Infrared faucets are designed to deliver water only when hands or objects are detected in a defined sensing zone. Instead of relying on a mechanical handle, they use an electronic control system to trigger a valve, making activation faster, more consistent, and easier to control across different installation environments.

For AIDIER, infrared technology is not just a feature upgrade. It is a platform for building durable, compliant, and scalable faucet programs that support wholesale supply, OEM/ODM customization, and long-term product consistency across multiple batches.

The core principle: detection, decision, actuation

An infrared faucet works through a simple loop:

1. Detect: The sensor emits infrared light and monitors reflected signals.

2. Decide: The control unit confirms a valid presence based on distance and timing rules.

3. Actuate: A solenoid valve opens to allow water flow, then closes immediately when the signal ends.

This loop is executed in fractions of a second, which is why the user experience feels instant and controlled.

What components are inside an infrared faucet?

A typical infrared faucet includes five functional modules:

• Infrared sensor module Emits and receives infrared signals. Some designs include adjustable sensing distance to reduce false triggers in reflective sinks or tight basins.

• Control board The “brain” that filters sensor noise, sets run-time limits, and controls opening and closing behavior. Better designs add protective logic for unstable voltage and low-battery conditions.

• Solenoid valve An electromagnetic valve that opens when energized and closes when power is removed. The valve quality, sealing design, and cycle durability heavily influence service life.

• Power system Commonly battery-powered, plug-in, or hybrid. Power design affects maintenance cycles and installation flexibility.

• Waterway and mixing structure Depending on the model, temperature can be preset, mixed, or controlled with a side handle while activation remains sensor-based.

How the infrared sensor actually “sees” your hands

Most faucet sensors use active infrared detection:

• The sensor emits IR light

• The light reflects off the user’s hands

• The sensor measures the returned signal strength

• The control board decides if the signal matches a valid target

Key tuning factors include:

• Sensing distance: Too far increases accidental activation. Too short hurts usability.

• Response delay: Well-tuned systems feel immediate while still rejecting random reflections.

• Environmental interference: Mirror-like basins, bright sunlight, and splashing can affect detection. Robust filtering logic reduces these effects.

Water control and compliance: why flow rates matter

Infrared activation saves water primarily by eliminating “run-on” time. But compliance and performance still depend on flow engineering.

In the United States, federal efficiency requirements historically set a widely referenced maximum of 2.2 gpm for faucets sold after January 1, 1994. Many states and green building programs have pushed Kitchen Faucet limits lower, with 1.8 gpm commonly appearing as a stricter benchmark, and some proposals discuss 1.5 gpm pathways for higher efficiency specifications.

For facilities that use metering or timed flow designs, federal guidance also references 0.25 gallons per cycle for metering faucets, reinforcing why shutoff logic and cycle control matter in real installations. 

Why infrared systems are often chosen for high-traffic use

Bathroom and kitchen faucets account for a meaningful portion of indoor water consumption. One building-science reference notes that bathroom and kitchen faucets represent about 15.7 percent of indoor residential water use, equating to around 1.1 trillion gallons annually in the U.S.

Infrared activation targets the avoidable part of that usage: water running while hands are moving away, soap is being applied, or tasks pause mid-wash.

Health and material considerations: lead-free and water-contact standards

For U.S. potable-water applications, “lead free” has a specific legal meaning. Under Safe Drinking Water Act provisions, lead free is defined as no more than a weighted average of 0.25 percent lead across wetted surfaces for pipes, fittings, and fixtures.

In addition to legal definitions, many projects also evaluate faucet materials and components against recognized third-party safety standards for drinking-water contact, including NSF/ANSI 61 certification pathways.

From a manufacturer perspective, material selection, plating process control, and consistent supplier qualification are what keep compliance stable from batch to batch.

Power options and what they change in the field

AIDIER typically recommends selecting power architecture based on service accessibility, usage density, and the required maintenance model for the site.

Practical selection checklist for buyers and specifiers

When evaluating an infrared faucet program, these criteria prevent most post-installation issues:

• Sensor stability in reflective environments Ask about adjustable sensing distance and anti-false-trigger tuning.

• Valve and sealing durability Solenoid reliability determines long-term leak risk and cycle stability.

• Flow rate configuration Confirm target gpm aligns with the project’s regional requirements and intended usage pattern.

• Lead-free and water-contact compliance plan Verify the product design aligns with lead-free definitions and water-contact expectations for the target market.

• Spare parts strategy A standardized cartridge, sensor module, and valve approach simplifies long-term maintenance across bulk order deliveries.

Where AIDIER adds value for infrared faucet programs

AIDIER supports infrared faucet projects with manufacturer-level controls that reduce uncertainty across sourcing, compliance, and delivery:

• Direct factory supply with stable quality control across core components, finishing, and functional testing

• Dual production bases to support supply continuity and cost planning for different shipping routes

• OEM/ODM flexibility for sensor behavior, spout geometry, finishing, packaging, and project configuration

• U.S.-market alignment in flow-rate planning and material compliance readiness for common project expectations

To see a sensor-activated model built for kitchen workflows, explore AIDIER’s Infrared Kitchen Faucet page for specifications and configuration direction.

Closing thoughts

Infrared faucets work by combining sensor detection with fast electronic decision-making and reliable valve actuation. When the system is engineered with stable sensing logic, durable valve design, and market-aligned compliance planning, touchless activation becomes a practical way to improve consistency, reduce waste, and standardize performance across many installations.