Lube Oil Temperature Monitoring (Rotating Equipment Protection) — ATEX

Prevents overheating, protects assets

Temperature

Quick Overview

Problem

Offshore rotating equipment relies on stable lubrication conditions. Abnormal lube oil temperature—too high or too low—accelerates wear, reduces bearing life, and can lead to catastrophic failures or emergency shutdowns in ATEX-classified zones.

Solution

SENSAiO’s ATEX-certified temperature sensors continuously monitor lube oil temperature on pumps, compressors, turbines, and gearboxes to detect early deviations and protect critical assets.

Value

Extended equipment lifetime • Reduced failure risk • Lower maintenance OPEX • Improved offshore reliability

ATEX

Zones 0–2 • Ex ia IIC T4 Gb certified temperature sensors

The Operational Challenge

Lube oil systems are essential for offshore rotating equipment, including:

  • Compressors and gas turbines
  • Pumps and motors
  • Gearboxes and couplings
  • Hydraulic power units

These systems operate under harsh offshore conditions:

  • Continuous operation with variable load
  • Salt-laden and humid environments
  • Limited access for inspection
  • High cost of unplanned shutdowns

Typical temperature-related issues include:

  • Overheating due to cooling failure or oil degradation
  • Low oil temperature causing poor lubrication at startup
  • Progressive fouling of oil coolers
  • Restricted oil flow or pump degradation

Traditional monitoring often relies on:

  • Centralised temperature points with limited coverage
  • Periodic manual checks
  • Alarms that trigger only at extreme thresholds

This leads to late detection, often after damage has already begun.

Why Lube Oil Temperature Monitoring Matters

Lube oil temperature is a leading indicator of mechanical health.

Continuous monitoring enables operators to:

  • Detect cooling system degradation early
  • Identify abnormal friction or bearing load
  • Prevent oil breakdown and viscosity loss
  • Protect bearings, seals, and rotating components

Stable lubrication temperature directly correlates with:

  • Reduced wear rates
  • Longer bearing life
  • Improved equipment reliability

In offshore ATEX zones, remote monitoring also reduces personnel exposure near hot and rotating equipment.

SENSAiO Solution

SENSAiO delivers a wireless, intrinsically safe temperature monitoring solution for offshore lubrication systems.

Core Components

Temperature Sensor (ATEX Ex ia IIC T4 Gb)

High-accuracy temperature measurement optimised for lube oil circuits and bearing housings.

Wireless Communication

Supports LoRaWAN, Modbus, and MQTT, enabling integration with offshore SCADA, CMMS, and reliability platforms.

Installation & Power

Battery-powered threaded or surface-mounted installation on oil lines, sumps, or bearing housings — no cabling or shutdown required.

Operational Benefits

  • Early detection of abnormal lubrication conditions
  • Reduced bearing and seal failures
  • Optimised maintenance planning
  • Improved asset availability offshore

Results and ROI

Metric Before After
Overheating detection Late Early
Bearing failures Higher Reduced
Maintenance planning Reactive Predictive
Equipment availability Variable Improved

ATEX Compliance and Safety

All temperature sensors for offshore lube oil monitoring comply with:

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

The intrinsically safe design enables safe installation on live equipment in explosive offshore environments.

Integration and compatibility

Protocols

LoRaWAN, Modbus RTU/TCP, MQTT, REST API

Systems

SCADA, CMMS, asset performance management

Vendors

Honeywell, ABB, Emerson, Siemens

Cybersecurity

AES-128 encrypted communication with secure transport

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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