R1 Gauge – Wireless crackmeter

Advantages of the R1 wireless crackmeter

Technical specifications

R1 Gauge – Wireless crackmeter for remote crack monitoring

An all-inclusive standalone wireless crackmeter

The R1 gauge is a ready-to-use IoT (Internet of Things) 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 substrates, for flat or angled installation

Easy to set up

The R1 crackmeter requires just two drilled holes and can be installed in most configurations without additional accessories. A built-in system allows the range to be adjusted by ±5 mm after installation.

The compact housing contains all three sensors and the communication module with its antenna. No additional equipment is required for data transmission, and 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 app.

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 confirm 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 devices, 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 battery life 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, the transmission frequency and the start time.

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

4-step installation of the wireless crackmeter

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 app 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 1h, 2h, 4h, 6h, 8h, 12h or 24h
   • 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 substrate using the brass anchors; on a hollow substrate using the EPDM anchors; at an angle using the supplied articulated joint.

Remote crack monitoring with the app

All data collected by the three sensors (displacement, temperature, humidity) is accessible via the https://saugnac.app app on smartphone or PC. As with all our gauges, access to the app 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 app lets you set alerts for thresholds above or below the first measurement. When a threshold is crossed, an email is automatically sent.

Mounting the R1 wireless crackmeter

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

Brass anchors for solid substrates requiring Ø8 mm holes.
Required tools not supplied for mounting on a solid substrate with brass anchors: drill, Ø8 mm drill bit, 3 mm hex key, T10 Torx driver.

EPDM anchors with nuts and washers for hollow substrates (also usable on solid substrates) requiring Ø13 mm holes.
Required tools not supplied for mounting on a hollow (or solid) substrate with EPDM anchors: drill, Ø13 mm drill bit, 3 mm hex key, T10 Torx driver.

Two set screws are supplied:

• a shorter screw, onto which the articulated joint is fitted for flat or angled mounting. The piston is then held by this joint.
• a longer screw, which receives the ball end of the gauge, with two nuts to hold it in place.

Standard flat mounting

To mount the gauge, drill the holes, fit the anchors and screw in the two set screws. Add a nut to the longer set screw, then screw the lugged joint onto the shorter one.

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

Finally, slide the ball end of the gauge onto the second set screw and secure it with a washer and the second nut.

To make it easier to set the measurement range, 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 second photo), the available range is approximately −7 mm when closing and +15 mm when opening.

Angled mounting

With the supplied articulated joint, the R1 crackmeter can easily be fixed at an angle without additional accessories.

Bonded mounting

On metal substrates, or any other surface that cannot be drilled, the R1 gauge can be mounted by bonding using the dedicated fixing kit designed for adhesive installation. The knurled screws are specially prepared to make bonding easier. A two-component epoxy adhesive is recommended. This kit replaces the set screws supplied with the gauge.

Mounting with an extension

Using a 20 cm extension sold separately, the R1 gauge can be fixed where the distance between fixing points exceeds 18 cm, up to 32 cm.

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

Protection

This PVC protective cover is designed to be fixed on one side of the crack only, which makes installation easier while preventing mechanical stress and reducing the risk of the cover breaking as the structure moves.

It is available in 2 colours.

Remote shear monitoring (Y movement)

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

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

Remote misalignment monitoring (Z movement)

With the misalignment kit for the R1 gauge, you can remotely monitor a misalignment or offset movement on the Z axis. The principle is to mount the R1 gauge so that it measures movement along the Z axis.

The mounting bracket supplied is 25 cm long, so make sure there is enough space available.

Subscription and network coverage

The subscription included with the R1 wireless crackmeter is multi-operator and works throughout Europe and in most countries worldwide:

Europe: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom

Other regions: USA, Japan, Canada, Australia, Mexico, South Korea, Argentina, Colombia, Israel, Singapore, Taiwan, New Zealand

A specific R1.W version enables operation in countries where the LTE-M or NB-IoT protocols are not yet deployed: Liechtenstein, Monaco, Ukraine, Serbia, Bosnia, Kosovo, Moldova, Georgia, Albania, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Cyprus, Gibraltar, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Gabon, South Africa, Lebanon, Jordan.

If in doubt, please do not hesitate to contact us.

When powered up, the gauge performs a network attachment phase and automatically connects to the network offering the best available connectivity. For any questions regarding coverage in your country, please do not hesitate to contact us.

The R1 gauge works with the LTE-M and NB-IoT protocols — dedicated to communication between connected devices via operators’ 4G antennas.

In the event of a one-off network issue, data is saved and resent at the next transmission. If the issue persists, the gauge automatically restarts 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 app, either by credit card payment or by using a purchase order generated in the app. The price of a 1-year subscription is €49 excl. VAT.

Frequently asked questions

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

The R1 gauge uses the 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 whether 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, since in enclosed or underground areas moving a few metres can change connectivity.

• Do the measurements account for temperature?

Yes. The app displays both the raw measurement and a calculated measurement. The calculated measurement applies an automatic thermal correction, based on the gauge’s coefficient of expansion and referenced against the temperature recorded at the first measurement. It is this calculated measurement that reflects the actual movement of the crack, independently of the gauge’s own expansion.

• When does the subscription start?

The subscription starts when the gauge is activated in the app, not on the date of purchase or shipment. Note that you can switch the gauge on without activating it in the app: the subscription will only begin at the moment of activation.

• What happens if the 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 the 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 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, in order to check the subscription status, the gauge continues to connect periodically and therefore consumes battery power. If you no longer need the gauge when the subscription ends, we recommend switching it off to preserve the battery.
The app 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 app, 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.

• Can the crackmeter be reused at another location?

The R1 gauge is designed to be reusable. Use the archive function in the app, 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 R1 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 will carry out the replacement free of charge and return the gauge with the new battery.