Vaisala HUMICAP® Technology
Today, Vaisala is a leading provider of humidity measurement probes to multiple industries and in many applications. Relative humidity sensors are now an industry standard. Here is how it started.
We need to fix this
Up until the early 1970s, hair hygrometers were widely used despite the unreliable humidity measurements they provided. To address this, Vaisala embarked on the development of a novel humidity sensor employing semiconductors and thin-film materials.
HUMICAP® is born
At the CIMO VI congress in 1973, Vaisala introduced the HUMICAP®, the world's first thin-film capacitive humidity sensor. This groundbreaking innovation revolutionized humidity measurements. The HUMICAP sensor had no moving parts and thanks to the advanced utilization of semiconductor and thin-film technologies, it was amazingly small in size.
From one company’s invention to a global standard
Since then, Vaisala has emerged as the market leader in relative humidity measurements, and thin-film capacitive humidity sensors have transcended being one company's invention to a global industry standard.
Constantly evolving
HUMICAP is not only a sensor, it is a solution to many challenging measurement positions and conditions. HUMICAP is in Vaisala's core and we develop it constantly.
If it works on Mars, it works anywhere
The unforgiving conditions in space pose strict demands on technology, requiring the most reliable sensors that can be trusted to endure without repair. You simply cannot venture out into these conditions with just any instrumentation. Therefore, the HUMICAP products were a natural selection to measure conditions in the planet MARS since 1990s.
HUMICAP in numbers
launched
of measurements based on HUMICAP
planets
HUMICAP - The tiny giant
Humidity is everywhere. It affects our comfort, health, and productivity. It also influences the quality and safety of many products and processes. That’s why measuring and controlling humidity is essential in many industries and applications.
HUMICAP is not only a sensor, it is a solution.
Watch the introductory video of the tiny giant.
How it works
HUMICAP is a capacitive thin-film polymer sensor consisting of a substrate on which a thin film of polymer is deposited between two conductive electrodes.
The electrode facing ambient air is made of porous metal to protect the sensor from contamination and exposure to condensation. The substrate is typically glass or ceramic. The thin-film polymer either absorbs or releases water vapor as the relative humidity of the ambient air rises or falls.
The dielectric properties of the polymer film depend on the amount of absorbed water. As the relative humidity around the sensor changes, the dielectric properties of the polymer film change, and so does the capacitance of the sensor. The instrument’s electronics measure the capacitance of the sensor and convert it into a humidity reading.
Customer testimonials
"When you find products – and a company – you can trust,
...it makes good business sense to continue the relationship. Futamura have been using Vaisala measurement instruments for many years to help us ensure the quality of our sustainable packaging films, and we will continue to do so in future. As a plant we like to keep a site standard as it makes it easier to keep spares and to replace equipment when necessary. It’s safe to say that Vaisala is our brand of choice because of its reliability and ease of installation and use."
David Carr, Electrical Engineering Chargehand, Futamura UK
"The Vasa Museum wanted accurate and reliable measurement instruments.
Therefore, Vaisala was an obvious choice based on our previous experience."
Fred Sörensen, Project Manager, TAC Sweden
“At Viking Malt we work very hard to ensure the production of consistent, high quality malts.
This is achieved through the careful selection and management of raw materials and by monitoring and controlling production as carefully and precisely as possible."
Tony Öblom, Technical Manager, Viking Malt Sweden
Condensation prevention technology with warmed probe
One of Vaisala's innovations in the humidity measurement field includes warmed probe technology for the toughest high humidity environments. Saturation in the environment causes condensation to form on all surfaces including measurement sensors, which can be fatal for some technologies. A warmed probe keeps the sensor continuously above the ambient temperature, ensuring condensation never forms. With Vaisala's solution, relative humidity measurement is possible in these conditions with an additional Indigo520 transmitter.
In the visualization, the Vaisala HUMICAP® probe A has a heating functionality, whereas the probe B is non-heated. When 100% relative humidity (RH) is reached, probe A recovers quickly to show accurate humidity readings whereas B recovers very slowly. Depending on the device, recovery can take hours.
Unique benefits
Excellent long-term stability and repeatability
The sensor is so linear that it is enough to have only 2 adjustment points, reducing the amount of work in calibration.
Insensitive to dust and most chemicals
And for the toughest environments with high concentrations of chemicals, Vaisala offers chemical purge option
Fast response time
fast response improves process control in rapidly changing conditions
Sensor heating
Sensor heating for measurements even in condensing environments
Full recovery from condensation
Measurement is accurate immediately after condensation has evaporated.
The most reliable and accurate humidity measurement
even in the harshest environments
HUMICAP® applications by industry
Even though the HUMICAP innovation was originally designed for a new type of a radiosonde, the word got around about reliable humidity measurements, and created a growing demand in many industries and applications. Today we offer everything you need for measuring humidity, with a wide range of humidity instruments covering applications from HVAC to the most demanding industrial applications, both indoors and outdoors.
Automotive
Accurate humidity, dew point, and concentration control for the best product quality for the automotive industry
Improve automotive processes from design to storage in various applications, and ensure product quality
Aviation
Ensure safe and efficient airport operations in all conditions
Continuous humidity measurements help airports detect upcoming storms to ensure safe and efficient takeoffs and arrivals in any weather
Battery manufacturing
Critical moisture and liquid concentration measurements
Ensure safe operations and quality end-products with the help of reliable measurements
Building Automation
Measure humidity and CO2 in all critical spots to optimize your HVAC system
Gain better energy efficiency, indoor air quality and optimal system operation with room, duct and outdoor installations for precise humidity and CO2 monitoring
Chemical
Secure efficient and safe chemicals drying, processing, and storage
Measure relative humidity, absolute humidity, and temperature for best quality products and safe operating conditions
Data Centers
High-accuracy measurement solutions for data centers and mission-critical facilities
Improve energy efficiency by high-precision humidity and temperature measurements with minimum maintenance needs.
Defense Meteorology
Understand the impact of weather on operations and personnel safety
Humidity measurements play a key role in situational awareness for planning operations and training exercises and keeping personnel safe
Food, beverage and agriculture
Accurately monitor and control humidity in food manufacturing, transportation, and storage.
Secure products' shelf-life, freshness, taste, and safety for consumption
Fuel cells & electrolyzers
Improve fuel cell and electrolyzer testing and manufacturing
Choosing the right humidity measurement technology can save you hours and take your processes to a new level
Life Science
Keep your cleanrooms running smoothly and incubators always within specifications
Measure, monitor, and record humidity real-time
Maritime
Ensure safe and smooth maritime operations
Reliable marine humidity observations keep crew members safe and sound and maritime operations running smoothly
Meteorology
Ensure a better and safer daily life
The long-term stability of HUMICAP® ensures high-quality data for global synoptic and climatological observations. Used both in upper air radiosondes and surface weather observations, precise humidity data enables accurate weather forecasting and precipitation prediction
Power
Extend your power transformer's operational life. Avoid free water formation and decreased breakdown voltage of insulating liquids.
Our robust moisture in oil probes have become the virtual industry standard for condition monitoring of power transformers. Compatible with mineral oil, natural & synthetic esters, and silicon liquids
Pulp, paper and wood
Reverse the effects of humidity in a paper mill with accurate humidity measurements
Avoid excess humidity in the hood with proper moisture control and achieve the desired paper quality and consistency
Roads
Empower your winter road maintenance and management decision-making
Accurate dew point measurements help to predict frost and black ice formation on the road surface — critical for ensuring road safety
Semiconductor
Prevent spoilage and failure due to humidity
Utilize precise data on the manufacturing environment
Urban resilience
Help communities gain a deeper connection to their environment
Accurate humidity measurements provide a clearer picture of current environmental conditions in cities and industrial areas
Product documentation
More downloads
Examples of HUMICAP® products
Indigo Family - the modular platform
HUMICAP® Humidity and Temperature Probe HMP155
Humidity and Temperature Probe HMP110
