Data Loggers: What is it, Types, Applications & How it Works?

Data logging means to record events, observations, or measurements systematically. And, the device involved in data logging is known as a data logger. Data loggers come into picture whenever there’s a need to take continuous readings of an instrument. Significantly used in the field of geotechnical instrumentation and monitoring, data loggers are a necessary device.

Here is everything that you would like to know about data loggers — their types, relation with data acquisition system, working principle, specifications, and much more.

What is a Data Logger?

A data logger or a data recorder is an electronic device or a computer program that continuously records data over time in relation to the location either using a built-in instrument or through an externally interfaced one.

The data loggers are primarily based on digital processors and usually look similar to a small portable box/case with batteries, wires, internal memory storage, sensors, and a programmable module.

Figure 1: Inside of a Data Logger

A few of the data loggers interface with a PC to show data through a dedicated software while there are some other that connect directly to a device (LCD, PC, Mobile Phone) and show data as a stand-alone device.

Data Loggers are used in geotechnical monitoring and instrumentation on a large scale because they automatically collect real-time data from the sensors and display it over the mobile device. One can leave the data loggers unattended and can still get the complete data anytime they wish to.

How many data loggers do I need?

The need for data loggers depends upon the number of measurement points that you have or the number of sensors that you want to connect to it. Data loggers are available in multiple configurations so that you can choose according to your needs.

For instance, the ESCL-10VT data logger is a single channel data logger whereas the ESDL-30 is a multiple channel data logger with 160 inputs. However, the later one requires an SDI-12 interface to connect with sensors like piezometers, load cells, temperature sensors etc.

How long can data loggers record?

The duration of data logging depends upon two parameters — the power backup of the data logger and its memory capacity. While most of the data loggers have high longevity and durability, they continue to operate for many years. Whereas, a few of them work for a shorter time period only.

The Encardio’s data loggers are battery operated and they can be programmed to record data from 5 to 168 seconds in linear mode. However, the number of readings taken per day should be kept minimum to save the battery. This data logger also gives you several power supply options.

The sample rate multiplied by the number of channels being recorded gives the length of time the logger can operate before the memory is filled. Some of the data loggers are programmed to over-write the data once the memory is filled while some of them stop logging data once the memory is full.

Where are alarms usually sent?

While monitoring structures like tunnels, dams, high-rise buildings, a certain alert level is pre-determined and, as soon as the deformation or fault reaches beyond that particular level, the data loggers send an emergency alert either through an SMS or an email.

There are a few other data loggers that come with in-built LEDs, alarms or buzzers to alert the local persons in case of an emergency.

How do you retrieve the data?

There are two options available for data retrieval and transmission through Encardio’s data loggers:

Telemetry through GSM/GPRS modem

In an area with GSM/GPRS service, the data from the automatic data logger can be transmitted remotely to a PC at a central location. The user will need to arrange a data SIM card for each data logger.

Readout/data retrieval using laptop PC

The logged data from the data logger is directly downloaded to a laptop/PC. Data can also be transferred to the central PC or server from the laptop using either a USB pen drive or through the Internet.

Do you have to learn how to program?

Most of the data loggers these days are configured rather than programmed. Encardio-rite provides a public cloud-based web monitoring service to its customers for retrieving data from ESDL-30 and ESCL-10VT data loggers.

The data retrieved is archived in a SQL database and presented in a graphical or tabular form for easy understanding. The tables and graphs related to any site or sites can be accessed by authorized personnel who can log in to their site using the supplied login ID

Block diagram of a data logger

Figure 2: Block Diagram of a Data Logger
These data logging devices are connected to geotechnical instruments like tilt meters, piezometers, extensometers, etc. These instruments send the measured physical parameters to the data logger.

The signals are then processed by them and further transmitted to a cloud web-based data management system so that you can get the data in readable form on your remote devices.

What are the working mechanisms of data loggers?

Data loggers usually appear like a small box enclosing batteries for power supply, microprocessors, internal memory storage, sensors, and a programmable module. Encardio-Rite has two models of data loggers i.e. ESCL-10VT and ESDL-30.

The ESCL-10VT is a single channel data logger for vibrating wire sensors which means, it can be directly connected to vibrating wire sensors such as piezometers, strain gauges, extensometers etc. Whereas, ESDL-30 is an automatic data logger that uses SDI-12 interface to connect with the sensors.

Once the sensors are connected to the data loggers, the data through these sensors is logged at regular intervals by the data loggers and stored in its internal non-volatile memory. The users can retrieve this data remotely over their mobile device using Encardio’s cloud service.

While monitoring of the structures, a certain alert level is pre-set. If the data logged is beyond the alert levels, an email or SMS emergency alert is sent to the user so that preventive measures can be taken before any mishap or accident.

What is a data logger and what does it do?

Data Loggers are simply yet significant sensors having a wide range of application in the firld of geotechnical monitoring and instrumentation. They can be used to log all sorts of physical data through various instruments and sensors.

Data loggers are used for the following purposes:

1. Comprehensive tunnel monitoring for the long-term safety of the tunnel, to study the behaviour of the tunnel over the time, especially with respect to the rheological behaviour of the rock mass and obvious changes in the fault zones, walled sections, inflow, etc.
   Several instruments such as tilt meters, strain gauges, and extensometers, etc. are installed on the inner lining of the tunnels to monitor deformities if any. The data from these sensors is continuously logged by a data logger and stored in its internal memory.
2. Structural health monitoring of existing buildings to keep track of the building’s performance over time and effect of nearby construction or excavation. Data loggers create an early warning in case of emergency so that the user can take preventive measures.
3. Landslide monitoring to avoid mishaps and create early warnings so that loss of life and property can be prevented.
4. Groundwater monitoring and rainfall management so that the most important freshwater resource can be saved from depleting and there’s an even distribution of the resource among all.
5. Monitoring deformation of land and surrounding areas during deep excavations. Excavation in soft ground induces ground movement which imposes a threat to nearby sensitive structures in the zone of influence. Hence, deep excavation risk assessment and foundation crack monitoring are crucial at all the levels.
6. Monitoring of deformities in bridges so that early warning can be generated in case of an emergency
7. Unattended dam and nuclear power plant monitoring to avoid fatal accidents. Data loggers log data from different sensors and send it to user’s remote device.
8. Unattended weather changing parameters recording through weather stations to aid in agricultural activities.
9. Monitoring of relay status in railway signalling

Types of Data Loggers

Encardio-Rite deals with a couple of data loggers that are almost similar to each other and a data acquisition system.

Model ESDL-30 Automatic Data Logger for SDI-12 Interface Sensors

Encardio-Rite Model ESDL-30 data logger is designed to log data from sensors with SDI-12 interface. Any sensor with an SDI-12 signal interface can be connected to the data logger e.g. based on vibrating wire, resistance strain gauge or MEMS technology etc.

ESDL-30 can be used to connect a large number of sensors with the SDI-12 interface. The data recorder is fully compatible with all measurement commands signal as per SDI-12 standard.

They can be programmed to take a measurement between a range of 5 seconds to 168 hours in linear mode. The number of measurements taken per day should however be minimum because the higher frequency of measurement drains the battery at a faster rate.

The SDI-12 serial digital interface requires a three conductor cable to connect the sensors to the data logger.

Only a single 3 conductor cable is required to interconnect all the sensors and the data storage devices in a serial bus.

SDI-12 is a multi-drop interface that can communicate with multi-parameter sensors. Multi-parameter means that a single sensor may return more than one measurement, like displacement and temperature from vibrating wire displacement sensors.

All the measured data is stored, together with the current date, time and battery voltage, as a data record in the internal non-volatile memory of the logging …[Continue reading]