Name: Induskey INK438 Optical Rain Sensor
Brand: IndusKey.com
SKU: INK438
Rating: 5 (1 reviews)

Description

1. Product Overview

The INK438 Optical Rain Sensor is a high-sensitivity, solid-state rainfall detection device designed for traffic meteorological monitoring and harsh-environment applications. Using infrared light beam technology, it detects individual raindrops with up to 100x higher sensitivity than traditional tipping bucket gauges, delivering pulse signals proportional to rainfall intensity. With no moving mechanical parts and a fully sealed enclosure, it offers exceptional robustness, resistance to environmental interference, and maintenance-free operation in dynamic or exposed conditions.

2. Sensing Technology & Self-Cleaning System

Sensing Technology:
The sensor operates on an infrared optical detection principle. An infrared light beam is emitted across the sensor’s outer surface. When raindrops impact the surface, they refract or scatter the light beam, disrupting the path. Internal electronics detect these disruptions, count individual raindrops, and convert them into proportional pulse signals corresponding to rainfall intensity. This non-contact, solid-state design eliminates mechanical wear and tear, enabling high sensitivity (up to 0.001 mm resolution) and reliable performance.
Environmental Resistance & Maintenance:
The fully sealed enclosure protects internal components from impact, vibration, fallen leaves, and water ingress, preventing conductor corrosion and signal interference. While the sensor does not include an active self-cleaning system, its smooth, compact surface minimizes debris accumulation, reducing maintenance needs. The absence of moving parts eliminates common failure modes like clogging or calibration drift.

3. Key Features & Competitive Advantages

Feature	Competitive Advantage
Infrared Optical Sensing Principle	No moving parts, eliminating mechanical wear, jamming, or calibration drift
Ultra-High Sensitivity Options	Configurable sensitivity up to 0.001 mm, 100x more sensitive than standard tipping bucket gauges
Compact, Fully Sealed Design	Tennis-ball-sized footprint with IP-rated sealing, immune to impact, vibration, and water damage
Zero Maintenance, No Calibration	No moving parts or on-site calibration required, reducing operational costs
Vibration-Insensitive Measurement	Readings remain unaffected by movement or vibration, ideal for mobile or dynamic installations
Multiple Output Interfaces	Supports RS485, relay, and open-collector outputs with normally-open/closed contacts for flexible integration
Low Power Consumption	Ultra-low power modes (1.5 mA sleep mode) suitable for battery-powered or remote applications
Wide Operating Temperature Range	Rated for -40°C to +60°C, suitable for extreme climatic conditions

4. Technical Specifications

Parameter	Specification
Supply Voltage	DC 12 ~ 30 V
Operating Temperature	-40 ~ +60 °C
Rainfall Accuracy	±5 %
Power Consumption	15 mA (no output, no rain, no heating); 1.5 mA (sleep mode); 50 mA (output closed)
Output Interfaces	RS485 / relay output / open-collector output; normally-open / normally-closed contacts; max load 1 A, DC 24 V
Rainfall Sensitivity Levels	0.2 mm (standard) / 0.01 mm (sensitive) / 0.001 mm (most sensitive)
Enclosure Rating	Fully sealed (impact, water, and debris resistant)
Mechanical Components	None (solid-state design)

5. Applications

Road Traffic Meteorological Monitoring: Detect light rainfall for intelligent transportation systems and road safety alerts.
Mobile & Vehicle-Mounted Weather Monitoring: Deploy on patrol vehicles or mobile units for vibration-resistant rainfall detection.
Aviation & Airport Weather Monitoring: Provide high-sensitivity rainfall data for runway safety and operations.
Smart City & Urban Environmental Monitoring: Integrate into urban weather networks for localized precipitation tracking.
Industrial Site Monitoring: Use at remote facilities for flood risk assessment and operational safety planning.
Agricultural Precision Farming: Detect light rainfall for irrigation scheduling and crop health management.
Railway Infrastructure Monitoring: Monitor rainfall for track safety and flood risk assessment.
Building Automation & HVAC Systems: Trigger rain-dependent controls like window closures or drainage systems.

Induskey INK438 Optical Rain Sensor