Fertigation Valve & Pressure Monitoring (Precision Irrigation & Input Efficiency)

Reduces waste, safety around fertilizers

Valve position

Pressure

Quick Overview

Problem

Fertigation systems rely on precise control of valves and pressure to distribute water and nutrients evenly across crops. Valve malfunction, pressure imbalance, or clogging can lead to over- or under-fertilisation, crop stress, nutrient waste, and environmental runoff—often without immediate visibility in distributed agricultural networks.

Solution

Sensa.io’s wireless valve position and pressure sensors continuously monitor fertigation lines, ensuring correct valve operation and stable pressure for accurate nutrient delivery.

Value

Reduced fertiliser waste • Improved crop yield • Lower water consumption • Predictable operation

ATEX

Fertiliser handling areas may require ATEX; ATEX-certified valve & pressure sensor variants available

The Operational Challenge

Fertigation combines irrigation and fertiliser injection to optimise crop growth.

Key requirements include:

  • Accurate valve sequencing between zones
  • Stable pressure across long pipe networks
  • Uniform nutrient concentration
  • Reliable operation during peak irrigation periods

Common challenges faced by operators:

  • Valves stuck open or closed due to scaling or debris
  • Pressure drops caused by clogged filters or line leaks
  • Uneven nutrient distribution across plots
  • Manual checks spread over large geographic areas

Typical monitoring practices rely on:

  • Visual inspection of valves
  • Periodic pressure gauge readings
  • Reactive intervention after crop symptoms appear

These methods are slow, labour-intensive, and lead to delayed corrective action.

Why Valve Position & Pressure Monitoring Matter

Valve position and pressure are the two most critical indicators of fertigation performance.

Continuous monitoring enables operators to:

  • Verify correct valve opening and closing sequences
  • Detect pressure loss indicating leaks or clogging
  • Maintain uniform nutrient distribution
  • Prevent over-fertilisation and runoff

Early detection protects both crop health and environmental compliance.

Sensa.io Solution

Sensa.io delivers a wireless monitoring solution tailored for agricultural fertigation systems.

Core Components

Valve Position Sensor

Detects open/closed and intermediate positions on manual or actuated irrigation valves.

Pressure Sensor

Monitors line pressure to identify leaks, blockages, or pump performance issues.

Wireless Communication

Supports LoRaWAN, Modbus, and MQTT, ideal for large outdoor agricultural areas.

Installation & Power

Battery-powered, clamp-on installation — no trenching, no wiring, rapid deployment.

Operational Benefits

  • Accurate nutrient delivery
  • Reduced fertiliser and water waste
  • Faster detection of faults
  • Reduced manual field inspections

Results and ROI

Metric Before After
Nutrient distribution Uneven Uniform
Water efficiency Variable Optimised
Fault detection time Days Minutes
Operational reliability Reactive Predictable

ATEX Compliance and Safety

Where required, Sensa.io sensors comply with:

  • ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU
  • Ex II 2 G Ex ia IIC T4 Gb (Zones 0–2)
  • IECEx certification

This enables safe monitoring near fertiliser storage, injection units, and dust-prone environments.

Integration and compatibility

Protocols

LoRaWAN, Modbus RTU/TCP, MQTT, REST API

Systems

Irrigation controllers, farm management platforms, SCADA

Platforms

Cloud or on-premise dashboards

Cybersecurity

AES-128 encrypted communication

FAQ - Common Questions

Are Sensa.io sensors compatible with any gateway or network?

Yes, they connect to any LoRaWAN or MQTT infrastructure (Kerlink, Cisco, Milesight, MultiTech, etc.) for flexible integration with existing SCADA systems.

What ATEX certifications apply to Sensa.io devices?

All hazardous-area models are certified Ex II 2 G Ex ia IIC T4 Gb and IECEx approved for Zones 0–2.

What is the typical battery life?

Up to 10 years at 15-minute intervals, depending on signal strength and environment.

How are the sensors integrated into existing systems?

Through standard protocols — LoRaWAN, Modbus, MQTT, REST API — no proprietary middleware needed.

How does predictive maintenance reduce OPEX?

Early anomaly detection reduces emergency interventions by 30–40 %, extends equipment life and lowers energy costs.

What does the Sensa.io Valve Position Sensor actually measure?

The device detects real-time valve position states—open, closed, or intermediate—with high accuracy. It continuously sends this information wirelessly to your monitoring dashboard.

Can this sensor detect partial valve movement or stuck valves?

Yes. The sensor identifies irregular patterns such as partial movement, delayed response, or stuck valves, enabling early maintenance before failure occurs.

Is this sensor suitable for manual, motorized, and actuated valves?

Yes. It supports a wide range of valve types including ball, gate, butterfly, actuator-driven, and manual valves.

How fast does it update the valve position?

You can configure the reporting interval—from seconds to minutes—depending on your operational and battery needs.

How long does installation take?

Most installations take under 10 minutes. The sensor mounts using brackets or clamps without modifying existing valves.

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