WHAT IS A DATA LOGGER?

Understanding Data Loggers

What is a data logger? The generally accepted answer is that a datalogger is an electronic device that autonomously records data from some type of sensor and stores it in local memory with a time and date stamp. Data Loggers are widely used in virtually every industry for a variety of applications. Temperature is the most commonly measured parameter and is also the most commonly recorded parameter. There are many different types of data loggers with many different features and functions. In this White Paper, the Application Specialists at CAS DataLoggers will walk you through the basics of data logging technologies and what they can do for your business or organization.

Introduction: What is a Data Logger?

Data loggers are electronic devices designed to collect and store one or more parameters typically from some type of physical measurement sensor independently of a PC or computer system. The market generally understands a data logger to have a sample rate of once per second or slower. Dataloggers are typically battery operated and may have options for direct DC power. They may have fixed input types and include the sensors, or they may have universal inputs with screw terminal connections to let the user attach their choice of sensor types. The least expensive data loggers feature a single input type (only one type of measurement per logger) and a fixed number of inputs, i.e. no expansion.

There are exceptions to this driven by measurement types that are commonly found together. The best example here is a temperature and relative humidity datalogger. This is a common type of mixed measurement data logger found from the low end of the market to high end, ultra-precise units. The low end of the data logger market features units which only measure a single value such as temperature or humidity. As you move up the scale in cost and complexity, there are models for measuring nearly any value. Some of these loggers are dedicated to a certain input type, others are configurable for different or mixed input types. We offer data loggers for the following types of signal inputs: Temperature, Relative Humidity, Voltage/Current, Pressure, Event/State, Frequency, PH, Pulse, Serial and more.

Today’s data logger typically features USB communication for setup and download at a minimum. Widespread use of Ethernet and WiFi has brought many inexpensive networked data loggers to the market which can be easily deployed in large numbers. A network connected datalogger may feature connection to sophisticated software or cloud services that can provide alarm notification by e-mail in the event of an out of tolerance condition. Network and Internet connectivity has greatly increased the user’s remote access to the data and provides the benefit of alerts. Advances in radio and cellular technologies have made their way into the data logger space as well. Built-in cellular modems allow for a fully mobile datalogging system that also feature alerting and remote access to the data. Radio communication between multiple data loggers to data collectors or base station devices allow for easy deployment of measurements to exactly where the user needs them to be, eliminating the cost and challenges that wires present.

Data loggers are different from data acquisition systems (DAQ) which are used to collect data at sample rates faster than once per second with some systems able to sample in the GHz range. Due to the higher sample rates, and therefore much larger amounts of data, most DAQ systems require a connection to a network, PC or other computers to manage and store the high volumes of data. Higher-speed data acquisition systems are typically much costlier than data loggers.

Many dataloggers are designed to operate indoors in standard environments (near room temperature in dry, protected areas). Specialized data loggers exist for harsher environmental conditions. These can include wide ranging operation in very cold or very hot temperatures as well as fully sealed units for use in areas where spray downs are required.

How Accurate Are Data Loggers?

There are dataloggers with accuracy specifications from basic but useable accuracy; 1-2% full scale, to high accuracy specialized units; in the 0.01% full scale range. A temperature data logger used for warehouse storage temperature monitoring would typically have 1-2 degree Fahrenheit accuracy

How Many Data Loggers Do I Need?

This depends on the number of measurement points you have, for instance, how many areas you need to cover in a given room or on a product pallet. Data loggers are available in configurations with anywhere from one to hundreds of inputs. dataTaker’s DT8x Series loggers, for example, can be configured to monitor anywhere from a single to over 900+ inputs. Additionally, the universal Grant SQ20xx Squirrel Series data loggers are available in 8 to 32 channel models.

How Long Can Data Loggers Record?

Many data logger models are durable and will continue to reliably operate for many years. Transit temperature data loggers are available which do the job for a single trip and a low cost. Recording length is dictated by essentially two things: battery life and on-board memory storage size. Most data loggers for industry and individual use, operate on batteries, while certain models can be powered externally. If the data logger is designed to operate in a low power consumption mode, such as those used in remote weather stations, operating life can be months or years in internal batteries alone. This is made possible by designing the logger to enter a sleep mode when it is not actively recording.

The sample rate multiplied by the number of channels being recorded is the basis for determining the length of time the logger can operate before the memory is filled. Many data loggers can be configured to operate with a circular memory that starts to over-write the oldest readings when the buffer fills, or to stop when the memory fills. This can allow the data logger to operate indefinitely with the user required to manage unloading the data at a frequency that prevents data loss. Advanced loggers will handle automatic unloading at configured intervals to do just that for complete historical data archives.

Where are Alarms Usually Sent?

More advanced data loggers can be configured to evaluate a measurement and check against a set tolerance to determine if an alarm state exists. Some dataloggers may have built in LED’s, buzzers, relays or digital outputs which can alert local persons to the condition. As noted earlier, network connected data loggers have multiple features to contact you in the event of an alarm condition. Our own Accsense Wireless Data Loggers send your data directly to our cloud server and will even give you a phone call at the start of an alarm event!

How Do You Retrieve the Data?

Many data loggers record data to a memory card or Flash stick for easy retrieval. More advanced models can also send the data automatically over Ethernet, or wireless communication (WiFi data loggers, etc.). Users often make selections based on their facility’s wired or wireless setup.

Do You Have to Learn How to Program?

Most data loggers are configured, not programmed. Today’s market offers dataloggers with configuration software that allows the user to get up and running with a few short mouse clicks, or sometimes a few button presses on the unit itself. Even dataloggers with high levels of computation, like the dataTaker family, require simple configuration—not programming.

How Much do Data Loggers Usually Cost?

Functionality, configurability and sample rate are the key determining factors of cost. Basic single channel temperature data loggers can be found in the

Computer Aided Solutions, LLC. dba CAS DataLoggers is a distributor of data loggers, paperless recorders and data acquisition equipment.

We have the industry’s most complete selection of data logging equipment, with hundreds of different models from more than 18 manufacturers. With data loggers from 1 to 300 channels we can record temperature, humidity, force/strain, pressure, flow, voltage, current, resistance, vibration and other digital signals, in connection with serial (RS-232/RS-485), CAN/OBD or SDI-12 devices. We sell directly to end users and also work through a network of distributors and resellers throughout the United States, Canada, Central and South America.

CAS DataLoggers
8437 Mayfield Rd Unit 104
Chesterland, OH 44026

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