Yup, it is here: The 4th Industrial Revolution, or 4IR for those liking the buzzwords. We read about things like machine learning, artificial intelligence, the internet of things, big data, and depending on which side of the fence you are on, you can get either giddy or terrified.

So, it’s Friday afternoon. You are about to join your mates down at the local when your phone rings. It is an Angry Client informing you that his coldroom is not working, it’s never worked, and you better get you sorry arse out there and do something about it (before he phones his lawyer or some other disagreeable acquaintance). If only there was a better way you think, while sending a voice note to cancel on your mates. Again.

Well, there is. And it’s actually pretty easy to start. There are numerous options in terms of devices, communications, alerts, dashboards which can monitor any number of parameters according to your business needs. You know what they say: Some people like them gauges, other people like them clamp meters..

Energy Monitoring

There are many remote metering companies in South Africa that can install a normal electricity meter at your plant. This meter will monitor the energy consumption, amps and voltages for each phase and with all this data right at your fingertips, you will easily spot the unhappy compressors.

Temperature Monitoring

By simply monitoring the system temperatures, you will instantly know when something is amiss. This can be done with either expensive industrial systems, or with something as simple as an Ardiuno board. As a bonus, next the Angry Client phones, you can tell him you are already on you way.

Real time alarms

These systems can be set up to warn you via sms or email of things going wrong. That coldroom in the intro most likely gave up the ghost the day before already and the Angry Client just didn’t keep an eye on the dial gauge. If only you had known then…

Better preventive maintenance

Face it, sometime we get it wrong. Don’t fix it if it ain’t broke, we say. Well, what if it is broken, and we just didn’t know? By monitoring the system, we can. And maybe make it all the way to the local on a Friday without an Angry Client phoning?

Maybe try this?

A simple monitoring system might monitor the following:

• Box temperature, with alerts and alarms set up to suit your operation
• Door sensor, to warn you of doors left open (yes, Mr Angry Client) and doors opening when they shouldn’t.
• Power supply monitoring, so that you know when the power is out.

So, why wait?

Contact Neutron Refrigeration today for your online monitoring system.