MySentinel

MySentinel poultry documentation

This guide explains how your MySentinel alarm system works, how to check it during audits, and where to find support.

  1. System Overview
  • Location: Each shed has a MySentinel unit in the annex (a standalone module with inputs for temperature probes and other sensors with output connectors and external antenna).
  • Function: The unit collects shed data (temperature and power status) and sends it via the cellular network to a secure webapp.
  • Webapp: Displays shed information, alarm logs, and manages phone number lists for alarm calls.
  1. Shed Unit Hardware
  • Temperature probes:
    • Two probes in orange conduit to protect from birds and airflow.
    • One probe at bird height, the other at ceiling height.
    • Probes are precision thermal resistors connected by cable.
  • Power supply:
    • Main power: 240V → 12V DC plug pack.
    • Backup: Internal 18650 Li-ion battery (lasts 12+ hours).
    • Battery status is automatically reported to the cloud.
  • Network connection:
    • External antenna with Cat-M1 service (IoT-specific cellular).
    • SIM card on MySentinel’s multi-network provider (not pre-paid local).
    • Auto-selects and switches between available network providers.
  1. Alarm Inputs

The unit monitors three main alarm sources:

  1. Mains power
    • Glitch alarm: Triggered if power drops briefly (set on one shed to record generator testing).
    • Power off alarm: Triggered if power is off for more than 1 minute.
  2. Temperature probes
    • Checked every few seconds; values logged every minute.
    • Uploads data every 5 minutes (or immediately if in alarm).
    • Alarm triggers if:
      • Probe is shorted or disconnected.
      • Shed temperature goes above or below the grow-day limits.
  3. Offline status
    • Alarm triggers if the unit stops reporting to the cloud.
  1. Alarm Handling
  • Phone numbers: Add/remove/edit in the webapp (use international format, e.g., +64...).
  • Recommendation: At least 3 numbers per shed, across different providers.
  • Call process:
    1. First number is called – alarm reason and shed ID are spoken.
    2. If unanswered after 3 tries, the system moves to the next number.
    3. Process repeats until someone answers and acknowledges.
  • Call responses:
    • Press 1 → Silence alarm for 15 minutes.
    • Press 2 → Pass the call to the next number.
    • Press 3 → Repeat the alarm message.

Note: If alarm conditions remain after the 15-minute silence, the unit will re-alarm. Once an alarm is triggered it will persist until the call is answered by someone and acknowledged. If the alarm is silenced for the 15 minute period it can re-alarm if the state changes (i.e. temperature goes above/below the threshold value or if there is some other alarm reason.

  1. Batch Dates & Grow Day Settings
  • Start date/time: Sets the batch “grow day” counter (increments daily at midnight).
  • Thresholds: Pre-set to Tegel’s standard.
  • Out-of-batch option: Alarms can be silenced when sheds are empty.
  • Webapp display: Graph shows grow day, shed temperatures, and alarm thresholds.
  1. Webapp Access
  • Login: farm.mysentinel.co.nz with email + password.
  • Overview: Shows all sheds on your farm.
  • Per-shed view: Click a shed panel to:
    • See graphs and alarm logs.
    • View/click alarm dots for more details.
    • Manage phone numbers.
  1. Testing During Audits
  • Temperature alarms:
    • Hold hot or cold water under probe to trigger high/low alarms.
    • If shed is empty, set batch start date to ~30 days before current date to simulate realistic thresholds.
  • Power alarms:
    • Turn off mains switch to the unit.
  • Further analysis: MySentinel can provide detailed alarm data on request.
  1. Data Transferred to the Cloud

Each upload includes:

  • Probe temperatures (per minute)
  • Timestamps
  • Power supply voltage
  • Battery voltage
  • Signal strength
  • Grow day
  • Alarm status
  • Diagnostic data
  • Unit settings (synchronised as needed)
  1. Training information
  • Using the webapp: https://youtu.be/cgk7ulNdvwA
  • Setting batch dates
  • Editing phone numbers
  • Further video information https://www.youtube.com/@mysentinel6284/videos
  1. Support

✅ Tip for Audits: The simplest way to confirm your alarm system is working is to test hot/cold probes with water and switch the power off briefly. Always ensure multiple phone numbers are listed and up to date in the webapp.