Hydro Sensor

The Hydro Sensor is a liquid-pressure sensor building that detects the mass of liquid in the tile it is attached to and outputs automation signals accordingly. It is used to control pumps, valves and other automation devices based on whether a liquid amount in a particular pipe, reservoir or tile meets a specified threshold. The Hydro Sensor is commonly placed next to liquid pumps, storage tanks or in locations where intermittent liquid sources (springs or geysers) must be regulated to prevent overflow or unnecessary power use.

The Hydro Sensor compares the mass of liquid on its target tile against a user-set threshold and sends an active or inactive automation signal. Typical uses include stopping a pump when a tank is above a chosen mass to avoid wasting power, enabling a pump only while a geyser is producing, or preventing overpressure in a liquid conduit. Because many liquid pumps draw constant electrical power while operating, placing a Hydro Sensor set to trigger above a small mass (for example, "greater than 10 kg") on the downstream tile can reduce energy consumption by disabling pumps when liquid is not needed.

Practical notes and common strategies:

• Place the Hydro Sensor adjacent to the tile you want measured; its detection is local to that tile and will not sense liquid in distant tiles unless routed there. It is often installed on the tile directly next to a pipe outlet, storage reservoir tile or the pump’s intake tile.
• Use the Hydro Sensor to automate pumps and liquid shutoff valves to prevent tanks from overfilling or to only pump during geyser spurts. Combining a Hydro Sensor with an automation-controlled liquid shutoff valve creates a reliable overflow and refill system.
• To minimize idle power draw, set the threshold to a small nonzero mass (e.g., >10 kg) and wire that signal to disable pumps when the stored liquid is absent or below the useful amount. This is especially useful for pumps that consume constant power while running.
• Hydro Sensors can be used to implement cyclical or demand-driven liquid handling: pair one sensor on the supply tank and another on the destination tank to implement a simple on/off hysteresis fill system.
• When automating volatile liquid sources, you can prevent spills by disabling the producing building or the downstream valve via the Hydro Sensor signal when storage reaches capacity.
• Hydro Sensors are effective for controlling intermittent or burst liquid generation (such as geysers) so that the system only runs while the geyser produces, avoiding wasted pump operation and preventing flooding.
• Ensure duplicant access and pipe layout allow the sensor to be placed on the correct tile; misplaced sensors will not detect intended liquid mass and will produce incorrect automation behavior.

The Hydro Sensor is a straightforward but essential automation component for efficient liquid management, reducing unnecessary power use and preventing overflows when integrated with pumps and shutoff valves.