Last September the team of VTEC came to Thermi to install 6 smart mini water meter sensors in one household participating in the pilot test. This post is describing the experience from that process, the results and the lessons learned from it.
The preparation
Sensor installation in VTEC’s lab
Before VTEC’s arrival with the sensors in their suitcase there was a preparation process which helped significantly in running smoothly the whole installation process. First step in the process was to get from VTEC’s lab photos from a test installation in their premises so that it was clear what was needed for a successful installation. For example, we understood how big the transmitter boxes will be, what was the overall architecture of the installation, what could be done to conceal and protect parts of it to make it even more acceptable and safe for end-users. This process also helped VTEC to design their parts in a better way.
Preparation details of the installation
Second step of the preparation was to visit two candidate household for the test installation and take photos from all potential installation places. Knowing limitations and requirements for the installation we identified nearby power sources, took measurements of distances between pipes and power supplies and generally provided to VTEC’s labs as much information as possible for the preparation of the first sensors. VTEC has reviewed the information and decided which the easiest household for the first installation was.
The installation
Due to the extended exchange of information during the preparation phase, the installations process was quite quick, smooth and easy. The Municipality of Thermi had already arranged for a plumber to be present and help in the installation which proved to be a key factor in running it smoothly and quickly. The plumber was able to identify and provide easily with whatever additional adapters and material were needed for installing the sensor in the different pipes and the whole process of installing 6 sensors finished in less than 2 hours. VTEC’s preparation in programming and labeling cables and connections between parts paid off and as soon as the sensor boxes where connected to the internet data started flowing seamlessly and an immediate confirmation arrived in the form of graphs showing the real time data on our computer screens.
The installation of sensors in the kitchen
The result
The presence of the plumber, VTEC’s team and facilitators from Ultra4 and Municipality of Thermi helped in making the cooperation between the owner and the Waternomics team very easy and enjoyable. The grandma of the family living in the house in a hospitality gesture offered a home-made liquor to everyone from the team and the 10-years old kid or the family was so excited seeing the graphs that started playing with the kitchen tap just to see the data lines coming up and down in the graphs. The diversity of the Waternomics team present helped also in gaining valuable knowledge and experience for future installations such as the fact that the best possible concealment of cables and boxes needed for the sensors left the family quite happy with the result and not frustrated by it. You can also have a look at the result in this video. Moreover, in a demonstration session organized with other pilot participants lead to comments on the design of the boxes and the infrastructure that would make them even happier. One key point for example was the agreement to merge of two receiver boxes situated near the ADSL router of the household to just one.
The lessons
Apart from two enjoyable days in Greece the consortium gained valuable lessons:
- When installing first time such sensors in a household, long and detailed preparation will lead to the best possible installation process.
- The less obtrusive and obvious the sensor installation is the happier the family members are.
- Safety is paramount in household installations especially with kids running and playing in the house. So any electricity carrying cables where positioned off the ground in areas protected by potential leaks.
- The presence of plumbers for the installation was key to making it smoother and quicker and the knowledge gained during the installation will be transferred and used in the future installations.
Now the rest of the participants having seen the installation in the first household are expecting their own installations and this time it will be even easier, quicker and smoother than the first time.