A Brief Overview Of Data Logger Devices

Until fairly recent years, you would have used some sort of a chart recorder to record a set of ever-changing data for a given time interval. These mechanical devices can work with either a wind-up spring motor, or with an electrical motor. Sometimes, these devices may still be the most suitable for a given job. Largely, though, they've been replaced by data logger devices.

Data loggers are electronic devices that can have either their own built-in sensors, or the capability to connect to external sensors. Generally, they're battery-powered, small, and have an on-board microprocessor. Some can stand alone, with their own displays and keyboards. Others can hold data in memory for later retrieval, usually by connecting it to a computer. On a computer, data may be either displayed via proprietary software, or via an Excel spreadsheet or graph. Newer devices may also have capabilities for wireless communications, allowing them to send constant streams of data to a base station.

Take a look on the web, and you'll find a wide range of data loggers, from the very inexpensive to ones that cost thousands of dollars. You'll find many different vendors, selling devices for just about any type of data that you can imagine.

Vendors with prominent web-front stores sell a large range of logging devices. You'll find devices for use by electricians, network technicians, weather researchers, home owners, etc. It seems that there's something there for almost anyone.

A homeowner might be interested in energy audit and monitoring devices. There are several different types, including one type that can measure the power draw of an electrical appliance. Then, it'll automatically calculate the annual energy cost for that appliance. Another type of monitoring kit will allow a homeowner to keep an eye on room temperature throughout the house.

Logging devices for industrial or small business use include monitors for HVAC, greenhouses, refrigeration units, or air quality. Air quality monitors can keep a constant check on levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, or other gasses. Use these in closed spaces, where there may be a danger that these gasses may accumulate.

Fleet operators, such as taxi cab or trucking companies, may benefit from the automotive logging devices. These are small devices, which can be connected to a vehicle's OBD-II port. They can monitor engine performance, fuel economy, and how the vehicle is being driven. Some of these devices have wireless capabilities, allowing operators at a base station to see real-time data as vehicles are being driven. Auto mechanics can also make use of OBD-II devices when trying to diagnose engine problems.

For weather researchers, there are several types of monitoring solutions. Some are monitors for specific weather data, such as wind, temperature, humidity, soil moisture content, or rainfall. There are also complete weather monitoring stations, which can monitor multiple types of weather data.

In mines and grain elevators, combustible gas or dust may be present. In these situations, you'd need to use a logging device that's classified as "intrinsically safe". These devices are built so that they won't emit sparks, eliminating a possible cause of explosions.

When shopping for a monitoring solution, be aware of what's included in your purchase. Oftentimes, the price of the data logger device doesn't include the required sensors. So, you'll need to purchase them separately.

Our qualified technicians have over 30 years of experience in providing instrument calibration services and full service repair. We provide a wide range innovative technical solutions, including data logger, humidity sensors, and pressure transducer.

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This post was written by Adriana Noton on June 10, 2010

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What are Data Loggers?

Technological advancements have made collecting and storing data much faster, easier, and more efficient. One such advancement is the use of Data Loggers. A data logger is a device that is used to store data.

These devices read a number of different types of electronic signals to collect the data and then they store the data in internal memory that can be downloaded to a computer when needed. Data loggers are available in a number of different sizes and shapes.

A data logger is used for monitoring and recording information when a person is not in that location. A great advantage of utilizing data loggers is that they can collect data 24 hours a day. When activated, one can leave the data logger unattended to accurately collect information. Information collected can be water depth, movement such as vibrations, temperature, air temperature, humidity, etc.

This can include such functions as: soil moisture level recording, road traffic counting, tank level monitoring, environmental monitoring, wildlife research, gas pressure recording, vehicle testing such as railway signals, weather station recording, monitoring applications, automatic deformation monitoring, hydrographic recording, monitoring shipment temperatures, monitoring shipment package vibrations, deformation monitoring, and energy use monitoring.

Examples of data loggers include: flight data recorder, cockpit voice recorder, event data recorder, voyage data recorder, vehicle engine control unit monitor, heating and air conditioning temperature recorder, and water depth recorders.

People like these devices because they can work separate from a computer. Depending on your particular needs, the range of a data logger can be either a single channel fixed function loggers or a multi-channel device that manages hundreds of singles.

One can also choose from a small compact data logger or a larger device. The speed and memory also depends on your needs. The more data that you have coming through, the more memory you will need. The length of the recording will depend on the data logger's memory capacity and the desired sample rate.

Data loggers are the most affordable type of data and collecting devices. With the various input signal types available, they are more flexible than other data collecting devices. You can also use a data logger that collects data in real time on a computer. However, a computer for the data collection process is not needed which makes them portable.

Most data loggers have a maximum data rate of 1 or 2 samples per second; however, there are more advanced devices that can sample over 100 samples per second. Most data loggers are battery powered and the life of the battery depends on the sample rate and specific model. They can also be plugged into a power unit. As a general rule, the faster the sample rate the shorter the battery life. Another benefit of having a data logger is that if there is a power failure, the data will not be lost.

The price of data loggers have gone down in recent years. This is due to technological advancements in data collection and storage. One can get a single channel data logger for about $20.00. For those who require a dependable device for collecting data, a Data Logger is an effective solution.

We are your number one source for measuring and controlling instruments. We have been providing a range of data loggers, pressure transducer, humidity sensor products to Canadian industries for over 25 years. In-house calibration services are also provided.

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This post was written by Adriana Noton on December 17, 2009

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