The development of the water leak system

Water leak system came about in the late 70's when computer rooms were in there infancy.Today computer rooms  , include air conditioning which contains water for humidifiers and sometimes chilled water for cooling. As a result of the great deal of power cables, data cables and water pipes needed in the room, a raised floor was  still used to hide all services.

Up to the mid 80's water was detected using spot probe sensors. These units would consist of either an etched PCB or two metal electrodes. Sensing for water was done using a DC voltage in one sensor whilst looking for a return signal in the other. Providing no return signal was seen in the return sensor, no water was present. The problem using this kind of system was erosion of the sensors as a result of electrolyses and the limited area of water pipe leak detection, water could flow away from the sensors and not be detected until too late.

During the mid 80's water leak detection cable developed. The advantage of this kind of sensing being that water is detected along the entire length of cable. This allowed areas or equipment containing water to be surrounded insuring that leaks were found no mater what direction the water flowed.

From the mid 80's until today advances have mainly been with the alarm panels and the reporting of water leaks. Today you can be Texted, Emailed, receive a phone call, record it on a building management system or just have the simple buzzer and lamp.