R1 gauge – Remote crackmeter

Advantages of the smart remote crackmeter for remote crack monitoring

Technical specifications

Introducing the R1 gauge — smart remote crackmeter

An all-inclusive standalone wireless crackmeter

The R1 gauge is a ready-to-use IoT (Internet of Things) wireless crackmeter for remote crack monitoring. The gauge is supplied with:

• Three sensors: linear displacement, temperature, and humidity
• An app accessible on smartphone or PC without limitation
• A one-year subscription included with the gauge (the subscription starts only at first activation. After expiry, data remains accessible in the app)
• Complete mounting hardware for solid or hollow supports, for flat or angled installation

Easy to set up

The wireless crackmeter requires just two drilled holes and can be installed in most configurations without additional accessories. A built-in system allows the amplitude to be adjusted by ±5 mm after installation.

The compact housing contains all sensors and the communication module with its antenna. No additional equipment is required for data transmission. No special computer skills are needed to install the R1 gauge.

Easy to use

Depending on the configured settings, the gauge wakes at regular intervals, measures using its three onboard sensors, and stores the data locally. It then wakes according to the defined transmission frequency to send the stored data to the application.

The R1 gauge is reusable. At the end of a monitoring campaign, switch the gauge off and store it in its box. Use the “archive” function in the app to validate the end of monitoring. Then reinstall it on the new site and configure it as for first use. All historical data is retained and remains accessible.

Connectivity across Europe and most of the world

The R1 gauge connects to LTE-M / NB-IoT networks — protocols based on 4G infrastructure and designed specifically for connected objects, offering extended range over distance and through obstacles (signals may be received underground where a phone cannot).

Connectivity is multi-operator and works in all European countries and many others worldwide.

The subscription starts at first activation: until the gauge is activated, the subscription does not begin.

Over 8 years of autonomy possible

The gauge is powered by the 3.6 V battery supplied. Under normal use and depending on settings, battery life varies from over 2 years to over 8 years. The estimated lifetime is indicated during configuration in the app. An alert is sent when the battery nears end of life.

Flexible configuration adjustable remotely

Measurements are configured in the app: choose the measurement frequency, transmission frequency, and the start time.

Measurement frequency options: every 4 h (6×/day), 6 h (4×/day), 8 h (3×/day), 12 h (2×/day), or 24 h (1×/day).

Transmission frequency options: twice a day, every day, every 2 days, every 3 days, or every week.

For example, you can measure twice a day starting at 2 pm and send data every 2 days. This will take measurements at 2 pm and 2 am each day and deliver the data every 2 days.

Configuration can be changed remotely, allowing you to adjust settings later if needed without traveling to site.

4-step sensor installation

Designed to be very easy to install with only two drilled holes, the R1 gauge can be set up in just a few clicks using a smartphone or PC with internet access. All steps are detailed in the supplied instructions:

1. Add the R1 gauge to the Saugnac application by scanning the QR code on the R1 gauge or by entering the identifier under the QR code. As with all our gauges, each R1 gauge is uniquely identified.
2. Define the activation parameters in the app:
   • Time of first measurement
   • Measurement frequency: every 4 h (6×/day), 6 h (4×/day), 8 h (3×/day), 12 h (2×/day) or 24 h (1×/day)
   • Transmission frequency: twice a day, every day, every 2 days, every 3 days, or every week. The less frequent the transmissions, the longer the battery life.
3. Switch on the gauge by turning the piston: turn the piston a quarter-turn to unlock and automatically power on the gauge.
   
   The gauge will then start up, attach to the network, and initialize. An LED indicates the status. Once initialized, the gauge goes into standby until the scheduled time of the first measurement.
4. Fix the gauge to the crack: on a solid support using the brass plugs; on a hollow support using the EPDM plugs; at an angle using the supplied articulated bracket.

Fixing the remote crack meter

The R1 gauge can be mounted with the piston on the right or left (“upside down” relative to the sticker). The gauge is supplied with two types of plugs:

Brass plugs for solid supports requiring Ø8 mm holes
Required equipment not supplied for fixing to a solid support with brass plugs: drill, Ø8 mm drill bit, 3 mm hex (Allen) key, T10 Torx driver.

EPDM plugs with nuts and washers for hollow supports (also usable on solid supports) requiring Ø13 mm holes.
Equipment not supplied for fixing to a hollow (or solid) support with EPDM plugs: drill, Ø13 mm drill bit, 3 mm hex (Allen) key, T10 Torx driver.

Two grub screws are supplied:

• a shorter screw to which the joint is attached for conventional or angled mounting. This joint is then fixed to the piston.
• a longer screw that inserts into the ball joint, with two nuts to hold the ball joint in place.

Classic flat fixing

To fix the gauge, drill the holes, screw in the grub screws, add a nut to the longer grub screw, and screw the joint with lugs onto the shorter screw.

Then insert the piston into the joint lugs and secure the assembly with the second part of the articulated bracket.

Finally, slide the gauge ball into the second grub screw and secure with a washer and the second nut.

To simplify measurement-range adjustment, the piston head can be moved by ±5 mm.

There is a mark on the piston. When this mark is level with the housing tube (see 2nd photo), the available range is approximately −7 mm when closing and +15 mm when opening.

Corner mounting

With the supplied articulated bracket, the wireless crackmeter can easily be fixed at an angle without additional accessories.

Fixing with extension

By using a 20 cm extension sold separately, it is possible to fix the R1 gauge where the fixing center distance exceeds 18 cm and up to 32 cm.

For extensions greater than 20 cm and up to 40 cm, please contact us.

Shear tracking (Y movement)

With the shear kit for the R1 gauge, you can remotely track movement on the Y axis using the screws supplied in the kit and an R1 gauge.

With one R1 gauge mounted conventionally and a second R1 gauge with the shear kit, you can remotely track movement on both X and Y axes.

Misalignment tracking (Z movement)

With the misalignment kit for the R1 gauge, you can remotely track misalignment or out-of-plane “tapping” movement on the Z axis. The principle is to fix the R1 gauge to measure movement along the Z axis.

The supplied square for mounting is 25 cm long, so ensure sufficient space is available.

Subscription and network coverage

The subscription included with the wireless crackmeter is multi-operator and works throughout Europe. When powered up, the gauge performs a network attachment phase and connects to the network with the best connectivity.

The R1 gauge works with LTE-M and NB-IoT protocols — dedicated for communicating connected objects via operators’ 4G antennas.

In France, you can check coverage for a specific address using the government service: https://monreseaumobile.arcep.fr/. After selecting “Mobile Internet” and “4G network”, choose the operator (Orange, Bouygues, or SFR) and then enter an address to check coverage.

In the event of a one-off network issue, data is saved and resent at the next transmission. If the issue persists, the gauge will automatically restart the network attachment procedure to switch operators if necessary.

The default subscription is valid for 1 year. After expiry, historical data remains visible but new measurements are no longer transmitted. Email alerts are sent before the end of the subscription. Subscriptions can be extended directly from the application by paying by credit card or by using a purchase order generated in the app. The price of a 1-year subscription is €49 excluding VAT.

Monitoring cracks remotely with the application

All data collected by the three sensors (distance, temperature, humidity) is accessible via the https://saugnac.app application on smartphone or PC. As with all our gauges, access to the application is free. Even if the subscription for sending data ends, your account and the data remain accessible.

Graphs can be configured and downloaded as images for inclusion in your reports. Raw data can be downloaded in Excel or CSV format for further processing. You can also share a report easily via a link generated in the app. The report is dynamic, with data updated at the time the user opens the link.

The application lets you set alerts for thresholds above or below the first measurement. When a threshold is crossed, an email is automatically sent.

Frequently asked questions

• How can I know if the remote crackmeter will get network coverage at the installation site?

The R1 gauge uses LTE-M or NB-IoT protocols, which rely on 4G networks. As a rule of thumb, if your phone receives 4G, the R1 gauge should be able to connect. You can also check whether the area is covered by 4G to assess whether the gauge will work.

Europe and most of the world are covered: to find out if your country is well covered, feel free to contact us.

Note that the gauge may still connect where a phone does not (car parks, basements, etc.). In such specific cases, it is not possible to know in advance — the only way is to test with the gauge at the exact installation location (in enclosed or underground areas, moving a few meters can change connectivity).

• What happens if the remote crackmeter can no longer connect to the network to send data?

In the event of a one-off network issue, the R1 saves the data and resends it at the next transmission. Depending on settings, the gauge stores between 5 days and 1 month of data.
If the problem persists, the R1 tries to switch operator to reconnect. Unless there is a major and lasting outage, the connected crackmeter should be able to communicate. If communication is lost, an alert is sent indicating that the device is no longer able to communicate.

• What happens at the end of the subscription?

At the end of the subscription, new measurements are no longer transmitted. However, to check subscription status, the gauge will continue to connect periodically and therefore consume battery power. If you no longer need the gauge when the subscription ends, we recommend switching it off to preserve the battery.

The application and all data remain accessible even if the subscription is terminated. The subscription can be reactivated at any time.

• How do I renew a subscription?

You can renew directly in the application, either by paying by credit card or by sending us your purchase order.

• Can I order a subscription for more than 1 year?

Yes, multi-year subscriptions are possible. Please contact us for details.

• Is it possible to reuse the remote crackmeter at another location?

The R1 gauge is designed to be reusable. Use the archive function in the application, then switch the gauge off and store it. Installation on a new site is the same as for the first installation. The supplied guide describes each step in detail.

• How do I replace the battery in my smart remote crackmeter?

The battery can be replaced easily with care, as explained in the instructions. If you prefer not to do it yourself, you can order the battery, send us your gauge, and we’ll perform the replacement free of charge and return the gauge with the new battery.