Sensor Taps

What Are Sensor Taps?

Sensor taps, also known as automatic taps or infrared taps, use a low voltage infrared beam to detect hand movement at the basin. When the beam is interrupted, a solenoid valve opens and water flows. When hands are removed, the valve closes and water stops. The entire cycle is automatic. There is nothing for the user to touch. This makes sensor taps the most hygienic option for any commercial washroom, removing the single most contaminated touch point in the room.

Most sensor taps run from either a battery pack housed beneath the basin or a mains transformer connected to a dedicated spur. Battery powered models need no electrical first fix, which makes them the straightforward choice for retrofit projects or where running a cable is not practical. Mains powered models are the better specification for new builds and planned refurbishments where the electrical supply can be factored in during first fix.

Where Are Sensor Taps Used?

In healthcare settings including hospitals, GP surgeries, dental practices and care homes, touchless operation is essential. At the point of handwashing, any contact with a tap surface is a contamination risk. Sensor taps remove that risk entirely and are standard in clinical and infection controlled environments.

In education, sensor taps address two practical problems at once: they prevent water waste from taps left running, and their lack of moving parts reduces vandalism and wear significantly compared to lever or push alternatives.

In offices, hotels and restaurants, sensor taps are increasingly standard, for hygiene and because they signal a level of care to the people using the facilities.

In high footfall public washrooms such as airports, transport hubs, stadiums and leisure centres, durability and low maintenance are the primary drivers. Sensor taps have no handle or lever to break, and the solenoid valve mechanism is straightforward to service. Sensor taps are also commonly specified for Doc M accessible washrooms, where ease of operation for users with limited dexterity or mobility is a requirement.