Do not mount a bridge within a distribution cabinet, to ensure a good network connection.
If you find out that you need more bridges to improve the signals with the sensors, they can easily be ordered in the webshop in the software environment or with your onboarding representative.
A bridge needs to be powered with a 230V cable (using a socket) and reach 10-15 meters (depending on obstructions in the space where it is installed). This is the reach at which the bridge can pick up the sensors' signal. The 10-15 meters is an estimation, as every space is different, and some obstructions block out the signal more than others.
The figure below shows the different parts:
Place the antennas by screwing it to the bridge near the label. Then, plug the power cable into the 5V adapter at the USB input. Plug the other side of the power cable into the bridge. Check the LED to see if the bridge is connected. The LED can transmit the current status in three different ways:
- Continuously red: Installation is successful, the bridge has connected with the Sensorfact platform;
- Flashing green: Disk activity is taking place, for example for writing measurement data;
- Flashing red: The bridge is trying to connect to the network.
Do not apply the bridge immediately or permanently to an object. First, check the signals in our software environment. To ensure a reliable installation of your Sensorfact energy management system, it is highly advised to use our installation overview. This overview can be found under the ‘Gear’ icon, under the ‘Status’ tab in the Sensorfact Software. For optimal functionality, the connection between the bridge and the sensor preferably has a blue, green, or yellow color for a signal (2-4 dashes).
If this connection is indicated with a red color (1 dash), the signals are very weak and there could be data loss. Move a bridge near the sensors with weak signals or place/buy a new bridge to install for those sensors.