Humidity Sensor: Basics, Usage, Parameters and

Applications

Sometimes, after rains, the air feels moist. The water seems to have suspended in the air. However, in
certain AC’s you click some buttons and the atmosphere brightens up. How and why does it all happen?
Moisture forms up in the air, resulting in humidity. However, the humidity sensor in your AC picks it up and
cleans it up for you. Isn’t that wonderful? Let’s take a look at how it does that.

A humidity sensor (or hygrometer) senses, measures and reports both moisture and air temperature. The
ratio of moisture in the air to the highest amount of moisture at a particular air temperature is called relative
humidity. Relative humidity becomes an important factor when looking for comfort.

Humidity sensors work by detecting changes that alter electrical currents or temperature in the air.

There are three basic types of humidity sensors:

 Capacitive
Resistive
Thermal

All three types of sensors monitor minute changes in the atmosphere in order to calculate the humidity in the
air. Let us discuss these types in detail:

Capacitive

A capacitive humidity sensor measures relative humidity by placing a thin strip of metal oxide between two
electrodes. The metal oxide’s electrical capacity changes with the atmosphere’s relative humidity. Weather,
commercial and industries are the major application areas.

The capacitive type sensors are linear and can measure relative humidity from 0% to 100%. The catch here
is a complex circuit and regular calibration. However, for designers this a lesser hassle over precise
measurement and hence these dominate atmospheric and process measurements. These are the only types of
full-range relative humidity measuring devices down to 0% relative humidity. This low-temperature effect
often leads to them being used over wide temperature ranges without active temperature compensation.

Resistive

Resistive humidity sensors utilize ions in salts to measure the electrical impedance of atoms. As humidity
changes, so do the resistance of the electrodes on either side of the salt medium.

Thermal

Two thermal sensors conduct electricity based upon the humidity of the surrounding air. One sensor is
encased in dry nitrogen while the other measures ambient air. The difference between the two measures the
humidity.

Tips on Humidity Sensor working

Coulometric: An electrolyte is formed by absorption of water resulting in a current level which is proportional to the
moisture content in the air.
Gravimetric: A drying agent is exposed to moist air, resulting in weight gain by the drying agent. The increased
weight corresponds to the amount of moisture.
Microwave/Infrared: A transmitted signal varies as the humidity increases. The attenuation is an indication of the
moisture content in the medium.
Some parameters for judgement
So once you know what it is, and how it works, the next step probably would be to check its working. And
how do you do that? By working through some of the below-mentioned parameters.

Accuracy

Every sensor has its own calibration curve, based on a 9 point system. It basically pitches the pros against
the cons of the particular sensor.

Linearity

It indicates the voltage deviation from the BFSL value and the measured output voltage value, converted to
relative humidity.

Reliability

The measurements often cause the sensor to fall out of sync. However for a sensor to be useful, it has to
provide reliable measurements.

Repeatability

The measurements from a sensor, have to be so that they don’t drift apart. Repeatability is the measurement
of drift among measurements of a single quantity.

Response time

Typically, the time is taken by a sensor to rise to 66% (rise time) or fall to 33% (fall time) of maximum
output voltage, is known as the response time.

Applications of humidity sensors are far and wide

The applications of humidity sensor range far and wide. People with illnesses affected by humidity,
monitoring and preventive measure in homes employ humidity sensors. A humidity sensor is also found as
part of home heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems (HVAC systems). These are also used in

offices, cars, humidors, museums, industrial spaces and greenhouses and are also used in meteorology
stations to report and predict the weather.
 Ultrasonic / level sensor?
This section provides a detailed look at ultrasonic sensors.

What Is a Sensor?
A Comprehensive Look at Sensors
Learn all about the principles, structures, and features of eight
sensor types according to their detection principles.

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Outline and detection principle

As the name indicates, ultrasonic / level sensors measure distance by using ultrasonic waves.
The sensor head emits an ultrasonic wave and receives the wave reflected back from the
target. ultrasonic / level sensors measure the distance to the target by measuring the time
between the emission and reception.

An optical sensor has a transmitter and receiver, whereas an ultrasonic / level sensor uses a
single ultrasonic element for both emission and reception. In a reflective model ultrasonic /
level sensor, a single oscillator emits and receives ultrasonic waves alternately. This enables
miniaturisation of the sensor head.

Distance calculation
The distance can be calculated with the following formula:

Distance L = 1/2 × T × C
where L is the distance, T is the time between the emission and reception, and C is the sonic
speed. (The value is multiplied by 1/2 because T is the time for go-and-return distance.)

Features

The following list shows typical characteristics enabled by the detection system.

[Transparent object detectable]

Since ultrasonic waves can reflect off a glass or liquid surface and return to the sensor head,
even transparent targets can be detected.

[Resistant to mist and dirt]

Detection is not affected by accumulation of dust or dirt.

[Complex shaped objects detectable]

Presence detection is stable even for targets such as mesh trays or springs.
An ultrasonic sensor is an electronic device that measures the distance of a target object by emitting ultrasonic
sound waves, and converts the reflected sound into an electrical signal. Ultrasonic waves travel faster than the
speed of audible sound (i.e. the sound that humans can hear). Ultrasonic sensors have two main components:
the transmitter (which emits the sound using piezoelectric crystals) and the receiver (which encounters the sound
after it has travelled to and from the target).

In order to calculate the distance between the sensor and the object, the sensor measures the time it takes
between the emission of the sound by the transmitter to its contact with the receiver. The formula for this
calculation is D = ½ T x C (where D is the distance, T is the time, and C is the speed of sound ~ 343
meters/second). For example, if a scientist set up an ultrasonic sensor aimed at a box and it took 0.025 seconds
for the sound to bounce back, the distance between the ultrasonic sensor and the box would be:

D = 0.5 x 0.025 x 343

or about 4.2875 meters.

Ultrasonic sensor diagram. (Robo Galaxy)

Ultrasonic sensors are used primarily as proximity sensors. They can be found in automobile self-parking
technology and anti-collision safety systems. Ultrasonic sensors are also used in robotic obstacle detection
systems, as well as manufacturing technology. In comparison to infrared (IR) sensors in proximity sensing
applications, ultrasonic sensors are not as susceptible to interference of smoke, gas, and other airborne particles
(though the physical components are still affected by variables such as heat).
Ultrasonic sensors are also used as level sensors to detect, monitor, and regulate liquid levels in closed
containers (such as vats in chemical factories). Most notably, ultrasonic technology has enabled the medical
industry to produce images of internal organs, identify tumors, and ensure the health of babies in the womb.