Irrigation Pump Vibration Monitoring (Predictive Maintenance & Water Reliability)

Maintenance planning

Vibration

Quick Overview

Problem

Irrigation pumps operate continuously during critical growth periods. Bearing wear, cavitation, imbalance, or misalignment can develop silently, leading to sudden pump failure, water supply interruption, crop stress, and yield loss—often detected too late through manual checks.

Solution

Sensa.io’s wireless vibration sensors continuously monitor irrigation pump mechanical behaviour, detecting early signs of degradation and enabling predictive maintenance without wiring or downtime.

Value

Reduced pump failures • Reliable irrigation • Lower maintenance cost • Protected crop yield

ATEX

Generally non-ATEX; ATEX-certified vibration sensor variants available near fuel storage or dust-prone areas

The Operational Challenge

Irrigation pumps are critical assets for:

  • Surface and drip irrigation networks
  • Pivot and sprinkler systems
  • Water transfer from reservoirs or wells
  • Fertigation and pressure boosting

They operate under challenging conditions:

  • Variable flow and pressure
  • Sand or debris in water
  • Long operating hours during peak seasons
  • Limited access for inspection

Common failure modes include:

  • Bearing wear due to continuous duty
  • Cavitation from suction issues
  • Shaft misalignment or imbalance
  • Seal degradation leading to leaks

Traditional monitoring methods rely on:

  • Periodic visual inspection
  • Manual listening or temperature checks
  • Reactive repair after failure

These approaches often detect issues only after irrigation is already compromised.

Why Continuous Vibration Monitoring Matters

Vibration is the earliest indicator of mechanical degradation in rotating equipment.

Continuous vibration monitoring enables operators to:

  • Detect bearing defects weeks before failure
  • Identify cavitation caused by suction or flow issues
  • Monitor imbalance from impeller damage or fouling
  • Plan maintenance outside critical irrigation windows

Early detection protects pumps and ensures uninterrupted water delivery.

Sensa.io Solution

Sensa.io delivers a wireless vibration monitoring solution tailored for agricultural irrigation pumps.

Core Components

Vibration Sensor

Measures acceleration, RMS velocity, and frequency patterns to detect bearing wear, cavitation, imbalance, and misalignment.

Wireless Communication

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

Installation & Power

Battery-powered clamp-on installation on pump bearing housings — no wiring, no trenching.

Operational Benefits

  • Early fault detection
  • Reduced unplanned pump downtime
  • Stable irrigation pressure and flow
  • Lower emergency maintenance costs

Results and ROI

Metric Before After
Failure detection Late Early
Irrigation reliability Variable Stable
Emergency repairs Frequent Reduced
Crop impact Possible Minimized

ATEX Compliance and Safety

When required, Sensa.io vibration sensors support:

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

This enables safe monitoring near fuel storage, fertiliser handling, or dust-prone areas.

Integration and compatibility

Protocols

LoRaWAN, Modbus RTU/TCP, MQTT, REST API

Systems

Irrigation controllers, farm management platforms, SCADA

Deployment

Field-level or centralised monitoring

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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