Set up an Analog Sensor

WHEN TO USE THIS

Use this guide if:

• You are connecting a new analog sensor to a Factbird device.
• You want to monitor measurement data instead of production counts.
• You need to configure the sensor's input range or engineering units.

PREREQUISITES

Before starting:

• The analog sensor is physically connected to the Factbird device.
• The sensor has been added to the device, or you are ready to create a new sensor.
• You have access to the Administration page.
• You know the sensor's output type (for example, 4–20 mA or 0–10 V) and measurement range from the manufacturer's documentation.

STEPS

1. Add or select the sensor
   • Open Administration.
   • Go to Devices.
   • Select the device connected to the analog sensor.
   • Add a new sensor or select an existing sensor to configure. 
     
     
     
2. Open the sensor settings
   • Locate the sensor in the sensor overview.
   • Open the sensor's Settings page. 
     
     
     
3. Configure the basic information
   • Open the Basic Information tab.
   • Set Sensor Type to Measurement. 
     
     
4. Configure the analog input
   • Open the Sensor Setup tab.
   • Set Type of Wiring to ANALOG.
   • Enable Use analog input range.
   • Select the correct analog signal range:
     • 4–20 mA when using a Factbird DUO with a DP2200 converter.
     • 0–10 V when using a Factbird DUO with a DP1222 converter. 
       
       
       
       

5. Configure the measurement range

   • Enter the minimum value the sensor represents.
   • Enter the maximum value the sensor represents.

   Example

   If a current sensor measures 0–20 A:

   • Minimum = 0
   • Maximum = 20

   These values are typically printed on the sensor label or provided in the manufacturer's datasheet. 
   
   
   

6. Configure a data multiplier (optional)

   Use a data multiplier if the measured value needs to be converted into another engineering unit.

   Example

   To calculate electrical power from a current sensor installed on a 230 V circuit:

   • Enter 230 as the data multiplier.

   This converts the measured current into a power value. For many sensors, such as temperature or humidity sensors, a data multiplier is not required. 
   
   
   

7. Select the data unit

   • Open the Data tab.
   • Select the unit that matches the measurement, such as:
     • °C
     • %
     • A
     • V
     • kW
     • mm/s

   This determines how values are displayed throughout Factbird. 
   
   
   

8. Save the configuration
   • Click Update Sensor Configuration.
   • Wait for the device to apply the new settings.

EXPECTED RESULT

After completing these steps:

• The analog sensor is configured correctly.
• Measurement data is displayed in Factbird using the configured engineering units.
• The sensor is ready for dashboards, trends, reports, and alarms.

TROUBLESHOOTING

Issue: The displayed values are incorrect.

• Try: Verify that the selected analog input range matches the sensor output.

• Try: Confirm the minimum and maximum measurement values have been entered correctly.
• Try: Check that any required data multiplier has been configured correctly.

Issue: No measurement data is displayed.

• Try: Verify the sensor wiring.

• Try: Confirm the sensor has been added to the correct device.
• Try: Ensure Sensor Type is set to Measurement.

Issue: The readings appear offset or scaled incorrectly.

• Try: Review the sensor's specification sheet.

• Try: Verify the configured measurement range and data multiplier.
• Try: Confirm the correct converter type is being used (DP2200 for 4–20 mA or DP1222 for 0–10 V).

STILL NEED HELP?

Contact Support and include:

• The analog sensor model.
• The device name.
• The configured input range.
• The configured minimum and maximum values.
• Screenshots of the sensor configuration.

RELATED ARTICLES

• Basic Sensor Settings
• What is NPN/PNP Sensor types?
• How to add sensors on a device