Water sensor

AKCP Water Sensor

The AKCP Water Sensor, also known as the WSxx Spot Water Sensor, was specifically developed for reliable detection of water and water-based liquids in sensitive areas. It is ideal for IT infrastructures such as data centers, server rooms, research facilities, production plants, or logistics centers, where even small amounts of moisture can cause significant damage.

A water leak caused by heavy rainfall, burst pipes, faulty air conditioning units, or sprinkler systems can quickly lead to system failures, data loss, or short circuits. The situation becomes especially critical if distilled water—such as that found in faulty UPS batteries—leaks, as it is often not detected by many sensors. However, the AKCP Water Sensor also detects deionized water, made possible by the capacitive microprocessor technology described in the PDF.

In times of rising energy costs, companies are increasingly turning to water-cooled server racks to control heat in tightly packed IT racks. A leak in these systems - due to a defective valve, damaged pipe, or leaking water-air heat exchanger - can have disastrous consequences. Early leak detection is therefore essential.

Condensation caused by high humidity also poses a serious risk. This unnoticed water often collects in hard-to-see areas and, if not detected in time, can lead to short circuits or corrosion. The AKCP Spot Water Sensor is capable of accurately detecting such leaks before failures occur.

A key advantage of the AKCP sensor lies in its state-of-the-art microprocessor-based sensing technology. Thanks to capacitive measurement, the sensor can distinguish between dry and wet environments and even detect distilled water - something many conventional sensors cannot do. 

Technical Details and Installation

The sensor features a compact design (55 x 39 x 27 mm) and connects via RJ-45 to an AKCP sensorProbe or securityProbe unit. The connection is made using a standard Cat-5/6 network cable, which can be up to 150 meters long. Thanks to AutoSense technology, the sensor is automatically recognized and configured—including disconnect detection if the sensor is unplugged.

Power is supplied directly via the connected monitoring system; no external power supply is required. Typical power consumption is only 65 mW, making the sensor especially energy-efficient.

A key feature is the LED indicator: in normal operation, the LED stays on continuously; when water is detected, it starts blinking. This ensures visual status indication at all times.

Integration into IT and Building Management Systems

All AKCP monitoring systems support SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol). This allows easy integration of the sensors into existing network management systems (NMS) such as Nagios, HP OpenView, WhatsUp Gold, IBM Tivoli, or Microsoft SCOM. Open-source tools like OpenNMS, MRTG, or Cacti are also supported. The required SNMP MIB files are included in the package.

The web interface of AKCP sensorProbe or securityProbe systems enables individual configuration of leak alerts. You can choose to be notified via email, SMS, SNMP trap, siren with strobe light, or an automated server shutdown. In critical infrastructures, a phone call can also be triggered (GSM modem required).

Relay contacts can also be switched to, for example, activate pumps or lock doors—an important contribution to automated damage control.

Easy Installation and Scalability

The Spot Water Sensor is available in various cable lengths (4.5 m, 18 m, 30 m), making it suitable for a wide range of applications. Thanks to its compact design and screw-mounting option, installation is easy even in confined spaces - such as under raised floors or behind server racks.

Note that the sensor should not be installed on conductive surfaces. If this cannot be avoided, AKCP recommends using a special insulating coating (part number: WSIC) to prevent false alarms or damage.

Maximum Security for Your IT Infrastructure

The AKCP Water Sensor (WSxx Spot Water Sensor) is a well-thought-out solution for companies that want to proactively secure their IT systems. With reliable detection of water - including distilled water—flexible alerting, and seamless integration into existing systems, this sensor offers maximum security with easy handling. In an era where downtime and reputational damage can lead to massive costs, the AKCP Water Sensor is a smart investment in the future security of your infrastructure.