Protecting the 24-Volt Direct Current (DC) System – The Backbone of Industry 4.0

Industrial automation is rapidly evolving from rigid, standalone systems into interconnected, intelligent networks that define Industry 4.0. Modern industries are not just automated - they’re hyperconnected with thousands of sensors, controllers and many sophisticated devices.  The fusion of digital technologies — particularly the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), with its sensor-generated real-time data streams — powers this transformation by facilitating predictive maintenance and dramatically cutting unexpected equipment failures. In the world of modern manufacturing, where precision sensors, complex logic controllers and interconnected devices drive production, there is one constant across multiple architectures – the power source which is a 24-volt direct current (DC) system.

The Internet of Things (IoT) landscape is witnessing a significant milestone. LoRaWAN®, the low-power wide-area network (LPWAN) standard protocol that has quietly powered smart city initiatives, industrial IoT applications and environmental monitoring projects worldwide, has crossed a threshold that signals its arrival as a mainstream connectivity solution.

A Growing Crisis Demands Smart Solutions 

Spain loses 25% of its water to leaks¹. Portugal loses 33%². Meanwhile, Catalonia's reservoirs have reached historic lows and Portugal's Algarve region has imposed severe restrictions with dams at just 20% capacity.The Iberian Peninsula faces a growing water crisis.  

Spain has emerged as a significant adopter of Advanced Metering Infrastructure with LoRaWAN® as the leading choice of IoT connectivity, with over 647,000 LoRaWAN-enabled water meters already deployed—and the European Union (EU) is backing expansion through its Strategic Projects for Economic Recovery and Transformation (PERTE) funding program.