SENSIRION Nubo Sphere User manual

User Manual for

Nubo Sphere Sensor Node & Wind Meter

Continuous Methane Emissions Monitoring System

Version 1.0 from March 23, 2023

Nubo

Sphere

User Manual

IMPORTANT Safety Information

Throughout the manual, you will find caution and warning statements that require you to take cautionary measures

when working with the device to avoid damage to the device or personal injury. Please read the manual carefully

and follow the procedures of operation as prescribed.

Caution

Caution means that incorrect use might break the device. Failure to follow the

procedures explained and prescribed in this manual might result in irreversible

damage to the device.

Warning

Warning means that unsafe use of the device can result in personal injury or cause

damage to the device or its surroundings. Follow the procedures prescribed.

Contents

1 Introduction 4

2 System description 5

2.1 System operation overview 5

2.2 Nubo Sphere system components and accessories 6

3 Handling & mounting instructions 7

3.1 General safety instructions 7

3.2 Installation instructions 8

3.2.1 Node placement 8

3.2.2 Installing pole mounts 9

3.2.3 Node without wind meter 10

3.2.4 Node with wind meter 12

3.3 Registering device to the cloud 15

3.4 Before leaving the site 16

4 Maintenance 16

4.1 General 16

4.2 Cartridge replacement 16

5 General handling 18

5.1 Powering up the device 18

5.2 Depowering the device 18

5.3 Storage 18

5.4 Shipment 19

6 Conformity information 20

6.1 European conformity information 20

6.2 FCC notice 20

6.3 Frequency band(s) and maximum radio-frequency power transmitted 21

7 Important legal notices 22

8 Revision history 22

9 Contact 22

1 Introduction

The Nubo Sphere methane (CH

4) emission monitoring system, based on the rugged and reliable Nubo sensor node,

is an end-to-end solution for the real-time detection, localization and quantification of methane emissions.

Combining Sensirion’s market-leading environmental and air quality sensing expertise with our expertise in high-

volume scaling solutions, the Nubo Sphere system offers high performance at a low total cost of ownership. The

robust system design enables the acquisition of reliable and highly accurate data at any time. It is rapidly deployed

and easy to use, and the two sensor cartridges ensure low maintenance expenses and provide a future-proof,

sustainable setup.

Nubo Sphere changes the game when it comes to methane emissions monitoring. Detecting, locating and

quantifying methane emissions have never been easier. The deployment of consistent ground-based methane data

logging enables emission detection much earlier than was previously possible through human detection, ensuring

fast, accurate and cost-saving damage control through rapid incident response actions for increased safety,

reduced financial losses and regulatory compliance.

The forward-thinking system design, which features two exchangeable sensor cartridges, allows easy maintenance

and sustainable upgrades to the latest sensor technology. In cases of customer-specific sensing needs or changing

regulatory requirements, parameters can be added in a very flexible manner and on an as-needed basis without

the need to exchange the entire system.

2 System description

2.1 System operation overview

The Nubo Sphere monitoring system consists of multiple Nubo sensor nodes, a cloud-based data analytics system

and a user- and smartphone-friendly web interface. The node has two slots for sensing cartridges. The cartridges

can be easily exchanged for maintenance or upgrading. At the present moment, a methane (CH4) sensing cartridge

is available. The currently unused second cartridge slot could be used to extend the parameter space once other

cartridges become available.

Because of the solar panel, the low-power electronics and the state-of-the-art lithium-ion batteries, the nodes

operate fully autonomously, even under the most adverse conditions and without the need to deploy electric power

cables. The compact size ensures easy deployment wherever needed. At least one of the nodes is equipped with

a wind meter in addition to the methane sensor to enable measurement of the local wind speed and direction at

any time.

The nodes constantly transmit the data to the cloud platform via LTE-M or 2G (GPRS). Every node has its own

connectivity to ensure maximum redundancy, simple and rapid setup and flexibility. At the cloud level, the signals

are refined to exclude artifacts and ensure maximal data fidelity. The algorithms have been developed on the basis

of Sensirion’s extensive specialist knowledge of the employed sensor technologies and their application in the field.

Our advanced analytics system continuously applies algorithms based on physical modeling to the refined data to

detect any emissions as early as possible. The models allow for automatic and reliable localization and

quantification of most emissions. The models and their output are continuously improved and supervised by our

dedicated team of data scientists to improve accuracy and avoid false positives.

The status of all your sites can be easily monitored via the intuitive dashboard in any web browser or smartphone.

Sites where action is most urgently required can be easily identified, and their status can be tracked during the

repair process. The best mitigation action can be easily determined on the basis of the intuitive data visualization

of the location and size of any emission event. If critical emission events are detected, you will receive notifications

to enable your team to react rapidly.

2.2 Nubo Sphere system components and accessories

Each Nubo Sphere sensor node package contains:

 1 sensor node that includes a preinstalled methane sensing cartridge (see image 1 below)

 1 solar panel with mount and cable (see image 2)

 2 pole mounts (see image 5)

 4 band ties for the pole mounts (see image 6)

Each Nubo Sphere wind meter package contains:

 1 wind meter, including cable (see image 3)

 1 wind meter mounting adapter (see image 4)

 1 pole mount (see image 5)

 2 band ties for the pole mount (see image 6)

For a typical installation, multiple sensor nodes (4 to 12, depending on conditions and goals for a 150 x 150 m2

(500 x 500 ft.2) site) and at least one wind meter are required. The exact numbers depend on the specifics of the

installation site (e.g. its size), the installed equipment and the performance requirements. For additional details,

please contact our support team or your local sales representative. Our experts can help you determine the

optimum number of devices for your project.

A package of one Nubo Sphere sensor node and one Nubo Sphere wind meter contains:

3 Handling and mounting instructions

3.1 General safety instructions

Warning

 Do not open the device. Do not modify the device in any way, including, but not

limited to, exchanging the included antenna, replacing the included modem and

modifying the power supply or circuit board.

 Nubo sensor nodes are to be operated only with compatible sensor cartridges

provided by Sensirion Connected Solutions AG. Do not modify the cartridge or

install components not supplied by Sensirion Connected Solutions AG or

components not explicitly marketed to be used with Nubo sensor nodes.

 The device is to be installed in a clean and dry environment. Do not install in rainy

conditions.

 The device is to be operated with the supplied powering options only. Do not

attach any other power supplies. Do not use the supplied powering options for

any purpose other than powering the device.

 The device contains a lithium-ion battery. Do not store or operate the device or

battery in temperature conditions outside the specified range. Do not crush the

device or its battery. Do not dispose of the device or battery via a fire or hot oven.

Do not expose the device or the battery to extremely low air pressures. Do not

replace the battery with any other type.

Caution

 The device must be installed with the sensor cartridges facing toward the ground.

Do not install or operate the system in any other orientation.

 The system is designed to be water resistant to rain or spray. It is not designed

to be waterproof when immersed. Do not immerse the device in water.

3.2 Installation instructions

The device comes pre-assembled with a methane sensor cartridge and a blind cover to seal the second slot. No

further configurations or steps are needed to prepare the Nubo sensor nodes. They can be deployed directly in the

field, as described below. A video tutorial showing the installation steps is available on our website.

3.2.1 Node placement

For the entire system to operate correctly, it is important to ensure that the Nubo Sphere sensor nodes are placed

at the correct positions on your site. Please check with your sales representative before installation to determine

exactly where the Nubo Sphere units and the wind meter should be placed and how the wind meter should be

oriented.

No elements of the system must be placed within hazardous zones. Nubo Sphere sensor nodes should be placed

approximately 20 to 60 m (66 to 197 ft.) downwind of potential emission sources.

The units can be installed either on new poles or on existing infrastructure. In the latter case, ensure that no other

equipment that might influence the wind patterns is in close proximity (i.e. closer than 20 m (66 ft.)) to the units,

especially those devices equipped with a wind meter. In any case, ensure that the pole is fixed properly and cannot

be moved or rotated by wind or other external influences.

To avoid insufficient charging of the internal batteries, please also ensure that the solar panels are not shaded by

buildings or trees at any time of the day.

Warning

The Nubo Sphere

sensor nodes

are not rated for operation in hazardous zones. It is

your responsibility to verify whether installation of the device is permissible by local

laws or the owner of the infrastructure.

Caution



All Nubo Sphere components need to be installed first before installing and

orienting the wind sensor.

 All devices should stay within the designated areas, determined during siting with

the sales representative or customer support team for optimal performance.

 After siting and installation have been completed, any reconfiguration of the Nubo

Sphere positioning or changes to the site should be updated in the site

configuration in the app. Failing to do so may yield incorrect results of the Nubo

Sphere data analytics.

 The wind sensor needs to be oriented correctly, as indicated in the installation

guide.

 The wind sensor orientation and installation height need to be correctly entered

into the site configuration in the app.

 Changes to the position or orientation of the wind sensor need to be entered in

the site configuration in the app. Failing to do so may yield incorrect results of the

Nubo Sphere data analytics.

 Please make sure that all parameters asked during siting and installation have

been stored in the Nubo Sphere system and are always up to date.

3.2.2 Installing pole mounts

All physical components of the Nubo Sphere system can be easily installed on a pole

using the supplied pole-mount adapter. The Nubo sensor node, the solar panel and

the wind meter all use the same pole-mount adapter (see image (5) in section 2.2).

You can use any commercially available pole with a diameter between 50 and 300

mm (1.95–12 in.). The pole should have a height of approximately 2–3 m (6.5–10 ft.)

and should be made of a suitable material that can withstand expected wind forces

and support the system’s weight (total approx. 6.5 kg; please compare specifications

in the Nubo Sphere data sheet). The pole and attached system should not be able to

rotate after installation.

Always use two band ties to fix a pole mount to the pole. Use the slits on the mount

that best fit the actual pole diameter. Always tighten the band ties well. Verify that the bracket is mounted securely

and cannot move or become loose. After tightening the band ties, carefully shorten protruding parts of the band

ties using a strong wire cutter. Please be careful: the cut surfaces can have sharp edges. Wear protective gloves

and smooth out the edge with a file.

Warning

 Using the pole-mount adapters may result in scratch marks or abrasion on the

chosen pole. By installing and using this mounting kit, you accept that Sensirion

Connected Solutions AG is not liable for any damage resulting from the

installation and use of the pole-mount adapters.

 Plastic zip ties might age or break due to environmental influences. Only use

metal bands or similarly reliable mounting bands.

 Cut surfaces can have sharp edges. Always wear gloves and safety glasses when

cutting metal band ties and use a file to smooth

the edges.

There are two installation variants to choose from, depending on the actual location. All sensor nodes are installed

in conjunction with a solar panel. The necessary components are included in the Nubo Sphere sensor node

package. In most situations, one node per site is equipped with an additional wind meter, which requires a Nubo

Sphere wind meter package.

Two pole mounts are usually required: one for the sensor and one for the solar panel. Alternatively, a third pole

mount is needed if a wind meter is to be connected to the node.

3.2.3 Node without wind meter

1. Fix two mounting plates to the pole with a 12.5 cm distance

between the plates (12.5 cm is the height of a mounting plate).

The lower plate should have at least 1.5 m (5 ft.) clearance

from the ground. A higher clearance may be suggested by the

sales representative during siting to accommodate local site

settings. All sensor nodes on a site should have the same

clearance to the ground, unless otherwise indicated.

All plates should face the orientation of the sun at noon. The

plates should therefore face south in the Northern Hemisphere

and north in the Southern Hemisphere.

2. Once the mounting plates are installed, you can simply attach

the sensor node and the solar panel by sliding the

corresponding backplate onto the mounting plate.

3. Mount the sensor node to the lower plate and the solar panel

to the upper plate.

4. For ease of installation, the mounts are designed so that the

node and the accessories remain in place without the screws

being tightened. However, it is important to tighten both

screws on each side of every mount to ensure safe and

secure fixation of the system under all weather conditions. Do

not overtighten the screws.

5. Connect the solar panel to the cable power plug of the sensor

node. Properly align the connector to the socket. Do not force

the connection. Connecting the cable turns the device on

automatically. Always tighten the union nut to ensure proper

protection from water ingress.

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