CLPWIE01 -- Pipe Clip
Product Description
The Smart Pipe Clip is a compact clamp that attaches to water pipes with an outer diameter of 15--32 mm (all materials: copper, steel, PEX, PE, etc.). The device provides three main functions:
- Frost Warning: Detection and warning of frost risk
- Water Consumption Estimation: Estimation of water consumption
- Leak Detection: Detection of water leaks through unusual water usage patterns
The device supports three communication methods:
- WLAN (standard for CLPWIE01) -- for normal home use via app, MQTT, and webhooks
- LoRa Direct -- for direct control of Aqua-Scope valve motors on alarm, also works completely offline without internet
- LoRaWAN Class A -- for connection to a LoRaWAN network (switchable via menu)
Power supply: 2xAAA batteries (pre-installed) or external 3V DC power.
Installation and Setup
Mounting Method 1: Quick Mount with Clamp
The hinged clamp can attach the device directly to the water pipe. This method allows quick installation and easy removal or repositioning without tools.
Mounting Method 2: Permanent Cable Tie Mount
For a tamper-proof, permanent installation:
- Remove the 3 screws on the battery cover and take off the cover
- Pull out the clamp axis (by hand or with pliers)
- Remove the clamp and spring
- Thread a cable tie through the designated slot in the housing
- Secure the sensor to the pipe
Placement
- Mount on the main water line, approx. 15--30 cm from the building's water entry point
- The air temperature sensor should face toward the center of the room (not toward the wall)
- If WLAN coverage is insufficient, install a repeater nearby
- Circulation loop with circulation pump
- Outdoor pipes
- Directly at a radiator or water heater
With WLAN mesh systems using multiple repeaters, it may take some time for the sensor to connect to the optimal repeater.
Local Operation
The device has a pinhole with a button behind it and, next to it, a three-color LED that shines through the housing (label L). The button is pressed with a paper clip inserted through the small hole (label B). A slight resistance can be felt when pressing.
Pressing extremely hard with the paper clip can destroy the button.
Activation and Deactivation
On delivery, the device is in a transport safety state in which no battery power is consumed. A short press of the button wakes it up from this state, which is confirmed by the LED lighting up. The sensor is then ready for use.
The sensor can be put back into transport state. To do so, keep the button pressed for a total of 10 seconds until the LED blinks red, then release the button. The sensor is now back in transport state and no longer consumes battery power.
Connection and Communication
The WLAN setup is performed via the device's configuration page (SSID "Scope"). A detailed step-by-step guide can be found at WLAN Connection.
This device can be switched to LoRaWAN via the 1-button menu (command 3 "WLAN off", followed if needed by command 4 "LoRaWAN on") -- see LoRaWAN Connection.
LoRaWAN and direct motor control via LoRa are mutually exclusive. In LoRaWAN mode, the sensor cannot directly control Aqua-Scope motors via radio.
WLAN Setup (Summary)
Prerequisites:
- WLAN network name (SSID)
- WLAN password (WPA2 key, usually 8+ characters on the router's underside)
- Email address for Aqua-Scope user account
Steps:
- The device is shipped in factory state with a red/green blinking LED
- Connect your mobile device or PC to the WLAN "Scope" (no password required)
- Open
http://scope.localin the browser - Fill in the form: select WLAN, enter WLAN password and email address
- Redirect to
https://app.aqua-scope.com - Sign in with an existing account or create a new Aqua-Scope account
- Test the connection at the final installation location
Install the sensor at its final location only after you have confirmed a successful WLAN connection. If this is not the case, there is insufficient WLAN signal coverage at the installation location and you need to install a WLAN repeater.
For Advanced Users
In addition to the Aqua-Scope app, further communication options are available and can be activated via Configuration -> Communication Options in the app:
- MQTT -- Integration into MQTT-based systems
- Home Assistant -- Automatic discovery in the dashboard
- JSON Webhook -- Custom web service with HTTP POST
- Modbus IP -- Industrial protocol (TCP Port 502)
- Local Web Server -- Direct access via browser on the LAN
The local web server and Modbus IP are only available in mains-powered mode, not in battery mode.
Install the App
- Android: The Progressive Web App at
https://app.aqua-scope.comcan be installed as a native app when prompted by the browser - iOS: Open the page in Safari and add it to the home screen via the share menu by selecting "Add to Home Screen"
Core Functions
Regular Sensor Data
By default, the sensor transmits every 6 hours (configurable):
| Measurement | Description |
|---|---|
| Uptime | Hours since the last restart |
| Room temperature | Measured air temperature in °C |
| Battery status | Battery voltage and consumed capacity |
| Water consumption | Estimated amount of water in liters |
| Draw-offs | Number of detected water draw-offs since the last transmission |
| Draw-off duration | Total duration of water draw-offs since the last transmission |
| Leak index | Value from 0--100 indicating the suspicion of a continuous leak |
Alarms
Alarm messages are transmitted immediately upon detection. Some alarms additionally have a warning level that is reported before the actual alarm.
| Alarm | Description | Behavior |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature too low | Air temperature falls below the threshold (default: 1 °C) -- risk of frost | Clears automatically when the temperature rises above the threshold |
| Temperature too high | Air temperature exceeds the threshold (default: 40 °C) | Clears automatically when the temperature falls below the threshold |
| Prolonged water usage | Water flows continuously for longer than the threshold (default: 60 minutes) -- possible major leak | Clears automatically when water flow stops |
| Leak (continuous leak) | Leak index exceeds the alarm threshold (default: 70); from 60 % of the threshold, a suspected leak is reported as a warning | Clears automatically when the leak index falls below half the threshold |
| Clip not on pipe | The sensor does not have sufficient contact with the pipe. A mounting warning may appear after installation | Clears automatically when pipe contact is detected again |
| Vacation mode | Only with vacation mode enabled: warning on every detected water draw-off, alarm from 5 minutes of flow or more than 10 minutes within 24 hours | Clears automatically at the end of the water draw-off |
| Weak WLAN signal | Warning when WLAN signal strength is too low | Install a repeater nearby |
| Battery low | Battery capacity largely consumed | Replace batteries |
| Voltage too low | Supply voltage below 2.4 V | Replace batteries or check external power supply |
Alarm Codes for MQTT, JSON Webhook, Modbus and LoRaWAN
When integrating into your own systems, each alarm is transmitted with its alarm number, a state and a 16-bit value. State: 1 = alarm active, 2 = warning (pre-stage), 0 = alarm cleared.
| No. | Name | Alarm | Meaning of the 16-bit value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | FREEZE | Temperature too low | Air temperature in 0.1 °C (signed, e.g. 8 = 0.8 °C) |
| 3 | LONG | Prolonged water usage | Flow duration in seconds |
| 6 | OVERPRESSURE | Temperature too high | Air temperature in 0.1 °C (e.g. 412 = 41.2 °C) |
| 8 | PIPE_CHECK | Clip not on pipe | State 1: noise ratio pipe/air × 1000 (alarm from 490). State 2 (mounting warning): mounting quality 0--10 (warning below 2) |
| 10 | RAMPED_FLOW | Leak (continuous leak) | Leak index 0--100 |
| 11 | RSSI | Weak WLAN signal | WLAN signal strength in dBm (state 2 only) |
| 12 | BATTERYLOW | Battery low | -- |
| 13 | POWER | Voltage too low | Supply voltage in mV |
| 15 | WATER | Vacation mode | State 2: observed flow duration in seconds. State 1: flow duration in seconds |
The names in the "Name" column come from the common alarm list of all Aqua-Scope devices and do not always match the meaning for the Pipe Clip (e.g. OVERPRESSURE for temperature too high). The alarm number is authoritative.
Button Operation and LED Signals
The button is operated with a paper clip through the pinhole (see Local Operation).
Button Functions
| Action | State | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Short click | WLAN connected | Immediate transmission of sensor data (green LED briefly confirms) |
| Short click | WLAN not connected | Start configuration portal (WLAN "Scope") |
| Short click | LoRaWAN / LoRa Direct | Send status message via radio |
| Triple click | Any | Start pairing with an Aqua-Scope valve motor (existing pairing is deleted, 20 sec. waiting time) |
| Hold 4 sec. | Any | Activate the 1-button menu |
| Hold 10 sec. | Any | Activate transport state (LED blinks red, then release) |
| Hold button while powering on | WLAN | Delete WLAN credentials and restart |
1-Button Menu
Hold the button: after 1, 2 and 3 seconds the LED blinks green each time, after 4 seconds yellow. Now release the button -- the menu starts at command 1.
Operation:
- Display: The number of the current command is shown by the corresponding number of blinks (with beep), followed by a short pause
- Short click: Advance to the next command. After command 6, counting restarts at 1
- Hold button for more than 1 second: Execute the selected command (3x yellow blink with beep as confirmation)
- Timeout: Without input, the menu exits after approx. 15 seconds without any action
For the toggle commands (3, 4 and 6), the LED color shows the current status: green = active, red = inactive.
| No. | Command | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Reset | In WLAN mode: delete all settings and WLAN credentials, restart into the configuration portal. In LoRa Direct mode: delete pairing with the valve motor |
| 2 | Factory settings | Resets all parameters to factory settings. WLAN credentials and operating mode (WLAN/LoRaWAN) are retained |
| 3 | WLAN on/off | Switch between WLAN and LoRa (restart) |
| 4 | LoRaWAN on/off | Switch between LoRaWAN and LoRa Direct -- only effective when WLAN is switched off (restart) |
| 5 | Set rest position | Adopts the current state as the rest position without water flow; the leak index is re-learned. Only use if no water has been drawn for at least 3 hours |
| 6 | Battery sleep on/off | Switch power-saving mode on/off (restart) |
LED Signals
| Situation | LED pattern |
|---|---|
| WLAN connection setup | Red/green alternating quickly |
| Configuration portal active (factory state) | Red/green alternating (approx. 0.5 sec.) |
| LoRaWAN connection setup (JOIN) | Red -> yellow -> green |
| Pairing with valve motor | Red/green alternating slowly (approx. 1 sec.) |
| Alarm change | 3x short red |
| Transport state activated (hold 10 sec.) | Red |
Battery Replacement and External Power Supply
Battery Replacement
- Remove the 3 screws on the battery cover
- Remove the cover
- Remove the old AAA batteries and insert new ones (observe polarity)
- Replace and screw the cover back on
Standard AAA alkaline or lithium batteries can be used.
External Power Supply
Under the battery cover, there is a screw terminal with + and - markings for an external 3V DC power supply (min. 500 mA, not included).
- Break out the small opening (3x5 mm) at the bottom of the housing to route the cables
- Connect the cables to the screw terminal (observe + and -)
The batteries can remain in the device as a backup. However, by breaking out the cable opening, the device loses its IP44 protection rating -- it is then no longer protected against splash water.
Scope of Delivery
- Main unit (Pipe Clip)
- 2xAAA batteries (pre-installed)
- Operating instructions
- Cable tie
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| SKU | CLPWIE01 |
| Pipe diameter | 15--32 mm (all materials: copper, steel, PEX, PE, etc.) |
| WLAN | 2.4 GHz, 802.11 b/g |
| Bluetooth | Low Energy |
| LoRaWAN | Class A (switchable via menu) |
| LoRa Direct | Direct motor control |
| Design patent | DE 402025200873-0001 |
Sensors
| Sensor | Description |
|---|---|
| 6-axis gyro | Vibration detection (when installed) |
| 3x temperature sensors | Pipe and air temperature |
| Voltage sensor | Battery voltage |
| Ruthenium oxide heating element | Water flow detection |
Power Supply and Battery Life
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Batteries | 2xAAA (standard alkaline or lithium) |
| External supply | 3V DC, min. 500 mA |
| Battery life | approx. 4 years (estimated, with default settings) |
The actual battery life depends, among other things, on the number of transmissions, the WLAN signal quality and the ambient temperature. A detailed calculation can be found in a separate document in the support area of www.aqua-scope.com.
Radio Emissions
| Technology | Frequency | Transmit Power |
|---|---|---|
| WLAN | 2.4 GHz (broadband per EN 300 328) | -- |
| LoRaWAN | 868--869 MHz | 4 dBm (2.5 mW) |
Dimensions
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Protection rating | IP44 |
| Dimensions | 65 x 20 x 45 mm |
| Weight | 57 g (incl. batteries) |
FAQ
The clip does not respond to the button?
- The paper clip must be inserted straight through the pinhole (see Local Operation). A slight resistance can be felt when pressing -- do not use force, otherwise the button may be damaged.
- In transport state, a short click wakes the sensor up, which is confirmed by the LED lighting up (see Activation and Deactivation).
- If the LED still does not light up, check or replace the batteries (observe polarity).
My WLAN only has 5 GHz -- does that work?
No. The clip requires a 2.4 GHz WLAN. Most routers transmit on 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz simultaneously; if necessary, the 2.4 GHz band must be enabled in the router settings. See also WLAN Connection.
The app shows the clip as "offline"
By default, the clip only sends its data every 6 hours to save battery. After setup or after longer breaks, it may therefore take some time until the status is updated. Possible causes if the clip remains offline permanently:
- WLAN signal too weak at the installation location -- install a repeater nearby
- Changed WLAN credentials (new router, new password) -- set up WLAN again via 1-button menu command 1
- Batteries empty -- replace batteries
- Transport state -- wake up the sensor with a short button press
A short click on the button triggers an immediate transmission; this allows the connection to be tested quickly.
The daily water consumption is wrong -- how can I change it?
The clip does not measure the amount of water directly, but estimates it from the duration of the water draw-offs. The estimate can be adapted to your installation with a quantity factor (configuration parameter 24, default 1000 = factor 1.0):
- Read the consumption on the water meter over several days and compare it with the consumption in the app
- Calculate the new factor: Factor = meter consumption ÷ app consumption × 1000 (previous factor 1000)
- Enter the new value in the app under Configuration
Example: meter 300 liters, app 250 liters -> new factor 300 ÷ 250 × 1000 = 1200. A larger value results in more liters.
What happens on reset (menu 1 and menu 2)?
| Menu 1 -- Reset | Menu 2 -- Factory settings | |
|---|---|---|
| Configuration parameters | reset to factory settings | reset to factory settings |
| WLAN credentials | deleted | retained |
| Operating mode (WLAN/LoRaWAN) | retained | retained |
| Factory calibration | retained | retained |
| Afterwards | Restart into the configuration portal (WLAN "Scope") -- WLAN must be set up again | Restart, sensor reconnects to the previous WLAN |
Menu 1 is suitable, for example, when changing routers or passing the device on; menu 2 when only the settings are to be reset.
Can I use the clip in an apartment building?
Yes, if the clip is mounted on a line that supplies only your apartment -- e.g. directly behind the apartment's water meter. On a shared main line or riser, the clip records the consumption of all parties; consumption estimation and leak detection are not meaningful there.
What do I do in winter when there is a risk of frost?
The clip reports a frost alarm as soon as the air temperature at the installation location falls below the threshold (default: 1 °C, adjustable in the app). This allows you to react in time, e.g. by heating the room, closing windows or draining pipes at risk. Unprotected pipes in unheated rooms should additionally be insulated. The clip is not suitable for outdoor pipes (see Placement).