Feature: Test & Measurement
Clearing the air
By Ross Turnbull, Director of Business
Development and Product Engineering, Swindon Silicon Systems
M
onitoring the amount of water vapour in the air, humidity sensors are essential to ensuring optimal environmental conditions for a range of industries, from manufacturing to agriculture and facility management. Here,
Despite their niche, humidity sensors are more common than
you may think. In manufacturing and warehousing, maintaining humidity levels is crucial for the quality and longevity of products, especially in sectors like pharmaceuticals, food processing and electronics manufacturing. Humidity sensors
12 June 2025
www.electronicsworld.co.uk
help monitor and control environmental conditions, preventing damage to sensitive materials. In HVAC systems, humidity sensors ensure comfortable and
healthy indoor air quality by adjusting humidity levels to the desired set points. Elsewhere, in agriculture, they’re used to monitor soil moisture and ambient humidity, enabling data- driven irrigation practices that offer optimised water usage, improved crop yields and reduced waste.
Exploring sensor types Humidity sensors, also known as hygrometers, measure the amount of water vapour in the air. Tese sensors typically operate based on one of three main technologies: capacitive, resistive or thermal conductivity. Capacitive sensors use a hygroscopic dielectric material placed
between two electrodes. As the humidity changes, the dielectric constant of the material changes, altering the capacitance. Tis change is measured and converted into a humidity reading. Capacitive sensors are highly accurate and have a fast response time. Tey are also less affected by temperature changes, making
them suitable for a wide range of applications. Teir stability and long-term reliability make them a preferred choice in many industrial settings. Resistive sensors measure changes in electrical resistance as
humidity varies. A hygroscopic material's resistance decreases with increased moisture absorption, allowing for humidity measurement. Tese sensors are typically more cost-effective than capacitive sensors and are simple to produce. Tey are durable and perform well in harsh environments, which makes
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