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Water Leak Detectors

Water leak detectors raise an alarm when water appears where it should not, under a raised floor, below a tank or beside a washing machine, so a leak is found before it spreads. This collection has wired leak detection from Vimpex and Hochiki with probes, sensing cable and control panels, wireless detectors for Hikvision AX PRO, Dahua and Pyronix alarm systems, Ajax WaterStop shut-off valves and Winland WaterBug monitors.

Choosing Water Leak Detectors

Decide whether a leak should raise an alarm alone or also close the water supply, and whether detection is wired into a building system or added wirelessly to an alarm.

Probes and sensing cable

A probe detects water at one point, such as a tank, pump or drip tray, while sensing cable detects it anywhere along its length under a raised floor or in a ceiling void. Vimpex Identi-Leak probes such as the IL-WDP-01 give point detection on solid floors, and Identi-Leak cable such as the IL-WDC-05 covers large areas. Hydrosense HYDW-10 cable plugs together into zones of up to 50m.

Panels and interfaces

Wired sensors report to a panel or interface: the Vimpex HSCP-S-4-230 is a 4-zone Hydrosense conventional panel, the Hochiki 14501630-00 is a leak control panel, and the Vimpex IL-Int-F interface has a blue LED and a remote indicator output to show where the leak is.

Wireless detectors and shut-off valves

Wireless detectors add leak detection to an intruder alarm: the Hikvision DS-PDWL-E-WE joins an AX PRO panel, the Dahua DHI-ARD912-W2(868D) has adjustable sensitivity, and the Pyronix WL-CABLE probe plugs into an MC1Z1-WE contact. Ajax WaterStop valves close the water supply when a leak detector triggers, in DN15, DN20 and DN25 sizes.

NeedExamplesNote
Point detectionVimpex IL-WDP-01, Acre N54539-Z194-A100Probe or feet on the floor
Area detectionVimpex IL-WDC-05, HYDW-10Sensing cable
Control panelVimpex HSCP-S-4-230, Hochiki 14501630-00Wired zones
Wireless detectorHikvision DS-PDWL-E-WE, Dahua DHI-ARD912-W2(868D)Joins an alarm system
Shut-off valveAjax WaterStop DN15Closes the supply
Room monitorWinland M-001-0137WaterBug 200 console

Brands we stock in Water Leak Detectors

Acre, Ajax, Dahua Technology, Eaton, Hikvision, Hochiki, Pyronix, Vimpex and Winland Electronics.

Vimpex supplies the most products here, across its Hydrosense and Identi-Leak systems.

Related categories

Link leak alerts to automations with smart home accessories, add openings and movement from burglar alarm sensors, or see fire and safety equipment for protection against wider risks.

Frequently asked questions

How does a water leak detector work?

A typical detector senses water by conductivity: water bridges two contacts, or the conductors of a sensing cable, and the change raises an alarm. Winland WaterBug sensors, for example, activate when a conductive bridge forms between two contacts, and the Acre N54539-Z194-A100 detects water through two gold-plated feet. The Acre is not for use with flammable liquids.

Should a probe or leak detection cable be used?

A probe for a known risk point, such as a tank, pump or drip tray, and sensing cable to cover a larger area such as a raised floor or ceiling void. The Vimpex IL-WDP-01 probe gives point detection on solid floors, and Hydrosense HYDW-10 cable joins into zones of up to 50m. The Vimpex IL-Int-F interface lets cable and probes share one zone.

Do wired leak sensors need a control panel?

Yes, or an interface into another system. The Vimpex HSCP-S-4-230 is a 4-zone Hydrosense conventional panel and the Hochiki 14501630-00 a leak control panel. The Vimpex IL-Int-F interface has a remote indicator output and a blue LED that shows where the leak is, and the Acre N54539-Z194-A100 has a changeover relay output for a building system.

Can a leak detector turn off the water?

Yes, with an Ajax WaterStop valve, which closes the water supply automatically when a leak detector triggers, and also by schedule or from the Ajax app. It pairs a brass ball valve with an electric actuator and Jeweller radio, in DN15, DN20 and DN25 sizes. For Identi-Leak wired systems, the Vimpex IL-RE valve relay has battery backup.

Is there a wireless leak detector for an existing alarm?

Yes, if it matches the alarm's radio. The Hikvision DS-PDWL-E-WE is a waterproof wireless detector for AX PRO panels, the Dahua DHI-ARD912-W2(868D) covers plumbing, baths, sinks, washing machines and dishwashers with adjustable sensitivity, and the Pyronix WL-CABLE probe turns an MC1Z1-WE wireless contact into a leak sensor.

What protects a server room from leaks?

Sensing cable under the raised floor, wired to a panel that alerts the building system. Vimpex Identi-Leak cable such as the IL-WDC-05 covers large areas, and the IL-ZBC-01 zone breaker cable carries the loop across doorways without detecting. The Winland M-001-0137 WaterBug 200 suits computer rooms and document stores, takes up to 6 sensors and can also detect an absence of water.

Can one device monitor water and temperature together?

Yes, the Winland EA400-24 EnviroAlert monitors up to 4 environmental factors, including temperature, humidity and water detection, and can report through a security panel. The Acre V54538-F118-A200 is a two-way wireless flood detector that also senses temperature, for kitchens, bathrooms, warehouses or yachts.

How are leak detection probes mounted?

On the floor, in a drip tray or at a set height. The Vimpex HS-WLDP Hydrosense probe has an adjustable height and a 1m flying lead, Hochiki offers a tray mounting kit (1600150-00) and a height adjustment kit (1600160-00), and the Vimpex HY-WLDP-C plastic-coated steel cage stops a Hydrosense probe being knocked or moved.

Why buy from West Midlands Electrics

  • Established 1975
  • Birmingham trade counter
  • UK-only supply

Written by the West Midlands Electrics technical team

Updated