When your sensor tap stops working when you go to use it after waving your arms around as if you’re casting a spell; that’s all you get!
Indeed, sensor taps are extremely easy to use; however, when they stop working, you might find yourself frustrated and at a loss for what to do. Luckily for you, most causes of your tap not working are pretty straightforward and relatively easy to solve.
Here at Nova Tech, we ensure that our products meet high standards of efficiency, hygiene, and durability. However, despite their efficiency and simplicity, sensor taps sometimes require maintenance.
Let’s see what could be going wrong with your tap and how to solve these issues.
- Dead or Weak Batteries
This is one of the primary reasons why a sensor tap will not function, and it is also the simplest problem to fix. Sensor taps typically have either AA or AAA batteries or, in some cases, use a DC adapter, and when these batteries begin to lose their power, the sensor is unable to pick up the motion correctly; or it just stops working.
Signs: The tap responds slowly, does not respond consistently, or does not activate at all.
Solution: Changing sensor tap batteries is an easy thing to do. Find the batteries inside the compartment, which can be located at the bottom of the spout or in the controller unit mounted underneath the sink. Replace the old batteries with good quality alkaline batteries.
Never mix the new and old batteries; rather, change the whole battery pack at once. Here at Nova Tech, we advise you to check the battery condition every 6 to 12 months to ensure proper functioning.
- Dirty or Obstructed Sensor
As you may know, your sensor tap makes use of the infrared sensor to identify any hand movements near it.
In case the sensor becomes dirty with soap, lime scale, or water deposits, then it will be impossible for the device to operate effectively. This is definitely one of the most underestimated problems of troubleshooting sensor taps on a daily basis.
How to recognize it: The tap doesn’t always work, only in some occasions; alternatively, you have to bring your hands close enough for the tap to detect your movement.
How to solve it: Just wipe off the surface of the sensor; a dark, circular spot on the sensor tap, with a wet towel.
Remember that using any harsh chemicals or scrubbing brushes might cause damage to the lens of the sensor. Vinegar can be useful in such cases.
- Incorrect Sensor Range Settings
Detection ranges for most sensor faucets, including those from Nova Tech, can be manually adjusted.
A detection range that is too short will require users to come in contact with the faucet to activate it, whereas one that is set too wide might result in the faucet turning on at all times.
Symptoms: Detection of the wrong range resulting in unpredictable responses or the need to put your hand closer than required.
Resolution: You can adjust the detection range by referring to your manual. This can be done by hovering your hand in front of the sensor for a specific period of time or by adjusting a screw next to the solenoid valve.
- Water Supply or Solenoid Valve Issues
Should the sensor be reacting (there is light coming from the sensor), but water doesn’t come out, then it probably isn’t a problem with the sensor.
It is rather the electronic part called the solenoid valve that may get jammed due to some dirt or may not operate properly due to power issues.
Signs: Light on the tap activates, while there is either no or very minimal water flow.
Solution: First, make sure that water valves are turned fully up under your sink. If that is done, then you may want to try to clean or change the solenoid valve, which requires more advanced actions. Should you feel unsure, please reach out to our customer support for more information.
- Power Supply Problems
However, in the case of sensors connected to an adapter, rather than running on batteries, poor connections may be one reason why you have problems getting them to turn on. This can range from loose wires and faulty adapters to tripped circuits.
Solution: Since the tap was previously working fine without any changes to batteries and water supply, it’s probably the connection that needs looking into.
Confirm that your adapter is properly inserted and the cables do not show any signs of wear or tear. If your sensor tap uses batteries, go back to the battery compartment to ensure good contact between the contacts and batteries. For wired sensors, check the circuit breaker.
- Bad Installation or Compatibility Problem
Some sensors are not functional because of poor installation, such as incorrect water pressure, wrong pipe fitting, and placement of the sensor.
Solution: Problems arise immediately after installation.
Solution: Refer to the instructions provided with your Nova Tech sensor tap. Most sensor taps need a certain water pressure (usually between 0.5 to 3 bar) to work properly.
When pressure is either too low or too high, the solenoid valve may not operate normally. This can be confirmed easily by checking the water pressure using a gauge.
Nova Tech Sensor Tap Maintenance Tips to Avoid Future Problems
The best way to solve a problem is to avoid it before it even happens. These sensor tap maintenance tips will ensure that you use your Nova Tech sensor tap without problems for many years to come:
- Keep the sensor lens clean once a week using a moist cloth.
- Replace the batteries once a year; never let the batteries run out completely.
- Perform periodic flushing of the system by running the water for about half a minute to remove any sediment in the valve.
- Never use strong chemical agents around the sensor and solenoid valve.
- Regularly inspect connections when using a DC adapter with your tap.
When to Call for Help
However, if you have tried everything mentioned above and are still having problems getting your sensor tap working, it may be high time that you contacted a specialist.
If you do business with us at Nova Tech, rest assured that we can provide you with adequate troubleshooting assistance to make sure that your tap works properly again within the shortest period possible.
As we said earlier, our taps are covered by a manufacturer’s warranty, so contact us as soon as you think that there might be a problem with your hardware.
Owning a sensor tap is an excellent choice when it comes to ensuring good health.
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