Smart.
Wireless.
Autonomous.
Battery-powered, industrial-grade IoT sensor solution with LoRaWAN® for outdoor use.
For this purpose, robust inductive and energy-optimized single or dual sensors from the broad Pepperl+Fuchs portfolio are quickly and easily connected to the WILSEN.valve central unit via standardized M12 connections. This central unit supplies the sensors with power via a high-performance battery and reports the valve status detected by them to the target system. As the valve status is sent directly and already processed, there is no need for users to carry out a complex evaluation of individual sensor statuses and assignment to the respective valve status. The integrated GPS functionality of the central unit also makes it easy to localize the valves, even in widely branched process plants. Furthermore, the central unit also transmits additional diagnostic data and reports error states such as line breakage or short circuits to the higher-level system.
Especially in retrofit scenarios or in applications that have to be implemented in remote, hard-to-reach locations without a conventional power supply, the WILSEN.node proves to be an ingenious yet easy-to-implement solution. The central unit supplies the sensors with power via a high-performance battery and transmits information via LoRaWAN over a distance of several kilometers. In addition to the actual sensor measurement data, additional diagnostic data and error states, such as line breakage or short circuits, are also sent to the higher-level system. Integrated GPS functionality also enables the precise localization of central units in remote locations.
Whether in a municipal supply operation, an apartment building or in an industrial process—manually operated valves must be in the correct position for the continuous supply of hot water or heating. The WILSEN.valve solution detects the position of valves and ball valves in water distribution systems, including in remote locations. Up to two inductive dual sensors can be connected to a central unit, allowing the IoT sensor solution to monitor up to two valves simultaneously. For particularly quick and easy installation, the dual sensor is attached to a mounting plate and the actuator is connected to the axis of the hand lever. The central unit can be placed on a wall or a strut near the valve, for example. The device transmits the position of the connected valves in the water distribution system to the target system via LoRaWAN with a high degree of reliability. On site, the valve position can also be identified on the actuator by means of a clearly visible marking.
Monitoring the end position and feedback of the valve position of drain and distribution valves provides important information for optimizing production processes. In addition, costly waste of process heat or products can be avoided by quickly identifying accidentally opened valves. The WILSEN.valve solution detects the valve position via an inductive dual sensor with two inductive sensor elements. These each monitor one of the two end positions (open/closed) of the actuator, completely wear-free and with low interference. The central unit, together with the sensor and actuator, can be quickly and easily installed directly on the valve and then transmits the valve positions to a target system over a distance of several kilometers via LoraWAN. In defined cases, an alarm or a follow-up action is triggered.
Due to the high voltage of the incoming lines, there is a danger to life and the doors of transformer houses must be closed at all times. They may only be opened for maintenance work—after appropriate safety measures have been taken. The WILSEN.node solution can be used to ensure that the door of a transformer house is always properly closed when no maintenance work is being carried out. For this purpose, an inductive sensor is connected to the WILSEN.node central unit, which detects the closing status of the door and reports any change. If the door is opened outside of scheduled maintenance work, the sensor signal can trigger a defined alarm. The protection of residents and passers-by is ensured.
Wells, sewer access points and other manhole openings in the ground require a secure cover. A correctly fitted manhole cover prevents accidents and protects people and materials. With the WILSEN.node, the position of the cover can be continuously checked. The central unit is installed outside the manhole and connected to a suitable sensor on the inside, which detects the position of the manhole cover. The position of the manhole cover (open/closed) is transmitted directly to the desired target system via LoRaWAN.
In addition, a float switch can be connected to the second input of the WILSEN.node central unit, which detects possible flooding of shafts, for example in the event of heavy rainfall. This creates a comprehensive sensor solution for manhole monitoring with just one WILSEN central unit.
Grazing animals should remain on the allocated pasture for a fixed period of time. This is not only important for pasture management, but also a question of safety and liability. Consequently, the pasture gate must be reliably closed during this time. The risk of unintentionally open gates can be minimized with little effort using the WILSEN.node solution. Equipped with a suitable sensor for object presence detection, the device monitors the position of the gate. If it remains open unplanned, a signal is sent via the central unit to the relevant IoT platform, from which the farmer immediately receives the corresponding message. The WILSEN.node central unit has an extremely robust design, IP66/67 degree of protection and a wide temperature range of -25 to +70 °C. This makes it particularly suitable for outdoor use in the harsh conditions of an animal pasture.
Agricultural barns are used to store harvested crops, fodder and straw as well as agricultural machinery and equipment. These are often very valuable items. In order to protect them from the weather, damage and theft, the doors should be closed as long as no work is being carried out there or there are no operationally necessary entries and exits. Damage and loss can be prevented by using the WILSEN.node solution without the need for extensive wiring or complex installation. The WILSEN.node central unit is mounted on the inside of the door. Supplemented by the appropriate sensor for object presence detection, the WILSEN.node solution now records the position of the barn door (open/closed) and transmits this to an IoT platform, which informs the farmer via a push notification in the event of unintentional opening.
A so-called LoRaWAN (Long Range Wide Area Network) is required to transfer measured values from the WILSEN IoT sensors to a cloud-based IoT platform and evaluate them there. These easily scalable networks, which are fully geared towards the requirements of the IoT, are characterized by their combination of low energy consumption, long range and secure communication.
In addition to the IoT sensors or other end devices, such a LoRaWAN architecture usually consists of long-range gateways arranged in a star topology. These gateways translate the data from the WILSEN sensors into an Ethernet-capable protocol and transmit the converted information to a LoRa network server. The network server decodes the sensor data and forwards it to an application server for initial processing before the data can finally be evaluated in an IoT platform.
At the same time, communication in the opposite direction is also possible via the LoRa network server and the gateways: not only can sensor data be received, but parameter settings in the WILSEN sensors can also be conveniently made remotely via the so-called "downlink channel". Pepperl+Fuchs provides a free web service specifically for this purpose.
Alternatively, the sensors can be parameterized directly on site using a mobile device app.
The wireless, autonomous WILSEN IoT sensors reliably supply data regarding fill level, distance, valve position, and object presence to a LoRaWAN without a cable connection. Learn more about their functional principle and unique features.
How do you parameterize the WILSEN sensors from Pepperl+Fuchs via the downlink channel? In this video, our expert shows you how to set it up quickly and easily.
As a member of the LoRa Alliance®, Pepperl+Fuchs is commited to delivering product interoperability and worldwide deployment of this technology.
LoRa technology features a number of advantages that are especially suitable for use with IoT sensors such as Pepperl+Fuchs’ WILSEN:
These properties mean that LoRa can be used to create very large wireless networks to implement applications for cities, municipalities and various industries. It can also be used to set up cost-effective private networks on company premises.
We are optimally networked and can accordingly draw on a broad pool of partners from the LoRa and IoT sectors. Benefit from the combined expertise of Pepperl+Fuchs and these renowned partners when implementing your projects.
We offer not only technical excellence, but also first-class service and support: Our global presence, our deep understanding of different industries and our customer focus set us apart. Of course, this also applies to our portfolio of WILSEN sensors: In this section you will find a selection of tools to help you always get the most out of your sensors and keep operating costs as low as possible.
Further Information
Pepperl+Fuchs Oy
Areenakatu 7
FI-37570 Lempäälä
Finland
info@fi.pepperl-fuchs.com
+358 20 7861 290
info@fi.pepperl-fuchs.com
+358 20 7861 291
Downloads