This guide focuses on farm and solar-pump monitoring, including overnight communications power and practical alarms. For broader water-infrastructure requirements, see Remote Monitoring for Boreholes, Reservoirs and Pump Stations.
Boreholes, dams and reservoirs are often far from the homestead or control room, and a failed pump can go unnoticed for days. Remote monitoring lets you see what is happening at the site without driving there. This guide covers the main building blocks and the alarms worth setting up.
Why Monitor Remotely?
- Identify faults and low water levels earlier.
- Reduce unnecessary site visits.
- Record available run status, running hours and process measurements.
- Support maintenance and water-use decisions.
- Measure delivered water where a suitably selected flow meter is installed.
Monitoring helps operators respond, but pump protection must act locally. Dry-run and level interlocks should not depend on a mobile connection or a cloud dashboard.
The Basic Building Blocks
A remote monitoring setup usually has four parts:
- Field devices: the solar pump inverter or VSD, level sensors, pressure transmitters and flow meters.
- A local controller: a PLC, remote I/O unit or the drive itself, which gathers the signals.
- A communications link: most commonly a 4G LTE router with a SIM card.
- A viewing platform: a SCADA system, cloud dashboard or simply alarm messages.
Connecting the Pump Drive
Browse PLCs and programmable controllers and remote I/O and automation modules for compatible data-acquisition hardware.
Many drives provide relay outputs for run and fault status and an RS485 port for Modbus communications. A PLC or gateway can read values such as output frequency, current and fault codes. Always check the exact model's communication options before designing the system.
Level and Pressure Sensors
Level in a tank or dam is commonly measured with a 4-20 mA level transmitter or a simpler float switch. Pressure transmitters on the discharge line show whether the pump is delivering. Choose sensors that suit the liquid, the range and the environment, and make sure the cable run and the signal type suit the controller.
LTE Connectivity
Browse routers and gateways and antennas and mounting equipment. Confirm coverage, interfaces and the complete communications arrangement.
An LTE router provides network connectivity; it does not automatically acquire analogue sensors or understand a drive's Modbus registers. A compatible PLC, RTU or gateway must gather and publish the data, unless the drive has a suitable integrated monitoring system.
Confirm site coverage, antennas, router supply voltage, environmental rating and data plan. Dual-SIM failover depends on the router's capabilities and configuration and does not guarantee coverage. A cloud account, messaging service or software licence may be required. Router, controller and software settings must be commissioned together.
Power for the Equipment
Our UPS and backup power collection provides equipment options to assess against the telemetry loads and required autonomy.
Size a reliable supply for every controller, router, gateway and sensor, checking each device's actual voltage requirement and consumption. If monitoring must remain available overnight, design an auxiliary supply and backup for that duration; a PV-only pump supply may not keep communications equipment alive after sunset.
A site cannot send an alarm through a failed communications link. Use dashboard heartbeat monitoring to report a missing site connection, and local logging where required. Backup power can help with a power-loss alarm only while the communications path remains available.
Alarms Worth Setting Up
- Pump fault or inverter fault
- Dry run or low borehole level
- Tank full or tank low
- No flow or low pressure while running
- Power or communications loss
- Panel enclosure overtemperature or door open, where needed
Security and Access
Use controlled remote access, such as a suitably configured VPN or managed secure service. Change default credentials, restrict permissions, maintain firmware and avoid publicly exposing controller or drive ports. Separate monitoring access from control permissions.
If remote commands are allowed, retain local protection, authorised operating modes and defined behaviour after power or communications loss. An internet connection must not bypass local interlocks.
Start Simple
Start by defining a short list of measurements and alarms, then select the equipment to support them. A practical basic system may use run/fault signals and tank level connected to a suitable controller or gateway, an LTE link and a configured dashboard or alarm service. Confirm data acquisition, power and software before buying a router.
A pressure reading can indicate a condition but does not prove water volume. Use a flow meter and totaliser when delivered quantity matters.
Technical Note
This article gives general information only. Communications coverage, network security, electrical protection and installation must be assessed for the specific site in accordance with manufacturer documentation and applicable standards, and carried out by competent persons.
Related catalogue examples: Industrial Networking | PLCs & Programmable Controllers | Solar Pump Inverters. For an equipment enquiry, contact Softcore Group Industrial Solutions at info@softcoregroup.co.za.
Technical Resources
- VEICHI SI23 manufacturer information
- VEICHI SI21 manufacturer information
- Slanvert Hope65-SPD manufacturer information
- Technical resources and manuals
Use the documentation for the exact supplied model and revision. Family documents can cover ratings and options that do not apply to every unit.