ATEX approval
- Designed for Zone 1/2 – safe in Ex areas.
- Rugged enclosure, industry-grade.
The NB IoT Box Mini – the ATEX-certified data logger for gas and energy metering.
Self-powered. Energy efficient. Future-proof.
Ex-certified, long-term autonomous, and equipped with all common interfaces. Perfect for gas meters, volume correctors (EVCs) and pressure monitoring – even without local power supply.
NB-IoT integrated
Why the NB IoT Box MINI?
ATEX-safe, 10+ years autonomous, broad interfaces – purpose-built for remote meter/sensor reading without mains power on site.
10+ years battery operation
- Hourly transmission by default.
- Optimized energy management & watchdogs.
Serial compatibility
- RS-232/RS-485/TTL for serial reading of volume correctors; incl. Modbus-RTU, ASCII.
- Compatible with common EVCs/volume correctors (e.g., Elster/Instromet/Honeywell, PLUM, Elgas, Itron, Flonidan, Dresser, Tritschler, SICK, Kamstrup, etc.).
Many interfaces in one device
- DI/S0, AI (0/4–20 mA, 0–10 V), Encoder/SCR, M-Bus (optional).
- Simplifies retrofits & reduces variant complexity.
The challenge in gas networks – and our solution
Example: Remote reading of a large gas meter or pressure monitoring – without local mains power.
Problem
Gas networks and industrial measuring points often lack a power supply. Meters and volume correctors still need to be read safely and reliably – frequently in hazardous (Ex) areas.
Solution
The NB IoT Box MINI addresses exactly this: ATEX-certified, battery-powered for more than 10 years, and equipped with all common interfaces – for maintenance-free, secure remote reading.
The challenge at drinking water reservoirs – and our solution
Problem
Drinking water reservoirs are often remote and lack mains power. Nevertheless, level and flow must be continuously monitored and controlled, otherwise supply bottlenecks may occur.
Solution
The NB IoT Box MINI runs battery-autonomous for many years, connects level sensors directly, reports alarms on thresholds, and – with two devices installed – even enables a simple, mutual pump control (e.g., topping-up/redundancy). Communication is secure via NB-IoT – with no local infrastructure.
Example: Autonomous level and pressure monitoring in the reservoir – including alarms and optional pump control.
ATEX NB-IoT communication for remote meter reading
The NB IoT Box MINI is an ATEX-certified, battery-powered data logger for hazardous areas (Zone 1/2). It transmits measurement and meter data energy-efficiently via NB-IoT directly to the cloud. Thanks to optimized energy management, the solution achieves up to 10+ years of battery life with hourly transmission – ideal for smart metering, industrial monitoring, and distributed assets without mains power.
Use cases & industries
With ATEX certification and energy-efficient NB-IoT technology, the NB IoT Box MINI is ideal for a wide range of applications in sensitive environments.
Gas metering & distribution
Autonomous monitoring of gas pressure, flow and fill levels in Ex zones.
Water & wastewater
Remote reading of water meters, level measurement in silos/tanks, and level monitoring in shafts and plants.
Industry & manufacturing
Monitoring sensors, machines and processes in hazardous-area factories.
Agriculture
Monitoring soil sensors, irrigation systems, or silos.
Oil, gas & petrochemicals
Reliable data transmission from critical infrastructure.
Warehousing & logistics
Level measurement in containers, building-material silos and tanks.
How the NB IoT Box MINI works
Sensors or meters provide pulses, analog values, or serial data. The NB IoT Box MINI captures these signals, buffers them, and transmits them without a gateway over the NB-IoT network to the cloud. There, values are available for monitoring, alerting, and integration into control systems. Data transmission is optimized for hourly intervals while keeping energy usage minimal.
Acquire signal
DI/S0, 0/4–20 mA, RS-232/485, M-Bus.
Buffer & store securely
Store values / non-volatile memory
Transmit via NB-IoT
Hourly, energy-optimized.
Server / cloud
Broker: MQTT, CoAP
Alerting & actions
Threshold breach, pump control (digital out).
Video: The NB IoT Box MINI in detail
NB IoT Box Mini by VERAUT – beyond standard
Compared to conventional NB-IoT devices, the NB IoT Box MINI combines rugged design, energy-optimized firmware, and direct cloud connectivity. The result: long battery life, reliable, stable data transmission over many years in challenging RF environments, and simple commissioning – crucial for distributed measuring points in ATEX zones.
1 h
Hourly transmission
Plannable, near-real-time remote meter reading for your monitoring.
10 yr+
Battery life
Autonomous operation without mains – ideal for outdoor assets.
0
No gateways
Fewer failure points, lower complexity and cost.
24/7
High & stable availability
Network scan, watchdogs & retries ensure stable communication.
Interfaces & signals
The NB IoT Box MINI covers common signals for remote meter reading and industrial monitoring. Digital inputs capture pulses (e.g., S0/reed), analog inputs process voltage and current signals, and serial interfaces (e.g., RS-232/485) enable protocols such as Modbus. Optional outputs as well as encoder and M-Bus connections are available.
Digital inputs
Pulses/Reed/S0 – perfect for meter counts and state monitoring.
Analog inputs
0–10 V / 0–20 mA – precise acquisition of process and sensor data.
Serial communication
RS-232/RS-485 – incl. Modbus-RTU, ASCII and project-specific protocols.
Encoder / SCR
High-resolution reading of absolute encoders (e.g., SCR/SCR+).
Optional connections
M-Bus (wired), Namur, Gray code – extendable per application.
Alarming
Event triggers, thresholds, and notifications via cloud.
Technical specifications
All key technical data at a glance for your planning. The NB IoT Box MINI can be flexibly adapted to your requirements.
| Enclosure | KS enclosure |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 135 × 190 × 60 mm (W × H × D) |
| Certifications | ATEX Zone 1 |
| Power supply | Battery (up to 10 years of life) |
| Interfaces | 4×DI, 2×DO, 3×AI, Encoder SCR, RS-232/485/TTL (expandable) |
| Operating temperature | -20° C to +60° C |
| Mounting | Wall mount or pole clamp |
| Signal | Quantity | Range/Protocol | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| DI (S0/Reed) | 4 | Reed (S0) | Gas meter contacts |
| AI (0/4–20 mA / 0–10 V) | 3 | configurable | Pressure, level |
| Serial | 1× RS-232, 1× RS-485 | Modbus-RTU, ASCII, EVC | Volume correctors |
| M-Bus (optional) | 1 | EN13757 | Heat meters, etc. |
Standard NB-IoT vs. VERAUT NB IoT Box MINI
Many standard devices struggle in ATEX zones with unstable links and high energy load. The NB IoT Box MINI uses intelligent network checks, watchdogs, and dynamic energy management. This increases reliability and significantly extends battery life – while maintaining granular remote meter reading.
| Topic | Standard NB-IoT | NB IoT Box MINI |
|---|---|---|
| Connection setup | Single attempt | Network scan & retries |
| Data transmission | Irregular | Hourly, plannable |
| Energy management | Basic | Optimized for 10+ years |
In the field – image gallery
What our customers say
From industry to energy utilities – our customers rely on the NB IoT Box MINI to optimize their data processes.
Robust solution for critical data
“In our hazardous areas we need solutions that are absolutely reliable. The NB IoT Box MINI meets our requirements for safety, robustness and energy efficiency perfectly.”
Andreas M., Production Manager
Easy installation and maintenance
“We were able to commission the devices quickly without building complex infrastructure. The long battery life also reduces maintenance efforts significantly.”
Sandra K., Technical Director, Energy Utility
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What does ATEX certification mean?
ATEX stands for “Atmosphères Explosibles” and is an EU directive governing the use of equipment in potentially explosive atmospheres. The NB IoT Box MINI is certified for Zones 1/2, ensuring safe operation in environments with flammable gases or vapors.
How can the battery last up to 10 years?
Thanks to integrated NB-IoT technology and an energy-optimized firmware, the NB IoT Box MINI automatically switches to deep-sleep mode whenever no data transmission is required. It wakes only at scheduled sending times. This drastically reduces energy consumption and enables exceptionally long battery life. Additionally, the NB IoT Box MINI features dynamic energy management that continuously monitors current consumption, allowing precise prediction of remaining battery life. (Optional: When enabled, sending intervals can be adjusted automatically to ensure the targeted battery lifetime is reliably achieved.)
What advantages does NB-IoT have over LoRaWAN or 5G?
NB-IoT (Narrowband-IoT) provides high penetration, ensuring communication even in basements and shafts. Unlike LoRaWAN, it uses licensed cellular spectrum. Compared to 5G, it is optimized for low power, making it ideal for battery-powered, autonomous operation.
Do I need an additional gateway?
No. The NB IoT Box MINI communicates directly with the cloud via the NB-IoT network, which significantly reduces infrastructure complexity and cost. You only need a SIM card and an appropriate data plan.
What types of sensors can I connect?
The device supports a wide range of common interfaces, including digital inputs (e.g., S0 pulses from meters), analog inputs (0–10 V, 0–20 mA), and serial interfaces (RS-232/RS-485) for connecting various brands of volume correctors, Modbus devices, or other protocols.
Can the box also be powered externally?
Not in the ATEX zone. Outside ATEX zones, the device can be powered via an adapter; however, there remains a risk of mains outage.
How are radio issues handled?
The device buffers measurements in non-volatile memory and uses network scan/retry mechanisms. Data is preserved and transmitted once NB-IoT connectivity is restored. There is no data loss; unsent telegrams are forwarded later.
Can I define alarm thresholds (e.g., pressure, level)?
Yes. Thresholds/events can be configured; digital outputs enable simple actions (e.g., pump control).
Does the NB IoT Box MINI support multiple interfaces simultaneously?
Yes. Digital inputs, analog inputs, and serial ports can be used in parallel – within the device configuration.
Which volume correctors/EVCs are supported via serial?
Via RS-232/RS-485, Modbus-RTU/ASCII as well as project-specific EVC protocols are supported. Proven with common brands (e.g., Elster/Instromet/Honeywell, PLUM, Elgas, Itron, Flonidan, Dresser, Tritschler, SICK, Kamstrup).
Is Zone 0 allowed?
No. The NB IoT Box MINI is designed for hazardous areas in Zones 1/2.
How long do installation and commissioning take?
Battery operation and compact design make retrofitting fast: mount the device, connect sensor/meter, perform network registration, send a test message – done.
Is the transmission interval fixed at hourly?
No, storage and transmission intervals can be configured – considering the energy budget.
Downloads & contact
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Info sheet: compact key facts & overview.
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