Arduino - Water Sensor Relay

In this tutorial, we will learn how to use an Arduino to activate a relay when it detects water. Then you can connect the relay to a pump, or a siren, buzzer to make a water alarm.

Hardware Required

1	×	Arduino UNO or Genuino UNO
1	×	USB 2.0 cable type A/B (for USB-A PC)
1	×	USB 2.0 cable type C/B (for USB-C PC)
1	×	Water level sensor
1	×	Relay
1	×	12V Power Adapter
1	×	DC Power Jack
1	×	Jumper Wires
1	×	(Optional) 12V Pump
1	×	(Optional) 12V Active Buzzer
1	×	(Recommended) Screw Terminal Block Shield for Arduino Uno
1	×	(Recommended) Breadboard Shield For Arduino Uno
1	×	(Recommended) Enclosure For Arduino Uno

Or you can buy the following sensor kits:

1	×	DIYables Sensor Kit (30 sensors/displays)
1	×	DIYables Sensor Kit (18 sensors/displays)

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Additionally, some links direct to products from our own brand, DIYables.

About Water Sensor and Relay

If you do not know about water sensor and relay (pinout, how it works, how to program ...), learn about them in the following tutorials:

Arduino - Water Sensor tutorial
Arduino - Relay tutorial

How It Works

Arduino periodically reads the value from the water sensor. If the value exceeds a pre-defined threshold, the Arduino activates the relay; otherwise, it deactivates the relay.

Wiring Diagram

This image is created using Fritzing. Click to enlarge image

Arduino Code

/* * Created by ArduinoGetStarted.com * * This example code is in the public domain * * Tutorial page: https://arduinogetstarted.com/tutorials/arduino-water-sensor-relay */ #define RELAY_PIN A0 // The Arduino pin that connects to the relay #define POWER_PIN 7 // The Arduino pin that provides the power to the water sensor #define SIGNAL_PIN A5 // The Arduino pin that reads the value from the water sensor #define THRESHOLD 500 // The threshold for water detectiion void setup() { Serial.begin(9600); pinMode(RELAY_PIN, OUTPUT); // configure D2 pin as an OUTPUT pinMode(POWER_PIN, OUTPUT); // configure D7 pin as an OUTPUT digitalWrite(POWER_PIN, LOW); // turn the water sensor OFF digitalWrite(RELAY_PIN, LOW); // dectivates relay } void loop() { digitalWrite(POWER_PIN, HIGH); // turn the water sensor's power ON delay(10); // wait 10 milliseconds int value = analogRead(SIGNAL_PIN); // read the analog value from sensor digitalWrite(POWER_PIN, LOW); // turn the water sensor's power OFF if (value > THRESHOLD) { Serial.print("The water is detected"); digitalWrite(RELAY_PIN, HIGH); // activates relay } else { digitalWrite(RELAY_PIN, LOW); // dectivates relay } delay(1000); }

Quick Steps

Connect Arduino to PC via USB cable
Open Arduino IDE, select the right board and port
Copy the above code and open with Arduino IDE
Update the value of THRESHOLD in the code to a suitable value for your application
Click Upload button on Arduino IDE to upload code to Arduino

Embed the water sensor into the water
See the relay's state

Code Explanation

Read the line-by-line explanation in comment lines of source code!

Video Tutorial

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