Unfortunately, in most cases one only deals with the subject of water sensors or water detectors if the water damage has already occurred. We also had major water damage in our basement in 2017. With the Homematic IP water sensor would have saved us a lot of trouble here. In today’s test you will find out how you can protect yourself from major water damage.
Unboxing – What’s included?
In the small cardboard box you will find the actual one Homematic IP water sensor as well as a manual in different languages and a leaflet on the safety instructions. The device itself makes a robust impression and has
- a system button (teach-in button and LED)
- Sirens
- cover flap
- battery compartment
- electronics unit
- measuring probes on the ground
A sticker with a QR code is also included, which you should keep carefully. Because the serial number and a key are printed on it.
To access the battery compartment, you turn the lid once a piece in clockwise and then take it off. The water sensor is operated by 2 AAA batteries. You can also find it in the middle of the circuit board a reset button, to set the device to the reset factory settings.
The advantage of the Homematic IP water sensor in contrast to some other water detectors is that after setup immediately ready for use without assembly is.
How does a water sensor work?
The contacts are on the underside of the device. The sensor triggers when at least 2 of these contacts are electrically connected via a conductive carrier.
Distilled water, such as that produced by a tumble dryer, should not regularly be conductive enough to trigger the sensor. However, a Homematic employee recently got one Air Conditioner Condensation Test carried out and here the water detector has not been irritated and in contact with the water sample reliable alarm triggered.
The sensors and the circuit board of the water detector are located together in one device. Should there be significant water damage, for example because you are on vacation and cannot get home in time after the alarm, you could think that the device would be damaged by the water. But this is not the case, because the Homematic IP water sensor can swim 😉
What else do you need for commissioning?
In order to operate the Homematic IP water sensor, you need the actual device as well as the Homematic IP Access Pointwhich represents the control center and into which you integrate all your Homematic IP devices.
To set up the Homematic IP Access Point, first load the Homematic IP app from the Play Store on your smartphone. Then connect the access point to your router using a LAN cable. Once you have plugged the power cord into the power outlet, the access point’s LED will begin to glow blue. As soon as the LED lights up blue continuouslyyou scan it QR code on the bottom of the access point with the app.
You can read a detailed description (with pictures) about setting up the Homematic IP Access Point in this article.
How do you add the Homematic IP water sensor to the app?
To add the water sensor to the app or access point, open the app and click on the button at the bottom right More. Under General you will now find the option Teach device. The access point is now searching for new devices. Open the water sensor cover and remove the tab near the battery. The device will be recognized immediately. In the meantime, enter the last 4 digits of the serial number and then wait until the device has been taught in.
Next, select the room in which the water sensor is to be placed and give it a name. Now confirm with the system button of the device (this is the button in the middle of the water sensor) to transfer the configuration data to the access point.
That’s it already. You can close the lid of the water sensor again and place the device in the space provided.
How does the hazard warning work?
If the water detector has detected water, it will draw your attention to this in various ways:
- Beep on the water detector itself
- Push notification via app on smartphone
- Display of the danger message within the app
you can Expand hazard warningby typing a indoor siren or one outdoor siren use. Here the danger warning is then also issued via the siren, which is then unmistakable.
How many water sensors do I need?
As mentioned in the introduction, we had significant water damage in the basement in 2017. The water tap, to which a water hose with a hose nozzle was attached, was forgotten to be turned off in the evening. Late in the evening the hose nozzle had come loose from the lock due to the pressure and the water hose then fell so unfortunate to the basement window that the water for over 10 hours ran into the cellar through the locked but somewhat older cellar window. In the morning of the next day we had 20 cm of water in the basement. This was water damage that kept us busy for quite a while.
From my own experience I can recommend that you have a water sensor at least in each case
- in the bathroom,
- in the kitchen,
- in the washroom and
- in the boiler room
should have attached. A dishwasher and a washing machine, for example, have a water detector themselves. But we once had the problem with our Samsung fridge with water supply that the water filter was not properly engaged. As a result, water had collected in the base plate and we were able to save ourselves from major damage using a water sensor. Apparently our fridge doesn’t have its own water detector.
It is also the case with older houses a water sensor in the basement at the lowest point Worth its weight in gold, even if the basement has its own drain. Or lies your basement entrance 1-2 meters lower in the ground, then attach a water sensor here as well. Because there is usually a siphon in front of the cellar door at such an entrance, but this can also become clogged with dirt.
Conclusion
Setting up the access point and the water sensor was very easy. The device makes a good impression and it reliably warns of water contact. The addition of an alarm siren is also a great thing.
The Homematic IP water sensor is up-to-date together with the access point for 90.90 euros at Amazon available. If you already have the Homematic IP Access Point, you can update the water sensor individually for 37.81 euros at Amazon acquire. We at Android Users give a clear purchase recommendation for the Homematic device.
A water sensor can warn of water damage. But should water damage occur, for example due to a defective siphon or a defective water pipe in the wall, then we recommend every homeowner check homeowners insurancewhether these too Damage from tap water covers. Because water always finds its way and the resulting damage can quickly run into the tens of thousands.
