In business, a humidity sensor is crucial in detecting fluctuations within the local environment.
Three primary types of humidity sensors exist:
- Relative humidity (RH) sensors
- Absolute humidity (AH) sensors
- Thermal humidity sensors
The significance of monitoring humidity levels is most evident in sectors such as greenhouse farming or managing indoor environments prone to mould. Elevated humidity often causes problems and requires the deployment of air conditioning units and fans to maintain optimal conditions, especially during periods when produce is at risk of spoiling in greenhouses or on farms.
Read our guide to find out more about how our humidity sensors can work in your business.
Why does your business need a humidity sensor?
Many industries rely on humidity sensors to prevent leaks and production failure. They can also be used to maintain comfort and an optimal environment.
Temperature Sensitive Environments
Temperature-sensitive environments such as cold storage use humidity and temperature monitoring to check conditions for storing food, drinks and pharmaceuticals.
Not only do our sensors keep produce in an optimum environment, but they also protect equipment and increase safety levels. Inevitably, they will reduce wastage and increase productivity.
Greenhouses and weather stations rely on humidity sensors to track environmental conditions.
HVAC Systems and Automated Building Control
Another primary application for humidity sensors is in HVAC systems (heating, ventilation and air conditioning). Modern SMART systems use humidity sensors to control moisture and maintain comfort in a productive work environment. They can also contribute to reduced energy usage and lower energy bills.
Protection in Sensitive Environments
Art galleries and museums will benefit from installing humidity sensors to protect valuable artefacts, paintings and sculptures. Cost benefits may result from a reduction in insurance premiums.
Safety
Real-time monitoring of humidity means a faster response to leaks and environmental issues.
Early warnings keep workers safe and keep production running without damaging equipment or produce.
Types of Humidity Sensors
Humidity sensors are indispensable tools for meticulously monitoring humidity levels in professional settings.
Diverse in size and operational capabilities, humidity sensors vary from handheld devices to components integrated within expansive systems. The selection of the most suitable humidity sensor hinges upon the specific industry or application, ensuring optimal performance tailored to individual needs.
Relative Humidity Sensors
Relative humidity (RH) involves comparing the current humidity to the maximum air humidity level possible. Temperature must also be measured when using an RH sensor.
There are two main types of relative humidity sensors: capacitive and resistive.
Capacitive sensors use electrodes to measure the electrical charge between a metal inside the probe. Changes in humidity cause the metal’s capacitance to increase or decrease, which is detected as a change in voltage. These sensors offer stable readings over time and can detect a wide range of humidity levels.
Resistive sensors, also known as electrical conductivity sensors, measure changes in electrical impedance using ions in salts. As humidity changes, so does the resistance of the electrodes, indicating relative humidity.
Absolute Humidity Sensors
Absolute humidity sensors measure the amount of water vapour in the air without needing temperature data. They express this as grams of water vapour per cubic metre of air. Greater absolute humidity means higher water vapour content, while lower absolute humidity means less water vapour.
Thermal Humidity Sensors
Thermal humidity sensors are often used to measure absolute humidity. Unlike RH sensors, they use two humidity probes instead of one. One probe measures dry nitrogen, while the exposed probe measures the surrounding air.
The sensor calculates absolute humidity by comparing the thermal conductivity difference between the two probes when humidity is collected.
To learn more about the capacitive humidity sensors we have available and which are best suited to your requirements get in touch with us at Omni Sensors and Transmitters.
