How do electronic faucets work?
To turn water on and off automatically, most electronic faucets use proximity sensors that detect motion using beams of infrared light. As the user s hands enter the beam s path, the light is reflected back into a sensor receiver that activates water flow. When hands are moved away from the sensor, the loss of reflected light signals water flow to stop. The electronic circuitry in most home units is powered by standard AA batteries, so hardwiring to the home s electrical system is not required. However, adapters for conversion to AC power are available with some models, allowing connection to a 120-volt outlet. You can also find systems that generate their own power. The Solis from Sloan Valve Co. is a solar-powered faucet with a storage cell that transforms sunlight or artificial light into electrical energy. Another self-sufficient unit, EcoPower from Toto USA, operates on hydropower, using a small internal turbine to generate its own electricity whenever the water runs.
