Often people new to data logging aren't sure which manufacturer or feature to go with in searching for the right product. If you're researching based on functionality, price, or specifications, check out these 10 factors from distributor CAS DataLoggers to help you find the right logger for your application:
1. Which data logger is the best for my industry (food, product testing, etc.)?
A: Data loggers can measure nearly any physical or electrical value, so they're used in just about every industry you can name. For example, temperature data loggers are used in food processing, equipment monitoring, medical monitoring, environmental data logging and more. A distributor can help you narrow down your search with a few questions about the product, equipment, or room you're monitoring and where it's located.
2. Which data logger connects to this sensor type?
A: If you know in advance what sensor type you'll be using, this will further help you find what you need. Some specialty data loggers are designed to take data only from thermocouples, significantly lowering your cost, while others connect to a broader range of temperature sensors such as RTDs and thermistors. Also available are data loggers with their own internal sensors for plug-and-play monitoring.
3. How can I achieve compliance with our regulations?
A: Data loggers perform continual monitoring, alarming, and electronic documentation to aid with compliance and best practices in your industry. Data loggers are available to help you achieve compliance with many common regulations including Accsense data loggers for HIPAA patient privacy, Lascar for CDC medical storage guidelines, T&D for ASHRAE guidelines in HVAC applications, and more.
4. What can I get for my price range?
A: Data loggers are available from many different manufacturers in a wide variety of models. CAS DataLoggers offers temperature data loggers from $20 and up for most applications including cold chain supply, life science monitoring, and ambient temperature monitoring.
5. I don't know what sensor types I'll be using-what covers all the bases?
A: When this is the case, or when you'll be using multiple sensor types, it's often more cost-effective to use a data logger with universal inputs for connection with many different sensors. Data loggers from dataTaker and Grant can record and store temperature readings from thermocouples, thermistors, RTDs, and many other kinds of sensors.
6. What'll survive being outside/dropped in water/damage from accidents?
A: That's easy-dataTaker! These have survived falling off of moving trucks, being splattered with pet food in a processing plant, and even travelling into the eye of a tornado! Many other manufacturers including T&D, Electrocorder, and Lascar have devices featuring IP and NEMA-rated protection from liquids and dust.
7. Which software is the easiest to use?
A: This depends on who will be using the software. For example, you'll want to keep it simple when transporting product, so ECCS temperature loggers make it easy for drivers to give proof of best practices to receivers. In the medical field, Accsense data loggers are simplicity itself and are accessible by staff who can view all the temperature data in real time.
8. Where will my alarms be sent?
A: This is one of the most important things to consider: when your temperatures go outside the safe window, do you want a logger that shows its alarm state by LED, or do you want an email sent directly to your mobile device in case of emergency? CAS DataLoggers has you covered with models from over 16 manufacturers which let you choose how you receive these business-critical alerts.
9. Should I go with a wireless or wired setup?
A: This depends on the network in your facility, your effective wireless ranges, and where the logger will be installed. For a hassle-free solution, standalone data loggers perform unattended recording completely independent of a PC.
10. What happens if I run into a problem?
A: Contact your distributor for help. At CAS DataLoggers, you can call free expert technical support for assistance with setup, configuration, and downloading data. The applications specialists work with these products every day and can also provide you with repair and custom programming. More detail on these and other questions is available at 800-956-4437.