Benefits Of Using Data Logging

By Author: Salvatore Andrea
Total Articles: 6261

There are many benefits that are attached to data logging. It can increase the efficiency, search for new trends, solving problems, trouble shooting, save energy, etc. There are various methods to log the data. You may use a simple data logger or you can opt for an embedded controller and even data acquisition modules can be used by connecting them to your computer.

Logging can be done at uniform intervals starting from minutes to hours or days. It will just take less than 5 minutes for setting up the required software. Data on humidity and temperature can be logged by using a data logger that stands alone. You will also have the option to configure the data logger with your computer and can program them to log at preset intervals. The data can be transferred to other tools like spread sheet for further analyses.

Methods

If you do not have a stand alone logger, you may log data by using Ethernet communication with a data recording module and the data logging software installed in your PC. There is free software available that will allow logging data from data acquisition modules. Data like frequency of changes in temperature, current flow, changes in voltage etc can easily be logged. You can get the data into your PC by using sensors that are connected to the data recording module. You can log as much data as the memory capacity of your computer.

Application

There are wireless acquisition modules for data collection. This can be connected with the help of a wireless host converter. Alternatively, you may also use an embedded controller and the data can be stored in a micro SD card. This can be fed into PC for further analysis. You can fix a data acquisition board into the mother board of your PC and acquire the necessary data from an out side source. The analysis of the logged data can then be easily done by using custom made software for a particular application.