Data Loggers: There’s No Such Thing as TMI

Mesa Laboratories offers a variety of temperature, humidity and pressure loggers. The DataTrace MPRF temperature logger also provides real-time and historian data, for temperatures ranging from -80ºC to +400ºC, making it usable for autoclaves, incubators, stability chambers and process establishment and validation.

Kaye’s ValProbe, which connects to a base station

The Kaye RF ValProbe system from GE Sensing integrates RF Mesh technology with thermal validation in-situ loggers. The system is comprised of RF wireless loggers, a base station and software. The loggers provide high accuracy measurement of temperature, humidity and any 4-20 or 0-10V output. The software incorporates features such as self-configuring of the mesh network and automatic data collection.

Veriteq, Inc.’s VL series is made specifically for FDA-regulated environments. These include the VL-2000, for high-accuracy recording of temperature and relative humidity for pharma applications. The device is tamper-proof, with encrypted password-protected records. The VL-1000-VLT is designed for temperatures as low as -86° C. Many of Veriteq’s loggers recently got a design makeover for improved wireless and Ethernet connectivity.

While it still offers old-fashioned chart recorders — such as the VFC70 for vaccine temperature monitoring — Dickson Co. is encouraging manufacturers to transition to digital by offering paperless chart recorders, whose flat panel LCD graphical displays match or exceed those of paper charts in clarity and function. All of Dickson’s paperless recorders feature audit trail and encrypted data via the company’s Secure software to meet 21 CFR Part 11 requirements.

Dwyer’s DW-USB-LITE, a mini temp logger

Dwyer Instruments’ DW-USB series data loggers monitor temperature, humidity, dew point, voltage or current. Users can choose sampling rate, start time, high/low alarm settings and temperature unit parameters with Windows-based software. Stored data is downloaded by plugging the module into a PC’s USB port.

Looking for multifunctionality? Logic Beach, Inc. offers “hyper loggers” that, in addition to data acquisition, can output alarms, transfer data back to a central location, email status reports or serve Web pages with embedded values. Pharma plants might consider the HyperLogger PowerPlus, which can perform energy audits in addition to logging power, temperature, pressure, etc.

Hobo loggers (some stainless) made by Onset Computer Corp. measure 18 parameters, including temperature, humidity, voltage, current, watts, pressure, carbon dioxide, light intensity and vibration. Onset’s data loggers are connected to a PC for initial configuration, and reconnected later for downloading stored data.

Omega’s OM-CP-CRYO-TEMP ultra low temperature data logger records temperatures as low as -122ºF (-86ºC), making it useful for monitoring blood plasma, vaccines and other temperature-sensitive drugs. The device has an optional USB docking station, and time-stamped data can be viewed in graphs or tables.

MadgeTech, Inc. makes a variety of specialized loggers, including the recent PRHTemp2000 for pressure, humidity and temperature. Its LCD digital display shows the current readings, as well as battery level, external power status, sampling and recording status. The company also recently released Secure Software for 21 CFR Part 11 compliance. The software incorporates electronic signatures, access codes, secure data file and audit trail.

Telatemp’s Transit Thermometer is designed to help certify the quality of drugs during shipment. The disposable thermometer records elapsed time vs. temperature with NIST-traceable accuracy up to ±1ºF. The system is tamperproof in that, once started by the shipper, it cannot be stopped or reset.

Fluke’s 1735 power logger

For those into power, Fluke’s portable 1735 Power Logger conducts load studies to comply with National Electrical Code (NEC) 220.87, energy assessments and general power quality logging — capturing up to 45 days of data. Maybe best of all, it needs no batteries or external power.