A practical framework for system integrators choosing field communication, local automation, platform access and power acquisition. Start from the managed object and operating requirement, then select devices and protocols.
| Method | Typical field condition | Main value | Engineering checks |
|---|---|---|---|
| RS485 | Cabinets and managed field buses | Multi-drop, mature and suitable for controllers, meters and sensors | Plan topology, addressing, termination, grounding and interference protection |
| Ethernet | Plants, buildings and sites with a managed LAN | Direct access to industrial PCs, HMI, SCADA and local platforms | Plan IP addresses, switches, network isolation and operations ownership |
| 4G | Distributed points without practical wired WAN access | Independent wide-area access and rapid deployment | Confirm signal coverage, SIM service, antenna position and ongoing network operation |
| LoRa | Low-rate sensor points within one site | Longer local wireless coverage with a gateway architecture | Confirm gateway coverage, spectrum settings, reporting interval and product compatibility |
For supported devices, downloaded sensor rules can be evaluated by the controller without a cloud round trip. The platform remains responsible for rule configuration, status, alarms, logs, remote actions and cross-site maintenance.
Use RS485 for short, managed field buses; Ethernet where a reliable local network is available; 4G for independent distributed points; and LoRa for low-rate sensor points through a suitable gateway. Confirm distance, data volume, latency, power and maintenance conditions before selection.
Safety-related or time-sensitive field actions such as ventilation, pumps, valves, lighting and alarms are better executed locally when the selected controller supports the required rules. The platform can manage configuration, records, cross-site visibility and maintenance.
A three-phase meter is suitable when the objective is voltage, current, power, energy and power-factor visibility. Use a power quality device when the project also requires harmonic and disturbance analysis.
Integration can be planned with RS485 Modbus RTU, Modbus TCP, HTTP, MQTT, TCP or UDP according to the selected device. Define the point list, direction, refresh interval, exception handling and commissioning boundary before implementation.
Prepare the circuit and point count, signal types and ranges, communication distance, network and power conditions, installation environment, required local logic, platform deployment model and target system interfaces.
Open the Zhenming IoT platform, product documentation or official Taobao store.