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The success of an IoT project depends on thorough careful and well-thought-out installation. By avoiding these five common mistakes, you can maximise the efficiency of your IoT sensors and guarantee the collection of reliable data, which is essential for achieving your objectives in terms of energy management, comfort and maintenance in buildings. Good planning, the right choice of technology, and a well-trained team will enable you to deploy an efficient and sustainable IoT system.
1. Not taking network coverage into account
The importance of good network coverage
One of the most common mistakes when deploying IoT sensors is overlooking the importance of network coverage. If the connection of the sensors to a network is weak or intermittent, this can result in missing data, faulty communication and general system malfunction. Even if your building appears to have adequate coverage, some areas may be difficult for the signal to reach. This is particularly true in basements or very isolated spaces.
Practical tips to ensure network coverage
- Conduct a coverage study: use network testing tools to assess signal quality in strategic areas of the building. This involves measuring signal quality in strategic areas where sensors will be installed. This step allows you to detect dead areas and plan the placement of sensors according to network availability. A solid coverage study ensures reliable connectivity and avoids communication issues after deployment.
- Setting up a private network (LoRaWAN): In some buildings, areas may be difficult to connect due to architecture, materials or other environmental factors. In this case, you can consider setting up a private LoRaWAN network. By optimising the location of one or more gateways, you will reach additional locations and ensure uniform coverage in the building.
Ignoring the planning of the locations of your IoT sensors
Prepare the positioning of your connected objects
When you are installing IoT sensors, it is crucial to consider the specific environmental conditions of each location. Certain conditions, such as temperature, humidity or air circulation, can influence the results of the sensors, especially those measuring parameters such as temperature or humidity. For example, a temperature sensor placed near a window will probably be exposed to better temperature variations due to exposure to the sun or draughts, which will distort the data collected.
Practical advice for validating the location of your IoT sensors
- Take environmental conditions into account: before installation, carry out a study of the environmental conditions in each area of the building. Identify the areas where the sensors will be protected from extreme variations and install them in locations that are representative of the entire space you wish to monitor. For example, for temperature or humidity sensors, avoid installing them near windows or heating or air conditioning ducts, as these elements can influence the measurements.
- Consider overall coverage: ensuring uniform coverage throughout the building is essential for the sensors to function properly and send reliable data. It is therefore important to think about a precise plan for the deployment of the sensors. Homogeneous coverage avoids white areas, where the sensors might not be able to reliably capture or transmit data. Take into account criteria such as exposure, floor, surface area to be covered, etc. This will enable you to define a range of rooms that are representative of your building, optimising coverage and avoiding areas where connectivity could be weak.
- Position your sensors to maximise radio range: two rules are essential for optimising radio ranges:
- Position your product as high as possible.
- If possible, install the product at a minimum height of 1.5 meters and not attached to the wall.
- Limit the number of obstacles to avoid excessive attenuation of the radio wave.
- Ideally, the product should be offset 20 cm from an obstacle, and if possible, near an opening (the closer the obstacle, the more the emitted power will be absorbed). All materials encountered by a radio wave will attenuate it.
Remember that metal (metal cabinets, girders, etc.) and concrete (reinforced concrete, partitions, walls, etc.) are the most critical materials for the propagation of radio waves.
3. Neglecting the power supply of connected sensors
Check the power requirements of your sensors
The power supply of IoT sensors is crucial to ensure their long-term operation. Many sensors are powered by batteries, and the lifespan of these batteries can vary considerably depending on usage, the frequency of data transmissions and the quality of network coverage.
Other sensors require a constant power supply, and if their connection to a stable energy source is not well planned, this can complicate deployment. Oversights in this planning phase can not only lead to unforeseen costs for battery replacement but also periods of sensor unavailability that hinder data collection and proper system monitoring.
Practical advice for validating the lifespan of your IoT project
- Check the energy requirements of each sensor: some sensors consume more energy than others. It is essential to have a good knowledge of your sensors in order to adapt their configuration to guarantee their autonomy. Take into account the transmission frequency, signal range and environmental conditions to accurately estimate battery life.
- Choose sensors with rechargeable batteries or powered by solar panels: for installations in remote areas that are difficult to access or where replacing batteries would be costly, the use of rechargeable batteries or solar panels is a wise option. Rechargeable batteries extend the life of the sensors and reduce long-term maintenance costs.
- Plan a system to monitor energy consumption: when you deploy a large number of sensors, constant monitoring of the energy status of each device becomes essential. Setting up a system to monitor consumption will allow you to monitor the status of batteries centrally, receive alerts before a battery is completely discharged and plan proactive maintenance interventions. Some IoT systems allow you to integrate remote monitoring of sensor energy consumption and configure alert thresholds to anticipate battery replacements. This not only allows you to guarantee continuous operation, but also to optimise energy management according to the specific uses of each sensor.
4. Not training installation teams
Validate your technical knowledge of IoT
Poor installation, even with the best planning, can impair the performance of your sensors. Untrained installation teams may not wire the sensors properly, omit crucial steps in the network configuration, or fail to test the sensors properly. This can also lead to measurement errors or poor management of the IoT system in the long term.
Practical tips to facilitate the deployment of connected objects
- Train installers from the start: Before installation, make sure that teams are properly trained in the technical specifications of the sensors, their configuration and best installation practices. Organise practical sessions where teams can handle the sensors and configure the devices under expert supervision. This approach ensures that installers are familiar with the equipment they will be handling and can quickly identify potential problems during installation.
- Implement detailed installation guides: Provide manuals that explain each step of the installation for technicians. These materials should include validation and testing steps after each installation to ensure that everything is working properly.
- Follow up after installation: Once the installation is complete, organise a review of the configurations and performance to identify any errors that may have been overlooked. A second pair of eyes can often detect problems that the first team may have missed.
5. Forgetting the post-installation testing phase
Verify proper operation after initial deployment
Why it is a problem:
Testing sensors after installation is often neglected due to the pressure to finalise deployment quickly. However, without this phase, configuration errors, sensor failures or communication problems can go unnoticed, which can disrupt data collection and affect the efficiency of the system.
Practical tips for validating the installation of IoT sensors
Practical tips:
- Perform validation tests for each sensor: once the sensors have been installed, it is crucial to check that they are working properly by performing connectivity and data collection tests. This includes checking the communication between each sensor and the network, making sure that the data is being transmitted correctly. Use diagnostic tools to assess the integrity of the signal and transmission, and make sure the sensor is positioned correctly to optimise signal quality.
- Simulate real-life scenarios: carry out tests in real or realistic conditions to check that the sensors respond correctly to fluctuations in temperature, humidity or any other measured data.
- Implement a maintenance plan: prepare a schedule of regular tests and maintenance to ensure the long-term proper functioning of the IoT system. These tests should include battery monitoring, software updates and data accuracy checks.
18/03/2025
20 years
expertise to support you, from the diagnosis to the implementation of your solution
