CEA-pro Features

Overview

CEA-pro is a computer based environment monitoring, logging, and control system. See a visual system diagram here. Environmental sensors measure conditions. The output of these sensors is read by the computer software, is logged, and displayed. You determine a virtually unlimited number of set points for each type of condition. When these setpoint are reached, the software sends a signal to the CEA-pro controller. This controller opens and closes relay switches. These switches turn on or off your equipment (such as heaters, fans, irrigation, etc). In addition, you determine thresholds for conditions, if these thresholds are exceeded, the system sends alerts to notify you of potentially dangerous growing conditions. Environmental history can be displayed graphically or exported to any popular PC software program.

Environmental Sensors

The system uses environmental sensors for temperature, relative humidity, root or floor zone temperature, CO2, light, PH, and EC. The output of these sensors is read by the computer software. Temperature can be measured either in degrees F or C in the range of 22-122F. Relative humidity is measured from 0-100%. Root or floor zone temperature is measured from 22-122 F. CO2 is measured from 0-2000 ppm. Light is measure in Klux from 0-150 Klux. PH is measured from 0 to 14. EC is measured from 0 to 50.

CEA-pro Software

The CEA-pro software is Microsoft Windows based. It is designed to be easy to set up, use, and change settings. There are global settings for temperature scale (F or C), the interval for capturing history, email, and file transfer protocol (FTP).

Environments

The software allows you to set up as many as 256 environments on a single computer. Each environment can have as many as 256 controllers. Each controller has up to 8 inputs and 16 relay switches. The system is expandable to have a total of 1280 inputs (sensors) and 4096 outputs (relay switches) on one computer. Each environment is displayed and logged within a main window.

Environment Settings

Each environment has it's own settings such as name, conditions that are monitored and controlled, etc. Each setting type has set points.

General Tab - Define the environment name such as Tomato Greenhouse. Specify which conditions you want to monitor and control. Define alert thresholds and alert contacts: phone numbers, email address, etc.

Heating Tab - Define the set points for Heater 1 and Heater 2. Any number of set points can be defined throughout a 24 hour period. Set the time of day, the value, and the differential for each set point.

Cooling Tab - Define the set points for 4 different Cooling Stages. Any number of set points can be defined throughout a 24 hour period. Set the time of day, the value, and the differential for each set point.

Humidity Tab - Define the set points for Dehumidification and Humidification. Any number of set points can be defined throughout a 24 hour period. Set the time of day, the value, and the differential for each set point.

Root Zone Tab - Define the set points for the Root Zone temperature. Any number of set points can be defined throughout a 24 hour period. Set the time of day, the value, and the differential for each set point.

CO2 Tab - Define the set points for CO2 levels. Any number of set points can be defined throughout a 24 hour period. Set the time of day, the value, and the differential for each set point.

Irrigation Tab - Define the set points for Irrigation. Specify irrigation by time or by moles. For irrigation by time, any number of set points can be defined throughout a 24 hour period. Set the time of day and the duration.

HID Tab - Define the set points (on or off) for Lighting. Any number of set points can be defined throughout a 24 hour period. Set the time of day, the value, and the differential for each set point.

Equipment Tab - Define what the relay switches control.

Environment History

All of the conditions and controls status are captured at a user defined interval. This allows you to graphically view what happened in each environment over time. You can also export this data to any program (such as Microsoft Excel) that can import comma separated values (.csv) files. This history can also be proactively sent or "pushed" to you via a text message or email.

Environment Alerts

By setting the alert thresholds for each condition, you can be alerted when conditions exceed the user defined thresholds. The alerts can be directed to an alarm, a phone call, a text message to a portable device (phone, PDA, PocketPC), or an email.

Relay Switches

The CEA-pro controller ships with 20 amp relay switches. 30 amp switches are also available. CEA-pro Version 3.0.8 provides you with 8 user configurable switches. Version 3.0.16 provides 16 user configurable switches. Switches can be user configured to control:
Heater 1
Heater 2
Root Zone Heater
Dehumidification
Humidification
4 Cooling Stages
CO2
Irrigation Zones
HID Lighting
PH
EC
Alarm

See some System Screen Shots.

Learn about System Requirements.

Do you have questions? Visit our FAQ page.