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Deploying the Clarity Dust Module

This guide walks you through pairing, assembling, connecting, and field-deploying the Clarity Dust Module with a Clarity Node-S.

⚠️ Important — read before you start

  • You must charge, assemble, and configure the Clarity Node-S before connecting the Dust Module. If you haven't configured the Node-S yet, follow the Node-S deployment guide first.
  • Not all Node-S versions can pair with the Dust Module. Check Node-S and module compatibility first. (Dashboard also checks compatibility for you during pairing — incompatible nodes are greyed out.)
  • The Dust Module requires the Node-S to run on external power. The solar panel can be removed. Use mains power or a Clarity External Power System (EPS); a 50 W EPS may be needed depending on the site.
  • The Dust Module must be oriented correctly to stay weatherproof. The long inlet tube must point straight up toward the sky. Incorrect deployment can let in moisture and void the warranty.
  • When not in use, store the module in its original packaging. If you need to return a unit to Clarity, ship it in the original packaging to prevent damage.

Contents​

In the box​

Item
1 × Dust Module
1 × accessory-module-to-node cable (8-conductor, M12 male-male, 2 m)
1 × module mounting plate
1 × pole mounting bracket
8 × screws with washers (for both mounting brackets)

📸 The "in the box" hardware photos (Dust Module, cable, mounting plate, pole bracket, screws) from the published article are still valid and should be carried over as-is. They are hardware shots, not Dashboard UI, so they were not re-captured.

You'll also need (not included):

  • A Phillips-head screwdriver
  • Stainless-steel zip ties, hose clamps, binding straps, or screws appropriate for your site

Pair the module in Dashboard​

To use an accessory module it must be paired with a Node-S. Pairing tells the Clarity system the two are connected, so the module's data can flow to the Clarity cloud.

Heads up: Make sure the Node-S is already configured before you pair. If it isn't, see the Node-S deployment guide.

Permissions: Pairing requires an org admin or technician role. If your role can't manage devices, the Pair module button is disabled with a tooltip ("Requires org admin or technician role") — ask your org admin.

Pairing uses the guided Pair module wizard, which works the same way for every accessory module: you open the Devices page, choose the module, pick a compatible node, and pair. The wizard runs the compatibility checks and power advisories for you.

Important: For the full step-by-step — opening the Devices page, choosing the module, picking a compatible node, and pairing — follow Pair a module on Dashboard. To move a module to a different node, see How to unpair your module.

What to confirm for the Dust Module​

When the wizard shows the deployment guide cards and the Confirm before you pair checklist, they cover requirements specific to the Dust Module:

  • Inlet faces up — the inlet tube must face straight up toward the sky; leave at least 25 cm (10 in) of clearance above so rain can't splash in. (Pointing it down or sideways lets water in and voids the warranty.)
  • Bring external power — Dust draws more than the standard solar panel sustains; plug the Node-S into mains or use a Clarity EPS (a 50 W unit may be needed). The solar panel can be removed.
  • Give the inlet room to breathe — aim for 270° of free airflow around the inlet (180° minimum); don't mount flush against a wall or in a tight corner.

Wizard "Inlet faces up" Dust deployment guide card

The Confirm before you pair checklist asks you to tick each item before you can continue. For the Dust Module these are:

  • "I will mount the Dust Module with the inlet pointing straight up"
  • "The Node-S is on mains power or an EPS (50 W) — not standard solar alone"
  • "The mounting spot leaves 180–270° of free airflow around the inlet"

Wizard "Confirm before you pair" checklist for the Dust module with Next disabled until all three items are checked

Check module status in Dashboard​

After pairing, confirm the module is recognized and reporting:

  1. Go to Devices (under SENSOR NETWORK) and stay on the Deployed devices tab. Find the node row — its paired module is listed in the Paired modules column, and the Status dot shows the node's health (Healthy / Needs attention / Offline). A freshly configured node shows Waiting for first reading until its first uplink.
  2. For a closer look, open the node's row ⋮ menu and choose Manage monitoring location, then open Diagnostics on the location card. The Diagnostics drawer shows the node's activity, operational status (including accessory-module health), and any alarms.

The per-row ⋮ menu on the Deployed devices tab contains: Diagnostics, Manage monitoring location, Open in Live Data, and Load historical data. Deeper status and lifecycle actions live on the location card and in the Diagnostics drawer.

Deployed devices row ⋮ menu open showing Diagnostics, Manage monitoring location, Open in Live Data, and Load historical data

Diagnostics drawer open for a node, showing Operational Status with Accessory Modules health

Assemble the module​

Attach the mounting brackets to the back of the Dust Module. Your box includes a mounting plate, a pole mounting bracket, and eight screws.

  1. Attach the larger mounting plate to the body of the Dust Module using four screws.
  2. Attach the optional pole-mount bracket to the mounting plate with the remaining four screws. You can rotate it to match the orientation of your railing or pole.
    • Wall or panel mount? Skip the pole bracket and use the flaps on the sides of the mounting plate instead.

📸 The mounting-bracket assembly photo from the published article is still valid (hardware shot) — carry it over.

Connect the module to the Clarity Node-S​

💡 Tip: Run a connection test before deploying in the field, to confirm data is uploading to the Dashboard.

📝 Note: The Dust Module requires the Node-S to be externally powered, so the Node solar panel is not needed.

  1. Power on the Clarity Node-S: plug the external power adapter into the Node-S body first.
  2. Plug the power adapter into the external power source. The Node-S plays the Power On sound.
  3. Unscrew the cap covering the module port and plug the accessory cable into the Node-S body — align the cable pins and tighten the threaded connector nut several turns until finger-tight. Do not use a wrench. Make sure the adjacent antenna connector is finger-tight and the antenna points vertically up.
  4. Plug the other end of the cable into the Dust Module and tighten with the threaded connector nut.
  5. You'll hear the Node-S Power On sound again as the device resets.
  6. Wait while the Node-S establishes a cellular connection. This can take 2–10 minutes depending on signal strength.
    • Connection Failure sound: Confirm the device was configured in the Dashboard first. If that doesn't help, contact support@clarity.io.
    • Low Battery sound: Charge the device for at least 24 hours before proceeding.
    • Connection Successful sound: Proceed to deploy.
  7. After a successful cloud connection, the node tries to talk to the module. Listen for one of:
    • Successful Module Connection (six variable-tone beeps) — the module is working.
    • Failed Module Connection (four variable-tone beeps) — check the cable connection between the Node-S and module.
    • Module Configuration Error (four single-tone beeps) — the Node-S isn't configured properly. Confirm the module and node are paired in the Dashboard, then unplug and replug the Node-S power cable. If that doesn't resolve it, contact support@clarity.io.

📸 The Node-S audio-cue charts (Power On, Connection Fail, Low Battery, Connection Successful) and the cable/port hardware photos from the published article are still valid — carry them over.

Deploy the Node-S + Dust Module in the field​

The Node-S + Dust Module must be sited correctly to provide accurate data.

  1. Make sure the Dust Module is properly oriented:
    • The text must be legible when viewed from the front.
    • The inlet tube must point directly toward the sky. Failure to do so may cause water damage.
  2. Keep the inlet tube unobstructed for adequate airflow. Aim for >270° of free airflow around the inlet; never less than 180°.
  3. Maintain a vertical gap of at least 25 cm (10 in) above the Dust Module so the inlet airflow stays unobstructed and rain can't splash between the devices.
  4. Mount the Node-S to your pole, wall, or panel.
    • To make installation easier, you can temporarily detach the Dust Module cable from the Node-S module port.
    • Use stainless-steel zip ties, hose clamps, or screws (not provided).
    • Ensure the cable can reach the Dust Module. More on Node-S deployment here.
  5. Mount the Dust Module to the pole or wall.
  6. Reattach the Dust Module cable to the Node-S body once both devices are securely installed.
  7. Listen for these sounds in succession:
    1. Node-S Power On
    2. Node-S Connection Successful
    3. Successful Module Connection

Congratulations! Your Dust Module and Node-S are online and uploading data. To see your data, check out How to access the data from your Clarity devices. You can also open the node's location in Monitoring Locations, or use Open in Live Data / Load historical data from the node's row on the Devices page.

📸 The field-deployment / siting hardware photos from the published article are still valid — carry them over.

What's next​

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Still need a hand? Email us at support@clarity.io or create a support ticket, and our team will get back to you.

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