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 about Sensaphone 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?
Sensaphone devices support multiple connectivity paths so you can find the right barn monitoring system for your operation:
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Cellular monitoring (4G/LTE) for barns with limited or no onsite internet.
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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:
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Sensaphone Pro Cellular Sentinel: Supports up to 12 sensor inputs/conditions and up to 64 wireless sensors or conditions from other machinery and equipment.
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Sensaphone Cellular Sentinel: Supports up to 12 sensor inputs/conditions.
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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.
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.
Do the Sentinel and Sentry systems provide cloud visibility and history?
Yes.
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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.
Does Sensaphone offer wireless farm monitoring solutions?
Yes. The Sensaphone WSG30 supports up to 30 wireless sensors, making it ideal for large barns, multiple buildings or facilities where running wires would be difficult or expensive. The WSG30 can also be paired with a Sentinel Pro to provide cloud connectivity and advanced monitoring capabilities.
Sensaphone wireless sensors provide approximately 1,000 feet of communication range and support mesh networking, allowing signals to extend between barns. This helps larger livestock and poultry operations monitor more buildings with fewer communication devices while making future expansion easier.
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 monitoring system includes battery backup to continue monitoring and sending alerts during power failures.
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Sentinel Pro/Sentinel: Up to 8 hours
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Sentry: Up to 12 hours
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WSG30: Up to 2 hours
Which system is best for my barn setup?
A quick guide:
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No internet and basic monitoring: Sentry
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No internet and many monitoring points: Cellular Sentinel
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Large facilities with difficult wiring: WSG30 with Sentinel Pro
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Reliable internet available: Sentinel or WSG30
For larger livestock operations, system architecture is also important. A single Sensaphone Sentinel Pro paired with a WSG30 Wireless Gateway can support monitoring across a multi-barn installation, reducing equipment complexity while making future expansion easier.
How Much Does a Barn Monitoring System Cost?
Many producers focus on the upfront purchase price when evaluating a barn monitoring system. However, hardware requirements, wireless architecture, cellular service fees, and long-term operating costs can significantly impact the total cost of ownership.
For example, when comparing equivalent cellular monitoring solutions for a 10-house poultry operation, a Sensaphone cellular monitoring system costs approximately $6,245 less over five years than a BarnTalk® cellular monitoring system. The savings come from both lower hardware costs and substantially lower annual cellular service fees. In this comparison:
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Sensaphone 5-year total cost: $10,735
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BarnTalk 5-year total cost: $16,980
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Total 5-year savings: $6,245
For larger multi-barn operations, these savings can quickly add up while still providing comprehensive remote monitoring and reliable alerts.
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:
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Temperature and humidity in key animal zones
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Power failure at the barn level
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Water detection near utility areas or leak-prone points
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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.
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Sentinel cellular systems: Include a weatherproof NEMA 4-X enclosure's
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Sentry cellular system: Offers an optional weatherproof NEMA 4-X enclosure
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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 match the way modern farms operate. Whether you need cellular monitoring for remote facilities, wireless sensors for hard-to-wire barns or Ethernet monitoring where network access is available, Sensaphone offers a solution designed for your operation. Fast alerts by text, email or phone, cloud visibility and historical data help protect animal health, reduce downtime and improve response times.
When evaluating barn monitoring systems, consider the total cost of ownership—not just the purchase price. Hardware requirements, wireless coverage, cellular service costs and scalability all influence long-term value. Sensaphone solutions combine reliable monitoring, flexible system architecture and lower operating costs to help protect livestock while maximizing your investment.
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.
