How does Guardian detect leaks?

Guardian consists of two pieces of hardware - the Valve Controller and the Leak Detector. The Valve Controller installs on top of the existing water main valve, while the battery-powered Leak Detectors are placed near plumbing fixtures and appliances to monitor the area for water leaks. The Leak Detectors communicate wirelessly directly with the Valve Controller using our proprietary radio protocol and without the need for a Hub. The moment water is detected, the Leak Detectors will send a signal to the Valve Controller to notify you and stop the water automatically. Since the Leak Detectors use proprietary technology to communicate with the Valve Controller, our system will shut off your water even when there is no Wi-Fi (Wi-Fi is needed only during setup and to receive app notifications).

The Leak Detectors can be deployed in numerous ways, depending on the area and type of appliance it is monitoring. All water sensors work using the same principle – two electrical leads are exposed to the water, and the sensor sends a signal when the leads are connected by the water. The Leak Detector has three separate sets of sensors – the Drip Sensor, the Bottom Sensors, and the Remote Sensor Probe. We will look at how to use each of these effectively to monitor for water.  See Figure 1 below:

Drip Sensor

• The top of the Leak Detector is shaped like a “sink” to direct the smallest amounts of water that drips from above to the Drip Sensor
• To use the Drip Sensor, place the Water Detector directly underneath drains, pipes, or anything else that might spring a leak
• The cutout along the straight side of the Leak Detector allows the sensor to be placed along a wall, even with quarter-round molding

Bottom Sensors

• The bottom of the Leak Detector has three pairs of metal leads, that each act as separate sensors.
• To use the bottom sensors, place the Leak Detector on a flat surface where you expect water to pool in the event of a leak

Remote Sensor Probe

• The Remote Sensor Probe has an extremely small form factor to fit underneath appliances and in other tight spaces
• To use the Remote Sensor Probe, insert the 3.5mm plug into the jack on the Leak Detector and place the Probe where you would like to monitor for water
• The Probe can be placed on a surface or it can float in a container (e.g. in a sump pump)
• The Remote Sensor Probe can be used simultaneously with the Bottom Sensors and the Drip Sensor on the Leak Detector
• The Leak Detector has magnets inside to optionally attach the Leak Detector to any magnetic surface while using the Remote Sensor Probe
• The Remote Sensor Probe can also be plugged into the Valve Controller to monitor the area around your valve for leaks