Humidity sensors receive different names such as moisture sensors, moisture or humidity analysers or hygrometers. However, no matter how they are called, what is important to know is that they perform a delicate monitoring activity that is in charge of controlling the humidity or moisture level present in a certain product, substance or environment.
Humidity analysers or sensors are extremely sensitive technical devices that are used in different and varied industrial processes where it is required to keep a constant and adequate moisture level in order to ensure that the final product keeps up with the quality standards.
The human and animal food industry, the wood industry, pharmaceutical and chemical companies as well as the leather manufacturing factories are well familiar with the humidity sensors and are also well aware of their importance. In fact, they know that a well operating hygrometer can make the difference between a tempting bowl of breakfast cereal and a gluey one or that a too wet manufacturing environment can severely damage the process of producing dog or cat food for your pets. In the wood industry, if the wood is too wet or too dry it can really damage the furniture making process and an inadequate moisture level can severely affect the effectiveness of a chemical compound.
There are different kinds of hygrometers and, of course, they come in different sizes so that they can adapt to every manufacturing process. Factory operators need to understand how these highly sensitive devices operate in order to know how to adjust them, how to interpret the results and be able to tell if everything is all right or is not.
Analog humidity sensors relies on a system based in a capacitor in order to measure the relative humidity in the air. The sensor is made of glass or ceramics, elements that are highly sensitive to humidity, and the insulator that is in charge of absorbing the water is made of a material that consists of a polymer that absorbs and releases water according to the relative humidity present in the selected environment. Thus, the insulator modifies the charge level in the capacitor and shows which is the moisture level so that it can be corrected if necessary.
Digital moisture sensors are more modern. They function with the help of two very little sensors that are adjusted to the relative moisture level present in the selected area.This pair of sensors are then turned into the digital format through a chip that is also placed in the circuit.