Wireless Data Nodes Can Reduce Energy Use In Facilities

July 1, 2010
New HOBO data nodes combine best-of-class data logging with wireless networking to lower the cost of data collection Onset introduces the HOBO ZW Series of wireless data nodes for centralized monitoring of energy use and environmental conditions in buildings. HOBO ZW Series data nodes are designed to reduce the cost and complexity of data collection by measuring, recording and transmitting real-time energy use and environmental data from dozens of points to a central PC. Different from traditional data loggers, HOBO data nodes work together in a self-healing wireless network to transmit logged data to a PC at regular intervals. This eliminates the need of having to spend time retrieving collected data from individual data loggers deployed throughout a facility. The wireless nodes can measure temperature, relatively humidity, kilowatt hours, CO2, AC voltage, amps, gauge pressure and a variety of other parameters. HOBO data nodes harness the power of self-healing MESH networking technology. This ensures that data are automatically routed back to a PC without manual intervention. Accompanying HOBOware Pro 3.0 software is designed to allow for quick and simple configuration of data node networks. Users also can view real-time energy and environmental data and set alarms for any sensors on the network. Alarm notifications can be sent via text messaging to a cell phone or emailed to a PC. The software also provides a network map feature that provides an at-a-glance view of a network and allows exporting of data to Microsoft Excel and other spreadsheet programs with a single click.