Overview

This document outlines the infrastructure, network, and on-site support requirements for a successful Sense Manufacturing deployment.

Sense devices are designed to be simple to install and operate with minimal impact to your existing systems. For standard deployments, Sense devices only require power, access to the machine’s electrical panel, and outbound internet access through Wi-Fi or Ethernet.

Infrastructure

Power

110V Outlet Access

Each Sense device requires access to a standard 110V outlet within 6 feet of the install location. The install location is typically near the machine’s electrical cabinet or power panel.

Outlets inside or directly adjacent to the machine cabinet are preferred when available and approved by the customer’s maintenance or electrical team.

Power Panel Access

For 3-phase equipment, this typically includes L1, L2, and L3. For single-phase equipment, such as some welders or smaller machines, this typically includes the applicable line and neutral or two line conductors, depending on the machine’s power configuration.

Installers will need to route sensor wiring into or through the machine’s power panel.

Where possible, existing openings, knockouts, cable glands, or grommets should be used. If a new opening is required, the customer should confirm whether this work can be performed by the Sense installer or whether it must be completed by the customer’s maintenance or electrical team.

To speed up installation, it is recommended that any required openings and grommets (0.5” is sufficient) be prepared before install day, ideally near the relevant 3-phase power lines.

Machine Power-Off Requirement

The Sense installer will need access to the machine’s power lines inside the electrical panel.

For safety, the machine must be powered off and the breaker must be turned off before this portion of the installation begins. The customer’s maintenance or electrical team should be available to support the proper lockout/tagout procedure or any site-specific safety requirements.

Once the panel is open and the machine is safely powered down, this portion of the install typically takes 5 to 15 minutes per machine. This helps ensure the safety of the technician, the customer’s equipment, and the Sense system.

Network

Ethernet or Wi-Fi

Sense devices support both Ethernet and Wi-Fi.

Ethernet is preferred when available because it typically provides the most stable connection, especially in industrial environments with metal enclosures, high electrical noise, and variable wireless coverage.

If Wi-Fi is used, the customer should provide the following before installation:

• SSID/network name

• Wi-Fi password

• Whether the SSID is hidden

• Any VLAN, firewall, or device registration requirements

• Whether MAC addresses need to be pre-approved

Wi-Fi coverage should be verified at the actual machine location, not just in nearby offices or common areas.

Dedicated VLAN

Sense devices do not need access to the customer’s internal network resources for standard operation.

A dedicated VLAN, guest network, or IoT network is not required but preferred when available. This provides isolation while still allowing the devices to communicate with external Sense Manufacturing services.

The VLAN or network must allow outbound internet access to the required endpoints listed below.

Wi-Fi Security

Sense devices require WPA2-compatible Wi-Fi.

Recommended configuration:

• WPA2-Personal / WPA2-PSK

• AES/CCMP encryption

• No captive portal or browser-based login

• No WPA3-only networks unless confirmed with Sense ahead of time

• No certificate-based enterprise authentication unless confirmed with Sense ahead of time

Hidden networks are supported, but the Sense team should be notified before installation so the network can be configured correctly.

DHCP and IP Assignment

By default, Sense devices use DHCP for IP address assignment.

Static IPs are not required. If fixed IPs are desired, DHCP reservations are preferred over manually configured static IPs. The Sense team can provide device MAC addresses so the customer’s IT team can create DHCP reservations.

Please notify Sense ahead of time if static IPs or DHCP reservations are required.

Important notes for static IP assignment:

• After switch, router, VLAN, or DHCP changes, a device’s last-known IP may no longer be accurate.

• If a device appears offline after network changes, IT should confirm the current DHCP lease, VLAN, gateway, DNS, and firewall rules.

In either case, the IT team will need to manually assign need static IPs by manually updating each Sense device.

Accessible Endpoints

The following endpoints need to be accessible from your network:

Time Synchronization

Sense devices require accurate system time.

Time synchronization is important for:

• Correct machine event timestamps

• Secure TLS connections

• Reliable communication with cloud services

• Accurate reports and diagnostics

The customer network should allow outbound NTP traffic or provide an approved internal NTP server.

Blocking NTP can cause devices to appear connected but behave incorrectly due to bad timestamps or failed secure connections.

Install Day

Overview

During installation, the Sense technician will:

1. Walk the shop floor with the customer team.

2. Confirm the machines included in the deployment.

3. Verify power outlet availability near each install location.

4. Confirm Ethernet or Wi-Fi readiness.

5. Coordinate with maintenance to safely power down each machine as needed.

6. Install the Sense device and sensors.

7. Confirm the device receives an IP address.

8. Confirm the device can resolve DNS and sync time.

9. Confirm the device can reach Sense Manufacturing services.

10. Confirm data is being received by the Sense platform.

Support

A member of the customer’s maintenance team and IT team should be available during installation.

Maintenance / Electrical Support

A maintenance or electrical team member must be on-site and available throughout the installation window.

Because each machine may require panel access, power-down support, and installation coordination, maintenance support should be available on a machine-by-machine basis as the Sense installer moves through the deployment.

Maintenance support may be needed to:

• Identifying the correct machines

• Powering machines off safely

• Breaker access

• Lockout/tagout or site-specific safety procedures

• Opening machine power panels

• Approving wire routing

• Creating or approving panel openings, grommets, or cable glands

IT Support

An IT representative must be available during the installation window, either on-site or remotely.

IT does not need to remain physically with the installer for the full installation, but they should be reachable and able to respond within a few minutes if network issues arise.

IT support may be needed to:

• Confirming Wi-Fi or Ethernet availability

• Providing Wi-Fi credentials

• Confirming VLAN/firewall rules

• Validating DHCP leases

• Registering device MAC addresses if required

• Confirming DNS, NTP, HTTPS, and MQTT access

• Troubleshooting connectivity during install if a device cannot reach Sense services