21 posts tagged with "sensor"

AC voltage detection plays a crucial role in industrial automation and equipment monitoring, helping to ensure operational safety, system uptime, and efficient energy management. Detecting the presence or absence of AC voltage allows operators to verify power availability, monitor equipment status, and respond promptly to power anomalies that may lead to costly downtime or equipment damage. In many applications, detecting AC voltage is essential for confirming that machinery is energized and functioning as expected. This can include monitoring the status of motors, compressors, heaters, and other critical equipment.

How to Detect AC Voltage with TPS Devices​

Use a Hybrid Tibbit​

Measures: AC voltage.

Tibbit #63-1 and #63-2 detect the presence of AC, either at 110V or 220V. In an AppBlocks project configured with a Tibbit #63, a boolean variable is automatically generated, e.g. "T63_1_S1" for #63-1. By creating logic based on the state of this boolean using AppBlocks' drag-and-drop code editor, integrators can trigger further workflow events whenever AC 110V or 220V is detected, or simply record the state change in a log for future reference.

Schematic:

Example:

Click here to see an example project that prints whether or not Tibbit #63-1 is connected to 110V AC power, and also buzzes the TPS if it is.

Warning:

Tibbit #63-1 and #63-2 are designed to detect high AC voltages. Improper handling of high AC voltages may lead to property damage, injuries, and even death. By using Tibbit #63-1 and #63-2, you explicitly agree not to hold Tibbo liable for any damages, injuries, or death arising from the use of these Tibbits.

Modern organizations depend on card access control systems as a critical component of their physical security infrastructure. These systems allow businesses to limit entry to authorized personnel only, significantly reducing the risk of unauthorized access and potential security breaches. By assigning individual access credentials, organizations can also maintain detailed logs of employee movements within a facility, supporting internal audits, compliance checks, and investigative efforts.

How to Implement Card Access Control with TPS Devices​

Use a Wiegand Tibbit​

Tibbit #08 allows TPS to interface with Wiegand card readers. Wiegand card readers are commonly used in access control devices, such as the ones found in residential buildings and corporate offices. Setup is simple, and only requires a connector Tibbit, such as Tibbit #20 or #21 to interface with an external Wiegand reader, and an appropriate power Tibbit, such as #10. Using AppBlocks' no-code development environment, logic to open doors can be created in minutes, and doors can be unlocked easily with Relay Tibbits. Further actions are also just clicks away, such as notifying HR when an employee enters and leaves the office.

Schematic:

Example:

Check out this tutorial using the ADK to learn more about Wiegand readers and how to integrate them with TPS.

For a more advanced application, make sure to read this example on how to use Wiegand readers with TPS and AppBlocks Cloud.

CO2 control is essential across a wide range of industries and is often implemented alongside CO2 monitoring to maintain safe, efficient, and compliant environments. By actively managing CO2 levels, operators can optimize plant growth in greenhouses, improve air quality in commercial buildings, enhance energy efficiency in HVAC systems, and support worker safety in confined or enclosed spaces. Automated CO2 control systems help reduce manual intervention, maintain regulatory compliance, and ensure consistent environmental conditions critical to both human comfort and process reliability.

How to Control CO2 with TPS Devices​

Use a Relay Tibbit​

Controls: Relay.

Many CO2 solenoid valves, CO2 injectors/emitters, and exhaust fans for CO2 purging can be controlled using a relay. Relay Tibbits, such as #03, #06, #07, and #15, provide straightforward, reliable relay control directly from a TPS device, enabling seamless integration with a wide range of CO2 control devices. By connecting a relay output to the control input of a CO2 system, TPS can effectively automate the regulation of CO2 levels. When paired with one of TPS’s three CO2 monitoring methods, this setup allows operators to build a fully automated CO2 monitoring and control system using intuitive, drag-and-drop logic in AppBlocks.

Schematic:

Example:

Click here to see an example project that sets Tibbit #03-1's "RELAY "1" to LOW when triggered via an AppBlocks Cloud dashboard.

CO2 monitoring is common across industrial sectors and is often mandated by health, safety, or environmental regulations. CO2 levels are carefully measured to ensure healthy air quality, maintain optimal growing conditions in greenhouses, reduce energy consumption in HVAC systems, and safeguard product quality.

CO2 Monitoring Methods with TPS Devices​

• Use a Third-Party Modbus Sensor
• Use a 4-20mA Output Sensor
• Use an Analog Output Voltage Sensor

Use a Third-Party Modbus Sensor​

AppBlocks and TPS devices offer strong support for third-party Modbus equipment, so almost any RS485 Modbus device can be connected to a TPS unit. Use the Module Tibbit #02 or #05 for RS485 and the Connector Tibbit #20 (or #21) for terminal connections. You will also need to power your Modbus device. Tibbit #05 has a low-power +5V output, which is sufficient for our Bus Probes, but other Modbus devices may have different power requirements.

Schematic:

For Modbus devices with power requirements higher than 5V, you may also supply your own power.

Pros:

• Complete flexibility in choosing the Modbus CO2 sensor.

Cons:

• You will need to manually configure the sensor’s Modbus registers and data conversion within your AppBlocks application.

Tutorial:

Click here to learn how to work with slave Modbus devices in AppBlocks.

Use a 4-20mA Output Sensor​

A variety of 4-20mA CO2 sensors exist on the market, such as the Telaire T5100 series. Using #61-1 or #61-2 4-20mA ADC Tibbits, connecting 4-20mA sensors and devices such as the Telaire T5100 to TPS devices is easy. Through the AppBlocks no-code development environment, accessing the CO2 readings from these sensors is as simple as reading a variable, and setting up a cloud dashboard with AppBlocks Cloud (ABC) is just a few clicks away.

Schematic:

Basic Example:

Click here to see an example project where every 1 second the sensor value from line 1 of #61-1 is read, converted to PPM, and then printed to the console.

Cycle counting is a vital method for monitoring machine utilization and ensuring operational efficiency across various industrial sectors. By tracking the number of machine cycles, operators can gain valuable insights into equipment performance, identify maintenance needs, and optimize production processes. Many existing machines are currently being retrofitted with cycle counting equipment, giving existing equipment new IoT capabilities.

How to Count Cycles with TPS Devices​

Use a Digital Input Tibbit​

Detects: Digital input.

Digital input Tibbits, such as #00, #04 and #54 allow you to easily measure digital inputs and perform cycle counting with TPS devices. A terminal block connector Tibbit such as #20 or #21 is also required. For example, Tibbit #54 has four dry contact input lines; applying ground to any of these four lines updates its boolean variable to 0, and in AppBlocks you can configure this variable changing event to be recorded as a cycle count and displayed on a TPS display or web dashboard.

Schematic:

Basic Example:

Click here to see an example project that adds 1 to a cycle counter whenever line 1 of Tibbit #54 is connected to ground, and prints the total to console.

In the above example we store the cycle count as a variable for simplicity, but a better approach would be to store the count as a "Setting" data type. Settings are kept in your device's EEPROM. They are referred to as "persistent storage" because they retain their values even when the device is powered off. In real life we also need a way to check the cycle count remotely, and that's where AppBlocks Cloud (ABC), our cloud monitoring and management service comes into play.

Advanced Example:

Click here to see an advanced example, where we are instead storing the cycle count as a Setting, and have enabled AppBlocks Cloud for remote monitoring.

Flood and leak detection is essential in many industrial and commercial settings. Water leaks and flooding are closely monitored to protect valuable equipment, maintain secure and hygienic environments, prevent structural damage, safeguard the public, and much more.

Flood/Leak Detection Methods with TPS Devices​

• Use a Tibbo Modbus Sensor aka Bus Probe (BP)
• Use a Third-Party Sensor

Use a Tibbo Modbus Sensor aka Bus Probe (BP)​

Detects: Flood/water leaks.

Tibbo Bus Probe BP#05, allows you to detect floods or water leaks at significant distances from a TPS device. The probe communicates over RS485 using the Modbus RTU protocol. You can place the sensor as far as 50 meters (160') away, and multiple probes can share a single RS485 bus. Module Tibbit #05 handles RS485 signals, and Connector Tibbit #20 (or #21) provides the necessary terminal blocks.

Schematic:

Pros:

• May be placed up to 50 m (160') from the TPS device.
• Multiple Bus Probes can operate on a single RS485 bus.

Example:

Click here to see an example project that outputs BP#05's sensor data.

Use a Third-Party Sensor​

Many third-party leak sensors have simple dry contact outputs, which can be wired up to Tibbits #54 or #04-X.

Schematic:

For serial devices with power requirements higher than 5V, you may also supply your own power.

Humidity monitoring is critical in various industrial applications, helping to prevent equipment failure, material degradation, and product spoilage. Excess humidity can lead to mold, bacterial growth, and corrosion, while overly dry conditions can damage sensitive materials and contribute to static electricity buildup.

Humidity Monitoring Methods with TPS Devices​

There are various ways to implement humidity monitoring with Tibbo Project System (TPS):

• Use a Sensor Tibbit
• Use a Cable Probe (CP)
• Use a Tibbo Modbus Sensor aka Bus Probe (BP)
• Use a Third-Party Modbus Sensor
• Use a Single-Wire Sensor

Use a Sensor Tibbit​

Measures: Air (ambient) humidity and temperature.

Sensor Tibbit #30 allows you to measure air humidity (and temperature) in the immediate vicinity of your TPS device. This Tibbit communicates via the I2C interface and requires Module Tibbit #00-3, which provides the I2C lines and power.

Schematic:

Pros:

• Integrated solution requiring no external cabling.
• Measures both humidity and temperature.
• Cost-effective.

Example:

Click here to see an example project that queries the Tibbit #30 every second and prints the measured humidity and temperature into the console.

Use a Cable Probe (CP)​

Measures: Air (ambient) humidity and temperature.

Tibbo Cable Probe CP#02 allows for measuring humidity (and temperature) at a distance from the TPS device. The probe is connected via I2C, requiring Module Tibbit #00-3 and a Connector Tibbit such as #20 or #21.

Schematic:

Pros:

• Flexible placement for optimal readings.
• The TPS unit can be hidden away.

Cons:

• The distance between the probe and the TPS is limited to the cable's length of 100 cm (40").

Example:

Click here to see an example project that queries the cable probe every second and prints the measured humidity and temperature into the console.

Use a Tibbo Modbus Sensor aka Bus Probe (BP)​

Measures: Air (ambient) humidity and temperature.

Tibbo Bus Probe BP#02 enables long-distance humidity (and temperature) measurement using the Modbus RTU protocol over RS485. This probe connects to a TPS device via Module Tibbit #05 and a terminal block Tibbit such as #20 or #21.

Schematic:

Pros:

• May be placed up to 50 m (160') from the TPS device.
• Multiple Bus Probes can operate on a single RS485 bus.

Cons:

• Slightly higher cost compared to sensor Tibbits or short-range cable probes.

Tutorial:

Click here to see a tutorial that demonstrates outputting BP sensor data to a web-based dashboard.

Use a Third-Party Modbus Sensor​

AppBlocks and TPS devices offer strong support for third-party Modbus equipment, so almost any RS485 Modbus device can be connected to a TPS unit. Use the Module Tibbit #02 or #05 for RS485 and the Connector Tibbit #20 (or #21) for terminal connections. You will also need to power your Modbus device. Tibbit #05 has a low-power +5V output, which is sufficient for our Bus Probes, but other Modbus devices may have different power requirements.

Schematic:

For Modbus devices with power requirements higher than 5V, you may also supply your own power.

Pros:

• Complete flexibility in choosing the Modbus humidity sensor.

Cons:

• You will need to manually configure the sensor’s Modbus registers and data conversion within your AppBlocks application.

Tutorial:

Click here to learn how to work with slave Modbus devices in AppBlocks.

Use a Single-Wire Sensor​

Measures: Air (ambient) humidity and temperature.

Single-Wire sensors, such as DHT22, provide a cost-effective way to measure humidity (and temperature) over longer distances. These sensors connect to a TPS device through Tibbit #62, along with a Connector Tibbit such as #20 or #21.

Schematic:

Pros:

• Allows for long distances between the sensors and the TPS device.
• Both humidity and temperature monitoring on a single wire.
• Very attractive sensor pricing.

Cons:

• One sensor per bus (not multi-drop), so the number of sensors that can be connected to a TPS device is limited.

Example:

Click here to see an example project that shows the simplicity of adding Single-Wire functionality with AppBlocks.

We also have a short video showing how fast setting up Single-Wire sensors with TPS and AppBlocks is.

Monitoring ingress at entry points is critical for ensuring facility security, operational continuity, and regulatory compliance. By consistently tracking factors such as access frequency, identity verification, irregular entry times, and failed attempts, organizations can quickly detect anomalies and respond to potential threats.

Ingress Monitoring Methods with TPS Devices​

• Use a Digital Input Tibbit
• Use a Tibbo Modbus Sensor aka Bus Probe (BP)

Use a Digital Input Tibbit​

Detects: Digital input.

Digital input Tibbits, such as #00, #04 and #54 allow you to easily measure digital inputs and perform cycle counting with TPS devices. A terminal block connector Tibbit such as #20 or #21 is also required. For example, Tibbit #54 has four dry contact input lines; applying ground to any of these four lines updates its boolean variable to 0, and in AppBlocks you can configure this variable changing event to add door entry records to logs, or trigger further logic such as security alerts.

Schematic:

Example:

Click here to see an example project that adds 1 to a variable whenever Tibbit #54 is connected to ground (e.g. a door is opened), and prints the total to console.

Use a Tibbo Modbus Sensor aka Bus Probe (BP)​

Detects: Digital input.

Tibbo Bus Probe BP#06, allows you to detect digital input at significant distances from a TPS device. The probe communicates over RS485 using the Modbus RTU protocol. You can place the sensor as far as 50 meters (160') away, and multiple probes can share a single RS485 bus. Module Tibbit #05 handles RS485 signals, and Connector Tibbit #20 (or #21) provides the necessary terminal blocks.

Schematic:

Pros:

• May be placed up to 50 m (160') from the TPS device.
• Multiple Bus Probes can operate on a single RS485 bus.

Tutorial:

Click here to see a tutorial for polling Modbus slaves such as BP#06.

Lighting automation is crucial in industrial environments to improve employee safety, increase energy efficiency, and prolong the lifespan of lighting hardware.

Lighting Control Methods with TPS Devices​

Two tibbits (#16 and #17) allow the TPS to control PWM peripherals.

• Use a Third-Party PWM controlled light with Tibbit #16
• Use a Third-Party PWM controlled light with Tibbit #17

Use a Third-Party PWM controlled light with Tibbit #16​

These two tutorials, PWM Light Control - Ver. 1 and PWM Light Control - Ver. 2, use Tibbit #16 to control growroom lights.

Use a Third-Party PWM controlled light with Tibbit #17​

The following example uses a Tibbit #17 to control PWM lights installed in a smart garden. Then, the lights are set to turn on and off based on a schedule or controlled manually through the AppBlocks Cloud dashboard.

Liquid level sensing is crucial in many industries to maintain precise fluid volumes, prevent overflow or dry-running, and ensure process consistency. By monitoring fluid levels in applications like storage tanks, and water treatment systems, operators can maintain safety standards, optimize resource use, and reduce downtime.

How to Monitor Liquid Level with TPS Devices​

Use a Third-Party Serial Sensor​

AppBlocks and TPS devices offer strong support for third-party serial equipment, so almost any serial device can be connected to TPS. Use the Module Tibbit #01 for RS232 and the Connector Tibbit #20 (or #21) for terminal connections. MaxBotix offers a range of ultrasonic tank sensors which are compatible with TPS.

Schematic:

For Modbus devices with power requirements higher than 5V, you may also supply your own power.

Did You Know? MaxBotix sensors can be used for much more than just measuring water levels. Sensors exist for measuring distances to snow surfaces, solid objects, etc. They are great for counting people, vehicles and many other applications. Importantly, AppBlocks makes working with them extremely easy.