Using a Data Logger to Record Humidity

Protect your Products and Collect Environmental Data

Do you need a device to monitor humidity in an environmental or cold chain application, but don’t know where to start? A Data Logger is an ideal device to record the humidity data and transfer the readings to your PC for later analysis. At CAS DataLoggers, many of our callers are looking for the right model to record soil moisture, conditions in a storage room, or in another area of concern. In this brief tutorial we outline several common humidity monitoring applications and which data logger features are best suited to them.

Humidity Measurements:

Many of the humidity data loggers we offer feature LCD displays so users can view data on the spot. These loggers record both temperature and relative humidity (RH), and other models can record additional parameters such as carbon dioxide, light levels and more. Many of these models record data using their own internal sensors, while others allow you to attach external sensors. High accuracy models are also available.

Humidity Data Loggers enable you to:

  • View real- time data
  • Analyze and review historical data
  • Set alarms notifying you of humidity excursions

Example Applications:

Temperature and Humidity Monitoring

If you need to monitor temperature too, you have different options:

  • When you need flexible measurement, you can use a data logger with universal analog inputs which can connect with many different sensor types. We have universal input data loggers from Grant which can record and store temperature readings from thermocouples, thermistors, RTDs, and many other kinds of sensors.
  • Combination temperature and humidity loggers can log both values using a single piece of software. This lets you get started recording quickly without having to learn multiple programs or buy external sensors.
  • Additionally, if you need to monitor carbon dioxide, our T&D Multivalue Logger records CO2, temperature and humidity simultaneously.

For additional temperature monitoring systems, check out our complete selection of Temperature data loggers.

Soil monitoring:

Soil monitoring is a common environmental data collection application. The gathered data is often used to analyze the local microclimate for commercial agriculture or for governmental research, such as that conducted by the EPA and municipalities.

For use in these applications, the Lascar EasyLog EL-USB-2 is a low-cost Temperature & Humidity USB data logger which fits into any budget. The logger’s battery operation enables standalone operation in the field for unattended recording completely independent of a PC. After the recording period is over, just plug the logger into a USB port to collect the readings.

Pharmaceutical Laboratories:

It’s critical to verify climate control in pharmaceutical labs, to record data from experiments, and to monitor lab equipment such as refrigerators and freezers, autoclaves, etc. Humidity data loggers perform measurement of the required temperature and humidity, commonly for pharmaceutical products and bacterial cultures which require continual monitoring for regulatory and quality control purposes.

Using a data logger, lab technicians are freed from having to keep checking the listed humidity on equipment displays, and personnel can instantly receive alarms no matter where they are. For equipment monitoring you can use a networked data logger to collect the readings and transmit alarms as they happen. We offer many different models which let you choose how you receive alarms. For example, T&D wireless data loggers automatically send their data to secure cloud servers so you can view data and alarms any time from your mobile device. These devices can also send out SMS text messages and emails so you’re always immediately notified.

Going wireless depends on several factors including your facility’s network, the physical layout, wireless range, and where the data logger will be installed. Our Applications Specialists can narrow down these possibilities with a few questions.

Cold Chain Monitoring for Products in Transit:

  • Perishable food
  • Milk
  • Specialty products such as wine (including cork)

For transit jobs you’ll want a simple device that’s easy for your drivers to use. Many data loggers are equipped with their own internal sensors to save you time—all you need to do is to start them with a button press.

Single-trip loggers are perfect when you just want a record of the temperature data to give to the receiver, and you don’t expect a critical alarm situation. There are also many specialized single-use and multi-use loggers to monitor the temperature of pharma products such as drugs and medicines. I-Plug-Plus PDF loggers travel in shipments and produce a pdf report as proof of good practices.

If you need to view the data from a remote location to catch an alarm ASAP, you can use a wireless data logger to check data online from any web-enabled device including your PC, laptop or mobile device.

Humidity/Temperature Monitoring in Incubators:

Animal husbandry is a common use for incubators since environmental factors are so important to birth rates. Just as with temperature, it’s critical to monitor humidity within incubators to protect organisms, processes and products. For example microbial incubation requires high humidity to thrive, and lab incubators commonly need to be maintained at 80-90%RH or higher depending on the samples inside.

Pharmaceutical products are often tested for quality control purposes inside incubators as part of the development of medicines. Another typical application is vitro fertilization clinics incubating human embryos.

Since these incubator applications require reliable alarming, we recommend wireless data loggers to transmit data to the cloud and send alarms to your mobile device. Our own Accsense Temperature and Humidity logger is popular in these critical life science applications.

Climate Control in Greenhouses:

Greenhouse applications often rely on multiple sensors spaced around the area to identify areas which are poorly covered by the climate control system. A combination temperature & humidity data logger can pinpoint cooler areas in the greenhouse microclimate as well as high-humidity areas where mold is a danger. The return on investment can be considerable given the high value (and fragility) of certain flower and herb species.

Growers also benefit from logger software that can quickly show them where the problem zones are. Consider how much more effective a new HVAC installation is when you know this to start with!

The Data Logging Experts:

Our data loggers are available in a wide variety of models from many different manufacturers. While there are many different models, we 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. We can also provide models to suit more complex applications such as cleanroom monitoring and developing custom weather stations.

We offer humidity data loggers from $82 and up for most applications including environmental monitoring, life science, and more. Customers can always call our FREE expert technical support for assistance with setup, configuration and downloading data.