• Geotechnical instrumentation, a form of geotechnical engineering that assesses soil stability, is conducted by Monitel at a site in Perth, Western Australia.

Piezometer Potting Services in Perth & WA

In geotechnical monitoring, the quality of your data rests in the reliability of your sensors.

Potting is a process where the electrical components of a sensor are sealed and secured within a protective compound. It’s a critical step in ensuring sensors can withstand moisture, vibration and temperature shifts.

At Monitel, we provide precision potting services tailored to the environmental realities of Western Australian sites. They also address the unique demands of monitoring systems, such as piezometer installation and vibrating wire technologies.

What Is Potting?

Potting is the encasement of the sensitive internal components of a piezometer (or other sensor) in a resin or compound. It protects the sensor from environmental and mechanical stress by enhancing:

  • Moisture resistance
  • Cable strain relief
  • Signal stability
  • Vibration dampening
  • Mechanical durability in boreholes, tailings, and industrial sites

When done properly, potting can help secure consistent and accurate readings for long periods of time.

When Should You Pot a Sensor?

Potting is necessary when sensors are being deployed in environments prone to moisture, vibration or lengthy exposure. It’s particularly important in borehole and tailings dam applications where cable movement and water ingress can compromise signal integrity.

If you intend to leave the piezometer undisturbed for a period of years or if it forms part of a compliance-focused monitoring program, our potting services will make a significant impact on the sensor’s longevity and reliability.

Our Potting Process

At Monitel, we treat potting as both a quality control and performance assurance measure. Our team works with multiple potting materials (including epoxy, polyurethane and silicone) to ensure compatibility with each sensor, job site and monitoring timeframe.

Our typical potting process includes:

  1. Sensor Preparation: Cleaning, drying and pre-sealing of the sensor body and terminals.
  2. Compound Selection: We advise based on factors such as temperature, depth, chemical exposure and vibration.
  3. Encapsulation & Cure: The compound is applied and cured in a controlled environment to prevent air pockets or degradation.
  4. Strain-Relief & Sealing: The cable entry point and connection are secured to ensure long-term resilience under stress.

Western Australia is incredibly diverse and the compounds that suit the tropical climate of the Pilbara might not work on the Goldfields’ arid, flat terrain.

That’s why why thoroughly inspect each potted unit before dispatch, ensuring they are fit for consistent and accurate readings in their site-specific context. Those assessments also check that the sensor can be integrated into your broader monitoring systems.

Potting for Vibrating Wire Piezometers

Potting is particularly important for the installation of a vibrating wire piezometer. These sensors are particularly sensitive to moisture ingress and mechanical interference.

Monitel offers potting services designed specifically for vibrating wire piezometers, ensuring cable connections and sensor bodies are sealed against groundwater and soil migration. That sets your monitoring system up for long term success in borehole or tailings dam deployments.

Site-Specific Solutions

We don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach to piezometer potting. Our field teams assess site-specific conditions and recommend the most suitable approach based on:

  • Sensor type (vibrating wire, pressure transducer, strain gauge)
  • Installation depth and location
  • Expected service life
  • Chemical or abrasive soil properties
  • Vibration or equipment interference

We pride ourselves on a technology and product agnostic approach. That means that we are not tied to any one product or brand and will always look for the system best suited to your site. With a solutions-based mindset, we ensure that all clients receive an effective and efficient monitoring plan tailored to them.

Monitel’s Potting Support Services

Our potting capabilities extend beyond the bench. We also offer:

  • On-site sensor inspection and repair
  • Replacement or repotting of failed units
  • Supply of field potting kits for remote installations

By working with Monitel, you work with a company that:

  • Has decades of experience in WA’s mining and infrastructure industries
  • Backs full sensor installation with reporting and compliance documentation
  • Is trusted by engineers for tailings dam, borehole and settlement monitoring

Get in Touch to Speak With Us About Sensor Potting Services

Whether you need potting for replacement parts in the field or are preparing a new piezometer fleet, Monitel is here to assist. Our team can support every stage of your monitoring program from design to data capture.

We can assist with installation for:

  • Vibrating Wire Piezometer
  • Standpipe Piezometer
  • Drive Point Piezometer
  • Other sensor models

Contact us today to discuss your potting needs and ensure that your sensors remain durable assets in WA conditions.