Data loggers in use - SebaKMT® Megger Germany GmbH

How digital monitors make water losses visible

When the water flows at night and nobody uses it

In drinking water networks, the night is a silent ally. When consumption falls, the time for leak detection arrives. Because a constant flow rate during the night hours can be a clear sign: The system is losing water somewhere in the network. And this is exactly where the work of the data loggers. Inconspicuous but highly precise devices that help to detect hidden leakslong before they become visible.

What do data loggers do?

Depending on the model, data loggers measure flow, pressure, or noise in the pipe network. They are installed at strategically important locations, such as transfer points or network junctions. There, they regularly collect measurement data and store or transmit it for evaluation. An example: A logger performs a zone scan and shows a constant flow of 0.8 l/s over several nights, even though no water is being withdrawn. This is a typical indication of a leak.

From suspicion to certainty: the leak search begins

As soon as a suspicious flow is registered, the network is systematically analyzed. Water engineers gradually close off sections in order to narrow down the affected area. The smaller the zone, the more targeted the further leak detection can be carried out.

This is often where noise loggers like the SmartEAR® often come into play. These devices "listen" for suspicious hissing or whistling noises in the pipe system, which can indicate pressure losses due to leaks. Several of these loggers can be combined to create a localization focus to determine a localization focus.

Correlation for precise localization

Once the suspected area has been narrowed down, the next step is to locate the exact leak detection by correlation. This involves using two sensors, known as correlators, are attached to different points on the pipe. Both register the noise emanating from the leak. The time difference in the sound between the sensors and the known speed of sound in the pipe material , the device calculates the exact location of the leak. Example: Under ideal conditions, the Correlux C-3 correlator delivers pinpoint results, often accurate to within a few meters, even with difficult pipe materials.

Why interaction counts

Successful leak detection is no longer a single discipline. Data loggers, noise loggers, leak noise correlators and modern cloud platforms work hand in hand:

Data loggers provide the information.
Noise loggers help with localization.
Correlators locate the leak.
The platform documents, archives and links all information.

The result is an intelligent early warning system for water distribution - predictive instead of reactive.

How to get the best out of your logger network

Take advantage of night-time rest: The most meaningful flow data is generated between 2:00 and 4:00 in the morning.
Define small zones: The finer the network structure, the easier it is to locate leaks.
Evaluate data regularly: Constant monitoring helps to detect even creeping damage.
Combine systems: Data loggers and correlators together provide the most reliable picture.

Data logger & POSEYEDON cloud as memory of the pipe network

At a time when water is becoming a strategic resource, the precise precise handling of losses is mandatory. Modern data loggers make leaks visible that would otherwise have gone unnoticed for years. Together with correlation and acoustic sensors, silent pipelines become a system that early warnings, provides targeted guidance and protects resources.

Would you like to find out more about smart leak detection or set up a monitoring system?
We will be happy to advise you - data-based, practical and future-oriented.