When you're setting up remote monitoring at your sites, it seems straightforward enough. You'll place your RTUs (Remote Telemetry Units), connect your sensors, and voila - instant visibility into every detail of your operation.

But anyone who's been through this process knows that it's never quite that easy.

One common (temporary) roadblock I see with my clients is sensor compatibility. Maybe you've found the perfect temperature sensor, or maybe a vibration sensor to monitor a cabinet against forced entry, but it doesn't match your site's voltage.

Or maybe it outputs a protocol your RTU doesn't natively support. These mismatches add extra costs and headaches to your project.

Let's break down the problem, and then I'll show you specific solutions that you can use to avoid it entirely.

The Compatibility Problem with Many Third-Party Sensors

There are three major stumbling blocks that come up when you're choosing sensors for a new or expanded remote monitoring system:

1. Voltage Mismatches

   Imagine you're monitoring a -48V DC site (pretty common in telecom). You order a sensor without realizing it's a 12V device. Now you're stuck figuring out how to provide a voltage the sensor wasn't designed for. Worse, sometimes you might not notice until installation day, and your crew has to make a second trip to the site (and that sensor is absent until that second trip).

2. Protocol Incompatibility

   Many modern sensors output data using specialized protocols like MODBUS or SNMP. But what happens if your RTU doesn't speak the same "language"? You either need a separate device to translate, or (far more likely) you're back to looking for another sensor that's compatible.

3. Labor Time to Run Power Wires

   Even if you've managed to find a sensor that matches your site's voltage, you're not done yet. Powering a traditional sensor often means running separate power wires from a supply to the sensor's location. Sure, each wire run might only take a few minutes, but across multiple sensors and sites, the time and labor costs quickly add up. Also, because sensors are independent of each other, you have to "home run" data/signal cabling back to the RTU from every sensor.

Both of these issues can slow you down, costing you time and money.

A Simplified Solution: DPS D-Wire Sensors

When we started seeing these challenges pop up repeatedly for our clients, we knew there had to be a better way. That's why we developed D-Wire sensors, our proprietary sensor line that eliminates voltage mismatches and simplifies installation.

D-Wire is built on a proven core technology module. We've also added our own special features to meet the needs of our clients in telecom, utilities, transportation, public safety, etc.

Here's why D-Wire is more helpful than typical sensors:

• Daisy-Chaining

  With D-Wire, you don't need to run separate cables for each sensor. Instead, you can daisy-chain multiple sensors on a single cable. This not only saves on wiring costs but also makes your installations cleaner and faster.

• Bus-Powered

  D-Wire sensors don't require you to worry about site voltage mismatches. They get their power directly from the D-Wire bus (powered by the base RTU, regardless of your site's native DC voltage), so you'll never have to troubleshoot incompatible voltage.

• Plug-and-Play Simplicity

  All you need to do is plug the sensor into your RTU's D-Wire port. No analog scaling or other complicated configuration is required.

D-Wire Sensors Cover the Most Common Monitoring Requirements

D-Wire sensors cover some of the most common use cases we've seen in the field with DPS clients:

• Temperature Sensors: For HVAC performance, equipment cabinets, or general environmental monitoring. DPS RTUs typically include one ambient temperature sensor, but D-Wire sensors may be placed in key areas within your site/enclosure.
• Temp + Humidity Sensors: Ideal for sites where both factors impact equipment reliability. Some clients care a lot about humidity, while others recognize that it's not really an issue and aren't very concerned about it.
• Vibration Sensors: A useful sensor for both "acid test" generator monitoring (is it running?) and security monitoring (is someone banging on our cabinet/door?).
• Airflow Sensors: Used with our HVAC controllers to ensure proper ventilation. Noticing an airflow reduction can offer early alerts for a clogged filter or failing blower.

When Third-Party Sensors Are Still Necessary

Of course, D-Wire doesn't yet cover every possible use case. For example, if you need a hydrogen sniffer or a water-leak detector, we'll help you find a compatible third-party sensor.

In those cases, our RTUs (like the NetGuardian series) are designed to handle a variety of inputs:

• 0-5 Volt Analog Inputs: Perfect for most industry-standard sensors.
• 4-20 Milliamp Inputs: The other standard sensor output. Common in industrial environments on various sensor types.
• Protocol Support: Need MODBUS or SNMP? We can add that capability to your RTU to ensure compatibility.

As noted above, you will have to work through some of the above challenges (running the correct power voltage to the sensor, configuring the analog value scaling, etc.). DPS Tech Support is available to help you with all of this. It adds a little bit of work, but it's nothing to be exceedingly worried about.

Why Choose DPS for Your Remote Monitoring Needs?

At DPS, we don't just sell hardware. We give you custom-tailored solutions designed to meet your specific challenges:

• Proven Reliability

  Our devices are field-tested for rugged environments, ensuring they perform in extreme temperatures and demanding conditions. We use a high-temperature and low-temperature test chamber for new designs to verify high resilience.

• Custom Engineering:

  Most projects can be solved with our off-the-shelf equipment, but in customizing the final 10-20% when necessary. Need a custom design? We can adapt or build new devices to perfectly fit your project.

• Vertical Integration for Fast Turnarounds:

  Unlike many manufacturers, we control our entire process - from design and engineering to manufacturing and assembly. Our in-house metal shop, EMI lab, and production team ensure high-quality products with quick lead times.

• Unmatched Support:

  When you call DPS, you'll talk to the engineers who designed your product. No outsourcing, no endless call transfers. You'll get expert help when you need it most.

• American-Made Quality:

  All DPS devices are designed and manufactured in Fresno, California, meeting strict quality standards. For government contracts or clients requiring domestic manufacturing, our products "check all the boxes".

What Can We Help You Monitor?

If you're tired of dealing with sensor compatibility issues or you're starting any new remote monitoring project, give us a call at 559-454-1600. ( You can also email us at sales@dpstele.com )

We'll help you design a solution tailored to your site's needs. No voltage mismatches, no protocol headaches. Just reliable monitoring that works.