Humidity sensors are used in homes as part of the HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning,) as well as in office buildings and industry. They are used in places that are affected by high and low humidity that requires a set constant humidity to be maintained. A humidity sensor, also referred to as a hygrometer, is a device that measures the humidity in the air. The humidity sensor monitors the electrical changes in relation to the quantity of humidity in the air. It is used to control such machines as air conditioners, humidifiers, and dehumidifiers by adjusting to the changes in the level of humidity in the air.

Humidity sensors are beneficial for people who suffer from health conditions that are aggravated by high humidity. As well, a person with allergies or asthma can use a humidity sensor because low humidity can aggravate these conditions and too much humidity can cause the growth of fungus, bacteria, mold, and mildew which can also aggravate these conditions. They are also useful for people with wine cellars who want to maintain a constant temperature and humidity so wine does not spoil. As well, humidity sensors are useful for storage of valuable items such as antiques which can be damaged if exposed to moisture. The sensor mechanism of the humidity sensor detects the electrostatic changes in the air as the humidity in the air around it changes.

The benefit of humiduty sensors in industry are they allow for accurate measurements and recording of humidity data. The data loggers can be used for real-time monitoring and sends an alert if there are sudden changes. Once the sensor picks up the changes, the measurement is then converted into humidity readings and recorded in a data logger. The changes in voltage are converted into digital readings showing the amount of moisture in the air. There is the choice of using a couple of data loggers in one application or numerous data loggers for monitoring broadly dispersed locations. It is useful for mapping and validation, and data logging and recording, for reports.

Three types of sensor technologies are Resistive, Capacitive, and Thermal Conductivity sensing. Resistive sensors are useful when using them in remote locations. Capacitive sensors are beneficial for wide RH range and condensation tolerance. Thermal conductivity sensors are beneficial in corrosive environments that have high temperatures. The type of sensor used will depend on the type of environment. Commercial and office buildings often have humidity sensors in their HVAC systems, which assists in keeping the air safe and healthy to breathe. Humidity sensors also have industrial uses for the manufacturing of materials that are sensitive to moisture. As well, humidity sensors are used for collecting data for weather stations and ocean research where humidity has to be measured and recorded for a period of time to evaluate patterns and forecast weather.

Advancements in technology have made it possible to control humidity for a variety of reasons such as to maintain healthy indoor air, protect items from moisture exposure, and for different research applications. There are a number of companies online that specialize in providing quality humidity sensors that are highly accurate and resistant to damage from physical and chemical contaminants.

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Category: Business
Keywords: data logger, sensors, humidity sensor