Data Logger Operation:

Data Logger Operation – For proper understanding of a Data

Logger Operation, it is essential to understand the difference
between analog and digital signals. For example, measurement of
temperature by a milli voltmeter, whose needle shows a reading
directly proportional to the emf generated by the thermocouple, is
an analog signal.

However, digital equipment presents a digital output in terms of

pulses and involves an electronic pulse counting equipment which
counts the number of pulses. The pulses are generated such that
each pulse corresponds to the smallest value of the parameter
being measured.

These digital signals are precise at all times. Consider the

example of temperature. In the case of analog measurements
even the accuracy of the potentiometric method is limited by the
precision with which the resistance can be subdivided. In the
digital method, the electrical signal obtained from the
thermocouple is subdivided by an electronic decade circuit and
thus the thermocouple voltage can be measured to many places
of decimal.

An analog device is capable of measuring with an error of ± 0.5%

to ±1%,whereas a digital device can be obtained with an error of
any ± 0.01%. An analog instrument responds to a change in input
levels in times of the order of 0.25 to 1 s while a digital instrument
gives accurate readings in a few hundredth’s of a second, and
often many times faster.

One advantage of a digital instrument is that its reading can be

recorded by suitable printer.

The Data Logger Operation senses only digital signals and hence
analog signals, if any, have to be converted to digital signals. The
digital technique is employed because it measures very small (or
large) signals accurately and fast.

The recording device may be a printed log or a punched paper

tape. The printed output can be either line by line on a paper strip
or on a type written page.

Time words are printed at the start of each sequence. Time is

recorded in hours, minutes and seconds. Data Logger Operation
consists of the channel identity number, followed by polarity
indication (+ or —), the measured value (4 or 6 digits) and units of
measurement. Sometimes the range may also be indicated.

Basic parts of a Data Logger Operation

1. Input scanner
2. Signal conditioner
3. A/D converter
4. Recording equipment
5. Programmer
The block diagram of a Data Logger Operation involving all these
parts is shown in Fig. 17.24.

The input scanner is an automatic sequence switch which selects

each signal in turn. Low level signals, if any, are multiplied to bring
them up to a level of 5 V. If the signals are not linearly proportional
to the measured parameter, these signals are linearised by the
signal conditioner.

The analog signals are then converted to digital signals suitable

for driving the recording equipment (printer or punched paper
tape).

The programmer (serialiser) is used to control the sequence

operation of the various items of the logger. It tells the scanner
when to step to a new channel, and receives information from the
scanner, converter and recorder. The real time clock is
incorporated to automatic the system. The clock commands the
programmer to sequence one set of measurements at the
intervals selected by the user.

Input Signals

The input signals fed to the input scanner of the Data Logger
Operation can be of the following types.

1. High level signals from pressure transducers

2. Low level signals from thermocouples
3. ac signals
4. Pneumatic signals from pneumatic transducers
5. On/off signals from switches, relays, etc.
6. Pulse train from tachometer
7. Digital quantities
The last three signals (5, 6 and 7) are of the digital type and are
handled by one set of input scanners and the remaining signals
are of the analog type and are handled by a different set of input
scanner.

Low level dc signals are rst ampli ed and then conditioned by the
law network and nally fed to the A/D converter.

High level signals are fed straight to law network and converter.
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The ac and pneumatic signals are rst converted to electrical dc
signals, conditioned and then converted.

In this manner, all types of signals are converted to a form,

suitable for handling by the data logger.

The purpose of the conditioner is to provide a linear law for

signals from various transducer which do not have linear
characteristics.

Filters are used for noise and ripple suppression at the interface of
the output of the transducers and the input of the signal
conditioner, since these signals carried by the cables are of very
low magnitude. Digital signals are then fed to the digital interface,
whereas analog signals are rst ampli ed, linearised and then
brought to the analog interface. They are then converted into
digital form and nally fed to the digital interface.

1. Input Scanners

Because the scanner select each input signal in turn, the Data
Logger Operation requires only one signal ampli er and
conditioner, one A/D converter and a single recorder.

Modern scanners have input scanners which can scan at the rate
of 150 inputs/s, but the rate of scanning has to be matched with
the rate of change of input data, and the time required by the
recorder and the output devices to print one output.

Sometimes it is desirable to scan certain parameters at a faster

rate and some others at a longer intervals. For such mixed scan
rates, the scanning equipment is designed for an interlaced scan
operation, in which it is possible to log some parameters at 30 —
60 minutes interval, some every 5 minutes, and others every few
seconds.
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A scanner, in effect, is a multiway switch which is operated by a
scanner drive unit for selecting the circuits. As the switch contacts
have to continuously (24 hours/day) deal with low level signals at
very, high frequencies, the following requirements (desired
characteristics) must be considered in the design of the contacts
and their operations.

1. Low closed resistance

2. High open circuit resistance
3. Low contact potential
4. Negligible interaction between switch energising signal
and input signals
5. Short operating times
6. Negligible contact bounce
7. Long operation life
Although it may not be possible to achieve all these
characteristics in one switch, the arrangement selected must
satisfy the maximum possible conditions. The various switching
elements available commercially are as follows.

1. Rotary selector switch

2. Electromagnetic operated relays

• Dry Reed type

• Mercury wetted reed type
• Solid state switches
Scanner Drive

The most common arrangement for selecting individual input one

after another, is to use a matrix, as shown in Fig. 17.25.
The matrix is formed by using two energising lines, X and Y,
corresponding to horizontal and vertical respectively, each having
10 contacts. Hence a 10 x 10 matrix is formed, giving 100 input
channels per scanner unit or module. The only relay at the
intersection of the energised X and Y lines is operated. The timing
pulse thus consists of two signals, one for the X line and the other
for the Y line. Each relay has a diode in series with its coil, to
prevent other relays being energised via other paths.
The energising signals, i.e. the timing pulses are normally
developed using counter circuits, which start off selecting one of
the X lines, and then all the Y lines in sequence. After this cycle is
completed, the next X line is selected and again all the Y lines are
selected in turn. In this way each input is scheduled in turn.
Generally, transistor switches are used to select the input relay.

As the measuring transducers and sensing elements are located

at distances of about 300 — 400 m away from the scanner, the
electrical interference, i.e. the electrical voltage induced in the
signal lines can swamp an actual signal voltage.

The most common method to eliminate or reduce the effect of

common mode noise is to use an ampli er with a oating input.

Although the effect of noise is practically eliminated as the low

level signals, these signals have to be ampli ed further to a
suitable level to drive the A/D converter. Hence the signal ampli er
should have the following characteristics.

1. Precise and stable dc gain

2. High signal to noise ratio
3. Good linearity
4. High input impedance
5. High CMRR
6. Low output impedance
7. Low dc drift
8. Wide band width
9. Fast recovery time

1. (Signal) Input Conditioning

Since Data Logger Operation give their readout in the units of

measurements concerned, there are two requirements:

• Scaling linear transducers

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 • Correcting the curvature of a non-linear transducer, such as
a therm couple
Linear inputs can be dealt with in two ways.

• The simplest is to provide individual resistance attenuation

on each input in order to reduce the transducer output level,
where the scale factor is an integral power of ten. For
example, if a particular transducer has a full scale of 10 mV
for a pressure of 500 kg/cm2, we can reduce the value to one
half by the use of an attenuator, such that 500 kg/cm2 may
be represented by 5 mV. If the system is to have a resolution
of 1 kg/cm2, the A/D converter must have a resolution of 10
pV. This technique is limited only by the sensitivity of the A/D
converter.
• The second method is to change the sensitivity of the A/D
converter. But since each input may require a different scale
factor, this is not convenient as an input attenuation
technique.
The signal can be linearised at any one of the following three
places.

• In the analog stage before conversion

• In the conversion process
• Digitally after conversion
The rst method is not suited to low level voltages, as it requires
some form of ampli cation. The signal conditioner may be placed
between the scanner and the converter. But, each type of
transducer requires individual linearising circuits.

The third method requires a storage capability and a computer

processing technique. The most satisfactory is the second
method, whereby linearisation is built into the conversion process.

• A/D Converters

These have been discussed already.

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 • Recorders

The output from the Data Logger Operation can be printed on any
of the following.

1. Typewriter
2. Strip printer and/or digitally recorded on punched tape
or magnetic tape for further analysis in a digital
computer.
The typewriter provides a conventional log sheet with tabulated
results, and prints in two colours.

The signals obtained from the A/D converters are applied to the
electro- magnetic operated levers of a typewriter. Plus, Minus,
characters which can be printed one at a time, decimal point shift,
line shift, type colour and spacing are controlled by the EM
solenoids which are energised from the programmer unit.
Punched paper tape or magnetic tape is used when the recorded
data is to be further analysed or where the rate of data acquisition
is too great for a printer.

• Programmer

This can be considered as an automatic sequence switch which

controls the operation of all other units of the data logger. The
sequential operations performed by a programmer are as follows.

• Set ampli er gain for individual input, i.e. gain of the ampli er
has to be so adjusted that for a maximum value of input
signal, the A/D converter records a full scale reading.
• Set linearization factor so that the adjusted output from the
signal ampli er is directly proportional to the measured
quantity.
• Set high and low alarm limit
• Initiate alarm for abnormal condition
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 • Select input signal scanner switching is set normally by a
timing pulse to select the reset input.
• Start A/D conversion
• Record reading channel identify and time (in order that the
readings may be identi ed at a later stage, a number
identifying that the input has been normally recorded, with
the actual reading and the time during the beginning of each
complete scan).
• Display reading
• Reset logger. (At the end of cycle the A/D converter sections
of the logger are reset to their initial conditions and the cycle,
starts again.)

Data logging vs data acquisition

• The terms data logging and data acquisition are often used
interchangeably. However, in a historical context they are quite
different. A data logger is a data acquisition system, but a data
acquisition system is not necessarily a data logger.

• Data loggers typically have slower sample rates. A maximum

sample rate of 1 Hz may be considered to be very fast for a data
logger, yet very slow for a typical data acquisition system.

• Data loggers are implicitly stand-alone devices, while typical data

acquisition system must remain tethered to a computer to acquire
data. This stand-alone aspect of data loggers implies on-board
memory that is used to store acquired data. Sometimes this
memory is very large to accommodate many days, or even months,
of unattended recording. This memory may be battery-backed static
random access memory, ash memory or EEPROM. Earlier data
loggers used magnetic tape, punched paper tape, or directly
viewable records such as "strip chart recorders".

• Given the extended recording times of data loggers, they typically

feature a mechanism to record the date and time in a timestamp to
ensure that each recorded data value is associated with a date and
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 time of acquisition in order to produce a sequence of events. As
such, data loggers typically employ built-in real-time clocks whose
published drift can be an important consideration when choosing
between data loggers.

Application of Data loggers

Data Loggers are simply yet signi cant sensors having a wide
range of application in the eld of geotechnical monitoring and
instrumentation. They can be used to log all sorts of physical data
through various instruments and sensors.

Data loggers are used for the following purposes:

1. Comprehensive tunnel monitoring for the long-term safety of

the tunnel, to study the behaviour of the tunnel over the time,
especially with respect to the rheological behaviour of the rock
mass and obvious changes in the fault zones, walled sections,
in ow, etc.
Several instruments such as tilt meters, strain gauges, and
extensometers, etc. are installed on the inner lining of the
tunnels to monitor deformities if any. The data from these
sensors is continuously logged by a data logger and stored in
its internal memory.
2. Structural health monitoring of existing buildings to keep track
of the building’s performance over time and effect of nearby
construction or excavation. Data loggers create an early
warning in case of emergency so that the user can take
preventive measures.
3. Landslide monitoring to avoid mishaps and create early
warnings so that loss of life and property can be prevented.
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 4. Groundwater monitoring and rainfall management so that the
most important freshwater resource can be saved from
depleting and there’s an even distribution of the resource
among all.
5. Monitoring deformation of land and surrounding areas during
deep excavations. Excavation in soft ground induces ground
movement which imposes a threat to nearby sensitive
structures in the zone of in uence. Hence, deep excavation
risk assessment and foundation crack monitoring are crucial at
all the levels.
6. Monitoring of deformities in bridges so that early warning can
be generated in case of an emergency
7. Unattended dam and nuclear power plant monitoring to avoid
fatal accidents. Data loggers log data from different sensors
and send it to user’s remote device.
8. Unattended weather changing parameters recording through
weather stations to aid in agricultural activities.
9. Monitoring of relay status in railway signalling

Functions of Data Logger

1 The functions of data loggers are as follows.
2 They automatically record the readings of instruments placed at different locations of the
plant.
3 During the time of emergency, they help in analysing the conditions of alarm logically
and also the performance of the plant.
4 They initiate corrective action when the readings are beyond the prescribed limits and
also note the readings displayed on output devices which are then transmitted to computer
for further processings
5 They can automatically evaluate and record the output from any transducer

Advantages of data loggingAdvantages Disadvantages

If the data logging equipment breaks

Data Logging can be used in remote or
down or malfunctions, some data could
dangerous situations.
be lost or not recorded.

Data logging can be carried out 24 Equipment can be expensive for small
hours a day, 365 days of the year. tasks.



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 The equipment will only take readings
Time intervals for collecting data can
at the logging interval which has been
be very frequent and regular, for
set up. If something unexpected
example, hundreds of measurements
happens between recordings, the data
per second.
will not be collected.

Sensors must be carefully calibrated

Can be set up to start at a time in the
otherwise they could be taking the
future.
wrong readings.

No need to have a person present.

Data logging is often more accurate because there is no likelihood of human error.

Bene ts of using data loggers

Data loggers are a reliable, low-cost and time-ef cient
monitoring solution for any measuring opportunity. Some of
the key advantages of data logging include high accuracy,
ease of use and greater versatility in every application.
There are many bene ts to using data logging systems, including:
Higher ef ciency and accuracy
Data logging can be performed manually by constant human
observation, but this method is time-consuming and can be subject
to human error.

Using a data logger allows measurements to be taken

automatically and precisely at set intervals without the need for
manpower, saving you time and money.
Versatile data acquisition
The variety of data loggers available enables users to create a data
logging system that matches the needs of their application.
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 Whether you're monitoring indoors, outdoors or underwater,
features such as weather-proof casing, internal storage, and
alarm indications make data loggers suitable for a variety of
applications, including monitoring in remote areas and extreme
weather conditions. Connectivity options (including USB, radio and
Ethernet) allow users to further tailor their data logging system to
the needs of their application or monitoring site.
Alarm indications
Data loggers in the Tinytag range have LED alarms which can be
set up to alert the user when readings fall out of a speci ed range.
This is especially useful when conditions need to be tightly
controlled and remain in a certain state.

Radio and LAN (Ethernet) loggers are also able to send email
noti cations when an alarm is triggered, enabling an immediate
response to any problems which might occur.

Some Tinytag data loggers also support alarm boxes, which can
be bene cial in critical applications where problems need to be
identi ed quickly.
Easy data analysis
Of oading data from a data logger is as simple as connecting the
logger to your computer. Radio and LAN loggers automatically send
data to your PC for viewing.

Data is initially displayed as a graph, but can also be viewed in

tables of readings.

Useful features like data overlays allow you to view data from more
than one logging run together. Data can be easily exported to third
party software for more detailed analysis.
Reliable technology
Gathering data reliably is the priority when it comes to data logging.
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A Tinytag data logger's long battery-life means that data can be
recorded for extended periods of time without any need for human
interaction. Non-volatile memory means your data will remain
stored on a data logger even if the battery runs at.

Radio and LAN (Ethernet) data loggers also protect your data by
recording and storing data locally in the event that
communications with the computer running the system is disrupted

The importance of data loggers in industry: regulation

compliance, quality and validation, environmental research
Find out about some of the key roles that data loggers perform and why they are
so important.
Where are data loggers used?
Data loggers are used for a wide range of applications in many industries
worldwide. These include, for example:
• Environmental research into climate change, weather patterns, seasonal
changes, wildlife habitats, oceans and rivers.
• Building/facilities/energy ef ciency management: monitoring power usage,
heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems in houses, schools, of ces,
warehouses, industrial premises and museums.
• The preparation, storage, transportation and display of food.
• Laboratories and healthcare: sterilization processes, cryogenic applications,
and environmental controls; in transportation of vaccines, blood products,
organs and medical equipment; and for medical storage in fridges, freezer
and culture rooms.
• Logistics industry: monitoring temperature and humidity during storage and
transportation and throughout the cold chain (including HACCP
compliance).
• In agriculture, horticulture and livestk
• Museums and galleries: display and transportation of sensitive items;
artifacts and archives monitoring.

Why are data loggers required?

Data loggers are required for a multitude of reasons, frequently to ensure
compliance with industry speci c regulations, and quality and environmental
control procedures. They also help to save costs through energy ef ciency/
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environmental management or reducing wastage of non- compliant or damaged
goods. Here are some practical examples:
• The food industry EC Directive 92/1 indicates that any organisation involved
in the preparation, storage or transportation of food should be able to verify
that the temperatures have been maintained at the speci ed levels (Due
Diligence). Data logging can give total traceability from initial preparation
through to delivery at the nal destination.
• Data loggers help ensure compliance with WHO recommendations that
vaccines are regularly monitored and kept within a temperature range of +2
to +8°C during storage and transport and until the point of administration. In
the compost industry, data loggers assist in achieving stringent
environmental regulations, including BSI PAS 100: 2005, requiring compost
processes temperatures to be monitored and recorded accurately.
• Energy, temperature and RH data loggers can be useful tools in helping
organisations monitor energy consumption in line with ESOS, ISO 50001,
and other energy management requirements.
• Accurate environmental monitoring helps companies ensure that HVAC
systems are used to maximum advantage, ensuring the wellbeing of
occupants and keeping energy use and costs to a minimum.
• Carbon dioxide data loggers help to verify that HVAC systems are
performing correctly, and can help with adhering to BB101
recommendations concerning ventilation and CO2 concentrations in school
buildings. HM Government Building Regulations state the importance of
controllable ventilation in maintaining indoor air quality and avoiding energy
wastage, and highlight the use of CO2 detectors as one means of achieving
this
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