Description
Industrial Wireless Vibration And Temperature Sensor
Our long range wireless enterprise series sensors are an easy to use and reliable start to any data aggregation application. This video will demonstrate how they work, what they do, and how to use them.
Industrial Wireless Vibration And Temperature Sensor
Introducing NCD’s Long Range IoT Industrial wireless vibration and temperature sensor, boasting up to a 2 Mile range using a wireless mesh networking architecture. Incorporating a precision 16-bit vibration and temperature sensor, this device transmits highly accurate vibration and temperature data at user-defined intervals.
During Power-Up, this vibration sensor learns “normal” base-line vibration from the monitored device. This base-line vibration is subtracted from regular sampled vibration readings to improve relevant vibration data. Ideally, the monitored device should be off while the sensor is learning. Once the sensor stabilizes and starts sending data, the device/machinery being monitored can be powered on. This Industrial IoT wireless vibration sensor samples 3-axis of Vibration data for 500ms and then calculates RMS, Maximum, and Minimum vibration readings. This sensor combines these data with temperature data in a data packet, and transmits the result to modems and gateways within wireless range. Once transmission is complete, the vibration sensor goes back to sleep, thus minimizing power consumption.
Powered by just 4 AA batteries and an operational lifetime of 500,000 wireless transmissions, a 10 years battery life can be expected depending on environmental conditions and the data transmission interval. Optionally, this sensor may be externally powered, making it an ideal choice for wireless vibration monitoring system for industrial equipment. With an open communication protocol, this sensor transmits hardware encrypted data that can be integrated with just about any control system or gateway. Data can be transmitted to a PC, a Raspberry Pi, to Losant IoT cloud, Microsoft® Azure® IoT, and an embedded system all at the same time. Sensor parameters and wireless transmission settings can be changed using our free LabVIEW® monitoring software on a desktop PC.
We take IoT security very seriously, which is why we encrypt every IoT sensor, gateway, modem, and device in the NCD Enterprise product line. Encryption is much easier to manage than you might expect, as the encryption does not get in the way of using the device. We include a standard 128-Bit AES Encryption key with every device or we can help you integrate a new encryption key into all of your devices. All hardware devices must use the same encryption key. Once the keys are set, the hardware manages the rest for you, 100% in the background.
NCD long-range wireless IoT sensors use the DigiMesh® protocol from Digi.com. DigiMesh® was designed by THE industrial leader in secure wireless communications for industrial applications. DigiMesh® automatically hops data from gateway to gateway until it arrives at the desired destination. NCD IoT sensors are capable of a 2-Mile line-of-site communication distance with the included antennas and up to 28-mile range when using high-gain antennas.
Your data belongs to YOU and it’s up to you to decide where you want your IoT sensor data to arrive. Don’t be bogged down by the limitations of proprietary cloud solutions, post the data where you need it most. We offer an open communications protocol so you can integrate NCD wireless transmitters into your own software. This allows integration of NCD IoT sensors into any control system or gateway you could ever imagine. Send data to a PC, Mac, or Linux computer, or a Raspberry Pi using NCD modems. Send data to popular cloud platforms such as Microsoft® Azure® IoT, Losant, and MQTT using NCD Micro Gateways. We can also help get data from NCD wireless IoT sensors to embedded platforms such as Arduino. We also offer sample code for Microsoft® Visual Studio, Node-RED, LabVIEW®, and Python. Our documentation fully breaks down the packet structure, so integration into other languages is possible. We may even be able to help, so please feel free to contact us if you are working with a platform not mentioned here.
The long range, price, accuracy, battery life and security features of Wireless Vibration Sensor makes it an affordable choice which exceeds the requirements for most of the industrial as well as consumer market applications.
Transmission Interval
This device sends data periodically, based on user-preset timing intervals.
This device sends data when input thresholds exceed user-defined preset limits.
IoT Sensor Data Transmission
NCD IoT Sensors send a lot more than just sensor data. For instance, a unique serial number is sent so you can always identify a particular sensor on the network. A Node ID is also included, which a single byte of data that you can use for anything, such as the floor of a building or to help identify which group a sensor belongs to. Also included in the data packet is a firmware version, battery level, and sensor type. This allows your software to positively identify and manage the health of NCD IoT wireless sensors. While signal strength data is also available, it is handled in a different way, and is not included in the sensor data packet (but rest assured, signal strength data for each sensor is available). Please see the Resources tab to see detailed information on the data structure of this device.
NCD wireless sensors transmit data and require a receiver. There are many options available for receiving data from NCD IoT devices, please see below for a in-depth description of destinations available for NCD sensors. We highly recommend using our USB Modem (available during purchase) so you can monitor this device and use our LabVIEW® software for changing device settings. Some sensors have advanced settings that can help send alerts when problems are detected while other settings can be used to adjust communication interval, which will directly affect battery life.
How Long will the Batteries Really Last?
Most NCD IoT Sensors are rated for 300,000 to 500,000 transmissions until the batteries become so weak they are unreliable. You could spread these transmissions out over a 10 year period and send 50,000 transmissions per year. This would allow up to 136 transmissions per day, or about 5 transmissions per hour (for a 500K sensor, or 3 per hour for 300K sensor). If you only need the batteries to last 3 years, you could send 166,666 transmissions per year, or about 456 transmissions per day (about 19 transmissions per hour for a 500K sensor). As you can see, battery life is really up to you. By altering advanced settings in the NCD IoT sensor, you have control over longevity. Please note the 500,000 transmission rating is for premium alkaline batteries. NCD ships all sensors with premium Lithium batteries, which include a ultra-wide temperature range that typically lasts in excess of 600,000 transmissions. These batteries weigh less than half of alkalines, and they work in the freezer! A word of caution though, putting a sensor in configuration mode will drain the batteries very quickly. It’s important to configure your sensors and exit configuration mode as soon as possible or use a external power supply during configuration (if supported by the sensor). The table below indicates how many Transmissions Per Hour (TPH) your can expect from different sensors over a lifespan of up to 10 years.
| Life in Years: | 1 Year | 2 Years | 3 Years | 5 Years | 10 Years |
| 300K Sensor | 34 TPH | 17 TPH | 11 TPH | 6 TPH | 3 TPH |
| 400K Sensor | 45 TPH | 22 TPH | 15 TPH | 9 TPH | 4 TPH |
| 500K Sensor | 57 TPH | 28 TPH | 19 TPH | 11 TPH | 5 TPH |
| 600K Sensor | 68 TPH | 34 TPH | 22 TPH | 13 TPH | 6 TPH |
TPH = Transmissions per Hour |
How Do I Change Settings and Examine Raw Sensor Data?
Using our long-range USB wireless modem, users can expect easy operation over a virtual COM port at 115.2K baud. Simply open the virtual COM port of the USB modem and watch data stream in. Optionally, we offer a Wireless receiver that operates over Ethernet. Data from NCD sensors will appear over TCP/IP on port 2101. Simply open a TCP/IP socket, port 2101, to the IP address of the Ethernet modem and see your data stream in to your local area network. Alpha Station was developed to work with our wireless modems. Of course gateways are also available for sending data to popular cloud platforms such as Azure® and Losant (more information below). We take software samples seriously, so be sure to to check out the “Resources” tab to see code samples for Raspberry Pi, Visual Studio, LabVIEW®, Arduino, Python, and more.
What Frequency Do I Need 900MHz or 868MHz?
NCD IoT Wireless Sensors are currently available in two different frequencies to maintain compliance with your local laws. If you are located in North America (Canada, Mexico, and the United States), you will need to order the 900MHz version. The 900MHz version of this product transmits data at 24dBm, offering a stronger signal than the 868MHz version, which transmits data at 14dBm. The 900MHz version generally should not be shipped outside North America, but there may be a few exceptions. Many countries use 900MHz for cellular communications. This is not a 900MHz cellular product and will not work on cellular networks. If you are located in Europe, the 868MHz version should be used. Since the 868MHz version transmits data at 14dBm, a 2-Mile range may not be possible. We strongly suggest reviewing your local laws to determine if either frequency is legal for use in your area. Generally speaking, neither version is legal for use in Asian countries. We are working on a 2.4GHz version to service the worldwide market, but this version will have reduced communication range and penetration through obstacles. Again, we recommend reviewing your local laws prior to purchase.
General Vibration Guidelines
Here are some recommended Vibration standards, you can compare these readings with Long Range IoT Wireless Vibration Temperature Sensor to determine if your device is operating properly or if it needs any action
A. 0.01g or Less — Excellent condition, No action required
B. 0.35g or less — Good Condition, No action required unless the machine is noisy or running at abnormal temperature
C. 0.5g or less — Fair Condition, No action required unless the machine is noisy or running at abnormal temperature
D. 0.75g or More— Rough Condition, possible action required if machine is noisy and also check the bearing temperature
E. 1g or More — Very Rough Conditions, further analysis and see if its doing this continuously. Also check for noise and temperature
F. 1.5g or More — Danger Level, there is definitely a problem in the machine or installation. Also check the temperature Log
G. 2.5g or More — Stutdown the Machine and look for possible causes. Call a technician for immediate repair
For Heavy Machinery these readings could be 1.5 times to 2 times more.
LabVIEW Software allows you to see a Sensor Log for NCD Long Range Wireless Vibration and Temperature Sensors. Use our LabVIEW software to monitor vibration data and configure advanced sensor settings.
Applications
- Wireless Industrial Vibration
- Machine Health Monitoring
- Ideal Component for Predicative Maintenance
- Future Fail Detection In Machines
- Vibration and Temperature Monitoring for AWS® and Azure®
- Ideal For measuring Motor, Pumps, Compressors etc Vibrations
Industrial Wireless vs Long Range IoT
We realize that the Industrial Wireless line and the Long Range IoT line seem very similar and in fact are. The Industrial Wireless line has a few improvements over its counterpart in the Long Range Wireless line in form and fit, but maintain the same function.
| Feature | Industrial Wireless | Long Range IoT |
| 900 MHZ | X | X |
| 868 MHz Option | X | |
| 2-Mile Range | X | X |
| Battery Powered | X | X |
| Optional External Power | X | X |
| Wireless Mesh Capabilities | X | X |
| IP65/Outdoor Rated | X | |
| Magnetic Mounting Attachments | X | Optional |
| External Sensor Probe | Optional |
Individual Industrial Wireless lines may have a longer battery life, optional off-board sensors, more accurate readings, or many other differences that are stated on the product’s web page.
Where do I send my IoT Sensor Data?
IoT Sensor Data can be sent anywhere you need it. Whether you need IoT sensor data on a desktop computer, an IoT cloud platform, or an embedded platform, we have you covered. NCD IoT sensors broadcast data, so data handling is very easy, expandable, and versatile. Send IoT sensor data to Gateways when you want to talk directly to a IoT cloud platform. Send IoT Sensor data to Modems when you want to talk to local computers. Of course you can always send data to both gateways and modems simultaneously, so you always have access to your sensor data locally and remotely. Use multiple Gateways when you need data redundancy or if you need to send sensor data to multiple IoT cloud platforms.
IoT Sensor Clusters are also possible. You can build a cluster of IoT sensors on every floor of a high-rise building, sending data to gateways and modems on each floor. Clustering makes it possible to keep your IoT sensor data separated for easier management. Each Gateway and Modem can be configured to listen to a different cluster of IoT sensors. Because NCD devices support thousands of clusters, expanding your IoT sensor network is virtually limitless.
Send IoT Sensor Data to Microsoft® Azure®
Collect IoT Sensor Data up to Two Miles Away and send your data to Microsoft® Azure® using the NCD Micro Gateway.
The Micro Gateway for Microsoft® Azure® reports all incoming IoT sensor telemetry, as real-world values, to Microsoft® Azure® through the connected Device Twin, and/or Device to Cloud Messages.
Setup could not be easier. The NCD Micro Gateway uses SoftAP and includes embedded web pages for configuration. Simply connect your WiFi capable computer to the NCD Micro Gateway Access Point and the Configuration Pages will appear. All you need is an Azure® Device Connection String to register this device to your Azure® account and a WiFi network with internet connectivity.
Send IoT Sensor Data to Losant
Collect IoT Sensor Data up to Two Miles Away and send your data to Losant using the NCD Micro Gateway. Leverage the power of the Losant Flow Builder to build a stunning dashboard that displays graphs of sensor telemetry over time.
The NCD Micro Gateway for Losant automatically provisions the gateway on the Losant Cloud and registers all IoT sensors as children of the gateway. Watch IoT Sensor data arrive on the Losant cloud with minimal setup time.
Setup could not be easier. The NCD Micro Gateway uses SoftAP and includes embedded web pages for configuration. Simply connect your WiFi capable computer to the NCD Micro Gateway Access Point and the Configuration Pages will appear. All you need are Losant connection credentials (Application ID and Application Token) and a WiFi network with internet connectivity.
Learn More about the NCD Micro Gateway for Losant Here
Losant is an Official Partner of National Control Devices, Learn More about Losant Here.
Send IoT Sensor Data to Amazon® AWS®
Collect IoT Sensor Data up to Two Miles Away and send your data to Amazon® AWS® using the NCD Micro Gateway. Leverage the power of the Amazon® AWS® to connect to the complete ecosystem of NCD IoT Wireless Sensors. The NCD Micro Gateway for Amazon® AWS® automatically provisions the gateway on the Amazon® AWS® Cloud and registers all IoT sensors as children of the gateway. Watch IoT Sensor data arrive on the Amazon® AWS® cloud with minimal setup time.
Setup could not be easier. The NCD Micro Gateway uses SoftAP and includes embedded web pages for configuration. Simply connect your WiFi capable computer to the NCD Micro Gateway Access Point and the Configuration Pages will appear. All you need are Amazon® AWS® connection credentials and a WiFi network with internet connectivity.
Send IoT Sensor Data to Visual Studio
We Developed Alpha Station using Visual Studio to demonstrate how IoT sensor data can be received and converted to real-world values. Alpha Station allows you to view and set basic configuration settings of remote sensors up to 2 miles away. Alpha Station supports our Wireless USB Modem and our Wireless Ethernet Modem. The source code and run-time application is available for download on our web site at https://ncd.io/alpha.
Send IoT Sensor Data to Node-RED
NCD Node-RED Libraries are always expanding, you can read about how to integrate our sensor into Node-RED Here.
We Developed a complete set of Drivers for Node-RED, so you can build your own flows and dashboards to help get you connected. Send NCD IoT sensor data to Node-RED and use flows to build logic operations to send alerts or turn things on or off. Combining Node-RED with NCD IoT sensors gives you limitless power to monitor, control, and visualize data locally and remotely.
The Node-RED Flow Builder is powerful, allowing you to build complex graphs and dashboards in minutes. Node-RED may also be used for advanced Gateway applications, so you easily send data to your favorite IoT Cloud service such as Losant, or Azure®, or Amazon® AWS®. Since Node-RED runs on a local computer, you should use one of the Modems below for communication to NCD sensors up to 2 Miles away.
Send IoT Sensor Data to LabVIEW®
We Developed a complete set of tutorials for working with NCD IoT Sensors using LabVIEW®. Use LabVIEW® to configure advanced sensor settings or to graph incoming sensor data. Monitor the battery level of remote sensors and watch sensor data flow over time. We will be adding source code for LabVIEW® in the future, please contact us if you have a urgent need for LabVIEW® source code. Since LabVIEW® runs on a local computer, a USB Modem or Ethernet Modem is required.
Data Logging
Using our LabView software, data logging from a single sensor is also possible. Simply run the software and watch the graph fill with data over time. Export the data into comma delimited tables for use in Excel or into other data analysis tools. Logging data from multiple sensors simultaneously is not supported at this time in our software, but can easily be accomplished using Losant or Azure web services.
Please check the “Resources” tab above for resources relevant to this product or Click Here to see all of our LabVIEW® resources.
900HP-S3B Industrial Wireless Mesh
Long-Range Wireless Mesh networking is our favorite of all wireless communication technologies. This is the ONLY communications technology NCD recommends on the factory floor, operating at a safe 900MHz. Mesh technology will hop data from one location to another to reach its intended destination, users do not need to do anything other than make sure wireless modules stay within hopping range of each other. We use the Digi 900HP-S3B module in many of our products, as this is the best industry has to offer. With a 2 mile range between modules and up to 8 hops, it is possible to cover 16 miles of wireless territory using this technology. Using high-gain antennas, this module is capable of communicating to a remote module up to 28 miles away. Please note that data hopping only works between live devices. Data will not hop between sleeping sensors. Data will hop from sensors to gateways and modems. Data will also hop between gateways and modems.
