By TEBAOFLEX Jyen. Originally published on May 13, 2026.
Three monitoring problems, three different coupling requirements
Distributed temperature sensing (DTS) measures temperature along a fiber. Distributed strain sensing (DSS) measures deformation transferred into the sensing fiber; distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) responds to dynamic strain or vibration. None is a universal substitute for the others.
Choose the observable failure mechanism first: heat reaching a conveyor sensor, a leak changing temperature or sound, or ground displacement producing strain. The interrogator, fiber, cable construction, mounting and alarm logic together determine useful performance. A cable specification alone cannot guarantee a particular detection time or location accuracy.
Conveyor idlers: place the sensor where heat can reach it
A temperature sensor near an idler does not directly measure an inaccessible bearing interior. Distance, contact, airflow, dust, belt speed and background solar heating can change the thermal path. A fast water-bath response does not establish the response to a failing bearing in air.
Map the hazard locations and choose protected routing that still permits the required heat transfer. Prove alarm thresholds and response using a representative installation and an agreed safe test method. Coordinate detection with maintenance and any approved shutdown or fire-protection actions.
Pipelines: identify the leak signature and blind spots
Thermal leak detection depends on a measurable difference between the released fluid and its surroundings. A gas release does not invariably cool the sensor: the fluid state, pressure change, soil and operating conditions matter. Acoustic detection also needs adequate coupling and discrimination from normal plant activity.
Specify leak scenarios, cable offset, burial or pipe attachment, operational noise, allowable detection delay and false-alarm criteria. Include changes at valves, pumps and crossings. Detection performance demonstrated on one fluid or pipe route cannot simply be carried over to another.
Tailings and slopes: monitor credible failure modes
A strain cable must transfer deformation from the ground into its sensing element without slipping, debonding or exceeding its measurement range. Thermal compensation, anchor details and installation damage are part of that design. Local strain is not automatically equal to absolute ground displacement.
The Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management calls for risk-based monitoring within a wider management system; it is not a blanket mandate for one fiber technology or a universal submillimetre threshold. Instrument selection and trigger-action plans belong with the responsible geotechnical engineers and other monitoring evidence.
Acceptance and operations
Document the route, splice locations, baseline signal and optical-loss budget. Check operation after installation, not only on the shipping drum. Define broken-fiber alarms, power and communication failure handling, recalibration and responsibilities for responding to events.
Use manufacturer crush and tensile ratings with their actual test conditions. A laboratory distributed-load result does not prove survival under an excavator track, a sharp rock or a poorly controlled backfill operation. No proprietary field trial or certified detection performance is claimed here.
Primary references and specification evidence
The references explain the cited technology or manufacturer example. They are not TEBAOFLEX product approvals or evidence that a supplied batch has passed the tests. Request the exact product drawing, specification edition, acceptance criteria and traceable records.
Discuss your application
Discuss the duty, installation and required documentary evidence with TEBAOFLEX. WhatsApp: +86 185 9591 3361. Product suitability and test obligations must be confirmed for the specific order.