dataTaker Technical Articles
Applying Thermocouple Calibration Corrections Yourself
When working with dataloggers, users sometimes have to apply calibration corrections themselves, which can be quite an involved process. This tutorial examines a scenario involving thirty thermocouples connected to a dataTaker device in the bestselling DT80 series of intelligent universal data loggers which needs to have calibration corrections applied. The technique is to calculate a polynomial equation to calculate the adjustments, and the dataTaker datalogger can do ...
Configuring DT8x Data Loggers to Interface with Maple Displays via Modbus
Customers occasionally need to perform the task of interfacing their data loggers with the popular line of Maple displays, whether viewing their data on the plant floor or out in the field. Following is a quick tutorial on configuring the bestselling dataTaker DT8x series data loggers to interface with Maple displays using Modbus.
Convert Data Files Easily with dataTaker's Dump_DBD Utility
When working with dataTaker\\\'s DT8x line of intelligent data logging products, many users can both save time and increase the accessibility of their data with a simple file conversion now offered on the manufacturer\\\'s website. All dataTaker DT8x data loggers create local data files either internally or when copying to a USB stick with the \\\'.dbd\\\' extension. The files use a proprietary binary format to maximize the amount of data that can be stored for a given memory siz
Creating a Calibration Polynomial for dataTaker Scaling Using Excel
Many measurement instruments do not have a linear measurement scale, and require a more complex equation to properly scale them to engineering units in a dataTaker data logger. However, you can use Microsoft Excel to create the correct polynomial equation using the calibration sheet included with these devices. All that’s required is Microsoft Excel (or Openoffice.org Calc), and the calibration sheet for the measurement device, which in this case will be for a thermistor.
Enabling Multiple Serial Ports on dataTaker Data Loggers
CAS DataLoggers often provides technical support to customers working with dataTaker data loggers featuring 1 or 2 serial ports and who want to add more ports in certain applications such as monitoring GPS weatherstations and barometers. These users want to record data from all their sensors by using the datalogger to send a command to read a given sensor and get the data back, repeating this for each sensor. CAS DataLoggers engineers offer customers a few different methods t...
How To Automatically Unload Data From a DT8X Datalogger Using FTP
This brief tutorial will show users how to automatically unload data from dataloggers in the popular DT8X series by using FTP. This is done to allow the loggers to periodically push the data automatically to a server without any user interaction required. Automatic unload is accomplished in a 2-step process involving creating a trigger to execute the unload command and by entering the unload command itself. To begin, users need to create a timed schedule to execute the com...
How to Monitor Pump and Motor Run Time
Pump and motor run time are easily monitored using the popular dataTaker line of data loggers. Every product in the line except the DT82E environmental logger can monitor up to 8 motors or pumps using this method, while the DT82E can monitor 4 in this manner. The project requires a dataTaker datalogger in the flexible DT8X series as well as motor starters with auxiliary contacts or auxiliary relays that can be placed in parallel with the coil on the main motor relay.
How to View dataTaker Data Files in Excel
To download data from dataTaker dataloggers for viewing in Excel, first connect to the dEX web server in the dataTaker by typing the IP address (as given on the data logger’s display) into your browser. Click on the ‘Monitor the Logger’ button on the homepage, which brings up the main monitor window. Now click on the ‘Retrieve Data’ button on the left-hand side.
Making High Resistance Measurements with DT8x Data Loggers
To measure the resistance of a particular device, the bestselling dataTaker DT8x family of data loggers uses the common technique of sourcing a highly accurate current through the device, measuring the resulting voltage, and then calculating the resistance as V/I. There are 2 current sources available at 2.5 mA and 200 uA, and to avoid a reduction in accuracy, the voltage measurement is performed without the high voltage attenuators so that the maximum voltage that can be mea...
Sending Data and Alarms via Email on DT8x Data Loggers
With their latest firmware release, dataTaker DT8x data loggers now offer built-in email support for alarms and sending data when connected via Ethernet. This capability is also available in dataloggers with a built-in cellular modem. Users can follow 2 easy steps to configure their dataloggers to start sending emails: configuring the outgoing email server information, and then configuring the alarm or unload with the email message recipient information.
Setting Up Relay Control with DT8x Data Loggers
It is often necessary to control external relays when working with a DT8x series data logger to control high current/high voltage devices. There are 2 components to setting up the data logger to control a relay: the electrical interface between the logger and the relay, and the programming to trigger the relay. This tech note will guide the reader through both requirements to complete this setup. The data loggers provide 1 electromechanical relay that is capable of switchin...
Strain Gauge Measurements With Current
Wheatstone bridge circuits are extensively used for measuring the output of strain gauges and for measuring other sensor outputs where a relatively small change in resistance must be detected. Bridge circuits have the advantage of high measurement sensitivity and also provide a significant degree of temperature compensation. dataTaker data loggers provide comprehensive support for the measurement of Wheatstone bridge circuits in full, half and quarter bridge configurations. T...
Totalizing with dataTaker DT8x Data Loggers
Systems integrators often receive requests for help with datalogging applications that require totalizing to get volume, event counts or the total energy produced or consumed. Using the internal channel variables and calculation capabilities of the dataTaker DT8x series of intelligent dataloggers, it is quite easy to capture cumulative totals as well as to total over a particular period of time such as a day, week or month. There are 2 types of signals that can be totalized: ...
Updating Modem Module Firmware on DT8xM Model Data Loggers
The dataTaker DT80M intelligent data logger offers users all the capabilities of the popular DT80M while adding a built-in cellular modem to suit a wide range of remote monitoring applications. Entirely eliminating the need to travel out to the logger and manually retrieve recordings, the DT80M’s automatic data delivery features let users schedule their data to be automatically emailed to an inbox every day, week, month or other time interval. This brief tutorial takes you th...
Upgrading DT8X Firmware Remotely
Users working with the best-selling dataTaker DT8x series of data loggers can easily upgrade their firmware remotely with the use of dataTaker’s DeTransfer supervision software, provided as a free download from the manufacturer. The DT8x series is renowned for its flexibility across many applications, its rugged and compact construction, and its affordability.
Using dEX to Create an OnInsert Job with a dataTaker DT8x Series 2 or 3
OnInsert jobs offer users a convenient backup on USB stick when working with the popular dataTaker line of intelligent dataloggers. When done writing the program in dEX, you run the command and it creates a USB stick program to reprogram the dataTaker, and if you lose the program you can always just insert the USB in the front of the logger. This tech article will guide you through the process of OnInsert job creation to set up this convenient programming feature. All you’ll ...
Wind Speed and Direction Measurements Using a dataTaker DT8X Data Logger
The popular dataTaker line of data loggers are commonly employed for monitoring environmental conditions including wind speed and wind direction. Given the flexibility of the DT8X series dataloggers, there are several options in how these measurements are configured. Described here is a set-up that was used successfully with a weatherstation. Wind speed measurements with DT8x data loggers are very straightforward. Most common types of anemometers provide a frequency output...
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