What is a data logger? | Understanding loggers vs Data acquisition (2024)

What is a data logger?

Data loggers are electronic devices which automatically monitorand record environmental parameters over time, allowing conditionsto be measured, documented, analysed and validated. The data loggercontains a sensor to receive the information and a computer chip tostore it. Then the information stored in the data logger istransferred to a computer for analysis.

Loggers in the Tinytag range monitor parameters includingtemperature, humidity, single and three phase power usage,CO₂, mV, mA, voltage, pulses or counts.

What is data acquisition?

Data acquisition is the sampling of the real world to generatedata that can be manipulated by a computer. Sometimes abbreviatedDAQ, data acquisition typically involves acquisition of signals andwaveforms and processing of the signals to obtain desiredinformation. The components of data acquisition systems includeappropriate sensors that convert any measurement parameter to anelectrical signal, which is acquired by data acquisition hardware(such as data loggers). Acquired data typically is displayed,analysed, and stored on a PC.

Benefits of using a data logger

Data logging can be done manually by constant human observation.An example of this might be recording the temperature changes overthe course of an hour in a centrally heated room using a timer,thermometer, pen and paper. However, using an electronic datalogger is much more effective, accurate and reliable than takingperiodic manual readings. It does the job of all the toolsmentioned above, saving time and expense.

The time taken to see the benefits of using data loggers willdepend on the way in which the units are used. However,quantifiable benefits from the using loggers may often be seenwithin a very short time. Typically, only one or two logging runsare required to pinpoint areas that would benefit from extraattention.

Next page: Where and why are data loggersused?

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