Frequently asked questions GROHE Sense

Flooding alarm

HOW DOES GROHE SENSE DETECT A FLOOD?

GROHE Sense has two gold plated pins on the bottom. When water floods and connects the two pins, a short-circuit generates an alarm that is immediately sent out to the app.

WHAT HAPPENS IF GROHE SENSE DETECTS A FLOOD?

An alarm is sent to you and your emergency contacts via a notification and email - depending on your notifications settings. The device will also start blinking red and beeping. If you are using GROHE Sense the accoustic and optical signal will stop after 1 hour and start blinking and beeping again after 23 hours (each day until the batteries are empty). The alarm of Sense+ does not stop in between. To stop the device alarm dry the metal contact pins on the bottom of the device with a lint-free rag.

WHEN MY GROHE SENSE DETECTS A FLOODING, THE ALARM BEEPING DOES NOT START.

In some cases it might take a while until the alarm sound starts. Independent from this, a message will be sent to the GROHE ONDUS app, so that you get warned as fast as possible.

Temperature and humidity sensing

How often does GROHE Sense measure the room temperature and the humidity?

Temperature and humidity are constantly measured, the device senses every 60 minutes. Every day the humidity and temperature information is stored in the GROHE ONDUS cloud.

If you want to have more control, go for GROHE Sense+. With GROHE Sense+ you additionally have the possibility to get the current temperature & humidity levels with clicking the "Trigger Update" Button in the app.

What is the difference between GROHE Sense and GROHE Sense+?

Both products measure temperature and humidity are constantly. GROHE Sense sends the humidity and temperature information once a day to the cloud. With GROHE Sense+ you additionally have the possibility to get the current temperature & humidity levels with clicking the "Trigger Update" Button in the app.

Does GROHE Sense measure absolute or relative air humidity?

GROHE Sense measures relative air humidity. Relative humidity is dependant on the temperature. A 100% humidity level would mean the air is completely saturated with water at that temperature.

Installation

Where to install GROHE Sense?

Install GROHE Sense inside your home in any location where there is flood risk or where you want to have humidity control.

  • Install a GROHE Sense in your cellar, as the chances of having a water damage, are high
  • Install below sinks or wash basins, as often people see leaks here way too late
  • Nearby your washing machine, to be sure nothing happens
  • On attics where you have windows that you often leave open for ventilation, to detect fast enough that rain does not flood inside.

How to install GROHE Sense?

First download the app from the Apple Appstore or the Google Play store, register yourself and setup your house and rooms if you did not do already. Add GROHE Sense to the room of your choice by clicking the + symbol or by adding it via the catalogue. Give a name and define the room, place the 3 AAA batteries (included in the box) and connect the WLAN by selecting the GROHE Sense SSID and typing in the password you find on the backside of the product. If you already installed the product and it is hard to see the password, please use your mobile device to take a picture with a flashlight.

Then place GROHE Sense on a flat surface (non-metallic/non-conductive) with the pins touching the surface.

What can I do if my GROHE Sense is too big to place on the location I would like to monitor?

Try the extension set 22506LN0 that has an extension cable length of 1,2 m. Mount the base plate of the extension set with the two screws on the wall. Place the remote sensor on a flat surface (non-metallic/not-conductive) with the two pins touching the surface.

You can also install GROHE Sense+ if you want both the extension and a mains powered product.

What if your WLAN connection is not stable enough or you cannot detect your WLAN connection needed to connect GROHE Sense?

Several solutions might be possible:

  • You can always install an additional repeater that strengthens the WLAN signal closer to the product.
  • If you have a UTP connection available, install an access point or repeater (you can typically choose between these two operating modes) directly on the UTP connection.
  • The last option could be to use power cable products. Here you install one power cable connector near the router and one near the product. Choose for a power cable product that has WLAN functionality, or you need an additional repeater/access point.

What can I do if I am unable to establish a connection to my private wireless network?

Step 1: Check whether you have sufficient wireless network coverage

There may be a problem with your wireless network coverage. See below for some potential causes and solutions. An app for testing your wireless network may be a useful way to identify any problems. We recommend ‘WiFi analyzer’ (the app name is the same for Android and iOS).

Potential problem: The device is too far from the router.
Test: Check the performance of your wireless network as you move further away from your router.
Solution: To solve this problem, you can either install a repeater or a new router offering enhanced performance.

Potential problem: Obstructions such as thick walls weaken the wireless network signal
Test: Test the performance of your wireless network on one side of the wall and compare it with the performance on the other side of the wall.
Solution: You can use powerline adapters, which transmit the wireless network’s signal along the building’s existing electrical wiring.

Potential problem: Multiple wireless networks are overlapping in one area. Every router automatically selects and uses a channel. The channels are numbered 1 to 11. In densely populated areas, networks that are using the same channel may overlap.
Test: The app will show you which channels are used most heavily.
Solution: Manually change the channel that your router uses. Select a channel that is not too heavily used. To make this change, read your router’s manual.

Potential problem: There are too many devices using the same wireless network. This can slow down the wireless network’s performance – particularly if users are constantly downloading or streaming videos.
Test: The app shows you how fast your wireless network is.
Solution: Install a router with a higher capacity or use a wireless network router with mesh networking.

Step 2: If your wireless network coverage is sufficient, there may be a problem with your router. To find out if this is the case, please follow these steps: 

Are you using a wireless network with a frequency of 2.4 GHz?
In order to be able to integrate the Sense device into your wireless network, the network needs to use a frequency of 2.4 GHz. The device will not work with a frequency of 5.0 GHz. You can view and change the frequency in your router’s settings.

Is your private wireless network secured with WPA/WPA2?
GROHE Sense does not work with open wireless networks. It requires a wireless network that is secured with WPA or WPA2. Your private wireless network therefore needs to be protected by a password that has at least eight characters.

Is MAC filtering activated?
MAC filtering is a method for protecting wireless networks. If it is activated, the wireless network router will only give approval to known/registered devices. MAC filtering is not normally activated by default. It usually needs to be set up manually. If you have activated MAC filtering, please deactivate it or add the MAC address of the GROHE Sense to your router’s list. To find out the MAC address of your GROHE Sense, download the app for testing your wireless network and initiate the device’s integration mode (blue flashing LED) by inserting the batteries. Then connect the device to your smartphone. The app will display the MAC address of your device.

Are the ports 433 (HTTPS) and 80 (HTTP) open?
Ports are network connectors. They enable your wireless network to communicate and also facilitate other services. Ports 433 and 80 need to be open in order to establish a connection between GROHE Sense and your wireless network. In most cases, these ports are open by default. If this is not the case, please read your router’s manual.

Is DHCP activated on your router?
DHCP is a communication protocol for communications between devices and the wireless network. It needs to be activated in order to use GROHE Sense. DHCP is normally activated by default on routers. Visit the following web page for an explanation of how to find out if DHCP is activated and how to activate it: http://www.wikihow.com/Configure-a-Router-to-Use-DHCP

Does the router support IPv4?  
The IPV (Internet Protocol Version) is the way that your router communicates with the devices connected to it. There are different versions: IPv4 and IPv6. The GROHE Sense device communicates using IPv4, so the wireless network router also needs to support IPv4. In most cases, routers support both IPv4 and IPv6. You can check and change this in your router’s settings. This web page explains the process: http://testingfreak.com/change-enabledisable-ipv4-ipv6-computer-windows/

Hardware

How big is GROHE Sense?

GROHE Sense is a water sensor of ø 84 mm and a height of 35 mm.

The extension set consists of a wall plate of ø 84 mm, is 38mm high including the sensor and a remote sensor of 10 mm height and 50 mm diameter. It has an extension cable of 1,2 m.

GROHE Sense+ has the same dimensions as the GROHE Sense and uses the same extension set and has an additional power cable of 0,6 m.

Is GROHE Sense waterproof?

GROHE Sense is protected against spraying and splashing water (IPX3). In the case of a flooding, please dry it immediately. If you have to clean the device, please use a lint-free rag. DO not use any detergents.

What to do if the batteries are running out?

Either you replace the 3 AAA batteries, or in the case you need permanent information, please purchase GROHE Sense+ which is connected to the mains electricity supply and therefore needs no batteries.

Frequently asked questions GROHE Sense Guard

Pipe break and leakage detection

What happens when GROHE Sense Guard does not have electricity?

To safeguard you still having fresh drinking water, the valve remains open during a power outage. You will also see in the app that the system is not connected. Of course, the system restarts when power is back.

What happens when GROHE Sense Guard does not have WLAN connectivity anymore?

GROHE Sense Guard continues to work. In the case of a pipe break, it will still detect and shut off the water. Data will be updated once the connectivity has been restored as there is a buffer memory of up to 30 days, depending on your consumption behavior. The connectivity LED will light red in that case.

Installation

How is GROHE Sense Guard Installed?

GROHE recommends a certified installer to install the product as you are close to the water meter and a wrong installation might impact the water supply for the complete house. At all times, please review the technical product information (TPI) supplied with the product or the extended version online. You can also watch our installation movie we created on our website or YouTube.

We also recommend installing GROHE Sense Guard with our wall mount set 22501000 to ensure a stable installation.

How can you connect GROHE Sense Guard with the GROHE ONDUS App?

First, download the app from the Apple Appstore or the Google Play Store. Register yourself and set up your house and rooms if you did not do already. Add GROHE Sense Guard to the room of your choice by clicking the + symbol or by adding it via the catalogue. Give a name and define the room name, plug GROHE Sense Guard and connect the WLAN by selecting the GROHE Sense Guard SSID and typing in the password you find on the backside of the product. If you already installed the product and it is hard to see the password, please use your mobile device to take a picture with flashlight.

What if your WLAN connection is not stable enough or you cannot detect your WLAN connection needed to connect GROHE Sense Guard?

Several solutions might be possible

  • You can always install an additional repeater that strengthens the WLAN signal closer to the product.
  • If you have a UTP connection available, install an access point or repeater (you can typically choose between these two operating modes) directly on the UTP connection.
  • The last option could be to use power cable products. Here you install one power cable connector near the router and one near the product. Choose for a power cable product that has WLAN functionality, or you need an additional repeater/access point.

Security

What  if a hacker shuts off my water supply?

GROHE does its utmost to guarantee a safe and secure use or our products. For this, we use the latest security measures to prevent unintended use of our devices or to prevent a data breach and protect privacy. GROHE also will make available firmware updates when necessary and will distribute those via the app. In case hackers would break into the system, you are guaranteed to have water at any time by pulling the power plug. You can then also perform an update later when a firmware update becomes available.

Frequently asked questions GROHE ONDUS App

Compatibility

WHAT KIND OF MOBILE DEVICES AND OPERATING SYSTEMS ARE SUPPORTED BY THE GROHE ONDUS APP?

For Apple mobile devices from version iOS 9.0 or higher and Android mobile devices with Android 4.3. or higher are supported.

Shared Requirements on the device:

  • min. 160 dpi pixel density
  • min. 320x470 pixel resolution

WHAT OTHER SMART HOME DEVICES CAN BE CONNECTED WITH THE GROHE APP?

At launch, there are no other products that can be connected. GROHE is planning cooperations in the near future – always based on communication standards WLAN and Bluetooth, and therefore connections will be based on these protocols.

WHAT CONNECTIVITY PROTOCOLS DO GROHE PRODUCTS USE TO GROHE ONDUS CLOUD?

GROHE products use the WLAN protocol to connect to the home router. The home router needs to support HTTPS, 2.4GHz, and IEEE 802.11b/g/n. Port 80 has to be open, only wireless channels 1 - 11 can be used.

I CANNOT FIND THE GROHE ONDUS APP IN THE APP STORE OR THE GOOGLE PLAY STORE.

At the Moment GROHE Sense and GROHE Sense Guard are only sold in Europe and the Middle East. It is not possible to download the app in other countries.

Notifications & Errors

DO I ONLY RECEIVE NOTIFICATIONS WHEN CONNECTED TO MY LOCAL WLAN?

No, you only need a functioning internet connection to receive push notifications to your smartphone. This can be mobile network or any other WIFI. GROHE ONDUS can also inform you or other contact persons via email in the case of emergency.

HOW CAN I MAKE SURE THAT I RECEIVE MESSAGES AND WARNINGS ON MY SMARTPHONES LOCK-SCREEN?

Please check in your smartphone settings, that GROHE ONDUS is allowed to send you messages to your lock-screen.

MY APP DOES NOT WORK ANYMORE. WHAT CAN I DO?

  • Please check your internet connection and possibly reconnect to your mobile network or WLAN
  • Restart the app
  • Please make sure that you are running the latest version of the app. Check the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for the latest updates
  • If this does not work, please contact the GROHE support

I RECEIVE AN ERROR MESSAGE WHEN I FOLLOW THE ACTIVATION LINK IN MY MAILBOX.

The activation link is only valid for 24 hours. After expiration of this time period, you can trigger a new activation link. For this, you need to try logging in with your chosen account credentials in the GROHE ONDUS app.

Security & Privacy

What kind of data is stored?

GROHE ONDUS only stores data that is needed the ensure the full functionality of your devices. For further information, please check the privacy statement in the app.

Additional information

Didn´t you find an answer to your question on this page? Feel free to contact us directly in case of further questions

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