Commissioning Checklist: Sensor Tuning, Timeout Settings & Basin Geometry

Most sensor faucet service tickets are not caused by bad products. They are caused by mismatched assumptions:

• The faucet is tuned on a test bench, then installed over a highly reflective basin with a shiny drain, creating false triggers.
• Timeouts are left at default, causing either run-on water waste or user frustration when the faucet shuts off mid-wash.
• The sensor sees movement or reflections from adjacent fixtures, resulting in ghost activations.
• Aerators and strainers clog after construction debris, and the faucet is blamed for sensor failure.

Before you touch sensor settings, verify the basin and spout geometry. The goal is simple: hands should be detected where water actually lands, and splash should be controlled.

What matters in basin geometry

• Spout reach relative to drain: if water lands too close to the front edge, users move hands back and forth and the sensor cycles. If it lands too far back, splash increases.
• Basin depth and slope: shallow basins and flat slopes splash more and can reflect infrared signals.
• Finish reflectivity: polished stainless and glossy porcelain can increase false triggers. Matte finishes generally behave better.
• Drain hardware and bright highlights: reflective drains can create a hot spot in the sensor field.

Basin geometry quick check table

These steps eliminate half of “sensor problems” before you ever adjust a sensor.

1. Flush supply lines. Construction debris and solder flux are common after turnover. Flush both hot and cold lines before final outlets are installed.
2. Confirm stop valves and filters are accessible. If access requires removing a sealed panel or a full vanity drawer, future maintenance time increases.
3. Verify power strategy and stability. Battery packs must be fully seated. Plug-in adapters should be secured and not shared with loose outlets.
4. Verify mixing and temperature control strategy. Set below-deck mixing or thermostatic devices first. Do not tune around unstable temperature.
5. Install and clean the sensor window. Remove films. Clean fingerprints and residue. A hazy lens shifts detection behavior.

Think of tuning as finding the smallest activation zone that still feels natural to users. Many manufacturers note that factory range fits most applications and range should only be changed for unusual conditions.

Step-by-step method

1. Start at factory settings. If the faucet provides a formal range adjustment procedure, follow it and record the starting value.
2. Map the activation window. Use painter’s tape on the deck as a grid. Test at three hand heights: low, normal wash height, and higher approach height. Mark where activation begins and drops out.
3. Reduce sensitivity until false triggers stop. Typical causes include reflective drains, glossy backsplashes, adjacent motion, and strong directional lighting.
4. Check cross-talk across the full counter run. Run one-user and two-user tests. Simulate wipe-down motion to validate cleaning behavior.
5. Confirm shutoff behavior. Make sure removal of hands stops flow quickly. Confirm any short drip is normal spout drainage, not valve leakage.

Timeouts do two different jobs, and mixing them up causes errors:

1. Run time per activation: how long it runs when hands are present or in a metered mode
2. Safety timeout: hard stop to prevent continuous run if the sensor is blocked

A common commercial benchmark is a 30-second time-out feature on some platforms. Treat that as a reference point, then confirm the actual values and options in the specific manufacturer guide.

Timeout settings record table

Use this sequence per restroom bank, not per single faucet. Many failures only appear when multiple fixtures operate together.

A. Geometry and installation

• Verify spout alignment to drain centerline
• Verify basin depth and splash control
• Confirm sensor window is clean and unobstructed
• Confirm outlet installed correctly
• Confirm hose routing has no kinks and has strain relief

B. Water and filtration

• Flush lines before final outlet installation
• Confirm strainers and filters are clean and serviceable
• Verify stable pressure and no severe hammer

C. Power and controls

• Verify battery seating or adapter connection
• Confirm cables are secured and not pinched
• Confirm mixing strategy is set and stable

D. Sensor tuning

• Start factory settings
• Map activation window at low, normal, and high hand positions
• Reduce range to eliminate false triggers
• Validate adjacent-basin cross-talk

E. Timeout validation

• Confirm safety timeout works by simulating a blocked sensor
• Confirm normal shutoff with hands removed
• Confirm no repeated cycling during normal handwashing

F. Closeout documentation

• Record final settings per faucet bank
• Capture model numbers and power type
• Provide O&M documents and a short troubleshooting quick guide
• Provide parts list for strainers and common wear items

Use this before swapping parts. Most fixes start with filtration, power seating, and sensor window condition.

• Final settings record (range, timeouts, mode)
• As-installed model list, including power type
• IOM and maintenance PDFs for the exact installed series
• One-page field quick guide (battery replacement, filter cleaning, reset procedure)
• Recommended preventive maintenance interval based on water quality

While sensor faucets reduce the need to grasp or twist handles, coordinate the overall restroom for accessibility and operable parts requirements. Use non-brand references to keep reviews grounded and consistent.

Category pages requested

Commissioning references

Accessibility and standards

Brand technical documents referenced