How to Maximize the Temperature Data Loggers Memory.

Some models of data loggers are capable to operate with a circular memory that starts to overwrite the oldest readings when the buffer fills. These data loggers can collect data indefinitely to prevents data loss. Meanwhile, other types of data loggers just stop when the memory fills.

How to Determine Your Temperature Data Loggers Memory and Storage Capacity.

Temperature Data loggers typically save recorded data to their internal non-volatile memory, which is later downloaded to an external computer for analysis.

This permanent memory is often measured in kilobytes or megabytes (some data loggers do allow USB flash media to be used, which means that GB storage is possible in those systems).

For example, if your data logger is recording 100 channels at 1 S/s with 16-bit resolution (requires (2) bytes per sample), that’s only

100 * 1 * 2 = 200 samples per second

200 S * 3600 s = 720,000 samples per hour

After recording, data can be offloaded to external systems for long-term storage and analysis.

Because of their low sample rates, data loggers range from recording times measured in days, to those which can be measured in weeks or months.

Some data loggers offer hard-wired interfaces such as USB or Ethernet for streaming their data out to an external system for monitoring. An increasing number of them offer WIFI streaming.

How to Maximize the Temperature Data Loggers Memory.

The memory capacity of the Temperature Data loggers can best be utilized if you reduce the amount of information to be saved.

In other words, extended as much as possible the frequency in which you shall register and store information.

For example, if your validation study requires storing a temperature reading every 1 minute, then the data logger’s memory shall be fully occupied twice as faster as if the study requires to store the information every 2 minutes.

Some data loggers allow being configured to overwrite the old information with the new data.  It is good in some cases but can be dangerous in other cases in which you can lose the information.

Recommendations to Avoid Mistakes Using Temperature Data Loggers.

We suggest evaluating all your requirements and needs to use temperature data loggers, but, also consider the frequency of use monthly, and how fast you need them on-site for your validation study.

So, you can determine if is better to buy or rent them based on the expertise and time availability of your employees to configure and prepare the trending graphs and summary statistical reports on time.

Before buy, consider the cost of the data loggers, but, also the cost of the calibration and its lead time.

Evaluate and compare the total costs and lead times, against the costs to rent data loggers already calibrated.

If you are NOT using temperature data loggers frequently, consider a fast CIQA rental of the calibrated data loggers required for the thermal study.