Moisture sensor including volume sensing

A moisture sensor comprising:

• a) a case which is at least water resistant and has an exterior, an upper portion, a lower portion and a periphery;
• b) electrical conductors in or on the case;
• c) a capacitive sensing circuit electrically connected to a pair of the electrical conductors for measuring a volume of water in a space near the case by measuring the capacitance between a pair of the electrical conductors;
• d) wherein the conductors include a first plurality that are positioned to sense moisture when the case is generally horizontally positioned and a second plurality at said periphery that enable sensing of moisture when the case is in an inclined position;
• e) a timer to cause periodic measurements of capacitance between the pair of conductors;
• f) a transmitter for periodically transmitting capacitance measurements;
• and
• g) wherein a plurality of the conductors are fasteners that secure the case upper portion to the case lower portion.

A moisture sensor comprising:

• a) a case which has an exterior, an upper portion, a lower portion and a periphery;
• b) a plurality of sensing contacts on the exterior of the case, said plurality including a first plurality positioned to sense moisture when the case is in a generally horizontal position and a second plurality positioned to sense moisture when the case is in an inclined position;
• c) resistance sensing circuits to allow measurements of electrical resistance between at least two sensing contacts representing a relative level of moisture present near the plurality of sensing contacts;
• d) a timer to cause periodic measurements of electrical resistance between at least two sensing contacts;
• e) a transmitter for periodically transmitting electrical resistance measurements, wherein the sensing contacts include points distal from the case which are sharp enough to pierce gypsum board or wood;
• and
• f) wherein a plurality of the sensing contacts are fasteners that secure the case upper portion to the case lower portion.