Tips When Buying Data Logging Sensors

By Harold Cook


Data loggers are the electronic devices which records information within a duration using instruments or sensors that are built externally or internally. They are usually small, portable and battery powered and equipped with microprocessors and internal memory for storage of info. Some have a software in personal computers which can activates and interface them or a local interface instead.

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 what measurement accuracy is needed for the info you would be monitoring such as room or storage temperature. They have various specifications and understanding requirements will help to avoid paying more for unnecessary accuracy. Resolution is another essential factor though having a higher one does not guarantee that its accuracy is better.

Accessing information in these devices can be done in different ways with some having USB interface directly connected to computers. But bringing a computer to a site or bringing the device back to your office is impractical and inconvenient. You can use a data shuttle that could retrieve the info they collected without interrupting or moving the logger.

There are many software packages used in graphing and analysis though search for intuitive ones which have a minimal learning curve. Tasks such as launching the logger, configuring parameters and offloading data must be quickly and easily done. They must have capabilities in cropping, appending, merging and plotting information which could be exported easily.

When you purchase them, make sure environmental conditions of that area you would place them can be withstood by their enclosure. Hard plastic would be enough to monitor office hallways while non condensing areas need one that has moisture protection. Inquire the availability of protective cases that suits situations which require increased protection and durability.

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.

Using loggers are generally easy and you rarely need technical assistance even when you just started to use them. But because the product is a highly technological one, you might want to ask several questions concerning them so your supplier should be offering support services. These must preferably include internet and telephone based resources then check their financial stability to know if these services can be enjoyed longer by customers like you.

Search for a supplier that offers reliable performance on different monitoring environments like outdoors, indoors or underwater. This will be your assurance of their expertise and knowledgeable in understanding, assessing, and meeting your needs currently and in the future. In case environmental conditions will not meet the set tolerance range, ask them regarding alarm capabilities.




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