Sensaphone Sentinel — Cloud-Based Monitoring Installation & Setup Guide

Installation and setup guide for the Sensaphone Sentinel — a cloud-based environmental and alarm monitoring system with 12 sensor inputs, battery backup, and web/app-based alert delivery.

Overview

The Sentinel is an easy, cost-effective, cloud-based monitoring and data logging system that notifies you when equipment or conditions go awry. Internet browser-based programming makes it usable from any computer or tablet. Monitored conditions can include temperature, humidity, pressure, flow, leak detection, UPS systems, and more. Multiple users can be notified immediately of any detected problems via voice call, email, or SMS (voice calls and text messages require a premium subscription plan). An internal battery backup keeps the unit running through a power failure.

Key Features

• Twelve sensor inputs for environmental conditions and/or alarm contacts from other equipment
• 10/100BASE-T Ethernet port
• Battery backup for uninterrupted performance
• Compact design allows wall-mount or weatherproof installation
• Notification via email, text message (optional), and voice call (optional)
• Relay output capable of automatic or manual control
• Cloud-based user interface for programming, data storage, and alarm delivery
• Available in optional weatherproof NEMA 4X enclosure, and with cellular modem

Physical Description & Controls

The Sentinel is housed in a 5.5" x 5.5" x 1.5" enclosure that mounts on a wall or back panel. Front panel layout includes: (1) Acknowledge/Standby button, (2) On/Off switch, (3) Power, Online, Standby LEDs, (4) Alarm LEDs, (5) power jack, (6) Ethernet jack, (7) sensor input terminal strip, (8) relay output.

• Power On LED (green): lit when the unit is powered and operational
• Alarm LEDs (red): indicate an alarm exists
• Online LED (green): indicates the unit is communicating with the Sentinel servers
• Standby LED (yellow): indicates the unit is in standby mode
• Acknowledge/Standby button: brief press stops a blinking alarm LED (acknowledges the alarm); press and hold 5 seconds to enter/exit Standby mode

Installation

Operating Environment

• Operating temperature: 32°–122°F (0°–50°C)
• Humidity: 5–90% RH, non-condensing
• Power: 115VAC 50/60Hz outlet within 6'

Setup Steps

1. Connect the included DC power supply to the power jack, then plug into a 115VAC outlet.
2. Connect the Sentinel to your 10/100 network hub, switch, or router with the included network cable. Your network must support DHCP for initial configuration (can switch to Static IP later). The green ONLINE LED lights up within a few minutes once connected to the Sensaphone.net servers.
3. Wall-mount using 4 drywall anchors and #8 tapping screws if needed.
4. Attach sensors to the zone terminals (see Connecting Sensors below).

Technical note: The Sentinel communicates over port 443 (TCP, SSL) — this must be open for outbound communication. It also uses port 123 (UDP) for NTP clock synchronization.

Connecting Sensors

The Sentinel is compatible with normally open/normally closed contacts, 2.8K and 10K temperature sensors, and 4–20mA current sources. The zone terminal strip has upper (positive) and lower (ground, common) terminal levels for up to 12 sensors.

Warning: Inputs are designed for low voltage signals only. Do NOT connect voltages greater than 3.3V, and never connect 120VAC to the inputs.

Use shielded cable in electrically noisy environments or for long sensor runs (Sensaphone part FGD-0010, 22-gauge, 50' lengths). Route power/network cables separately from sensor wiring, cross paths perpendicularly, don't run sensor wiring in the same conduit as AC power, and tie any shield to the input ground terminal.

Cloud Setup

1. Once the Online LED is lit, go to www.sensaphone.net and create an account.
2. Log in, click Admin → Manage Devices, enter your Sentinel's serial number and a device name under "Add a Device," and click Add Device.

Dashboard & Device Details

The Dashboard lists all devices on your account with counts of unacknowledged alarms, current alarms, units online, and units offline, plus a map showing device locations (green = OK, red = alarm). The Device Details page shows live sensor values, min/max recorded values, and status for every zone, with buttons to reach Configuration, Alarm Delivery, and Logs.

Standby Mode

Standby mode temporarily suspends alarm detection so onsite personnel can perform maintenance. Enter it via the Dashboard's Action dropdown or by holding the front-panel button 5 seconds; it persists for the time set on the Configure Device page (or until manually exited), with the Standby LED lit as an indicator.

Zone Configuration

Key zone parameters you can program per input: Enable/Disable, Name, sensor Type, Units, Calibration offset, Alarm Low/High thresholds, Table Low/High (for 4-20mA range), Alarm Delivery Enable/Disable, Recognition Time (how long an alarm condition must persist before it's valid), Alarm Hold Time (prevents redundant re-notifications), Return to Normal notification, Alarm Reset (re-sends alarm messages if a fault isn't corrected — recommended no lower than 30 minutes), and Datalogging Mode (Continuous or While In Alarm, with separate Normal/Alarm logging intervals).

Users & Alarm Delivery

Permission levels: Administrator (full access to all devices), Supervisor (access to chosen devices, can create Supervisor-or-lower users), User (dashboard access to chosen devices only), and None (no website access). Alarm delivery options per user: Disabled, Inform Only (notified but can't acknowledge), or Allow Acknowledgement. Contact methods include phone, text, and email — phone/text require a Premium Ethernet or Cellular subscription; email delivery is free.

Configuring the Relay Output

The relay output (rated up to 30VAC/VDC 1A) can control a light, siren, or other low-voltage device. It operates in Manual mode (turn ON/OFF via web/app) or Automatic mode, where it triggers based on selected zones:

• Input Selection: Zone List, Type List, All Inputs, or Limit: Zones (greater-than/less-than/equal-to comparisons)
• Action: Activate, Deactivate, or Cycle (ON normally, OFF 10 seconds during alarm, then back ON)
• Trigger: Unacknowledged Alarms, Alarm Condition (regardless of acknowledgement), or Zone State (instant, no recognition delay)

Weekly Testing Procedure

1. Create an alarm on each zone by tripping all connected sensors (heat/cool temperature sensors, walk in front of motion sensors, open door/window sensors, apply water to water sensors, raise humidity for humidity sensors).
2. Allow the unit to contact all programmed users to confirm delivery is set up correctly.
3. Test the battery by unplugging the AC adapter — the unit should keep functioning and generate a Power Failure alarm. Plug the adapter back in once done.
4. Keep a dated log noting pass/fail for inputs, alarm, and battery each week.

Accessories

Specifications

Alert Zones

• Number of Zones: 12 (terminal block)
• Zone Types: N.O./N.C. contact, 2.8K Thermistor (-109° to 115°F, -85° to 57°C), 10K Thermistor (-87° to 168°F, -66° to 76°C), 4-20mA
• A/D Converter Resolution: 12 bits ±2 LSB
• Zone Protection: 5.5VDC Metal Oxide Varistor with fast-acting diode clamps
• Pulse Counting: 1ms minimum duration, 1 pulse-per-second maximum rate

Relay Output

Rated for 1A 30VAC / 1A 30VDC maximum

Data Logging

1 minute to 24 hour sampling rate, user-programmable channel selection across zones 1–12

Communication & Power

• Communication type: 10/100 BASE-T Ethernet with SSL encryption
• Power supply: 120VAC/12VDC 50/60Hz 6W wall plug-in transformer w/6' cord
• Power consumption: 2 watts

Battery Backup

• Rechargeable battery: Internal 8 Hr NiMH battery pack (Part # BAT-0032)
• Memory/Clock battery: Internal 5-10 yr CR2 lithium (Part # BAT-0033)

SENSAPHONE® Remote Monitoring Solutions, 901 Tryens Road, Aston, PA 19014. Technical support: 610-558-2700, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM ET, M-F.