A Leak Detector That Triggers Automation Before Disaster Strikes

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Water damage is one of those problems that feels “rare” right up until it isn’t and then it’s expensive, disruptive, and painfully avoidable. We talk through two new releases from Shelly Group that aim to make prevention and control panel integration far more practical for smart home installers, custom integrators, and smart building professionals.

First up is the Shelly Flood S Gen 4, designed as an early warning system for water ingress in the exact places leaks love to hide: under washing machines, dishwashers, boilers and sinks, plus basements, garages and near HVAC kit where condensation can cause slow, silent trouble. We dig into why its stainless steel sensing surfaces matter, especially for detecting low-conductivity liquids like HVAC condensation, distilled water and desalinated water. We also cover the actions that make a sensor genuinely useful, from notifications and alarms to automated responses such as triggering a motorised water shutoff valve.

Then we shift to the Shelly Pro Sensor Add-on, a DIN rail module built for jobs that need multiple sensor inputs and central monitoring. We explore what it means to support one-wire sensors, analogue 0 to 10V inputs, digital signals and dry contact connections, and how galvanic isolation can improve reliability and electrical safety inside control panels. We also touch on modern protocol thinking and management, including integration into wider IoT environments, use of the Shelly Smart Control app, and automation scripting for tailored logic across HVAC optimisation, environmental monitoring, irrigation control, warehousing and industrial automation.

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Transcript

Quick Briefing And Context

SPEAKER_00 0:00

Welcome to the Inside CI News Brief for Tuesday, 7th of July 2026, the latest custom installation news in minutes for busy integrators and industry professionals.

Two New Shelly Sensors

SPEAKER_00 0:12

Shelley Group is expanding its smart building portfolio with two new sensors aimed at improving protection, monitoring, and automation across residential and commercial installations. The Shelley Flood S Gen 4 and Shelley Pro Sensor Add-on address two very different but increasingly important requirements for smart home professionals: preventative monitoring and flexible sensor integration. While the Flood S Gen 4 focuses on early leak detection and environmental awareness within the Smart Home, the PRO Sensor Add-on extends the capabilities of Shelley's professional DNR ecosystem for more advanced automation projects.

Flood Sensor Use Cases And Detection

SPEAKER_00 0:51

The Shelley Flood S Gen 4 has been designed as an early warning system for water ingress, targeting locations where leaks can remain unnoticed until significant damage has occurred. Typical installation locations include beneath washing machines, dishwashers and boilers, as well as under sinks, in basements and garages, or alongside HVAC equipment where condensation can present a risk. Unlike many conventional leak detectors, the Flood S Gen 4 uses stainless steel sensing surfaces capable of detecting low-conductivity liquids, including HVAC condensation, distilled water, and desalinated water. Once a leak is identified, the sensor can trigger notifications, activate alarms, or initiate automated responses, such as closing a motorized

Rain Mode And Connectivity Options

SPEAKER_00 1:40

water shutoff valve. The device also introduces a rain mode for external applications. This allows the sensor to form part of weather-responsive automation routines, including retracting awnings, pausing irrigation systems, or generating alerts when rainfall is detected. Connectivity is comprehensive with support for Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, Zigbee 3.0, and Matter, allowing integration into a broad range of smart home ecosystems. Local automation support ensures the sensor can continue operating even in the absence of an internet connection. Designed for indoor and outdoor deployment, the Flood S Gen 4 carries an IP67 environmental rating and is specified for up to two years of battery

Pro Sensor Add-on For Control Panels

SPEAKER_00 2:28

operation. Alongside it, the Shelley PRO sensor add-on targets installations where multiple sensor inputs and centralized monitoring are required. Designed as a DIN rail module for use alongside the Shelley PRO range, it allows integrators to connect a wide variety of sensors and measurement devices through a single interface. Support includes one-wire sensors, analog 0 to 10 volt inputs, digital signals and dry contact connections, enabling integration with temperature, humidity, CO2, pressure, occupancy, and leak detection systems. The module's galvanically isolated interface is intended to improve reliability and electrical safety within control panels, while its broad compatibility makes it suitable for applications ranging from HVAC optimization and environmental monitoring through to irrigation control, warehousing, and industrial automation. The PRO sensor add-on integrates with wider IoT environments through modern communication protocols and can be centrally managed via the Shelley Smart Control app. Automation scripting support also allows for highly tailored control logic in more complex installations.

Pricing And Where To Listen Next

SPEAKER_00 3:42

The Shelly Flood S Gen 4 sells for £15.10, while the Shelly Pro Sensor add on is priced at £26.98. Be sure to pop over to the Inside CI website for all the latest news, reviews, and interviews. Also, be sure to listen to our sister podcast Inside CI Tech Talk for all the latest interviews, discussions, and reviews by our hosts Stuart Burgess and Simon Gregory.