FAQ – Installation & Integration of Niubol Sensors & Weather Stations

FAQ – Installation & Integration

Q1: How to install the sensors?  

A: Installation should follow the product manual. Options include pin-type, underground, bracket-type, or wall-mounted installation. Soil sensor probes should be inserted into the soil, or they can be horizontally placed and buried in the soil.

Q2: What communication protocols do the sensors support?  

A: Our sensors primarily use the RS485 interface and support the Modbus RTU protocol. Some models can be customized for 4-20mA or 0-5V output.

Q3: What is the difference between Modbus RTU and Modbus TCP?  

A: Both formats are similar, with the key difference being that Modbus RTU includes CRC check at the end, while Modbus TCP does not.

Q4: Can the sensors be connected to a PLC?  

A: Yes, as long as the PLC supports the RS485 serial port and Modbus protocol, most PLCs can be directly connected.

Q5: How to connect multiple sensors to the same data collector?  

A: There are two methods:  

- Parallel the A terminal of multiple sensors to the A terminal of the collector and the B terminal to the B terminal of the collector.  

- Connect the A/B terminals of sensor A/B to the A/B ports of the next sensor, creating a daisy-chain connection.

Q6: How to change the sensor's Slave ID?  

A: Use a Modbus command to set the Address to any value between 1–255. Please refer to the manual for detailed steps.

Q7: Which irrigation controllers can the sensors be connected to?  

A: There is no direct relationship between the sensors and irrigation controllers. Just ensure that the IoT platform can receive data from the sensors and integrate with the controller.

Q8: How to connect to a cloud platform?  

A: Data is first uploaded via RS485 to the data collector, then transmitted to the cloud platform through 4G/WiFi/Ethernet/Lorawan. We can provide the communication protocol, but the cloud platform needs to be built by the customer or a third-party service provider.

Q9: How to transmit data in areas with no mobile signal?  

A: You can use WiFi or wired networks. If there is no network, the Lorawan solution can be used to upload data through a gateway.

Q10: Is there any video or documentation to guide the installation?  

A: Yes, we provide installation videos and manuals on our website, including tutorials for sensors such as wind direction sensors and ultrasonic sensors.