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Thermo

Humidity sensors detect changes in electrical currents or temperature to measure air humidity, with three main types: capacitive, resistive, and thermal. The Whirling Hygrometer, a type of psychrometer, provides accurate relative humidity readings using wet and dry bulb thermometers. Each sensor type has its advantages and disadvantages, affecting their accuracy, maintenance needs, and usability in various conditions.

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11 views

Thermo

Humidity sensors detect changes in electrical currents or temperature to measure air humidity, with three main types: capacitive, resistive, and thermal. The Whirling Hygrometer, a type of psychrometer, provides accurate relative humidity readings using wet and dry bulb thermometers. Each sensor type has its advantages and disadvantages, affecting their accuracy, maintenance needs, and usability in various conditions.

Uploaded by

Lana Gibson
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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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 and thermal. All three
types will monitor minute changes in the atmosphere in order to calculate the humidity in the air.

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

https://in.element14.com/sensor-humidity-sensor-technology

Whirling Hygrometer / Psychrometers - Humidity Reader

The Whirling Hygrometer Sling Psychrometer offers the maximum level of accuracy for the
measurement of relative humidity utilising wet and dry bulb Red Spirit filled thermometers. The
unit incorporates a water reservoir linked to the wet bulb by the means of a cotton sleeve. The
Humidity is calculated using a water-soaked cotton sleeve at the bulb of the wet-bulb
thermometer, how quickly the water evaporates alters the temperature of the wet-bulb
thermometer. Using the specialist chart included allows you to calculate the relative humidity.
Used to measure relative humidity.

How it works:

When a reading is to be taken, the wick is first dipped in water and then the instrument is
whirled around. During the whirling, the water evaporates from the wick, cooling the wet-bulb
thermometer. Then the temperatures of both thermometers are read.

If the surrounding air is dry, more moisture evaporates from the wick, cooling the wet-bulb
thermometer more so there is a greater difference between the temperatures of the two
thermometers. If the surrounding air is holding as much moisture as possible - if the relative
humidity is 100% - there is no difference between the two temperatures. Meteorologists have
worked out charts of these differences for each degree of temperature so that the observer can
find relative humidity easily.

https://www.geodetic.com.au/gsr-whirling-hygrometer-sling-psychrometer

Sensors
Advantage

➨Can withstand below temperature of 0oC


➨It does not require any maintenance for longer periods
➨Flexibility to use
➨atm. pressure independent, it works when pressure is being applied

Disadvantage

➨ It has limited long term stability.


➨ It is sensitive to dewing and certain aggresive substances.

Psychrometric

➨Higher accuracy
➨Higher quality
➨It is usable without any issues upto 100% R.H. (in all substances).
➨No ageing effect except when wick is contaminated

Disadvantage

➨It is difficult to use below temperature of 0oC and with lower humidities.
➨Long term measurement is limited due to required water reserve and wick maintenance

Hygrometric

Advantage

Are inexpensive
Don’t need a power source
Are portable
Require little maintenance, and
Are incredibly easy to use.
➨It is easy to clean.
➨It is simple in construction.
➨It is lower in cost.
➨It is usable in contaminated environments.

Disadvantage

➨It is limited accuracy.


➨It has limited measurement range.
➨It is slow in measurement.
https://www.rfwireless-world.com/Terminology/Advantages-and-Disadvantages-of-humidity-Sens
or.html

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