ZENTRA Utility
Updated
by
Travis Bates
METER data loggers are designed to work with ZENTRA Utility Mobile, ZENTRA Utility, and ZENTRA Cloud. ZENTRA Utility Mobile communicates with the data logger using Bluetooth to configure the data logger and upload data to ZENTRA Cloud. ZENTRA Utility communicates with the data logger via USB to configure the data logger, download data to a computer, and upload this data to ZENTRA Cloud. ZENTRA Cloud is a web-based application to remotely view and share environmental data, download spreadsheets, and configure the data logger.
ZENTRA Utility Mobile enables you to interact with your METER data logger over a Bluetooth Low-Energy wireless connection. Using your smartphone or tablet, you can view information about the logger and attached sensors, configure the logger according to your needs, and test long-range telemetry communications.
ZENTRA Utility for Windows or Mac Computers is a user-friendly interface for configuring and downloading data from the data logger that can be used on any MacOS (10.9 and newer) or Microsoft Windows (7 and newer) laptop, netbook, or desktop computer. With ZENTRA Utility, you can connect to data loggers directly to set all logger configuration parameters, test cellular communications, make real-time sensor measurements (scan sensors), create Excel files with sensor data, and upload data to ZENTRA Cloud.
ZENTRA Utility Installer for PC
ZENTRA Utility Installer for Mac
Connecting To Your Data Logger
Connecting to your data logger with ZENTRA Utility Mobile.
- Press the Test button on the data logger to activate the Bluetooth communications.
- The lights on the data logger should blink when the button is pressed.
- Bluetooth communications will remain active for 3 minutes when not connected to ZENTRA Utility Mobile.
- Tap the device on the Connect screen to connect to it.
- If the device fails to connect, make sure Location is allowed in the app permissions.
- If the device still fails to connect, replace the batteries with fresh ones. The battery level must be 10% or higher to connect via Bluetooth.
Connecting to your data logger with ZENTRA Utility.
- Plug in the USB to Micro-USB cable between your laptop and the data logger.
- The COM port should list the connected device.
- Click the Connect button to connect to the device currently selected in the COM port dropdown menu. If the device fails to connect, click the COM port dropdown to select a different device.
- If the device still fails to connect, check that the data logger has power by pressing the test button. The lights on the data logger should blink when the button is pressed.
Running a Communication Test
A successful communication test will confirm that the data logger can transmit data to ZENTRA Cloud servers, as well as provide the quality of the connection. Even a poor connection status allows data to be successfully transferred. Prior to installing the sensors and the data logger, check the quality of the connection at the location.
Run a communication test with ZENTRA Utility Mobile.
- Connect to the data logger with ZENTRA Utility Mobile.
- Tap the Test button in the Actions panel.
- If the logger fails the test, move to a new location and try again.
- Sometimes, moving just a few meters will provide a successful connection
Run a communication test with ZENTRA Utility.
- Connect to the data logger with ZENTRA Utility.
- Click the Test button in the toolbar.
- The Communication Test dialog will appear.
- Click Test.
- If the logger fails the test, move to a new location and try again.
- Sometimes, moving just a few meters will provide a successful connection
Manual Data Upload
If you are using the ZL6 Basic or your device is in an area with no service for automatic data uploads to ZENTRA Cloud, you can manually sync data to the cloud with ZENTRA Utility and ZENTRA Utility Mobile. A ZENTRA Cloud subscription is required for the ZL6 and ATMOS 41W to view and download manually uploaded data.
ZENTRA Utility Mobile
- Open ZENTRA Utility Mobile.
- Tap More in the Navigation bar.
- Select Profile.
- Enter your login for ZENTRA Cloud.
- See our Getting Started guide if you do not have a ZENTRA Cloud account.
- Select the server
- The default server is zentracloud.com
- China clients should select zentracloud.cn
- TAHMO clients should select tahmo.zentracloud.com
- Clients on the EU server should select zentracloud.eu
- After initiating a download from the device, tap the Cloud Sync in the Navigation bar.
- Downloads will automatically sync with ZENTRA Cloud.
- If an upload fails, you can tap it to manually start the upload again.
ZENTRA Utility
- Open ZENTRA Utility.
- Click ZENTRA Cloud in the Menu bar.
- Select ZENTRA Cloud Profiles.
- Click Add Login.
- Select the server
- The default server is zentracloud.com
- China clients should select zentracloud.cn
- TAHMO clients should select tahmo.zentracloud.com
- Clients on the EU server should select zentracloud.eu
- Enter your login for ZENTRA Cloud.
- See our Getting Started guide if you do not have a ZENTRA Cloud account.
- Click Login.
- After initiating a download from the device, click ZENTRA Cloud > ZENTRA Cloud Uploads in the Menu bar.
- Downloads will automatically sync with ZENTRA Cloud.
- If an upload fails, you can click it to manually start the upload again.
Update Communication Hardware
ZENTRA Utility Mobile provides simple tools for updating the communication hardware in your device. The tool will detect the installed hardware and configure it to work with the network. Use this tool when installing a different module type in your data logger.
- Open ZENTRA Utility Mobile.
- Tap More in the Navigation bar.
- Select Device Tools.
- Select Update Communication Hardware.
- Tap Update Device Hardware.
- The tool will check the hardware configuration, configure the cellular settings, and verify the connection to ZENTRA Cloud.
Update Cellular SIM
ZENTRA Utility Mobile provides tools that simplify the configuration of a new SIM. Use this tool when installing or swapping the SIM type in your data logger.
- Open ZENTRA Utility Mobile.
- Tap More in the Navigation bar.
- Select Device Tools.
- Select Update Cellular SIM.
- Tap Update Cellular SIM.
- The tool will check the hardware configuration, configure the cellular settings, and verify the connection to ZENTRA Cloud.
Disable Logger Communication
Stop data uploads by disabling the communication hardware to reduce battery consumption. Communication cannot be restored remotely by ZENTRA Cloud. Only use this tool when remote communication is not needed, or a network service is not available at the installation site.
- Open ZENTRA Utility Mobile.
- Tap More in the Navigation bar.
- Select Device Tools.
- Select Disable Device Communication.
- Tap Disable Device Communication.
To restore communication, use the Update Hardware Communication tool under Device Tools.
Additional Resources
See the quick start or user manual for more details on how to connect to your specific device.
Data Logger Model | Manual |
ZL6 | User Manual, Cellular Quick Start, Wi-Fi Quick Start, Product page |
ZL6 Basic | |
ATMOS 41W | |
EM60 |
