Ventilation Airflow, ΔP & Fan Vibration Monitoring (Underground Safety & Energy Efficiency)

Ensures worker safety, regulatory compliance, reduces energy use

Differential Pressure (ΔP)

Vibration

Temperature

Quick Overview

Problem

Underground and enclosed mining operations depend on ventilation systems to control air quality, remove dust and gases, and maintain safe working conditions. Airflow restriction, filter clogging, or fan degradation can rapidly lead to unsafe atmospheres, regulatory non-compliance, and costly production stoppages. Manual checks provide limited, delayed visibility.

Solution

Sensa.io’s wireless differential pressure (ΔP), temperature, and vibration sensors continuously monitor ventilation performance, detecting airflow restriction and fan degradation early—without wiring or intrusive installation.

Value

Improved worker safety • Regulatory compliance • Reduced energy consumption • Predictable ventilation performance

ATEX

Dust and gas zones may apply • ATEX-certified ΔP, temperature & vibration sensor variants available

The Operational Challenge

Ventilation systems are safety-critical in mining environments, including:

  • Underground drifts and shafts
  • Crusher and transfer galleries
  • Enclosed processing buildings
  • Diesel equipment zones

They must ensure:

  • Adequate airflow velocity
  • Controlled pressure differentials
  • Reliable fan operation
  • Continuous removal of dust and harmful gases

Common operational issues include:

  • Progressive clogging of filters or ducts
  • Fan bearing wear or imbalance
  • Reduced airflow due to obstruction or leakage
  • Excessive energy use from inefficient operation

Traditional monitoring relies on:

  • Periodic airflow measurements
  • Manual inspection of fans and ducts
  • Fixed maintenance intervals

These methods do not provide real-time insight into rapidly evolving safety conditions.

Why Airflow, ΔP & Vibration Monitoring Matter

Ventilation performance cannot be assessed with a single parameter.

Continuous multi-parameter monitoring enables operators to:

  • Detect airflow restriction via rising ΔP
  • Identify fan degradation through vibration analysis
  • Track thermal behaviour indicating overload
  • Optimise airflow while minimising energy use

Stable ventilation is essential for worker safety, productivity, and compliance with mining regulations.

Sensa.io Solution

Sensa.io delivers a wireless ventilation monitoring solution designed for mining safety systems.

Core Components

Differential Pressure (ΔP) Sensor

Monitors pressure drop across ventilation ducts, filters, or stoppings to detect airflow restriction.

Vibration Sensor

Tracks fan bearing condition, imbalance, and mechanical degradation.

Temperature Sensor

Monitors motor and exhaust air temperature to detect overload or abnormal operating conditions.

Wireless Communication

Supports LoRaWAN, Modbus, and MQTT, ideal for underground and remote installations.

Installation & Power

Battery-powered installation — no wiring, no hot work, minimal disruption.

Operational Benefits

  • Continuous airflow visibility
  • Early detection of ventilation degradation
  • Reduced safety incidents
  • Lower ventilation energy cost

Results and ROI

Metric Before After
Airflow visibility Limited Continuous
Safety risk Elevated Reduced
Energy efficiency Suboptimal Optimised
Maintenance strategy Reactive Condition-based

ATEX Compliance and Safety

Where required, Sensa.io ventilation sensors support:

  • ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU
  • Ex ia IIIC T135°C Db (Dust Zones 20–22)
  • IECEx certification

This enables safe deployment in explosive dust or gas environments without ignition risk.

Integration and compatibility

Protocols

LoRaWAN, Modbus RTU/TCP, MQTT, REST API

Systems

Mine ventilation control, SCADA, EHS platforms

Deployment

Underground zones or central control rooms

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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Trusted by a Worldwide Network

With partners in over 20 countries, Sensa IO delivers rugged sensor solutions to the toughest environments — everywhere.