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Useful information about water detectors
Water detectors offer the possibility to detect escaping moisture at an early stage and thus prevent water damage. They are used in private households, but also in commercial and industrial applications and are available in various versions. You can find out which types of water detectors are available and what to pay attention to when purchasing them in our guide.
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What was water
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What types of water detectors are there?
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Our practical tip: Check functionality regularly
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Purchase criteria for water detectors – what is important?
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FAQ – frequently asked questions about water detectors
What was water leak detector?
Water detectors function in a similar way to smoke detectors, only they do not warn against smoke development, but against leaking water. They essentially consist of a control unit, an alarm unit and several sensors that continuously scan the environment. There is an electrical resistance between the sensors, which decreases as soon as water is drained . Detection of the change in resistance triggers a switch and thus an alarm . This can be an acoustic signal (siren), an optical display (LED light), as well as an alarm message via SMS or call, if it is a water detector embedded in the smart home. As water detectors indicate a water leak early on, they enable immediate response and thus prevent a larger damage.
Water detectors are used in private households, companies and public institutions, but also in industry. In general, it is advisable to install a detector wherever there are devices, machines or objects that have a direct water connection, are linked to a water tank or are generally supplied with water. These include washing machines, dishwashers, shower stalls, bathtubs, heating systems and aquariums. Especially in places that are difficult to observe in the household , e.g. below the kitchenette, in the laundry room or in the heating room, the use of a water detector is recommended, since it can indicate a leak or an overflow in good time. Real estate such as holiday homes, which cannot be permanently controlled by themselves, is also worth permanent monitoring with the help of a water detector, for example, in order to be able to act quickly in the event of a pipe break.
What types of water detectors are there?
Water detectors are available in a variety of versions and are suitable for different applications depending on equipment, functional scope and complexity. In many conventional water detectors, the sensors are directly attached to the housing – usually at the bottom. Such detectors are usually used directly on the floor. The devices must be installed in such a way that they sound an alarm even at a low water discharge level and do not react until the room is filled with water several centimeters high.
Water detector with external sensors
In contrast, there are water detectors with external sensors that can be mounted on the wall or at an elevated location. They consist of a central control unit and a cable to which the water sensors are mounted. They register the moisture in their environment and pass the information on to the detector. Water detectors with external water sensors are particularly useful in industrial and commercial areas, as they usually require very large areas to be monitored. Often these are so-called water monitors . The terms water monitor and water detector cannot be distinguished from each other in isolation and are often used interchangeably. However, water monitors usually do not only trigger an alarm, but are able to perform another action, for example by blocking the water supply. To this end, they are fitted with a solenoid valve which closes the inlet when the sensor of the water monitor detects moisture. Water monitors are used, for example, to indicate changes in water levels in technical equipment and thus to avoid water damage. When water acts as a cooling medium in the plant, certain quantities must not be exceeded or undercut. In addition, water monitors are often installed in washing machines and dishwashers and continuously monitor the water levels.
Battery and mains-operated water detector
Furthermore, water detectors can be distinguished in battery and mains-operated versions. Battery-operated water detectors are particularly popular with private consumers. They offer the advantage of being able to be positioned anywhere without the need for a nearby socket. Water detectors with mains operation offer less flexibility. However, they are a good choice for permanent monitoring because they are permanently supplied with power and no battery replacement is required. Many mains-operated models are able to control another device when reaching a certain water level (for example, in a tank that cannot be seen). This allows the water detector to detect the water level and, if necessary, activate a pump that pumps out water and reduces the level. The mains-operated water detectors also include simple plug-in devices . They have wired sensors and are operated directly at the socket.
Our practical tip: Check functionality regularly
To determine if a water detector is still working after prolonged use, it should be tested at regular intervals. Some devices are equipped with a test button for this purpose. If this is not the case, you can easily wet the sensor contacts with water to trigger an alarm. In principle, it is important to protect the water detector from contamination so that it can function without restriction and emit a loud warning sound
Purchase criteria for water detectors – what is important?
If you decide to buy a battery-operated water detector, the grip on a long-term battery is worth it. On the one hand, this saves you from changing the batteries several times, and on the other hand, long-term batteries also render themselves profitable in monetary terms in the long term. If you decide to use a mains-operated water detector, you should ensure sufficient cable length and ideally select a device that is automatically supplied by a battery in the event of a power failure. Before purchasing, match all features and see how the devices integrate into the existing circuit and where they can be attached.
Both in commercial and private use, it is important to ensure that the alarm sounds of the water detector are clearly visible everywhere. In a normal home, a simple device with an 85 to 90 dB loud alarm is usually sufficient, since this volume is usually also audible in the neighboring rooms, as long as nobody hears music too loud. In a house with several floors, water detectors can be useful, which control certain receivers via radio or WLAN and pass on the warning. Wireless water detectors can be networked with each other and can be integrated in smart home systems. They can be linked to the home alarm system and send the information directly to your smartphone if necessary. This allows you to react immediately in case of an emergency and take measures to protect against a major water damage. Water detectors with radio or WLAN technology are also recommended for monitoring from a distance or when you are often on the move.
FAQ – frequently asked questions about water detectors
What was to be observed when installing a water detector?
Water detectors should always be positioned as close as possible to the possible water outlet, e.g. directly below the washing machine or washing machine. If the sensors are too far away from the device, there is a risk that they will not register the moisture in a timely manner, which will prevent the water detector from warning of possible damage at a later time.
My water detector is not responding. What was to be done?
First of all, it is necessary to check the power supply and insert new batteries if necessary. Afterwards, it should be checked whether the sensors are free of dirt. If the device is a smart wireless water detector, it can help to delete the device from the smart home system and reinstall and teach it in again. Caution: Many smart water detectors do not function as stand-alone devices, but only in conjunction with a central control unit.