How touchless faucets work

To many people, touchless faucets are a technological miracle. You just place your hand below the spout and immediately water begins to flow. It literally works like magic, but if you study the inner workings of the faucets you will learn that this is a simple system that could help you enhance sanitization at your home. Also referred to as automatic faucets, the technology has been around for decades and surprisingly not many people have been using it.

To help you understand more about it, we will explain its four main parts that aid in the automatic delivery of water, and these include the sensor, controlled valve, faucet, spout and power source.

Sensor

In a touchless faucets, the sensor is positioned at the base of the spout. Note that this is not a motion sensor, but its main work is to detect the presence of hands below the spout so as to turn the spout on. Immediately you remove your hand, it instructs the faucet to close flows by turning off. In most faucet sensors, you will find a tiny infrared light that is used to detect presence and it submits the signal that helps to turn on the valve. Other models come with ultrasonic field sensors for this functionality.

Solenoid valve

Normally, the faucet sensor is responsible for controlling an activated diaphragm valve that works with the solenoid. The solenoid is made up of an electromagnetic part that is able to pull or push with changes in electric polarity. To control the flow of water, the diaphragm relies on a disc made of material that resembles rubber. The work of the solenoid in this case is to pull the valve open to allow water to flow through the spout, and it pushes it back again if the sensor says there are no hands. This is an advantage and comes as a solution that is more sanitary and easier to use.

Power source

Each touchless faucet needs a power source to work well. Although some models rely on power from dry cells, others work with low voltage electric current drawn from an AC transformer. One thing about battery powered faucets is they work with latching solenoid valves that are able to hold on open without the need for additional electric current.

Spouts

Finally, a touchless faucet uses the spout to carry all the working parts, and most of these spouts are made from brass for high-end models and zinc for cheaper ones. Some may be plated using chrome or nickel to enhance durability and appearance. You can choose the style you like depending on the design you have in your kitchen or washrooms, and shape is one of the biggest reasons buyers will prefer one type of faucet over another. here for more information.

Touchless faucets use simple technology designed to enhance hygiene as you don’t need to touch the faucet to open the flow of water. Just placing your hand below the spout the water starts flowing and when you remove it stops.