| Not so many years ago, if you wanted to record a | | | | monitoring kit that enables you to constantly monitor |
| set of changing data over a given time period, you | | | | room temperature throughout the house. |
| would need to use a chart recorder. These are | | | | Logging devices for industrial or small business use |
| mechanical devices that work either with or without | | | | include monitors for HVAC, greenhouses, refrigeration |
| electrical power. Although these are still sometimes | | | | units, or air quality. Air quality monitors can keep a |
| the best type of device for the job, they have been | | | | constant check on levels of atmospheric carbon |
| largely replaced by data logger devices. | | | | dioxide, carbon monoxide, or other gasses. Use these |
| A data logger is an electronic device that can either | | | | in closed spaces, where there may be a danger that |
| have its own built-in sensors, or that can retrieve | | | | these gasses may accumulate. |
| data from external sensors. In general, they're small, | | | | Fleet operators, such as taxi cab or trucking |
| battery-powered, and contain a microprocessor. They | | | | companies, may benefit from the automotive logging |
| can be stand-alone devices, either with their own | | | | devices. These are small devices, which can be |
| keyboards and displays, or that would hold data in | | | | connected to a vehicle's OBD-II port. They can |
| memory for later retrieval via a normal computer. On | | | | monitor engine performance, fuel economy, and how |
| computers, data may be either displayed by a | | | | the vehicle is being driven. Some of these devices |
| proprietary program, or by Excel graph or | | | | have wireless capabilities, allowing operators at a base |
| spreadsheet. Newer models can also have wireless | | | | station to see real-time data as vehicles are being |
| capabilities, enabling them to send a constant stream | | | | driven. Auto mechanics can also make use of OBD-II |
| of data back to a base station. | | | | devices when trying to diagnose engine problems. |
| Take a look on the web, and you'll find a wide range | | | | For weather researchers, there are several types of |
| of data loggers, from the very inexpensive to ones | | | | monitoring solutions. Some are monitors for specific |
| that cost thousands of dollars. You'll find many | | | | weather data, such as wind, temperature, humidity, |
| different vendors, selling devices for just about any | | | | soil moisture content, or rainfall. There are also |
| type of data that you can imagine. | | | | complete weather monitoring stations, which can |
| Many vendors have prominent web-front stores, and | | | | monitor multiple types of weather data. |
| sell a very large range of devices. There are devices | | | | Operators of mines or grain elevators, where |
| for use by homeowners, electricians, weather | | | | combustible gas or dust may be a problem, would |
| researchers, network technicians, etc. It would seem | | | | want to use an "intrinsically safe" monitoring device. |
| that there's something there for pretty much | | | | These devices are guaranteed not to produce sparks |
| everyone. | | | | that could cause an explosion. |
| Homeowners may be interested in purchasing an | | | | When shopping for a monitoring solution, be aware |
| energy audit or monitoring device. Several types are | | | | of what's included in your purchase. Oftentimes, the |
| available, including one that can measure the power | | | | price of the data logger device doesn't include the |
| draw of an electrical appliance, and automatically | | | | required sensors. So, you'll need to purchase them |
| calculate its annual energy cost. There's also a | | | | separately. |