Leak Detector Operations

DROP Leak Detector Overview

The DROP Leak Detector is designed to detect water leaks and temperature conditions that can cause water leaks. It is powered by two AA batteries, which under normal circumstances will last for many years of operation. A Leak Detector monitors its leak probe input for water. If water should come in contact with the probes, the Leak Detector will immediately report the leak to the DROP system. The DROP system will immediately send a notification of the leak (if connected to DROP web services) and will shut the water off at the DROP valve. Shutting the water off can optionally be turned off if your lLeak Detector is not monitoring a system component that is affected by normal source water (such as a condensate pump). The Leak Detector sensing the leak will then chirp every 16 seconds and the yellow leak light will flash every 2 seconds.

DROP Leak Detector Placement

In order to reliably detect a water leak, it is very important that the location where the Leak Detector is placed is strategic. First, when considering where to place Leak Detectors, think about the locations in your home where water is used. Next, think about which locations are most vulnerable to problems. For example; appliances that use water and run unattended, pipes most susceptible to freezing, or toilets known to overflow or leak.

Also, think about the consequences of water in those areas. Maybe monitoring a water heater in an unfinished basement isn’t as important as monitoring a bathroom on the second floor of a home. Prioritize the locations requiring the most protection. Also, keep in mind that if more Leak Detectors are needed, you can add up to 32 Leak Detectors to your DROP system at any time. Finally, when you place the Leak Detector, we recommend that you test where water will tend to accumulate by purposely spilling a small amount of water in that area. Once you observe where water naturally moves to, place your Leak Detector in that location. Don’t forget that you can name your Leak Detectors according to their location in the app, on the SYSTEM > STATUS page. This will help you locate a problem quickly if a leak does occur. Leak Detectors can be placed in the precise locations where you want to detect leaks.

However, there are available accessories for Leak Detectors to allow more flexibility in their placement and use. A wall mount bracket and a leak detection extension cable are available and can be used to securely mount your lLeak Detector and permanently mount the leak probes exactly where they need to be located.

DROP Leak Detector Operations

Once you have placed the Leak Detector in your desired location, press the “Check/Silence” button. After a few moments, the green “okay” check mark should light up indicating that it was able to communicate with the Hub. If the red “no network” light turns on instead, the Leak Detector is too far from a powered DROP component on the DROP device network. Any DROP device powered with a wall plug power supply can repeat the messages to the Hub.

The options for helping DROP Leak Detectors connect to the Hub are:

  1. Move the DROP Hub to a more central location in your home.
  2. Move another DROP-powered component closer to the Leak Detector you are trying to connect to.
  3. Add a DROP Network Extender to your network in between the Hub and the Leak Detector you are trying to connect to the system.

DROP Leak Detector Settings

Leak Detectors are ready to use as soon as they are connected as a device to your DROP system. If you have not yet connected your Leak Detectors to the system, please see the section “Adding devices to the DROP system.” Once connected, by default they will shut off the water when a leak is detected and send a notification.

By going to the Devices menu on the left side of your app and then choosing a particular Leak Detector, you can decide for each each device if it should shut off the water or just send a notification. Leak Detectors also monitor temperature. High and low-temperature set points can be set for each Leak Detector. If the temperature should surpass the set point, a notification will be sent.

Reporting Operation

Under normal circumstances, Leak Detectors report to the Hub every ten minutes. If the Leak Detector does not succeed in checking in, it will try again once a minute thereafter until it succeeds. When the Leak Detector has missed a check in, it will flash its network light until it is able to connect to the Hub again. If it has not successfully checked in with the Hub after one hour, the Hub will send a notification that the Leak Detector has lost connection. If this happens regularly, you may need to help improve the DROP Network as indicated at the end of the section “Leak Detector Placement.”

If a leak occurs, the temperature changes significantly, or the temperature surpasses the set point, the Leak Detector will report to the Hub immediately.

Battery Operation

Leak Detector use two AA batteries to operate. The detectors typically sleep most of the time and therefore use very little power. Under normal operating conditions, they will operate for several years on the same set of batteries. When they do get low, the low battery light on the Leak Detector will flash and the unit will chirp once a minute (but only outside “Quiet Time” hours). A low battery notification will also be sent by the DROP system.

Leak Detector Factory reset

It is recommended that before performing a factory reset you remove the Leak Detector as a device on any DROP system it might be attached to. This can be done while using a local connection in the app and going to the SYSTEM > ADVANCED page. On that page, you will see “Manage Device Components.” Find the Leak Detector in that list and press the “Remove” button associated with that unit. Once it is removed, you can then perform the factory reset.

SYSTEM > ADVANCED : MANAGE DEVICE COMPONENTS

To reset a Leak Detector and cause it to forget any DROP network it has been connected to, press and hold the button while inserting the batteries. Continue to hold the button for 15 seconds. During this time all the lights will remain on. Once the button has been held for 15 seconds, the lights will begin flashing once per second. At this point the Leak Detector is armed for reset; release the button and then press it again to reset the Leak Detector…