A water solutions provider required a system to monitor low-range gauge pressure in a large-diameter wastewater pipe, but the installation site was remote and had no available mains power. The primary challenge was achieving real-time data transmission (every 5 minutes) to a cloud platform for mobile access, all from an autonomous, off-grid station.
- Application: Remote, off-grid pressure monitoring in a 600mm wastewater pipe.
- Challenge: No local power for instrumentation or data transmission.
- Requirement: Real-time data (5-minute updates) sent to a cloud platform for mobile viewing.
- Parameter: 0-750 mbar gauge pressure, likely for blockage or surcharge detection.
- Solution: A wireless pressure transducer (IWPTL series) paired with a solar-powered, panel-mounted cellular IoT Gateway.
A project manager at a water solutions company needed to implement a monitoring system on a 600mm diameter stainless steel pipe within a wastewater network. The application required measuring low-range gauge pressure, specifically a range of 0 to 750 mbar, to enable real-time assessment of the liquid flowing through the pipe. This type of monitoring is often critical for detecting potential blockages or surcharge events, which would register as a pressure increase.
The primary technical challenge was the installation’s remote location, which had no access to a local power supply for either the sensor or the data-logging receiver. Furthermore, the customer required high-frequency data logging, with data uploaded to the cloud every five minutes or less, and needed the ability to view this “in-time data” on mobile devices for immediate analysis by engineers.
The proposed solution consisted of two main components. First, a low-range wireless pressure transducer from the IWPTL series was selected. This battery-powered transmitter was perfectly suited for the application. Its piezo-resistive sensor is housed within 316 stainless steel, offering the necessary media compatibility for a wastewater environment. Its five-year battery life (at a 10-second transmission rate) and 2.4 GHz wireless transmission eliminate the need for any power or signal cables running to the pipe.
The second, more critical, component was the receiver and data transmission system. To solve the power and data access problem, an IoT-Gateway series receiver was specified. This gateway is designed to receive data from up to 128 wireless transmitters and, crucially, features a built-in cellular modem (2G/4G). It uses the MQTT protocol to send all sensor data to a remote cloud-based server. This platform allows for remote monitoring and logging and can be configured to send SMS or email alarms, directly fulfilling the customer’s need for mobile data access.
To overcome the lack of mains power, the solution was provided as a complete, pre-assembled charging system. This system included the IoT-Gateway, a 12Ah lead-acid battery , and a solar charge controller , all integrated within a 400 x 400 x 200 mm steel enclosure. A 10W solar panel was included to connect to the enclosure, creating a fully autonomous, off-grid monitoring station capable of sustaining the high-frequency data uploads required by the customer.
IWPTL Wireless Low Range Pressure Sensor
- Part Number: IWPTL-G0750-00, IoT-Gateway-00, II-W-059-000
- Wireless Transmitters: Pressure Sensor
- Process Connection: 1/4 BSP male
- Pressure Ranges: 750 mbar g
- Wireless Receivers: 2G 3G 4G cellular modem
IOT Gateway Receiver with Cellular Modem
- Product: IoT-Gateway with Cellular modem
- Wireless Inputs: Up to 128 IWT Wireless transmitters
- Analogue Inputs: 4 x 4-20mA or 0-10Vdc
- Digital Inputs: 8 x Volt-free Digital Inputs
- Outputs: 4 x Relay contact outputs
- Communications Inputs: Acts as RS485 Modbus RTU master
- Display: 6 line LCD backlit display
- Cellular Connection: 2G/4G Transmit Bands MQTT protocol
- Power Supply: 12-36Vdc
IoT-Gateway Panel with Solar Charging System
- Description: Install IoT-Gateway and Solar Charging Kit inside a panel
- Enclosure: 400 x 400 x 200mm steel enclosure
- Solar Panel: 10W
- Solar Charger: PU0512EU Solar Charge Controller
- Battery: Lead Acid 12Vdc 12Ah
- Battery Charger: Solar Panel