Whether you need cellular monitoring for sites without dependable internet, wireless sensors to avoid running long wires through buildings or Ethernet-based monitoring where network access is available, Sensaphone makes it easy to track critical conditions like temperature, humidity, power status and water detection and notify the right people fast. Here are answers to frequently asked questions we receive regarding our barn monitoring systems.
How do Sensaphone’s remote monitoring systems help livestock and barn personnel?
Sensaphone’s farm monitoring solutions help livestock operators and personnel watch critical environmental and equipment conditions and send fast alerts when something changes. A Sensaphone barn monitoring system enables teams to respond before animal comfort, health or productivity are impacted.
Is Sensaphone’s barn monitoring system a legacy phone-line-based auto-dialer device?
No. Sensaphone offers modern livestock farm monitoring solutions designed to fit a facility’s specific needs. System options include cellular and internet-based.
Can you provide more information about these connectivity options for Sensaphone barn monitoring?
Sensaphone devices support multiple connectivity paths so you can find the right barn monitoring system for your operation:
• Cellular monitoring (4G/LTE) for barns with limited or no onsite internet.
• Ethernet monitoring for locations with reliable network access.
Which Sensaphone livestock farm monitoring solutions use cellular connectivity?
Three systems are designed to send alerts and provide remote access over a standard cellular connection:
• Sensaphone Pro Cellular Sentinel: Supports up to 12 sensor inputs/conditions and up to 64 wireless sensors or conditions from other machinery and equipment.
• Sensaphone Cellular Sentinel: Supports up to 12 sensor inputs/conditions.
• Sensaphone Sentry: Supports up to 5 sensor inputs/conditions.
How does a Sensaphone cellular barn monitoring system send alerts?
Sensaphone cellular systems can send alarm notifications via text message, email or voice phone calls. Sentinel Pro, Sentinel and Sentry remote monitoring systems can notify an unlimited number of people, making it easy to include managers, barn staff and maintenance personnel.
What kinds of barn conditions can Sensaphone systems monitor?
Depending on the barn monitoring system and sensors used, Sensaphone devices can oversee conditions that matter in livestock environments, such as temperature, humidity, power failure, carbon dioxide and water leak detection. They also keep watch on equipment status inputs, like excess fan vibration, which can be a warning sign of potential malfunction.
Do I need to install software to use a Sensaphone barn monitoring system?
No software is required. Sensaphone systems use a web-based interface for setup, status checks and programming changes.
Do the Sentinel and Sentry systems provide cloud visibility and history?
Yes.
• Sentinel system: Stores readings in the cloud with unlimited storage, helping protect against data loss and supporting multi-unit management. It can also deliver daily event reports and audit logs.
• Sentry system: Displays readings in the cloud and supports managing multiple devices from one account.
Can I check barn conditions remotely from a computer or cell phone?
Yes. You can access status and make configuration changes from any web-enabled device. Sentinel and Sentry systems also support mobile-friendly access.
Does Sensaphone offer wireless livestock farm monitoring solutions for facilities where wiring is difficult?
Yes. The Sensaphone WSG30 remote monitoring system supports up to 30 external wireless sensors, making it ideal for barns with long distances, multiple rooms or areas where running wires is costly or disruptive. This system can be paired with the Sentinel Pro to provide access to the cloud.
What can the WSG30 wireless sensors monitor?
WSG30 wireless sensors are useful for monitoring important barn conditions and equipment status, such as temperature, humidity, water detection, power failure and intrusion.
How does the WSG30 system send notifications?
The WSG30 system uses a standard internet connection and can notify up to 32 contacts via email and text messages. It also supports Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) and Modbus. If paired with a Sentinel Pro, all of the cloud functionality is available to the WSG30.
Does the WSG30 system store historical readings?
Yes. It includes a built-in data logger that records up to 67,000 samples with date and time, which is helpful for documentation and compliance tracking.
What happens during a power outage?
Each Sensaphone barn monitoring system includes power failure monitoring and battery backup options:
• Sentinel Pro/Sentinel systems: Include an internal rechargeable battery backup providing up to 8 hours of monitoring and alerting.
• Sentry system: Includes an internal rechargeable battery backup providing up to 12 hours of monitoring and alerting.
• WSG30 system: Includes an internal rechargeable battery backup providing up to 2 hours of monitoring and alerting.
Which Sensaphone livestock farm monitoring solutions are best for my barn setup?
A quick way to choose:
• No internet; need basic critical coverage: Sentry cellular system
• No internet; need to cover many monitoring points: Sentinel cellular system
• Wiring is difficult with many zones to cover: WSG30 system with wireless sensors and internet – may be paired with Sentinel Pro for advanced functionality
• Internet available onsite: Consider the Sentinel or WSG30 system based on whether you want wired inputs or wireless sensors
What’s the simplest way to plan sensor placement in a livestock facility?
Start with the conditions most likely to impact animal health and operations:
• Temperature and humidity in key animal zones
• Power failure at the barn level
• Water detection near utility areas or leak-prone points
• Add equipment-status monitoring where downtime creates risk, like fans, controllers and pumps, based on available inputs/sensors
What weatherproof enclosure options are available for a Sentinel Pro, Sentinel, Sentry or WSG30 barn monitoring system?
Weatherproof enclosures are available for each system to help protect the units in demanding barn environments.
• Sentinel cellular systems: Include a weatherproof NEMA 4-X enclosure
• Sentry cellular system: Offers an optional weatherproof NEMA 4-X enclosure
• WSG30 wireless system: Offers weatherproof enclosures with transparent doors for all main units and wireless temperature sensors, and also for power failure sensors, dry contact sensors and resistance temperature detectors (RTDs).
Conclusion
Sensaphone makes livestock farm monitoring solutions that are simple and effective by matching the way farms actually operate. Some buildings need cellular systems, some benefit from wireless sensors and others can use internet-based systems where networks are already in place. With fast alerts by text, email or phone, plus cloud visibility and data logging options, you can build a monitoring setup that fits each site. Each Sensaphone barn monitoring system helps to protect animal comfort, reduce downtime and respond quickly when conditions change.
If you are interested in livestock farm monitoring solutions for your operation, contact our team for detailed information to help you decide the best choice for your specific situation.
