Installation best practices

Efento NB-IoT loggers are designed to provide reliable wireless communication and accurate environmental measurements. Proper installation is essential to ensure optimal performance, measurement precision, and long-term durability. The following best practices apply to all Efento NB-IoT loggers and models.

Ensuring the best NB-IoT coverage

Deploying an NB-IoT logger requires careful consideration of cellular radio wave propagation. While Narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) features superior signal penetration compared to standard LTE, physical barriers and environmental placement still heavily impact data transmission reliability, latency, and battery longevity. Following these network-focused best practices ensures consistent server synchronization and maximizes operational lifetime.

Assessing signal strength before permanent mounting

Never permanently mount or secure a logger before verifying its network connection at the exact installation spot.

• Test Local Connectivity: Use the Efento mobile application via Bluetooth to check the real-time Network Signal Strength (RSSI / RSRP) once the logger is powered on and registered.
• Account for Fluctuations: Cellular signal strength can fluctuate based on network load, weather conditions, or surrounding physical changes. A marginal signal during installation may lead to dropped connections later. Aim for a stable, high-quality signal rating in the app.

When configuring your Efento NB-IoT logger with Efento Cloud using the mobile application, the assessment of the signal parameters is performed automatically.

Physical placement and obstructions

Radio waves at cellular frequencies are attenuated (weakened) when passing through dense materials.

• Avoid metal enclosures: Do not place the logger inside enclosed metal boxes, electrical cabinets, or heavy steel containers. Metal acts as a Faraday cage, severely blocking or completely killing the NB-IoT signal. If the logger must be housed inside a metal environment, utilize a version with an external u.fl antenna and route the antenna outside the enclosure.
• Minimize reinforced concrete barriers: Thick concrete walls, elevator shafts, and subterranean basements drastically degrade signal quality. If installing in a basement, position the logger as close to the ceiling, windows, or ground-level openings as possible.
• Mind the distance to ground: Avoid placing the logger directly on the floor or near large pools of liquid (which absorb radio frequencies). Elevating the device even a meter off the ground significantly improves line-of-sight propagation to the cell tower.

The impact of signal quality on battery life

There is a direct correlation between the cellular signal environment and the logger’s battery consumption.

In areas with poor or marginal coverage, the NB-IoT module must increase its transmission power (up to 23 dBm) and may attempt multiple retransmissions to successfully deliver a single data frame to the cloud.

An installation spot with a weak signal can cause the device to drain its battery significantly faster than a deployment in a high-coverage zone. If the signal is consistently poor, consider:

• Relocating the device slightly to achieve a better line of sight.
• Extending the transmission interval (e.g., sending data every 4 hours instead of every hour) to conserve power.

Ensuring valid environmental measurements

Avoid direct influence from heat or cooling sources

To obtain accurate measurements, loggers must not be installed directly next to:

• heaters, radiators, air vents, or HVAC outlets
• doors, windows, or drafty areas
• direct sunlight or artificial heat sources (monitors, lamps)

Maintain a minimum distance of 0.5–1 m from such sources.

Consider airflow and logger exposure

• Ensure good, natural airflow around the logger - do not block vents or fully enclose the device.
• Avoid locations where the logger may be affected by localized microclimates, such as corners, high shelves, or behind heavy equipment.

Mount loggers securely

• Use proper mounting accessories (screws / adhesive pads / cable ties) to prevent the logger from falling or shifting position, which may affect measurement stability.