Sensors are extremely important in today’s automatic systems. Sensors are simple to embed with larger electronics because they are small, low-cost, and reliable. Sensors of various types are now available on the market. Sensors’ functionality and size have evolved as technology has advanced. Sensors have shrunk from the early size of cm units to the scale of nm. Sensors have also solved many electronic and electrical engineering challenges, such as determining the intensity of ambient light, determining the temperature in the furnace, calculating the humidity of the surrounding environment, and so on… A water flow sensor is an excellent solution for determining the flow rate of liquids.
Large industrial plants, and commercial and residential buildings all require a lot of water. To meet this requirement, the public water supply system is used. The rate of flow of water must be measured to monitor the amount of water supplied and used. For this purpose, water flow sensors are used.
Water flow sensors are installed at the source of the water or in pipes to measure the rate of flow and calculate the amount of water that has passed through the pipe. The flow of water is measured in litres per hour or cubic meters.
A water flow sensor is made up of a plastic valve that allows water to pass through. The flow of water is sensed and measured using a water rotor and a hall effect sensor.
When water flows through the valve, the rotor rotates. As a result, the motor’s speed can be changed. This change is calculated by the hall effect sensor and output as a pulse signal. The flow rate of water can thus be measured.
This sensor’s primary operating principle is the Hall effect. According to this principle, the rotation of the rotor causes a voltage difference in the conductor of this sensor. This induced voltage difference is directed in the opposite direction as the electric current.
The rotor rotates, inducing voltage when the moving fan rotates due to the flow of water. The induced voltage is measured by the hall effect sensor and displayed on the LCD.
The water flow sensor can be used with clean or dirty water, as well as hot, cold, or warm water.
These sensors connect easily to microcontrollers like Arduino. This requires an Arduino microcontroller board, a Hall effect water flow sensor, a 16x2 LCD, and Breadboard connecting wires. The sensor is installed at the inlet of the water supply or the pipe opening.
The sensor is wired with three wires. The red wire connects to the power supply. A black wire is connected to the ground, and a yellow wire is used to collect the Hall effect sensor output. The supply voltage must be between 5V and 18V DC.
Applications of Water Flow Sensor
Water flow sensors can determine the rate of flow of water by measuring either velocity or displacement. These sensors can also measure the flow of water-like fluids, such as milk in the dairy industry, and so on.
Water flow sensors are classified according to their diameter and measurement method. Paddlewheel sensors are a low-cost and widely used type of water flow sensor. It is suitable for use with water-like fluids.
Positive displacement flow meters are used in applications where a straight pipe is not available for the inlet. This type of water flow sensor is also suitable for viscous liquids.
Magnetic flow meters are used when working with dirty water and wastewater that may be conductive. Ultrasonic flow meters are used in applications such as sewage water, slurries, and other dirty liquids.
The measurements are displayed on the LCD. Every revolution of the rotor generates a pulse from the magnetic hall effect water flow sensor. The hall effect sensor in the device is watertight to keep it safe and dry.
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