Tuesday, August 15, 2017

By Harold Cook


Data loggers are electronic devices that, over time, records information with an instrument or sensor which are either built in or external ones. They are usually portable, battery powered and small which are equipped with internal memory used for info storage and microprocessor. Some use personal computers with a software that interface and activates them or have a local interface.

They have varying purposes for general measurement applications or for specific ones and are left unattended after activation for a certain duration. Data logging sensors could be programmed but others may be static with limited changes allowed for their parameters. Here are several tips when buying one for your particular need.

Determine the necessary measurement accuracy which depends upon the info you will be monitoring like the temperature inside the room or storage. They have varying specifications and it will help you avoid to pay more unnecessary accuracy when the requirements are understood. Another essential factor is resolution though the accuracy is not guaranteed with a higher resolution.

Information can be accessed in these devices in various ways such as using a USB interface connected to computers directly. Though bringing back the device to office or computer to the site is an activity that is inconvenient and impractical. You can instead use data shuttles that can retrieve the collected info without moving or interrupting the logger.

They have many different software packages for graphing and analysis but look for intuitive ones that have minimal learning curve. Their tasks such as offloading data, launching the logger and configuring parameters must be done quickly and easily. They must be capable in plotting, cropping, appending and merging information which can be exported easily.

When you buy them, make sure their enclosure can withstand environment conditions of the area you are placing them. For office hallways monitoring, hard plastic will be enough while one with moisture protection is needed in areas that are non condensing. Inquire if they have available protective cases suitable for situations where an increase of durability and protection is required.

These devices consume very low energy but their battery life varies greatly because their sample rates might not be similar with the environmental conditions. Make sure to select one which has a battery that will last for one year at least. Inquire if their batteries could be easily replaced by users and if specialized batteries are used or standard household ones only.

Loggers are generally easy to use and technical assistance is rarely required even when you have just started using them. But due to it being a highly technological product, you may have questions about them so find out if your supplier have support services. These should preferably include telephone and internet based resources and their financial stability would indicate they may last long and can help you longer too.

Find a supplier offering reliable performance in various monitoring environment like indoors, underwater, or outdoors. This would be your assurance about how knowledgeable and expert they are in assessing, meeting and understand your future and current needs. Ask about alarm capabilities if ever the environmental conditions would not meet the tolerance range you set.




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