Predictive Maintenance bridges are different bridges than those used in energy. However, they are also used to send the measured data of the sensors from a customer to the Sensorfact software and it is an industrial WiFi bridge.
A bridge needs to be powered with a 230V power supply, and its range depends on its surroundings. As a rule of thumb, keep it within a 10-meter radius with no obstacles in the way — think walls, big machines, metal fencing, or cabinets — or plan for one bridge per 5 sensors. Better safe than sorry, so better to have good connection than poor connectivity.
The bridge can connect, and send its data through two different types of connectivity:
- Mobile network; Most commonly used in PDM, the SIM in the bridge is activated which allows the bridge to transmit data over 4G.
- Ethernet; ethernet connection works by plugging in an ethernet cable in the bridge. It is important with this connection that the bridges get authorization to send the data over their network. This connectivity option is free.