🔧 Do you manage a fleet of compactors? Discover our dedicated IoT telemanagement solution: real-time monitoring, email alerts, next-fill prediction.
Why measure the fill level of a compactor?
In the day-to-day management of industrial and commercial waste, knowing when a compactor is full is not a trivial question. An overflowing compactor generates odors, health risks, regulatory non-compliance, and a degraded image with customers or users. Conversely, sending a collection truck for a half-empty compactor represents a completely unnecessary cost in fuel, vehicle wear, and labor hours.
The 4G connection of the box transmits this data in real time to the platform
Compactor telemanagement ensures continuous monitoring of the fill level without fail, 24/7.
By integrating level sensors, compactor telemanagement anticipates collection needs.
What the operator sees on the platform
Remote fill level measurement eliminates this uncertainty. The operator knows exactly, at any moment, which compactor is at which fill level. Collections are scheduled only when necessary.
How is the fill level detected?
The compactor generates an electrical signal when the press reaches the ¾ full position (75% of capacity) and another signal when it reaches the full position (100%). These signals are naturally present in the compactor’s control cabinet — they are used to light up the indicator lights on the operator’s dashboard.
The supervision box connects to these signals via its digital inputs. When the signal changes state (transition from ¾ full to full, for example), the box detects the change and transmits a timestamped alert to the cloud platform. The operator receives an email in real time.
This operation presents an important advantage: there is no need to install additional sensors in the compactor’s press. The system leverages the existing signals from the electrical cabinet — the same signal that operates the indicator lights. It is a non-invasive installation, compatible with all types of compactors.
The ¾ full signal: anticipate to optimize
The ¾ full signal is the most useful for planning. It indicates that the compactor has reached three quarters of its capacity — the ideal time to schedule the next collection. The operator still has time before overflow, but already knows that a collection will soon need to be scheduled.
With the history of compaction cycles, the system can go further: by analyzing the frequency of compaction cycles, it predicts the estimated date of the next full. If the compactor performs an average of 5 cycles per day and it takes 60 cycles to reach full, the system predicts the next full at D+12. The longer the system runs, the more the predictive model refines.
The full signal: the emergency alert
The full signal is a priority alert. It signals that the compactor has reached its maximum capacity. Under normal circumstances, this situation should never occur if the ¾ full signal has correctly triggered upstream collection planning.
When the full signal is received, an email alert is sent immediately to all configured recipients (the operator, the logistics manager, the site manager). The operator must organize an emergency collection to avoid overflow.
Limits of measurement by electrical signals
It is important to note that the system detects the ¾ full and full signals sent by the control cabinet — it does not physically measure the waste level inside the press. This means the system knows when the press reaches the threshold positions programmed in the cabinet, but does not distinguish, for example, a compactor at 76% from one at 99%.
For high-precision measurement of the actual volume, other technologies exist (ultrasonic sensors, strain gauges). They require more complex installation and higher cost. For most use cases — planning rounds and avoiding overflows — the electrical signals from the cabinet are sufficient.
What the operator sees on the platform
Each compactor appears on the dashboard map with a visual fill level indicator: green (less than ¾ full), orange (¾ full reached), red (full). The operator can filter by level, by site, or by status for a quick overview of the entire fleet.
By clicking on a compactor, the operator accesses detailed history: the fill curve over the last 30 days, the list of alerts received, the number of compaction cycles per period, and the next-full prediction.
How to use data to optimize rounds
With multiple compactors on the same territory (shopping centers, industrial zones, pharmacy networks), collection round planning is an optimization exercise. The operator can sort compactors by fill level and schedule collections in optimal order — starting with the most filled, avoiding trips for compactors that could have waited a few more days.
This approach reduces the number of rounds, mileage traveled, fuel consumption, and associated CO2 emissions. For a fleet of 20 compactors, round optimization can represent a 20 to 30% reduction in monthly trips.
Preventive maintenance through history
The signal history (level, cycles, alerts) constitutes a valuable database for preventive maintenance. By analyzing the evolution of the number of cycles per week, anomalies can be detected: a compactor suddenly performing twice as many cycles as usual may indicate a mechanical problem (a foreign object blocking the press, for example). A compactor no longer performing cycles while receiving waste may indicate a compaction motor failure.
Frequently asked questions
Does the system work with all types of compactors?
Yes. The box leverages 24V AC electrical signals from the control cabinet. These signals exist on all compactors — it is the industrial standard. The system is compatible with container compactors, waste presses, and shredders.
Can more precise level sensors be added?
Yes. The box has available digital inputs to connect additional sensors (ultrasonic level sensors, strain gauges). Contact us to discuss your specific use case.
How long is the data history retained?
Data is retained without time limit as long as the subscription is active. The operator can export the history at any time in CSV format for analysis in Excel or another tool.
In summary
Measuring a compactor’s fill level remotely means eliminating the uncertainty that costs money. The electrical signals from the control cabinet are sufficient to trigger ¾ full and full alerts, schedule collections at the right time, and avoid overflows. Predictive analysis goes further by estimating the next-full date. Data history finally enables round optimization and anticipation of maintenance needs.
To discover our complete compactor management solution: supervision box — IOTINNOV.
For measurement technologies in detail, see our page fill level sensor for compactor. Un besoin similaire sur votre parc ? Échangeons 10 minutes — sans engagementÀ lire aussi