Adafruit
Simple Water Detection Sensor with Digital Output
A simple, palm-sized water detection sensor that outputs a digital high signal when water or condensation is detected on its surface. The compact red PCB fea...
A simple, palm-sized water detection sensor that outputs a digital high signal when water or condensation is detected on its surface. The compact red PCB features interlocking traces connected to a lightly biased transistor — when water bridges two traces, the transistor switches on and the output pin goes high.
Wiring is straightforward: connect the minus (−) pin to ground, the plus (+) pin to 3–5 V DC, and read the signal (S) pin with your microcontroller. While the output voltage varies slightly with the amount of water present, the sensor works best as a simple on/off water detector.
Key Features
- Digital Output – Signal pin goes high when water is detected
- 3–5 V Compatible – Works with Arduino, Raspberry Pi, and other microcontrollers
- Simple 3-Pin Interface – Ground, power, and signal
- Compact PCB – Palm-sized with interlocking detection traces
Specifications
- Operating Voltage: 3–5 V DC
- Output: Digital (active high)
- Pins: − (GND), + (VCC), S (Signal)
Ideal For
- Leak detection and flood alerts
- Plant watering and soil moisture projects
- Condensation monitoring
- Rain detection
Jargon buster
Plain-language definitions for the technical terms used above.
- active HIGH
- Active HIGH means an input is considered switched on when it receives a high voltage signal. This matters when matching the board’s trigger settings to the output behaviour of another circuit or controller.
- microcontroller
- A microcontroller is a small computer on a chip that runs your program and controls connected inputs and outputs. For this product, it is the part that reads buttons and sensors, drives the display and speaker, and communicates over Bluetooth.
- PCB
- A printed circuit board is a rigid board with copper tracks that connect electronic parts without loose wires. For this kit, the PCBs also form the airplane shape, so they are both the circuit base and part of the finished model.
Find this product in
Sensors & Input
Related Tutorials
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