Security System Stops Copper Theft

Security System Stops Copper Theft “Copper wire theft is a multi-billion-dollar problem just in agriculture, not counting municipalities and cities, where the loss impacts so many people,” says Bobby Rader, co-creator of the Farmblox COP-R-LOCK Security System. COP-R-LOCK is a patent-pending system that integrates with electrical panels and supply lines serving well heads, irrigation towers, other farm equipment and commercial businesses. A typical setup will cost a fraction of the repair costs associated with theft. Rader says, “If someone tampers with the system, an alarm sounds, and soon there’s going to be a police siren and flashing lights. The farmer gets an immediate alert on their phone that activates when the theft is occurring. Law enforcement will also be notified. The wire is protected on the outside and inside of conduits. Motion and distance sensors can also be placed inside the box.” COP-R-LOCK is built on rugged hardware that works reliably in remote agricultural environments, even those without internet, says Nathan Rosenberg, CEO and co-founder of Farmblox. Tamper-proof equipment is installed on wellheads, irrigation systems, buildings, fences and other equipment that uses costly wiring. Sensors plug into the Farmblox Monitor, which communicates wirelessly with the Base Station and sends data in real time to a phone or computer app. The system instantly detects problems and sends out alerts. Systems are currently in use by growers in the Central Valley of California and other areas. “Sales have exploded because of how well the system works,” Rosenberg says. “We have more than 15,000 COP-R-LOCK devices deployed, protecting more than 680,000 acres of farmland.” William DeBoer, a dairy farmer in Tulare County, Calif., had wires stolen four times from irrigation wells, resulting in a $100,000 loss. Thieves used battery-powered tools and Sawzalls to cut the conduit and wires.  “More lights and fences didn’t solve the problem,” DeBoer says. “We put cement blocks over conduit, built steel enclosures, and tried other means of protection that thieves were able to break into. After we installed COP-R-LOCK, the devices were totally protected. It gives me peace of mind that my equipment isn’t being messed with. Now I can actually sleep at night.” Contact the company by phone or through its website for information on pricing, availability and installation. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Farmblox (ph 617-237-0392; sales@farmblox.ag; www.farmblox.com).

To read the rest of this story, download this issue below or click here to register with your account number.