How Underground Waterlogging Monitoring Equipment Achieves Low Power Consumption and Long Battery Life

The underground waterlogging monitoring equipment utilizes a liquid-medium ultrasonic sensor to calculate water levels by measuring the time interval between the emission and reception of sound waves. Powered by a built-in 3.6V lithium-thionyl chloride battery, it can operate continuously for over five years in the absence of accumulated water, making it suitable for real-time monitoring in areas prone to pooling, such as low-lying urban roads and underpasses.

Urban waterlogging is a significant issue facing many cities. During heavy rainfall, low-lying roads, underpasses, and subterranean passages can quickly accumulate water, posing safety risks to pedestrians and vehicles. By collecting real-time data on water depth, waterlogging monitoring equipment provides a basis for decision-making in urban flood control management.

The underground waterlogging monitoring equipment employs a liquid-medium ultrasonic sensor as its core measuring component. It operates by measuring the time interval between sound wave emission and reception and—factoring in the compensated speed of sound—calculates the transmission distance. Once installed, the time difference between the emitted ultrasonic pulse and the received echo from the water surface is converted into the current water level. The device has a measurement range of up to 1.5 meters, with measurement error controlled within 1 centimeter and a resolution of 1 millimeter.

Regarding power supply, the device features a built-in 3.6V lithium-thionyl chloride battery with a capacity of 38,000 mAh. When no water is present, the device transmits data every five minutes, allowing for continuous operation of over five years. Upon detecting accumulated water, the device automatically adjusts its transmission frequency to once per minute, ensuring timely reporting of water level changes during rainfall.

Data transmission is handled via LoRa wireless spread-spectrum technology. LoRa is a low-power local area network wireless standard developed by Semtech that combines low power consumption with long-range transmission capabilities. Utilizing a dedicated LoRa wireless communication protocol, the device achieves a line-of-sight communication range of up to 800 meters between itself and the monitoring station's host unit. Users can configure device parameters via a mobile app using a Bluetooth wireless connection.

The housing of the underground waterlogging monitoring equipment is constructed from 304 stainless steel and meets the IP68 protection standard. The device is installed underground; after an installation hole is cut into the road surface, the unit is inserted vertically and secured with backfill material. During installation, the top of the device must be kept level to ensure measurement accuracy. The device has an overall height of 187 mm, a housing diameter of 60 mm, and a top disk diameter of 120 mm.

This underground waterlogging monitoring device is primarily used to monitor accumulated water in areas such as low-lying urban sections, vehicular underpasses, and pedestrian underpasses. Through real-time water level monitoring, data acquisition, and intelligent analysis, the device enables early warning and rapid response regarding urban waterlogging risks, assisting municipal authorities in establishing a comprehensive urban waterlogging warning system.