Frequently Asked Questions: VIE for Asset Managers
The most common questions from asset managers evaluating VIE fall into five categories: installation logistics, platform requirements, data handling, asset compatibility, and hardware certifications. The answers are direct.
Installation
Does installation require a transformer shutdown or outage window?
No. VIE sensors are mounted on the external tank wall of energized transformers. No de-energization is required. Installation is performed by a qualified field technician and typically takes two to four hours per transformer, depending on site access.
Does VIE require an IT integration project or local server infrastructure?
No. The gateway connects directly to the VIE cloud platform over cellular LTE, Wi-Fi, or Ethernet. No local server is required. No internal IT resources need to be involved in the installation or ongoing operation.
Can our own technicians install VIE, or does VIE have to do it?
Either. VIE's self-install guide covers the full 15-step procedure. Installations can be performed by your team, by a VIE partner (RESA Power in North America, Flexity in Australia), or by VIE's own deployment team. All installations follow the same procedure and are documented through the DeployVIE mobile app.
System Requirements
What are the system requirements for myVIE?
myVIE is cloud-based and accessible through any modern web browser. No local software installation is required. No VPN or network configuration changes are needed.
What connectivity does the gateway require?
The gateway supports LTE Cat1 and Cat4 (global), CAT M1 and CAT M2 (US low-power networks), 802.11 a/b/g Wi-Fi, and wired Ethernet. It connects automatically to the highest-priority available connection and falls back gracefully if a connection type is unavailable.
Data Handling
What happens to our data if we end the subscription?
Health metric data is stored for the duration of the active monitoring subscription. Post-subscription data access and retention terms are defined in the service agreement. Contact VIE directly to confirm specific data retention and export policies for your deployment.
Is our transformer data shared with other customers or used in industry benchmarks without consent?
Contact VIE directly for data handling policy details. These terms are addressed in the service agreement.
Asset Compatibility
Can VIE monitor dry-type transformers?
Yes. VIE monitors any transformer, wet or dry, regardless of size, age, type, or usage profile. The sensor mounts on the external surface of the transformer enclosure or tank. The baseline and analytics adapt to the specific vibration and thermal characteristics of each unit.
How does VIE handle a transformer that already has known damage or pre-existing conditions?
Baselines for units with pre-existing conditions are established with that context noted. VIE tracks change from the baseline of the unit as it is at the start of monitoring, not from an idealized healthy state. A transformer with prior winding damage that is structurally stable will have a baseline that reflects its actual condition. VIE will detect further changes from that baseline and alert accordingly.
Does VIE replace the need for a pre-deployment inspection or condition assessment?
VIE does not require a pre-deployment condition assessment to begin monitoring. For assets with known or suspected prior damage, a condition assessment before deployment is recommended so that the initial baseline can be interpreted in context. Contact VIE's application engineers to discuss specific assets with complex histories before deployment.
Certifications
What certifications does the VIE sensor carry?
ATEX Zone 0/20 (hazardous area), RoHS, FCC/IC Part 15, UL-94 V0 (flame retardant housing), UL1642 (battery).
What certifications does the VIE gateway carry?
FCC/IC Part 15 and Part 22/24, RoHS, NEMA 6/6P, UL508A enclosure.
What does ATEX Zone 0/20 mean for oil and gas deployments?
ATEX Zone 0 is the most stringent hazardous area classification for locations where explosive gas atmospheres are continuously present. Zone 20 is the equivalent for explosive dust. VIE's ATEX Zone 0/20 certification means the sensor can be legally installed in classified areas at refineries, offshore platforms, and other oil and gas facilities where most commercial monitoring hardware is excluded. North American operators should confirm applicable NEC Class I Division 1 standards with their safety and compliance teams.