3D Web Based Wireless Temperature Monitoring FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Questions

• What is data logging?
  

• What is a data logger
  

• How is data logging done?
  

• Where are data loggers used?
  

• Why are data loggers used / what are data loggers used for?
  

• How do I use a data logger?
  

Answers

• What is data logging?

Data logging describes the process of recording and storing information.

• What is a data logger?

A data logger is an electronic device that records information over a period of time for later reference. You choose what information you need to gather and the data logger collects it. Tinytag data loggers can log temperature, relative humidity, mV, mA, voltage, pulses or counts, shocks or vibration to name a few. The data logger contains a sensor to receive the information and a computer chip to store it. Then the information stored in the data logger can be transferred to computer for further analysis.

• How is data logging done?

Data logging can be done be constant human observation, for example recording the temperature changes over the course of an hour in a centrally heated room using a timer, thermometer, pen and paper. However data logging as we know it today is a much simpler event performed by a data logger which does the job of all the tools just mentioned for us, and can hence save great time and expense.

• Where are data loggers used?

Data loggers are used in virtually all industries, for example:

• The growing, preparation, storage and transportation of food.
• Internal environmental monitoring of houses, offices, warehouses or museums.
• External environmental monitoring of oceans, rivers, aquaculture, climate and general research into the natural world.
• In agriculture and horticulture.
• The transportation of easily damaged food, plants, instruments, computers, etc
• In laboratories and healthcare for: sterilization processes; the transportation of vaccines and blood products; fridge, freezer and culture rooms.

• Why are data loggers used / what are data loggers used for?

Data loggers are used for a multitude of reasons, for instance to ensure compliance with industry regulations, to help save costs, to ensure quality of product and process or for research purposes.

1.       The food industry EC Directive 92/1 indicates that any organisation involved in the preparation, storage or transportation of food should be able to verify that the temperatures have been maintained at the specified levels (Due Diligence). Data logging can give total traceability from the moment the food is received to the time it is delivered to the customer or supermarket. For shippers, Data Logging verifies that conditions within the transporting vehicles are maintained within the required levels.
2.       Accurate environmental monitoring help companies ensure that heating and ventilation systems are used to maximum advantage, keeping energy use and costs to a minimum.
3.       For growers of fresh produce, Data Logging provides an accurate record of temperatures experienced during the growth, preparation and transportation of their produce, thus helping to ensure its quality.

• How do I use a data logger?

Tinytag data loggers are very easy to use, simply:
1.       Connect the logger to your PC using a USB or serial cable. Use the data logging software to configure and activate the logger.
2.       Place the logger where the desired data will be recorded, leave it.
3.       When the required recording time has elapsed, retrieve your data by re-connecting the data logger to your PC and use the software to view in a convenient graph format. The data can then be saved and exported to other applications.

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