ThingsLog 4G Low Power Data Logger

4G Data Logger Applications

Water Metering and NRW Monitoring

Connect to pulse-output water meters (cold, hot, industrial) to read consumption every 15 minutes. Combine with a pressure transducer (4-20mA or 0-5V) on the analog input for simultaneous flow and pressure monitoring in DMA applications. The ThingsLog 4G logger records both pulse counts and analog values in each transmission, giving water utilities a complete picture of zone behaviour from a single device installed at the district metered area boundary point.

Energy Sub-Metering

Connect to pulse-output electricity meters (S0 interface) for energy consumption monitoring in buildings, factories, and retail locations. The 4G connectivity ensures near real-time data delivery for time-of-use analysis and peak demand monitoring. Building managers can set threshold alerts for unexpected consumption spikes and receive instant notifications without polling a local gateway.

Agricultural Monitoring

Monitor irrigation flow, tank levels (ultrasonic sensor via analog input), and soil conditions across wide agricultural areas. The optional solar panel ensures continuous power in remote agricultural locations where battery replacement is impractical. The optional GNSS module tracks mobile assets — irrigation booms, water tankers, or portable pumping sets — combining location and measurement data in every transmission.

Industrial Process Monitoring

Connect to industrial sensors (4-20mA transmitters for pressure, temperature, level, and flow) via the 4 analog inputs. Modbus RTU connection supports PLCs and smart instruments for reading process variables directly from existing field equipment. Relay outputs enable remote control of pumps, valves, or alarm signals — closing the loop between measurement and action without requiring a separate controller at the site.

Why Choose 4G for IoT Data Logging?

Unlike LoRa which requires gateway infrastructure or NB-IoT which operates only on licensed bands, 4G provides immediate connectivity anywhere with cellular coverage — without any local network infrastructure. Data is transmitted in near real-time (minutes rather than hours). The ThingsLog 4G logger operates in low-power mode between transmissions, achieving 20,000 transmissions from a single 3.6V LiSOCl₂ battery (equivalent to 4-5 years at 15-minute intervals). For applications requiring higher data rates, real-time control, or video integration, 4G is the connectivity of choice over other LPWAN technologies.

Technical Integration Guide

Pulse Input Configuration

The 2 pulse inputs support dry contact, open collector, and reed contact outputs — covering the full range of meter types found in utility and industrial applications. Maximum pulse frequency: 100 Hz. Each input independently configures measurement unit, multiplier, and alarm thresholds, enabling two completely different meter types to be monitored simultaneously on the same device.

Analog Input Configuration

4 analog inputs are configurable as 0-3V or 4-20mA (with external power supply to sensor). A 16-bit ADC provides 0.01% measurement precision for standard industrial sensors. An optional 24-bit Sigma/Delta ADC is available for laboratory-grade accuracy requirements — for example, when connecting high-precision load cells or scientific-grade transducers that demand resolution beyond standard industrial specifications.

Connectivity and Protocol

Communication uses MQTT over TLS to the ThingsLog cloud or any third-party MQTT broker, ensuring encrypted and authenticated data delivery. OTA (over-the-air) firmware updates and remote reconfiguration eliminate the need for site visits to update device behaviour or reporting intervals. The optional 1NCE international SIM comes pre-installed for global deployment, providing data connectivity in over 100 countries on a single pre-paid plan without roaming complexity.