Interfacing of Water Flow Sensor (YF-S201) Module with Arduino

Water Flow Sensor (YF-S201) Module

The YF-S201 water flow sensor allows Arduino projects to measure the rate of water flow through a pipe. It’s a compact, low-cost device ideal for water usage monitoring, automation, and conservation applications.

Working Principle of Water Flow Sensor

The YF-S201 sensor contains a rotor and a Hall Effect sensor. When water flows through the sensor, the rotor spins, generating pulses. These pulses are proportional to the flow rate. Arduino reads the pulse frequency and converts it into liters per minute.

Features of YF-S201 Sensor

Requirements

1. Arduino Board

2. YF-S201 Water Flow Sensor

3. Jumper wires

4. Breadboard (optional)

Pin Configuration of YF-S201 Sensor

Wiring the Water Flow Sensor to Arduino

Connect the sensor's VCC to the Arduino’s 5V pin, GND to GND, and OUT to a digital pin like D2. You may use an interrupt on this pin to accurately count pulses, especially for precise flow rate calculations.

Algorithm

1. Initialize Sensor and Variables

   • Define the input pin for pulse reading.
   • Set up interrupt service routine for counting pulses.
   • Initialize serial monitor for output.

2. Calculate Flow Rate

   • Use the pulse count in a fixed time interval.
   • Apply calibration factor (e.g., 7.5 for YF-S201).
   • Convert to liters per minute or milliliters per second.

3. Display Output

   • Print flow rate and total volume on serial monitor.
   • Use LCD or OLED for physical display (optional).
   • Store data if long-term tracking is needed.

4. Test and Calibrate

   • Run water through the sensor at known volume.
   • Compare actual vs measured flow.
   • Adjust calibration constant as needed.