This section provides an overview for moisture sensors as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 20 moisture sensor manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked moisture sensor companies as of November, 2024: 1.Edgetech Instruments, Inc., 2.Sensoterra, 3.MoistTech Corp..
Table of Contents
Moisture sensors are sensors used in a wide range of fields to measure the amount of moisture in wood, coal, food, fiber, and other materials.
The measurement methods used include electric capacitance, electric resistance, microwave, near-infrared, and neutron. Electricity, neutrons, and near-infrared rays are applied to the object to be measured, and the moisture sensor detects and determines the amount of moisture.
Although it depends on the method, there are two main types: those that directly contact the sample for measurement and those that allow non-contact measurement.
As mentioned above, moisture sensors are used to measure the moisture content of various materials and are utilized by manufacturers and factories to measure the moisture content of wood, paper, coal, food, fiber, and other materials. It is often used to check the quality of products before they are shipped.
Soil moisture sensors are especially used to check the amount of moisture necessary for the growth of agricultural crops. They are also sometimes used by cosmetics manufacturers to measure the moisture content of skin.
Moisture sensors can thus be used to measure the moisture content of various materials, but it is important to select the right sensor and model for the application and object.
The main measurement methods include the following
In the electric capacitance method, an alternating current is applied to the measurement target from an electrode, and the change in capacitance, or electrical capacitance, is converted into the amount of moisture. In the oscillation circuit, which is the detection circuit, the change in electrode capacitance causes the oscillation frequency to change.
The larger and thicker the object being measured, the greater the change in electrode capacitance. The advantage of this method is that it is easy to miniaturize and does not damage the object to be measured. Since it is affected by thickness and density, it is necessary to measure under the same conditions.
Moisture sensors of the electrical resistance type conduct electricity to the object to be measured and convert its resistance value into the amount of moisture. Since it is not easily affected by the density of the object to be measured, it is suitable for measuring objects whose density easily changes.
This method measures the moisture content based on the attenuation of microwaves, a type of electromagnetic wave when they are irradiated onto the object to be measured. It can quickly measure the moisture contained inside the object but requires the installation of a large device.
Near-infrared rays are light with wavelengths longer than visible light and outside of red. Near-infrared moisture sensors irradiate near-infrared rays, which are light with wavelengths longer than visible light and outside of red, to the object being measured. Since moisture absorbs near-infrared light well, the greater the moisture content, the less light is reflected. Using this principle, the amount of moisture is determined from the reflectance of the irradiated near-infrared light.
The advantage of this method is that it is easy to install and does not damage the object to be measured. The disadvantages are that only a small portion of the surface can be measured and that it is affected by the color of the object being measured. Wide-area irradiation type, fiber type, and other forms are available.
Neutron-type instruments use a source of neutrons, a type of radiation. Fast neutrons lose energy when they repeatedly collide with hydrogen atoms and are transformed into slow thermal neutrons. In other words, the amount of fast neutrons converted to thermal neutrons is proportional to the amount of hydrogen, so it is possible to calculate water content using a neutron source that emits fast neutrons and a detector sensitive to thermal neutrons.
This method can also measure the water content inside. On the other hand, it should be noted that the equipment has a short life span and is fragile. Also, since it handles radiation, it requires specialized knowledge.
In the loss-on-drying method, a sample of the measured material is taken and dried using a convection dryer or a heat source (halogen lamp, microwave, etc.), and the moisture content is determined from the weight of the sample before and after drying. This method is said to be highly accurate, but it should be noted that sample collection is required and that this is not a nondestructive test.
Moisture sensors, as mentioned above, use a variety of principles. Many of the actual products, such as "Soil Moisture Sensors" and "Concrete and Mortar Moisture Sensors," have limited applications envisioned in advance and should be selected according to the intended use.
In addition, there are a variety of shapes and sizes, from tabletop and portable machines to relatively large machines, so there is a wide range of types to choose from depending on the situation in which they are used.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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MoistTech Corp. is a US manufacturer of moisture sensors and process control instruments, founded in 1975 and located in Florida, USA. The company’s product line offerings include the IR-3000F sensors, IR-3000-IP67 sensor, CCS-3000 sensor, IRMA 828 laboratory sensor, heat balance, and more. It also provides modern Windows programs for configuration, data logging, and monitoring of diagnostics of the user interface. The company represents the near-infrared (NIR) measurement and control technology, capable of monitoring thickness, coat weight, oil, and fat/protein content. It now serves manufacturing industries worldwide.
Reading Thermal is a developer and supplier of temperature measurement as well as data logging systems established in 1986 as a division of Reading Bakery Systems. Based in Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania, the company offers various digital humidity sensors for measuring relative humidity in different baking chambers, as well as their SCORPION 2 branded profiling system, which is an all-in-one measurement solution for analyzing key baking parameters like temperature, heat flux, air velocity, and humidity. Reading Thermal serves clients throughout the baked goods, confectionery and snack foods sectors, including Nabisco, Mondelez International, and Frito-Lay.
ifm efector (ifm) is a subsidiary of ifm electronic, founded in Germany in 1969. ifm has developed, manufactured and marketed sensors and controls technology to industries that include assembly and robotics, automotive, material handling, metal forming, mobile equipment, plastics, and food and beverage. Ifm produces sensors, condition monitoring equipment, image processing, safety technology, industrial communication, IO-link, systems for mobile machines, displays, software, connection technology, voltage supplies, as well as other accessories.
Photovolt Instruments, incorporated in 1939 and headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, is a designer and manufacturer of precision laboratory equipment. The company's products include moisture and reflectance measuring systems that have applications such as measuring the brightness and opacity of paper product samples and the change in color of roasted coffee beans. It primarily serves testing laboratories but also assists manufacturers with consultation on the best instrument for their needs.
Diamond Systems LLC was founded in the early 1990s and is headquartered in Cocoa, Florida. The ISO 9001-certified company is a distributor of gas detection and related equipment for manufacturers such as Analog, LANDTEC, Viasensor, and GFG Instrumentation used in the biogas, landfills pumping, and medical fields. The company’s product categories include biogas, pumps & controls, gas detection systems, and medical devices. The company also provides in-warranty and out-of-warranty repair and service on many of the components it sells.
CS INSTRUMENTS USA is based in Bluffton, South Carolina, and is the American subsidiary of CS INSTRUMENTS headquartered in Tannheim, Germany. CS INSTRUMENTS was established in 2002 is a manufacturer and distributor of compressed air technology and related products, generally used in industrial and manufacturing settings. CS product lines encompass a complete compressed air monitoring system with individual segments including dew point, compressed air quality, leak detection, chart recording, and software. Many of these components can be used in other capacities, such as flow measurement devices in underwater settings such as marine or water treatment industries.
Yunnong was established in 2012 as a developer and manufacturer of sensors in the field of agricultural environment and meteorology based in China. The company offers compact weather stations, weather sensors, light and solar radiation instruments, soil pH sensors, and other accessories. It also provides solutions for monitoring and controlling, such as photovoltaic power stations, agricultural microclimate monitoring, traffic weather stations, and machine wind speed alarms. The company is certified to CE, ISO 9001:2015, and RoHS standards. It continues to serve farmers, agricultural businesses, and government agencies worldwide.
Delta-T Devices Ltd is a Cambridge-based designer and manufacturer of research-grade measurement and monitoring instruments for environmental science, established in 1971. The company offers a wide range of products for soil science, plant science, meteorology, solar energy, horticulture, and irrigation. Its product line consists of soil moisture sensors, data loggers, stomatal conductance measurement tools, weather stations, solar radiation research equipment, and more. It has achieved ISO 9001 certification, and its production facility utilizes 100% renewable electricity. Moreover, the company caters to scientists, engineers, and researchers across numerous industries.
SIVARA SYSTEMS AND SOLUTIONS was incorporated in India in 1998 as a manufacturer, supplier, and trader of process control instruments. The company offers a range of electronic sensors, data loggers, transmitters, flowmeters, weather station components, and various sensors and equipment for solar plants. These products are easy to install, long-lasting, energy-efficient, and have low-cost maintenance. The company follows international standards of quality, and its products are used in diverse industries, including oil and gas, power generation, water treatment, building automation, and manufacturing.
Headquartered in Shandong, China, Shandong Renke Control Technology Co., Ltd. is an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) specializing in environmental monitoring technology. Renke has developed a cloud platform that analyzes data collected from diverse environmental sources, including water quality and warehouse security. This platform enables the company to offer a wide range of applications and data-driven solutions across multiple industries. Renke also provides technical support, including field installation, sensor calibration, and automatic control. The company has achieved, among others, the ISO 9001 certification and product certification from the National Institute of Metrology.
Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (Murata Manufacturing) was founded in 1944 and is headquartered in Nagaokakyo, Japan. Murata Manufacturing designs, manufactures, and sells ceramic-based passive electronic components and solutions globally. The company operates through components, modules, and others segments, serving communications, mobility, industrial, healthcare, and personal electronics customers. They company's product offerings include noise suppression products, quartz devices,RFID devices, phase shifters, and wireless connectivity platforms. Services such as webinars and video library are also available for existing and potential customers alike.
Sensoterra is a developer and manufacturer of wireless soil moisture sensors that enable water management solutions for agriculture and horticulture, founded in 2015 and is based in Houten, Netherlands. The company offers single-depth sensors and multi-depth sensors, which are compatible with all soil types, easy to install without additional tools, 100% maintenance free, and have two years of Cloud Platform access included. The company integrates in-ground and cloud-based calibration to provide accurate soil moisture measurements. Moreover, it has helped various customers in over 40 countries, including farmers, landscapers, city planners, and water utilities.
Venture Electronics, founded in 2010, is a professional PCB and assembly manufacturer and turnkey solution provider headquartered in Shenzhen, China. The company provides a diverse selection of PCB manufacturing and assembly services, including PCB design and layout, fabrication, assembly, and turnkey PCB solutions, along with prototypes, small to large batches, high-density, radio frequency PCBs, and custom PCBs. It also specializes in ceramic PCBs with high thermal conductivity and low expansion coefficient. The company is ISO 9001 certified and conforms to RoHS regulations, serving aerospace, automotive, industrial, medical, and telecommunications sectors.
EdgeTech traces its roots back to 1965 in Massachusetts and currently operates both out of West Wareham, Massachusetts, and Boca Raton, Florida. The company is a manufacturer of underwater technology solutions including sonar, bathymetry, and other technologies. These solutions are often used in hydrographic surveys, retrieval situations, offshore energy, and underwater research applications. Among the company’s product lines are Sonar solutions, custom-engineered products, acoustic releases, and motion reference units. They can be used to survey pipelines, discover shipwrecks, measure river flow, and locate shallows among other uses.
Shenzhen Star Instrument Co., Ltd., established in 2012 and headquartered in Shenzhen, China, is a manufacturer and supplier of test and measurement instruments. The company’s product range includes digital multimeters, oscilloscopes, power supplies, signal generators, and data loggers. These products serve a wide spectrum of industries, including electronics, automotive, aerospace, medical, and research and development. Shenzhen Star Instrument’s services include sales, repair, maintenance, custom design and manufacturing, and technical support. The company is devoted to delivering quality test and measurement instruments and services, as evidenced by its ISO 9001:2015 certification.
MOD-TRONIC Instruments Limited was established in 1972 in Brampton, Ontario, Canada. MTis a distributor of industrial sensors, transducers, heaters, controls, and instrumentation, primarily made in the USA as well as Japan, Switzerland, and Germany. MT’s customers are primarily in the aerospace, building automation, manufacturing, medical, military, oil and gas, and water treatment industries but also serves individuals. MT offers an above industry standard 5-year warranty and technical support on every product sold.
PCE Instruments UK Ltd., started in 199 and headquartered in Manchester, UK, is a manufacturer and supplier of test instruments, equipment, and tools for weighing, measuring, and control systems. The company offers more than 500 test equipment, including analyzers, inspection cameras, meters, detectors, and sensors, with applications in various fields like data acquisition, electrical engineering, environmental science, building inspection, and food processing. Its manufacturing and development division is ISO 9001 certified, all its test instruments, equipment, and tools are factory calibrated, and the company also provides services for custom test instrument design, installation, and maintenance.
Ranking as of November 2024
Derivation MethodRank | Company | Click Share |
---|---|---|
1 | Edgetech Instruments, Inc. |
10.9%
|
2 | Sensoterra |
9.4%
|
3 | MoistTech Corp. |
9.4%
|
4 | Delta-T Devices Ltd |
7.8%
|
5 | METER Group, Inc. USA |
7.8%
|
6 | Reading Thermal |
6.3%
|
7 | Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. |
6.3%
|
8 | Yunnong |
4.7%
|
9 | SIVARA SYSTEMS AND SOLUTIONS |
4.7%
|
10 | Mod-Tronic Instruments Limited |
4.7%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the moisture sensor page as of November 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
---|---|---|
United States of America | 7 | 38.9% |
China | 4 | 22.2% |
Japan | 2 | 11.1% |
United Kingdom | 2 | 11.1% |
India | 1 | 5.6% |
Netherlands | 1 | 5.6% |
Canada | 1 | 5.6% |
3 products are listed.
SANKO ELECTRONIC LABORATORY CO.,LTD
30+ people viewing
■ Features ・ Press the probe to the measurement object (needle electrode time: plug it inserted) to measure, inspect, and manage water containing ...
SANKO ELECTRONIC LABORATORY CO.,LTD
40+ people viewing
We have a probe-integrated woody water meter AQ-10, an architectural water meter AQ-30, which has six measurement range as standard. Both are DC el...