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ZE Gateway User Guide

Table of Contents

    1. At a Glance

    2. Getting Started

    3. ZE Gateway Setup Through DHCP

    4. ZE Gateway Setup Through Static IP

    5. Operating Guidelines

    6. Jacks, Buttons, and Ports

    7. Troubleshooting the ZE Gateway

    8. Using Wireless Sensors

    9. Troubleshooting Wireless Sensors

    10. Important Usage Information

At a Glance

The ZE Gateway (Model #TM-WIFI440-Z) is a remote monitoring system that connects directly to the internet through an Ethernet cable connection (DHCP or Static IP). Connect wireless sensors to the gateway to remotely monitor temperature, humidity, and more and configure alerts when conditions fall outside of your set ranges.

Screen_Shot_2021-06-14_at_10.43.30_AM.png

The ZE Gateway can use either wired sensors (connected directly to the unit) or wireless sensors. Each gateway can be linked with up to 24 wireless sensors and up to 4 wired sensors. Each sensor reading is transmitted to our monitoring dashboard. If the monitoring dashboard is unable to communicate with your gateway(s), you will be notified via a MISSED REPORT alert as part of our System Health Check feature.

Getting Started

The SmartSense ZE Gateway is a remote monitoring system that connects directly to an Ethernet cable and is hardwired onto your network. The gateway also includes a North American power adapter (5V 1A) for operation. For use on your network, please make sure that the device can communicate to the following hostnames:

  • tcp.myalertlist.com
  • e1.tempalert.com
  • e2.tempalert.com

And out of the following ports:

  • TCP/443
  • TCP/8021
  • TCP/8022
  • TCP/4344
  • TCP/53
  • UDP/53
     

ZE Gateway Setup Through DHCP

  1. Connect the ZE Gateway to power using the included power adapter and cable included in the product box. You will see a blue light flashing as the device boots up. Connect the Internet router to the Internet port on the ZE Gateway using an Ethernet cable (not included). You should see a single blink on both the LAN and Internet indicator lights after successful transmission.

    Screen_Shot_2021-06-14_at_10.43.56_AM.png

  2. Open a web browser and navigate to app.smartsense.co. Once the page loads, enter the login credentials that were provided to you at the time of purchase.

    Web_app_login.png

  3. Set up your preferences, device alerts, and sensor alerts. If you need more information, please see How to Assign Gateways and How to Manage Asset Alarms.

ZE Gateway Setup Through Static IP

  1. Connect the ZE Gateway to power using the included power adapter and cable included in the product box. You will see a blue light flashing as the device boots up. Plug an Ethernet cable (not included) into the PC port and the other end into your PC.

    Screen_Shot_2021-06-14_at_10.44.20_AM.png

  2. Open a web browser and navigate to 10.99.99.1. A page will load asking for a User Name and Password. The USER NAME is admin and the PASSWORD is provided on the device's label (found on the side opposite the LEDs). For security reasons, the web interface is only accessible through the PC Ethernet port on the device and not over LAN.

    Screen_Shot_2021-06-14_at_10.44.24_AM.png

  3. Set Obtain WAN IP Via to USE STATIC IP and input your network settings. Then click SAVE NETWORK SETTINGS.

    original.png

  4. Connect the Internet router to the Internet port on the gateway using an Ethernet cable (not included). You should see a single blink on both the LAN and Internet indicator lights after successful transmission.

    Screen_Shot_2021-06-14_at_10.43.56_AM.png

  5. Open a web browser and navigate to app.smartsense.co. Once the page loads, enter the login credentials provided to you at the time of purchase.

  6. Set up your preferences, device alerts, and sensor alerts. If you need more information, please see How to Assign Gateways and How to Manage Asset Alarms.

Operating Guidelines

Placement

The unit should be placed indoors on a flat and level surface. The unit can be mounted vertically on a wall or other surface with additional user-supplied hardware (such as mounting tape or industrial-strength velcro).

Using Wired Sensors

When using the wired sensors, care should be taken so that the cable is managed in a way that it is not accidentally unplugged from the unit. If the external sensor is removed from the unit, the unit will not be able to monitor the environmental conditions.

Wireless Reception

The ZE Gateway has one antenna. This antenna allows for wireless connection to your SmartSense wireless sensors.

Powering the Unit

We recommend that the unit be connected to an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) or battery backup. If power to the gateway is lost, readings from hardwired sensors stored in the local memory will be lost and the gateway will not be able to record temperatures and send alarms.

We recommend disconnecting the power for 10 seconds or more before powering the gateway again. Passive PoE can be used as an alternative means of power. It is recommended to use the Passive PoE injectors to ensure proper performance. The gateway is not compatible with Active PoE.

 

Jacks, Buttons, and Ports

Sensor Ports 1, 2, 3, and 4

Accepts any RJ12-type sensors made for the ZE Gateway.


Power Jack

The gateway can be powered by connecting a 5V 1A power supply to a North American electrical outlet. The power jack accepts DC 2.1/6.33 mm coaxial power connectors of 12VDC at 1A.

Reset Button

The reset button is located in a small pinhole on the bottom of the gateway below the device ID label. Pressing and holding the reset button for 6 seconds will factory reset the device to its DHCP configuration.

PC Port

This connection is only used for the initial setup for Static IP using the web GUI of 10.99.99.1 only unless configured by the manufacturer. Connecting from this port will cause the gateway to act as a DHCP server and may cause problems on your network.

Internet Port

This Ethernet port is used for a permanent hardwire connection between your gateway and the Internet router.

 

Troubleshooting the ZE Gateway

Use the following table to troubleshoot your ZE Gateway's LED indicator lights:

LED No Blink 1 Blink 2 Blinks 3 Blinks 4 Blinks Flashing
LAN No network connection Good connection to the network   Attempting to send wireless sensor readings   Attempting to send local device readings
Internet No connection to Sensor Cloud Last transmission to Sensor Cloud was successful        
Activity   No wired sensors are connected to device Wireless Zpoint sensor nodes connected Ethernet/Wifi starting up    
Failure   Last transmission to Sensor Cloud was unsuccesful Incorrect network configuration Gateway not registered on Sensor Cloud Unable to connect to Sensor Cloud server Hardware issue detected

 

Troubleshooting Network Issues

  1. Connect the gateway to power using the included power adapter and cable included in the product box. You will see a blue light flashing as the device boots up. Connect the gateway from its PC port to a computer's Ethernet port using an Ethernet cable (not included).
  2. On your computer, open a web browser and navigate to 10.99.99.1. Once the page loads, enter the User Name and Password. The User Name is admin and the Password is provided on the device's label, found on the side opposite the LEDs.
  3. Click on the network diagnostics link found in the upper right of the page. You can send this log to your IT team and network administrator to help find a resolution to your problem.


Restoring Factory Defaults

Performing a factory reset will restore the gateway to its initial factory settings with DHCP configuration. This will remove any changes that were made. A factory reset should only be used if all other attempts to access the gateway's web GUI have failed.

To factory reset ZE Gateway:

  1. Plug the gateway into a power source using the provided AC adapter.
  2. Locate the pinhole on the underside of the gateway. You'll need a pin or paper clip to access the reset button.
  3. Press and hold the reset button for 20 seconds and then release. There will be no visual indication of a reset.
  4. Wait 90 seconds to allow the device to reboot before connecting to a PC (if you're using a Static IP configuration).
  5. If you are using Static IP configuration, navigate to the web GUI (10.99.99.1) and you will notice all settings have been restored to the factory defaults.


Unit Does Not Power On

Check to make sure the unit is connected to wall power with the included power adapter, or that the unit is connected to a Passive PoE connection with a power injector. Active PoE via a powered hub or switch is not supported. You must use a power injector if you choose to utilize PoE.


Cannot Connect to the Web Admin Interface

  1. Check Connections to Ports

    Ensure that the unit is receiving power. For initial Static IP setup, ensure that the unit is connected directly to your computer's Ethernet port via the jack labeled PC. Do not connect the unit to a router, switch, or hub for initial setup. After you've connected your device to power, you'll need to wait about 1 minute for the gateway to fully boot up.

  2. Check the Computer's Ethernet Settings

    Check to be sure your computer's Ethernet adapter is set to obtain an IP address automatically (DHCP). If this is the initial setup, your device is already set to use DHCP configuration.


Cannot Receive Email from SmartSense Dashboard

Verify that the test and alert messages are not being automatically sorted into your junk or spam folder. You may need to whitelist the messages in your email client's documentation for more details.

If you are using a distribution group, check if the group allows emails from outside your company.


No Readings

  1. Ensure the Gateway has Started Up

    It is recommended that sensor probes be plugged in before powering the gateway on. After you connect the power, you'll need to wait about one minute for the gateway to fully start up. During this time, you may not see the web-based admin site or you may not see any readings on SmartSense.

    After one minute, refresh the page and the sensor readings should start appearing in your monitoring dashboard.

  2. Check Sensor Connections

    Ensure that there is at least one sensor connected to the sensor ports on the side of the unit or at least one wireless sensor is powered on. The unit does not have any built-in internal sensors. Contact SmartSense Support if you are unable to view a reading with a sensor cable connected or are unable to view readings from a wireless sensor.


Temperature Reading is a Few Degrees Warmer or Colder than Expected

  1. Check Sensor Position

    Check to see if the sensor is positioned near the exhaust fan or near a cold air fan. Micro-climates can cause inaccurate readings. Our sensors are rated to be within ±0.5ºC (±1ºF) and can be NIST/ISO certified by an accredited lab to ensure this accuracy reading.

  2. Comparing Against Our Sensors

    When comparing the temperature readings from our sensors to another thermometer or data logger, it's important to be mindful of the following:

    • The margin of error of the comparison tool: Many thermostats will have a much higher margin of error than our sensors, ±0.5ºC (±1ºF).
    • The temperature gradient of the room, refrigerator, or any other placement is in three dimensions: Measuring the temperature in one part of the location can yield different results than in another part of the same location due to micro-climates.
    • Air temperature changes faster than the temperature of a large amount of liquid: Air temperature in a refrigerator may rise dramatically when the door is opened, but the temperature of the contents of the refrigerator will rise more slowly due to their increased thermal mass. We recommend the use of a buffer vial (virtual or physical) to ensure proper readings are obtained at all times.
    • IR guns measure surface temperature while our sensors measure ambient air temperature or buffered temperatures.

 

Using Wireless Sensors

When using wireless sensors, please refer to the following to get started:


Setting Up the Hardware

Ensure the ZE Gateway is powered on. Once the gateway is powered on, it will attempt to connect to SmartSense. After a successful connection is made, the gateway will be accessible by the battery-powered wireless sensors.

To use a wireless sensor, simply press and release the power button to turn on the unit. The wireless sensor will power on and begin searching for a gateway within its range and transmit a reading to the cloud. The unit is operating correctly if you do NOT see the red failure light blink.

Your sensor transmits readings via 2.4 GHz radio waves to the gateway. For the unit to operate, it must be within range of a gateway (up to 300 ft with obstructions and up to 1000 ft line of sight).


Turning on the Wireless Sensor

To use a wireless sensor, simply press and release the power button to turn on the unit. All lights will briefly light up and the unit will be powered on.


Turning Off the Wireless Sensor

Wireless sensors are shipped in the off mode. To power off the wireless sensor manually, press and hold the power button for 5 seconds. During power down, you will see all lights turn on and the status light will flash. When the lights start going off in order one by one, you can release the power button. The unit is now powered off.

While fully powered off, the unit will not send or record any temperature readings at any time. All indicator lights will be off. Pausing your account does not power off the wireless sensor.


Battery Life

Wireless sensors will run up to 5 years on the two included Lithium AA batteries. The units can transmit as frequently as every 5 minutes and be in ambient temperatures as low as -20ºC (-4ºF) without shortening the battery life. However, there are several situations that will shorten the battery life:

  • Sensor configurations that require the sensor to constantly remain powered, such as rainfall and wind speed, will reduce the battery life. Standard sensors such as temperature, humidity, and dry contact will not reduce battery life.
  • Wireless sensors that are not within range of a gateway for an extended period of time will experience a decrease in battery life. If you are using wireless sensors in those conditions, make sure you have low-battery alert notifications set up.


Changing the Batteries

The status of the batteries can be seen from the wireless sensor view on the SmartSense monitoring dashboard. In addition, you can set up a low battery alert notification to notify you when the batteries in your sensors are low on power. To change the batteries, carefully unscrew the cover.

Remove the two AA batteries and replace them with the same type (two Energizer Advanced Lithium AA Batteries). Standard alkaline cells can be used, but they will not perform well in cold conditions and will provide a much shorter lifespan.

 

Troubleshooting Wireless Sensors

Signal Finder Indicator Mode

This mode is used to discover how strong the signal is between the sensor and the closest gateway. To enter signal finder mode:

Screen_Shot_2021-06-14_at_10.47.30_AM.png

LED Indicator Lights

LED 1 Blink 2 Blinks 3 Blinks Fast Blinking
Status Last transmission to gateway successful Last transmission to gateway successful, but low signal strength N/A Attempting to transmit to gateway
Information No external sensor Low battery N/A N/A
Failure Not registered to SmartSense No signal Failed to communicate with wireless radio module N/A


Failure Light Blinking / Not Reporting to the Cloud

First, make sure the gateway is powered on and communicating. If it is, try bringing the failing wireless sensor near the gateway and pressing the power button once to reboot. If it transmits after a few seconds, then you can use signal finder mode to find the ideal placement for it.


All Three Lights Turn on and off Without Pressing Anything

This pattern may indicate potential hardware damage.

Please contact Smart Support at +1 (866) 806-2653 or click here to submit your question to the support team.


No Lights Turn On

The battery may have discharged. Try replacing the batteries with two new Energizer Advanced Lithium AA batteries.

Important Usage Information

WARNING

Changes or modifications not expressly approved by SmartSense could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment. 

This device has been designed to operate with the antennas listed below and has a maximum gain of -2.53dBi. Antennas not included in this list or having a gain greater than -2.53dBi are strictly prohibited for use with this device. The required antenna impedance is 50 ohms.

To reduce potential radio interference to other users, the antenna type and its gain should be so chosen that the equivalent isotropically radiated power (e.i.r.p.) is not more than that permitted for successful communication.

This device complies with FCC and IC radiation exposure limits set forth for an uncontrolled environment. The device should be installed and operated within a minimum distance of 20cm between the radiator and your body. This device must not be collocated or operating in conjunction with any other antenna or transmitter. 


FCC STATEMENT 

This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. 

FCC ID: SZ9TMWIFI440Z 

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.

However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one of the following measures:

  • Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
  • Increase the separation between the equipment and the receiver.
  • Connect the equipment to an outlet on a circuit different from which the receiver is connected.
  • Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help. 

This device complies with FCC and IC radiation exposure limits set forth for an uncontrolled environment. The device should be installed and operated with a minimum distance of 20cm between the radiator and your body. This device must not be collocated or operating in conjunction with any other antenna or transmitter.


Industry Canada (IC) Statement

This device complies with Industry Canada license-exempt RSS standard(s). Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference, including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device. 

IC: 10940A-TMWIFI440Z 

Le présent appareil est conforme aux CNR d’Industrie Canada applicables aux appareils radio exempts de licence. L’exploitation est autorisée aux deux conditions suivantes : (1) l’appareil ne doit pas produire de brouillage, et (2) l’appareil doit accepter tout brouillage radioélectrique subi, même si le brouillage est susceptible d’en compromettre le fonctionnement. 

This device has been designed to operate with the antennas listed below, and having a maximum gain of -2.53dBi. Antennas not included in this list or having a gain greater than -2.53dBi are strictly prohibited for use with this device. The required antenna impedance is 50 ohms.

To reduce potential radio interference to other users, the antenna type and its gain should be so chosen that the equivalent isotropically radiated power (e.i.r.p.) is not more than that permitted for successful communication. 

This device complies with FCC and IC radiation exposure limits set forth for an uncontrolled environment. The device should be installed and operated with a minimum distance of 20cm between the radiator and your body. This device must not be collocated or operating in conjunction with any other antenna or transmitter. 

This device is protected by United States Patent Numbers:

7,952,485; 8,547,226; 8,248,252; 8,599,012; 8,779,926; 9,247,322; 9,500,532; 9,541,454; and 9,767,232

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