Keep cool and optimize company productivity with wireless temperature sensor applications. The vast benefits of IoT temperature monitoring are at your fingertips. Get access to these gains right now by learning the ins and outs of smart temperature sensors.
Wireless temperature sensors have several applications that greatly benefit many industries. Accurate temperature management keeps everything from factories and freezer houses to farm buildings and server farms operating at maximum capacity.
To make the most of remote temperature sensors, read on to find out how they work and what you can gain from investing in IoT solutions. We’ll outline sensor types, present real-life examples, and list the benefits of wireless temperature monitoring.
Content
- What is a wireless temperature sensor, and how does it work?
- Types of wireless temperature sensors
- What are wireless temperature sensors used for?
- Examples of wireless temperature sensor industrial applications
- El-Watch IoT temperature sensors
- Top 10 benefits of wireless temperature sensors
What is a wireless temperature sensor, and how does it work?
A wireless temperature sensor is a small, unwired device for measuring and monitoring temperature. The remote temperature sensor sends data to a nearby gateway, which transmits the data to the cloud.
El-Watch’s IoT temperature sensors stay connected via 2G/4G, measure temperatures every three seconds, and store reports every two minutes. Critical anomalies are immediately reported. The integrated battery has a 10-year lifespan, and all monitoring is available in our Neuron sensor app.
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Types of wireless temperature sensors
Temperature sensors are commonly divided into two categories: Contact type and non-contact-type temperature sensors. The former measures heat by direct contact, while the latter detects infrared radiation (IR) emitted from a heat source.
Thermocouple (TC) vs. Resistance temperature devices (RTD)
Contact temperature sensors are constructed in many ways, inflicting how they perform, how they age, and what they cost. The most popular industrial sensor types are thermocouples (i.e., type K ) and resistance temperature devices (i.e., PT100 ). The first one is cheaper and can measure very high temperatures, while the latter is more accurate and repeatable.
Product
Neuron PT100 / Neuron PT100 High Temperature
The Neuron PT100 is designed to be connected to a PT100-element and will transfer the measured temperature to the Neuron Cloud.
Infrared radiation temperature sensors (IR Sensors)
Non-contact sensors are electronic devices that convert heat radiation to electric signals. They are sensitive to infrared radiation from all heated physical objects; the hotter the surface, the stronger the radiation. When the surface gets really hot, we can see the radiation with our own eyes as a red or yellow glow.
Product
Neuron Infrared 380
The Neuron Infrared 380 sensor measures surface temperature on the object it is directed towards. It is designed for industrial temperature measurements, capable of measuring up to 380°C.
What are wireless temperature sensors used for?
Many industries use wireless temperature sensors to keep equipment and environments at optimal functionality. El-Watch’s customers commonly use IoT temperature sensors for a wide range of purposes.
Related article: What are IoT sensors, and why are they a good investment?
Building automation
Centralized building automation reduces energy consumption and operating costs and improves systems operations and equipment lifecycles. IoT sensors are a vital part of this since they enable remote temperature control.
HVAC
HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) naturally connects to building automation but extends to all kinds of closed spaces. Factories, greenhouses, and the food industry commonly use remote temperature sensors for HVAC.
Food safety
Both transport and storage of fresh foods come with strict safety regulations. The temperature must never drop below certain limits, and food safety authorities require documentation of temperature upkeep from slaughterhouses to stores and restaurants. For this purpose, wireless temperature monitoring is indispensable.
Indoor farming
Indoor farming is taking off these days. Container farming, greenhouse cultivation, and vertical farming are becoming recognized industries around the globe. They all rely on temperature monitoring, and most of them utilize IoT temperature sensors.
Industry enhancement
Smart temperature sensors enable predictive maintenance in a wide range of industries. Any moving parts prone to wear and tear will need maintenance or replacement. Wireless temperature sensors let companies know how hard they can push their equipment and when to plan maintenance to minimize expenses.
Server room optimization
Keeping server rooms cool is vital to ensuring the safe storage of data, keeping energy consumption low, and limiting environmental impact. Remote temperature sensors are used to make sure that server rooms always operate at maximum capacity.
Examples of wireless temperature sensor industrial applications
Now you have a good idea of wireless temperature sensors’ many purposes. Let’s take a look at a few real-life examples of sensor applications. First, we’ll return to the food industry and a small local venison producer.
Venison producer saved by wireless IoT sensors
This venison producer on the western coast of Norway had installed IoT temperature sensors to document temperature levels. The temperature monitoring saved them from trouble with the food safety authorities. The open-closed sensor kept all their meat from spoiling when they accidentally left the freezer door open.
Read the full story here: Meat producer saved by sensor warning when freezer door was left open
Vertical farming grows big with myriads of temperature sensors
Plant factories are popping up around the globe, and remote temperature sensors are integral to their success. The Norwegian plant factory supplier Avisomo uses copious amounts of IoT sensors. This helps their clients attain optimal plant growth, lessen the workforce, and promote sustainable food production.
HVAC improved in office building; energy went down by 35 percent
By installing wireless monitoring – including remote temperature sensors – in Aviator Park, Addlestone, GB, HVAC could be adjusted in line with occupancy hours. The slowdown of boilers, coolers, and fans during off-hours resulted in a yearly energy reduction of about 35 percent.
El-Watch IoT temperature sensors
El-Watch provides a wide range of wireless temperature sensors for various purposes. All of them are IoT compatible and can be monitored and adjusted online or via our neuron sensor app.
Neuron Vibration
This robust vibration sensor also monitors the temperature in machines, engines, and industrial equipment. Typical applications are anomaly detection, predictive maintenance, machine optimization, structural health monitoring, etc. El-Watch Neuron Vibration product sheet
Product
Neuron Vibration Sensor
The Neuron Vibration measures vibration level and surface temperature every two minutes. The sensor has an embedded magnet at the back for easy installation.
Neuron Temperature IP21
Typical applications of Neuron Temperature IP21 are monitoring of temperature in rooms, buildings, refrigerators, freezers, and fuse boxes. El-Watch Neuron Temperature IP21 product sheet
Product
Neuron Temperature IP21
Neuron Temperature IP67
Typical applications of Neuron Temperature IP67 are overheating detection and prevention in cables, water heaters, fans, pumps, motors, machines, and other equipment. El-Watch Neuron Temperature IP67 product sheet
Product
Neuron Temperature IP67
The Neuron Temperature IP67 is a small and compact sensor for measuring temperature and suited for a wide range of applications.
Neuron PT100 High Temperature
The Neuron PT100 High Temperature is perfect for monitoring water temperatures, air temperatures, industry processes, cooling of transformers, and surface temperatures on pipes, motors, pumps, and other industrial equipment. El-Watch Neuron PT100 High Temperature product sheet
Product
Neuron PT100 / Neuron PT100 High Temperature
The Neuron PT100 is designed to be connected to a PT100-element and will transfer the measured temperature to the Neuron Cloud.
Check out our whole sensor selection. We have more than 50 sensor types for all kinds of purposes.
Top 10 benefits of wireless temperature sensors
In sum, these are the ten best reasons why wireless sensors are worth the investment!
1. Remote systems management
The ability to monitor and adjust system temperatures on the go is priceless. IoT temperature sensors give you total control to track and correct operations from your PC, laptop, or smartphone.
2. Increased productivity
Predictive maintenance makes you aware of how hard you can push your machines without damaging their structural integrity. This has proven to increase productivity in all kinds of industries.
3. Lowered maintenance expenses
Predictive maintenance also enables you to strategically plan your system upkeep and upgrades so that productivity standstills are kept at a minimum.
4. Immediate notice of anomalies
Should temperature anomalies occur, an alarm will set off push notifications. These will immediately appear on your app or be sent by e-mail or SMS.
5. Removal of repeated mistakes
The large amount of data collected makes it easy to analyze and pinpoint the origins of anomalies and mishaps. Once the source is determined, the cause can be eliminated to avoid similar accidents.
6. Lowered energy consumption
Temperature monitoring is especially advantageous in large industries. Accurate temperature optimization according to weather conditions and off-hours, for instance, has considerably lowered energy consumption in many industries.
7. More sustainable operations
Energy savings also makes your company more sustainable. This point should perhaps come first on our list since wasted energy on poor temperature control is an issue that concerns us all.
8. Easy adherence to compliance requirements
Food safety regulations are the prime example since most food safety authorities require documentation of an unbroken cold chain from producer to seller. IoT temperature sensors and monitoring make compliance a breeze.
9. Better control of company finances
IoT monitoring is designed to streamline industry operations and systems management. The result is fewer unexpected problems and steadier production, which means more predictable financial projections.
10. Promotes digital transformation
Steering your company towards digital transformation means restructuring your priorities and repurposing your resources for maximized return on investment. Digitalized temperature monitoring promotes smooth systems operation so that you can focus on constructive development and business expansion.
If you liked this article, you’ll find many interesting ones on our webpage. How about this one, about how wireless sensors enable a sustainable manufacturing industry?
Ready to try wireless sensors?
Please contact our Sales Manager for some good advice and a nice sensor- chat.
Resources
Digi-Key: Active Versus Passive Temperature Sensors: Designers Need to Choose Carefully
Digi-Key: Types of Temperature Sensors
Journal of Physics E: Scientific Instruments: Temperature sensor characteristics and measurement system design
ScienceDirect: A review of advanced wireless passive temperature sensors
Taylor & Francis Online: Opportunities of Wireless Sensors and Controls for Building Operation
Temperature Sensei: Benefits of a Wireless Wi-Fi Temperature Sensor
