According to the manual of the Elektra A3, there is an "expansion valve" which terminates into the drainage tray. I can see the copper line that runs into the tray, but I have not seen a single drop of water come from the line since taking possession of the machine.

Is no water from this valve a normal state/function? Just curious as to what the purpose of the expansion is?

Tks....

The expansion valve (*) on a rotary pump is typically regulated to 12 bar; it's purpose is to (a) relieve pressure when the boiler heats the water in the (closed) hydraulics system and (b) relieve pressure if the pump bypass valve fails to open, thereby preventing the system from pressurizing beyond 12 bar. Normally you would only see it drip during the machine's warmup and only if the system pressure exceeds 12 bar.


From How I Stopped Worrying and Learned to Love HXs; see "Hx Expansion Valve"

(*) An over-pressure valve (OPV) serves double duty as an expansion valve and pressure regulator for vibe pump espresso machines.

Thanks Dan,

Clears up the mystery nicely and concisely!