Fault Detection & Diagnostics

Introduction to Predictive Maintenance

Predictive Maintenance is crucial for minimizing downtime, reducing maintenance costs, and extending the lifespan of equipment. By utilizing advanced IoT sensors to monitor critical parameters, we can predict potential failures before they occur, ensuring seamless operation and improved efficiency. Networks of IoT sensors connected to building systems, equipment, and other infrastructure help optimize performance and save on energy costs, while also proactively identifying issues to prevent catastrophic failures.

Energy &
Cost Savings

Predictive Maintenance offers significant savings in various areas. It helps reduce energy consumption indirectly by keeping systems such as HVAC and lighting working optimally. The cost savings extend beyond energy efficiency. Predictive maintenance can reduce maintenance costs by 25-30%, cut downtime by 35-45%, and decrease breakdowns by 70-75%. This proactive approach also boosts productivity by 20-25%, offering a substantial return on investment.

Early Fault
Detection

IoT sensors play a crucial role in early fault detection, alerting facility managers when unseen issues indicate an imminent fault. This proactive measure allows for timely maintenance, preventing minor issues from escalating into major problems and avoiding costly repairs.

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Failure
Detection and Prevention

Failure detection sensors are designed to identify faults and disable machinery to prevent wider failures. This not only helps avoid extensive damage but also ensures the safety of the facility and its occupants by preventing potential injuries and reducing downtime.

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Structural
Integrity Monitoring

IoT technologies can detect structural damage by measuring strain and cracks at key points. This capability ensures the safety and longevity of building infrastructure by addressing issues before they become serious problems.

Types of Maintenance

Reactive Maintenance

is activated upon the occurrence of a fault, has no immediate costs as long as trouble does not occur, but in the equipment's lifetime it costs the most in terms of service interruptions and reduced lifespan. To decrease repair times, it is necessary to keep a stock of spare parts that have not been used for a long time.

Preventive Maintenance

is regular maintenance, carried out by scheduling the replacement of components subject to wear before they fail or break. Maintenance is scheduled when equipment is already down during the off season.

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Predictive Maintenance

is carried out only when the condition of the component requires its replacement and for this reason, it’s also defined as “proactive”. It is made possible by IoT technology for the collection of data from the field and algorithms capable of deducing the degradation of a component.

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Mechanical and Boiler Rooms

Includes hydronic or steam boilers, ventilation units, domestic hot water (DHW) network
or technical / mechanical equipment

  • Detect any change in the condition of a piece of equipment and act accordingly.
  • Monitor & control the temperature of technical equipment & balance the domestic hot water network
  • Receive real time data to remotely configure and adjust your controller.
  • Monitor ventilation units and anticipate any malfunctions.
Remotely monitor the following crucial performance indicators on a real time 24/7 basis.
1

Boiler Supply Temp &
Return Temperature

2

Domestic Hot
Water Temperature

3

Flue Stack
Temperature

4

Make up
air Temperature

5

Boiler
Pressure

6

Pneumatic
Pressure

7

Fluid
Level

8

Ventilation
Systems

9

Air
Compressor

10

Current
Sensor

11

Flame
Failure

12

Leak
Detection

13

Boiler
Operation

14

Float
Sensor

15

Boiler
Lockout

16

High
Water

17

Current
Power On/Off

18

Water level &
Low Water Cut Out

Predictive Maintenance Interactive Floor Plan

Hover over each sensor on the floor plan to see its image, sample data, and a brief description, illustrating how our IoT
solutions can be implemented throughout your building for optimal predictive maintenance.


 

Item

Image

Description

Item Description

Boiler supply temp & return temp

Hotspot

Monitoring boiler supply and return temperatures is critical for evaluating system efficiency and detecting potential issues. The temperature difference (Delta T) between these points helps identify heat transfer performance, detect blockages, and optimize energy usage.

A2-in-1 Pressure and Temperature Sensor provides precise temperature readings for both supply and return lines. Its rugged design ensures reliability in demanding environments, and it integrates easily with IoT systems for real-time monitoring and diagnostics.

Domestic hot water temperature

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Monitoring domestic hot water temperature ensures consistent delivery of hot water while maintaining energy efficiency and user comfort. It also helps identify issues like heat loss, scaling, or malfunctioning components, ensuring the system operates effectively and safely.

A temperature sensor, such as a PT100-based device, provides accurate monitoring of domestic hot water temperature. Its durable design ensures reliable performance in high-temperature environments, and it is ideal for IoT integration to enable real-time data tracking and alerts.

Make up air temperature

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Monitoring make-up air temperature is essential for maintaining proper indoor air quality and system efficiency. It helps ensure the air entering the HVAC system is within the desired range, reducing strain on heating or cooling systems and improving overall building comfort.

A temperature sensor provides precise readings for make-up air temperature. Paired with a robust transmitter, it ensures reliable performance in HVAC environments and integrates seamlessly with IoT systems for real-time monitoring and control.

Boiler pressure

Hotspot

Monitoring boiler pressure is crucial for maintaining safe and efficient operation. Incorrect pressure levels can lead to system inefficiencies, energy waste, or even dangerous conditions like boiler overpressure or leaks.

A pressure sensor equipped with advanced accuracy and durability helps ensure real-time monitoring of boiler pressure. By providing precise data on pressure changes, the sensor allows for early detection of leaks, blockages, or abnormal fluctuations. This proactive monitoring helps prevent costly repairs and enhances system reliability by maintaining optimal pressure levels at all times.

Pneumatic pressure

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Monitoring the atmospheric pressure of a mechanical room is essential for maintaining a safe and healthy environment. Keeping the room pressure slightly positive ensures a steady flow of fresh air, preventing the accumulation of toxic gases and enhancing overall safety.

A pressure sensor monitors the atmospheric pressure in real-time, helping maintain the ideal positive pressure within the mechanical room. By providing accurate data, it enables early detection of pressure imbalances and supports proactive adjustments to ventilation systems, ensuring a safe and well-ventilated environment.

Ventilation systems

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Efficient ventilation is key to maintaining good indoor air quality while minimizing energy consumption. A well-optimized ventilation system ensures a constant flow of fresh air and removes pollutants, adapting to the building's real-time air quality needs.

A Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) enhances the efficiency of ventilation systems by adjusting motor speeds based on air quality data. When paired with air quality sensors, the VFD ramps up airflow when pollutant levels rise and slows down when conditions are optimal, ensuring energy-efficient operation without compromising air quality. This dynamic control reduces energy costs while maintaining a healthy indoor environment.

Air compressor

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In older buildings, compressed air systems were commonly used for pneumatic operations. Monitoring the pressure within these systems is essential for ensuring efficiency and identifying potential issues like air leaks, which can lead to energy waste and increased operational costs.

A pressure sensor provides accurate monitoring of air compressor systems. It helps detect pressure drops caused by leaks or inefficiencies, enabling timely maintenance and reducing unnecessary energy consumption. By ensuring stable pressure levels, the sensor extends the lifespan of the compressor and improves overall system reliability.

Leak detection

Hotspot

Detecting water leaks early is crucial for preventing costly damage to equipment and property in mechanical rooms. Monitoring for leaks helps maintain system integrity, reduce downtime, and avoid issues like corrosion or electrical hazards caused by water exposure.

A water leak detection sensor provides real-time alerts by identifying the presence of water in critical areas. With its sensitive probes, it quickly detects even small leaks, enabling immediate response to minimize damage. This sensor integrates seamlessly with IoT platforms for remote monitoring and automated notifications, ensuring reliable protection against water-related risks.

Boiler operation

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Monitoring boiler operation is essential for ensuring efficiency, reliability, and safety. Tracking critical parameters like temperature helps detect irregularities, optimize performance, and prevent potential failures. Consistent monitoring also supports energy efficiency by ensuring the boiler operates within its optimal range.

A temperature sensor with a PT100 probe provides precise and reliable measurements of boiler operation temperature. The probe can be surface-mounted directly onto the boiler piping without altering the original system, preserving the integrity of the existing setup. This non-invasive installation method minimizes downtime and eliminates the need for costly modifications. Additionally, it allows for easy maintenance and replacement, ensuring long-term operational efficiency and seamless integration into IoT platforms for real-time monitoring.

Power

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Monitoring power consumption in a mechanical room is crucial for assessing the efficiency and operational health of key equipment. Tracking power usage for devices like fans, pumps, and compressors helps detect inefficiencies, identify faults, and optimize energy management.

A current clamp is an ideal tool for monitoring the power consumption of mechanical room equipment. By measuring the current flowing through devices such as fans or pumps, it provides real-time insights into energy usage without requiring intrusive modifications. This non-invasive installation method ensures easy setup and maintenance. The data collected can be integrated into IoT systems to track equipment performance, detect anomalies, and optimize energy efficiency across the mechanical room.

Water level & low water cut out

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Monitoring water level is essential for maintaining boiler safety and efficiency. Low water levels can cause significant damage, while reliable monitoring ensures the system operates within safe parameters. A low water cutout mechanism is a critical safety feature to prevent boiler operation under unsafe conditions.

Contact Switch: for Low Water Cutout: This sensor monitors the status of a flow switch used as a low water cutoff mechanism. By detecting whether the switch is in an open or closed state, it provides a clear indication of water flow and ensures timely alerts or shutdowns in case of low water conditions.

Contactless Water Detector: Installed on the sight glass, this sensor uses non-invasive technology to verify water presence. It complements the flow switch by providing real-time water level data, enhancing safety and reliability.

Vibration monitoring

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Monitoring vibrations is essential for assessing the health of mechanical systems, such as pumps, fans, and compressors, commonly found in mechanical rooms. Unusual vibration patterns can indicate imbalances, misalignments, or wear in rotating machinery. Detecting these issues early prevents equipment failure, reduces downtime, and extends the lifespan of critical systems.

Advanced vibration sensors can continuously track vibration patterns and learn the normal operating behavior of machinery. By analyzing historical data, these sensors provide health reports and detect deviations that signal potential mechanical issues. This enables timely maintenance, ensuring smooth operation and reducing unexpected failures.

Door status

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Monitoring the door status of a mechanical room is an important security measure. Ensuring the door is closed and tracking unauthorized access helps protect valuable equipment, prevent tampering, and maintain a safe environment. Unexpected entry into the mechanical room can lead to safety hazards or disruptions to critical operations.

Door contact sensors provide real-time monitoring of the mechanical room door. By detecting whether the door is open or closed, these sensors enable immediate alerts in case of unauthorized access or prolonged door openings. Integration with IoT systems allows for enhanced security management and remote monitoring.

Damper’s position

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The position of dampers in an Air Handling Unit (AHU) directly impacts airflow and HVAC system efficiency. Over time, wear and misalignment in damper motors can cause incomplete opening or closing, leading to uneven ventilation or system strain. Identifying these issues early helps maintain consistent performance and reduces the need for costly repairs.

A 3-axis tilt sensor detects the exact angle of the damper, allowing facility managers to confirm whether it is operating as intended. This innovative approach highlights deviations from expected movement patterns, making it easier to pinpoint mechanical wear or motor failure. When connected to IoT systems, it enhances maintenance strategies by offering predictive insights and ensuring long-term reliability.

Fuel tank level

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In buildings equipped with generators, monitoring fuel tank levels is often overlooked, yet it is critical for ensuring the generator's readiness during power outages or other emergencies. Without proper fuel level tracking, generators may fail to operate when needed, compromising the building's resilience and safety.

An ultrasonic sensor measures the fuel level by determining the distance to the fuel surface inside the tank. This method offers precise tracking of fuel availability without requiring physical contact, reducing maintenance needs and ensuring long-term reliability. The sensor’s data can be seamlessly integrated into IoT platforms, allowing for proactive fuel management and ensuring uninterrupted generator performance.

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