Temperature data logger

A temperature data logger, also called temperature monitor, is a portable measurement instrument that is capable of autonomously recording temperature over a defined period of time. The digital data can be retrieved, viewed and evaluated after it has been recorded. A data logger is commonly used to monitor shipments in a cold chain and to gather temperature data from diverse field conditions.

## Construction

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A variety of constructions are available. Most have an internal thermistor or thermocouple or can be connected to external sources. Sampling and measurement are periodically taken and digitally stored. Some have a built in display of data or out-of-tolerance warnings. Data retrieval can be by cable, RFID, wireless systems, etc. They generally are small, battery powered, portable, and equipped with a microprocessor, internal memory for data storage, and sensors. Some data loggers interface with personal computers or smart phones for set-up, control, and analysis.

Some include other sensors such as relative humidity, wind, light, etc. Others may record input from GPS devices.

Depending on the use, governing quality management systems sometimes require calibration to national standards and compliance with formal verification and validation protocols[1]

Choices of temperature data loggers can be based on many factors, such as:

* Cost
* Reusability
* Battery life
* Ease of use; set-up, readability, download data, analysis, etc.
* Temperature range
* Number of measurements stored
* Accuracy and precision \- degree of agreement of recorded temperature with actual
* Resolution
* Response time – the time required to measure 63.2% of the total difference between its initial and final temperature when subjected to a step function change in temperature; other points such as 90% are also used.[2]
* shock and vibration resistance
* Water resistance – humidity, condensation, etc.
* Size, weight, mounting
* Certifications, calibrations, etc.
* Software
* Data export
* Data integration with other systems

## Uses

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### Environmental monitoring

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Autonomous data loggers can be taken to diverse locations that cannot easily support fixed temperature monitoring equipment.[3] These might include: mountains, deserts, jungles, mines, ice flows, caves, etc. Portable data loggers are also used in industry and laboratory situations where stand-alone recording is desired.

### Monitor shipments

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Temperature sensitive products such as foods,[4] pharmaceuticals,[5] and some chemicals are often monitored during shipment and logistics operations. Exposure to temperatures outside of an acceptable range, for a critical time period, can degrade the product or shorten shelf life. Regulations and contracts make temperature monitoring mandatory for some products.

Battery-powered, formerly mechanical, the data logger is today an electronic device that can be programmed to record individual values over periods of a few hours to several months. Most are used to monitor temperature conditions, and some versions can also measure the relative humidity.

Data loggers are often small enough to be placed inside an insulated shipping container or directly attached to a product inside a refrigerator truck or a refrigerated container. These monitor the temperature of the product being shipped. Some data loggers are placed on the outside of the package or in the truck or intermodal container to monitor the air temperature. Placement of data loggers and sensors is critical: Studies have shown that temperatures inside a truck or intermodal container are strongly affected by proximity to exterior walls and roof and to locations on the lading.[6][7]

Modern digital data loggers are very portable and record the actual times and temperatures. This information can be used to model product degradation and to pinpoint the location and cause of excessive exposure.

The measured data reveals whether the goods in transit have been subjected to potentially damaging temperature extremes or an excessive Mean kinetic temperature. Based on this data, the options may be:

* If there have not been out of tolerance temperatures for critical times, continue to use the shipment, without special inspection
* If potentially damaging temperature hazards have occurred, thoroughly inspect the shipment for damage or degradation. Possibly accelerate sale and use because of reduced shelf life.[8]
* The consignee may negotiate with the carrier or shipper or even choose to reject a shipment where sensors indicate severe temperature history
* The time of the temperature extreme, or GPS tracking, may be able to determine the location of the infraction to direct appropriate corrective action.

Multiple replicate shipments of data loggers are also used to compare modes of shipment (routes, vendors) and to develop composite data to be used in package testing protocols.[9]

There are many brands and models of data loggers. Most are a connectable device that must be plugged into a computer to extract the data that the logger has logged.

## See also

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* Data logger
* Shock and vibration data logger
* Time temperature indicator
* Humidity indicator card

## References

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1. ^ Bull, K (Winter 2008), Thermistors and Thermocouples: Matching the Tool to the Task in Thermal Validation (PDF), Journal of Validation Technology, retrieved 22 March 2012
2. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-02-01. Retrieved 2014-01-29.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
3. ^ Whiteman, C. D., J. M. Hubbe, W. J. Shaw, 2000: Evaluation of an Inexpensive Temperature Datalogger for Meteorological Applications. J. Atmos. Oceanic Technol., 17, 77–81.
4. ^ Raab, Verana (2011), Temperature Monitoring in Meat Supply Chains, vol. 113, British Food Journal, pp. 1267–1289, retrieved 22 March 2012
5. ^ Wessel, Rhea (July 27, 2011), DB Schenker Uses Terperature-logging Tags to Monitor Drug Shipments, RFID Journal, archived from the original on August 14, 2011, retrieved 22 March 2012
6. ^ Schafer, Howard (1978), Temperature profiles of rail transported ondnance, Naval Weapons Center, technical publication, vol 4917
7. ^ Goedecke, Thomas (2008), Temperature and Air Change Rates in Freight Containers During Transit (PDF), International Safe Transit Association, retrieved 29 March 2012
8. ^ Meyers, T (June 2007). "RFID Shelf-life Monitoring Helps Resolve Disputes". RFID Journal. Archived from the original on May 11, 2008.
9. ^ Young, D (2002), ISTA Temperature Project – Data Summary (PDF), ISTA, retrieved 22 March 2012

### Books, General References

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* ASTM D3103, Standard Test Method for Thermal Insulation Performance of Packages
* McMillan, Gregory K, "Advanced Temperature Measurement and Control", 2010, ISA
* ISTA Guide 5B: Focused Simulation Guide for Thermal Performance Testing of Temperature Controlled Transport Packaging,
* Lockhart, H., and Paine, F.A., "Packaging of Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare Products", 2006, Blackie, ISBN 0751401676
* Yam, K. L., "Encyclopedia of Packaging Technology", John Wiley & Sons, 2009, ISBN 978-0-470-08704-6

* v
* t
* e

Packaging

General
topics|

* Active packaging
* Child-resistant packaging
* Contract packager
* Edible packaging
* Modified atmosphere/modified humidity packaging
* Overpackaging
* Package delivery
* Package pilferage
* Package testing
* Package theft
* Packaging engineering
* Resealable packaging
* Reusable packaging
* Reuse of bottles
* Shelf life
* Shelf-ready packaging
* Shelf-stable
* Sustainable packaging
* Tamper-evident
* Tamper resistance
* Wrap rage

Product
packages|

* Alternative wine closure
* Ammunition box
* Banana box
* Beer bottle
* Box wine
* Case-ready meat
* Coffee bag
* Cosmetic packaging
* Currency packaging
* Disposable food packaging
* Drink can
* Egg carton
* Evidence packaging
* Field ration
* Flour sack
* Foam food container
* Food packaging
* Fuel container
* Gas cylinder
* Glass milk bottle
* Growler
* Juicebox
* Low plastic water bottle
* Luxury packaging
* Milk bag
* Optical disc packaging
* Oyster pail
* Popcorn bag
* Pharmaceutical packaging
* Pizza box
* Plastic milk container
* Purdue Improved Crop Storage bags
* Sand bag
* Seasonal packaging
* Self-heating food packaging
* Screw cap (wine)
* Single-serve coffee container
* Spray paint
* Toothpaste pump dispenser
* Unit dose
* Water bottle
* Wine bottle

Containers|

* Aerosol spray dispenser
* Aluminium bottle
* Aluminum can
* Ampoule
* Antistatic bag
* Bag-in-box
* Bag
* Barrel
* Biodegradable bag
* Blister pack
* Boil-in-bag
* Bottle
* Box
* Bulk box
* Cage
* Case
* Carboy
* Carton
* Chub
* Clamshell
* Corrugated box design
* Crate
* Disposable cup
* Drum
* Endcap
* Envelope
* Euro container
* Flexible intermediate bulk container
* Flexible tank
* Folding carton
* Glass bottle
* Gunny sack
* Inhaler
* Insulated shipping container
* Intermediate bulk container
* Jar
* Jerrycan
* Jug
* Keg
* Mesh bag
* Multilayered packaging
* Multi-pack
* Packet (container)
* Padded envelope
* Pail
* Paper bag
* Paper sack
* Plastic bag
* Plastic bottle
* Retort pouch
* Salvage drum
* Sachet
* Water sachet
* Security bag
* Shipping container
* Shipping tube
* Skin pack
* Spray bottle
* Squround
* Stand-up pouch
* Steel and tin cans
* Tetra Brik
* Thermal bag
* Tub (container)
* Tube
* Unit load
* Vial
* Wooden box

Materials
and
components|

* Adhesive
* Aluminium foil
* Bail handle
* Bioplastic
* Biodegradable plastic
* BoPET
* Bubble wrap
* Bung
* Cellophane
* Closure
* Coated paper
* Coating
* Coextrusion
* Container glass
* Corrugated fiberboard
* Corrugated plastic
* Cushioning
* Desiccant
* Double seam
* Flip-top
* Foam peanut
* Gel pack
* Hot-melt adhesive
* Humidity indicator card
* Kraft paper
* Label
* Lid
* Linear low-density polyethylene
* Liquid packaging board
* Living hinge
* Low-density polyethylene
* Meat absorbent pad
* Metallised film
* Modified atmosphere
* Molded pulp
* Nonwoven fabric
* Overwrap
* Oxygen scavenger
* Package handle
* Packaging gas
* Pallet
* Paper
* Paper pallet
* Paperboard
* Plastic-coated paper
* Plastic film
* Plastic pallet
* Plastic wrap
* Polyester
* Polyethylene
* Polypropylene
* Pressure-sensitive tape
* Pump dispenser
* Screw cap
* Screw cap (wine)
* Security printing
* Security tape
* Shock detector
* Shock and vibration data logger
* Shrink wrap
* Slip sheet
* Staple (fastener)
* Strapping
* Stretch wrap
* Susceptor
* Tamper-evident band
* Tear tape
* Temperature data logger
* Time temperature indicator
* Tinplate
* Velostat

Processes|

* Aseptic processing
* Authentication
* Automatic identification and data capture
* Blow fill seal
* Blow molding
* Calendering
* Canning
* Coating
* Containerization
* Converting
* Corona treatment
* Curtain coating
* Die cutting
* Die forming (plastics)
* Electronic article surveillance
* Extrusion
* Extrusion coating
* Flame treatment
* Glass production
* Graphic design
* Hazard analysis and critical control points
* Hermetic seal
* Induction sealing
* Injection moulding
* Lamination
* Laser cutting
* Molding
* Package tracking
* Papermaking
* Plastic extrusion
* Plastic welding
* Printing
* Product development
* Production control
* Quality assurance
* Radio-frequency identification
* Roll slitting
* Shearing (manufacturing)
* Thermoforming
* Track and trace
* Ultrasonic welding
* Vacuum forming
* Vacuum packaging
* Verification and validation

Machinery|

* Barcode printer
* Barcode reader
* Bottling line
* Calender
* Can seamer
* Cap torque tester
* Cartoning machine
* Case sealer
* Check weigher
* Conveyor system
* Drum pump
* Extended core stretch wrapper
* Filler
* Heat gun
* Heat sealer
* Industrial robot
* Injection molding machine
* Label printer applicator
* Lineshaft roller conveyor
* Logistics automation
* Material-handling equipment
* Mechanical brake stretch wrapper
* Multihead weigher
* Orbital stretch wrapper
* Packaging machinery
* Pallet inverter
* Palletizer
* Rotary wheel blow molding systems
* Seed-counting machine
* Shrink tunnel
* Staple gun
* Tape dispenser
* Turntable stretch wrapper
* Vertical form fill sealing machine

Environment,
post-use|

* Biodegradation
* Can collecting
* Closed-loop box reuse
* Environmental engineering
* Glass recycling
* Industrial ecology
* Life-cycle assessment
* Litter
* Packaging waste
* Paper recycling
* PET bottle recycling
* Plastic recycling
* Recycling
* Reusable packaging
* Reverse logistics
* Source reduction
* Sustainable packaging
* Waste management

Category: Packaging
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