Count every drop, spot water leaks early

Did you know that a dripping faucet or pipe, a seemingly minor inconvenience, can waste thousands of litres of water a year and account for up to 75 per cent of a household's water consumption?  Small electronic devices like smart meters and leak detectors allow homeowners to get warning signs or alerts, resulting in faster response times and, ultimately, improving wider water conservation efforts.

Here, Ultralife Corporation examines how an unsung hero, reliable battery power, ensures that these devices can function accurately.

‘The average household’s leaks can account for nearly 10,000 gallons of water wasted per year, and ten per cent of homes have leaks that waste 90 gallons or more per day.’  Step forward smart meters.  Equipped with advanced sensors and displays showing real-time water consumption data, these devices allow consumers to monitor spikes in water usage, so they can take corrective measures early.  Although a faucet leak in the home would be noticeable and irritating, some leaks happen in hidden pipes or in a business or public place, such as the bathroom of a railway station, where people may not always notice or report them.  In these instances, pipe-fitted or portable leak detectors can be used to look for signs of a leak, such as moisture, humidity, or temperature, and alert the responsible party on their smartphone.

Both types of devices rely on batteries:  Smart meters in-case of AC mains failure and leak detectors because they may be fitted in locations where AC mains is unavailable.  Non-rechargeable Lithium Thionyl Chloride batteries are well-suited for use in smart meters and pipe-fitted leak detectors:  In smart meters due to their long service life that means they can be embedded by the manufacturer for the lifetime of the device.  In pipe-fitted leak detectors, their high energy density exceeding 400Whr/Kg means the device can have a small footprint whilst still benefitting from a high performing battery.  Additionally, the high and stable operating voltage of Lithium Thionyl Chloride batteries supports consistent performance, maintaining the accuracy and reliability of data transmission over time.

There are many different manufacturers of smart meters and pipe-fitted leak detectors, each of whom design the devices to their own dimensions and incorporate features/components that have varied power requirements.  Ultralife’s Lithium Thionyl Chloride batteries are ideal, as they are available in sizes from 1/2AA to D, as well as spiral and bobbin versions.  Spiral versions offer high continuous/pulse current Amp load capability, whereas bobbin versions offer lower rate capability but much greater capacity or run time.  Both types are constructed from nearly 100% stainless steel, so do not rust when in contact with water.  Rusty batteries can damage devices and cause them to stop functioning.

For smart meters, Ultralife’s D size bobbin cell* (*a single battery) offers an industry leading capacity of 19Ah that helps it to be embedded for the lifetime of the device.  Furthermore, by adding ultracapacitors as part of a battery system, Ultralife's D size cell can support the latest 5G-compatible smart meters that demand a periodic, high-power consumption.  In pipe-fitted leak detectors, the cylindrical shape of Lithium Thionyl Chloride batteries is ideal as they have the same shape as the pipe.

However, there are now smaller circular or square shaped portable leak detectors that can be discreetly placed in any vulnerable areas around the home or workplace, such as near a balcony, in the kitchen, or the room beneath the bathroom.  If water around them reaches a certain level, an alarm will sound or a notification will be sent to a smartphone.  These devices can measure as thin as 1.5cm and often have a battery embedded that can last for up to two years before the device is discarded.  Many of these devices use Lithium Coin Cells but Ultralife Thin Cells® (containing Lithium Manganese Dioxide chemistry) offer significant advantages.

With thicknesses as low as 1.1mm and an energy density of around 500Wh/l and 400Wh/Kg, compared to just 300Wh/l and 260Wh/Kg for the best lithium coin cells, Ultralife Thin Cells® are ideal for embedding into discreet devices.  Not only are they available in many different shapes and sizes, they also offer high performance thanks to low resistance current collectors that help to deliver the high bursts of energy required for data transmission.

As the global population and number of homes continues to rise, the amount of wasted water could also increase, so the need for effective water management solutions becomes ever greater.  Leak detectors and smart meters offer a pathway to more sustainable water usage, but their effectiveness hinges on reliable power sources.