Data Loggers: The Unsung Heroes of Manufacturing

Data loggers are sensitive instruments that systematically record events, observations, or measurements. These instruments are pivotal to various forms of manufacturing, transport, and the healthcare field; they are especially crucial in highly regulated industries, as they often are part of regulatory compliance. This article examines data loggers, what they do, and why data logging is so important in regulated industries.

What Is A Data Logger?

A data logger is a portable electronic device, often not much larger than a block of cheese. Within are rechargeable batteries, wires, sensors, a microprocessor – used as an internal memory storage unit – and a module that permits the device to be programmed.

How To Use A Data Logger

Among other things that data loggers can measure, data logger cans also monitor and store readings of various environmental conditions. They are commonly used to log temperature and humidity, and they can be programmed to monitor an acceptable range of conditions and to sample conditions at regular intervals.

Once you have determined the range of conditions and the intervals at which you want those conditions reported on by the data logger, you can simply leave the data logger, with fresh batteries installed, in the area you are monitoring. The data logger’s built-in sensors provide accurate readings taken at the intervals you programmed into it.

At the end of the monitoring period or any time during the sampling cycle, you can access the stored data. The data logger can download the information directly to a PC or via an app to your smartphone for review.

If during its sampling the data logger records environmental conditions outside of the parameters you programmed (for example, a temperature reading is lower than the parameters you set), it sends an alert. The alert is a notification that human intervention is required. You can program the data logger on where or to whom that alert should be sent.

Why Data Loggers Are Important

Data loggers are important tools for use in many different regulated industries. Here is a look at a few of them.

Reason #1 – Reliable, Accurate Data Collection

Data loggers are extremely durable and can be used under environmental conditions that would test even the hardiest human. For example, in the food storage and preparation industry, it’s important to monitor cold-storage lockers, which typically have sub-freezing temperatures. A human can go inside one of these structures if it is large enough and take manual readings from a thermometer.

But the reliability and accuracy of those readings may be questionable. For example, the opening and closing of the door changes the temperature. The presence of a human changes the temperature. In addition, unless a very high-quality thermometer is used, a human reading may lack a high standard of accuracy. In contrast, highly sensitive data loggers automatically sample at intervals you have programmed into them, they do not change the ambient temperature at all, and their sensors pick up even the slightest change in conditions.

Reason #2 – Easy To Use, Easy To Understand

As complicated as it may sound, the modern data loggers produced by Dickson and others are easy to use. Yes, they have a complicated system on board that controls how they operate, but they are very user-friendly, simple to set up, and easy to retrieve data from. All you do is ensure that the device has fully charged batteries, program it with your environmental condition parameters, indicate how often you would like it to sample record conditions, and leave it where you want it to assess conditions.

When you are ready to review the data that’s being collected, you download the information directly to your PC with a USB cord or to your smartphone with an app. This data can be used to produce charts, graphs, and any other visual you need to understand the changes in the environmental conditions being monitored, all of which can aid your organization in maintaining and verifying regulatory compliance.

Reason #3 – Cost-Effective

Aside from the initial purchase of the data logger, all you have to do is keep up maintenance and calibration annually. Should a sensor start to fail, it may require replacement if it cannot be repaired. Batteries (rechargeable) may your only long-term cost.

Compared to the time and cost of training and retraining staff to monitor environmental conditions manually, a data logger is a much better choice. It is also a good investment for keeping your business, clients, and staff safe.

Reason #4 – Many Applications

Where a data logger scores the most points is that they can be used for countless different applications. They are commonly used to track temperatures in cold storage facilities and other refrigerator locations. Data loggers also record humidity in the aerospace industry.

A data logger can be connected to other instruments such as tiltmeters and strain gauges to monitor the conditions of transportation tunnels. This work assists in identifying deformities before they can develop into an issue that may result in damage to the structure.

Structural health monitoring, landslide monitoring, dam, and nuclear power plant monitoring are other examples of where data loggers are most effective. For unattended, systematic, accurate readings of various recordable conditions, a data logger is your most valuable tool.

In Conclusion

The method used to track and record different measurements, observations, or events is called data logging. A data logger, which is a battery powered electronic device, does all this work. All you need to do is program the information you prefer to record and leave it alone.

A data logger accurately and consistently samples the conditions you are monitoring and stores that information for you to review later. You can access the data logger’s information via PC or directly through an app on your smartphone, enabling you to view and analyze the collected data.

In short, a data logger is your most cost-effective tool for monitoring and recording various environmental conditions over time. They are simple to program, easy to use, and provide companies that use them with hard data that can identify issues before they get out of hand or to verify that compliance guidelines are being maintained. A data logger is one of your most valuable tools.