCO₃, meq/l, °dH, °fH) |
| Availability | International standard | Ecosoft × Clack exclusive |
Both versions share the same WS1 hydraulic reliability; the table covers the controller only.
Which valve for which job?
Choose CI for a standardised residential fleet, when the installer already knows the pictograms and the priority is cost and simplicity.
Choose CE whenever you need a local-language menu, fast commissioning, Ecomix settings (well water, multimedia), remote monitoring (2 sensors/devices), or a service-and-loyalty approach (alarms, service contacts, 126-day data). It is the premium argument for demanding customers.
References
- V1CEDME-03 — WS1CE VLV DN M I-E NOTRN PLAT (CE control valve, volumetric).
- V1CEDME-M03 — WS1CE VALVE DN M I-E M NOTRN.
DIMM, your valve & softener partner
DIMM, a water-treatment wholesaler since 1991, stocks Clack valves (CE, CI, WS1) and spare parts, and supports you on choice, setup and after-sales. Discover the softeners fitted with these valves: Titanium (Ecosoft CE valve), Bi-Block and ARCA (wide valve choice), or browse the full softener range. A technical question? Contact the DIMM team.