Technical Notes

Receive Alarm Email Notifications with Microedge Data Logging System

Receive Alarm Email Notifications with Microedge Data Logging System

MEI 01/04/2024 0
In an era where precision and control are paramount, maintaining optimal environmental conditions is crucial, especially in sensitive areas like computer rooms, laboratories, or storage facilities. We at Microedge Instruments are committed to providing you with cutting-edge solutions to monitor and manage environmental parameters efficiently.How It Works? SiteView-Web is a web based software system designed specifically to automate data downloading and monitor the real-time parameters from remote data loggers effortlessly.One standout feature of SiteView-Web is its robust alarm notification ability. It promptly alerts you via email when monitored parameters exceed predefined thresholds. This proactive approach empowers you to swiftly address any deviations, mitigating potential damage or downtime.The following screenshot illustrates how to configure alarm notifications.  And alarm emails will be dispatched to an email group whenever the real-time temperature readings for CH0 and CH1 exceed the predefined thresholds.The following Alarm Status screen shows CH0 and CH1 are in High Alarm states:An Alarm Notification email looks like:Please consult the detailed instructions for SiteView...
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Engineering Unit Conversion Made Easy with Microedge's Software

Engineering Unit Conversion Made Easy with Microedge's Software

MEI 25/01/2024 0
In a data logging application, the seamless conversion of input signals from sensors, transmitters, or transducers into accurate engineering units is a critical and fundamental process. Whether dealing with temperature sensors outputting a 4-20mA current signal or determining the dew point from temperature and relative humidity values, our Microedge Data Logging System excels in making these complex conversions effortless.At the core of our software and system are Custom Equations—source code functions written in C# programming language that empower you to generate any engineering unit of your choice. Let's take the example of a temperature sensor:This equation generates temperature value (0-100 Celsius) from 4-20mA current value.Within 'MyTemperature' function, you have the flexibility to integrate any C# source code, tailored to your sensor's specifications, to convert the 'Input' value into the desired engineering unit.For more intricate calculations, our system allows the use of multiple functions for a more organized approach. Consider the equation for calculating dew point:In this equation, 'Channels[0]' holds the temperature reading, and 'Channels[1]' contains the relative h...
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Data Logger Applications in Cold-Chain Industry

Data Logger Applications in Cold-Chain Industry

MEI 07/01/2024 0
Data Logger Applications in Cold-Chain IndustryIn our dynamic and fast-paced world, the cold-chain industry stands as a cornerstone, guaranteeing the secure transportation and storage of temperature-sensitive goods. Data loggers emerge as indispensable tools within this industry, playing a pivotal role in offering crucial insights and safeguarding the integrity of temperature-sensitive products across the entire supply chain.Let's delve into a detailed exploration of the indispensable role played by data loggers in the cold-chain industry.Ensuring Product Quality:In the cold-chain industry, maintaining specific temperature conditions is paramount to preserving the quality, efficacy, and safety of temperature-sensitive products. Data loggers continuously monitor and record temperature variations during transportation, storage, and handling, ensuring that products such as pharmaceuticals, biotechnological materials, and perishable foods remain within the specified temperature range.Compliance with Regulatory Standards:Stringent regulatory standards govern the transportation and storage of temperature-sensitive goods, particularly in industries like pharmaceuticals and biotechnology. ...
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Communicating with Microedge Data Loggers Made Easy!

Communicating with Microedge Data Loggers Made Easy!

MEI 12/04/2022 0
With our ongoing commitment to both software and hardware improvements, it’s now much easier to communicate with any Microedge data logger.All Microedge data loggers have Plug & Play USB ports which makes them easy to be accessed by Windows-based users. Simply plug the data logger into the USB port of the computer, and SiteView / SiteView SDK will automatically recognize it.Microedge has released multiple USB Device Servers to allow any Microedge data logger to be accessed remotely via Ethernet / WIFI. Details...All Microedge PRECISE-LOG series data loggers have on-board WIFI modules, enabling them to be accessed directly through a WIFI connection. Any PRECISE-LOG data logger can be configured to serve as a Modbus slave device, allowing it to be viewed by any Modbus client via Modbus TCP protocol. Details...Pluto-Web Server hardware and SiteView-Web Web Server software build a web server cloud system that synchronizes data loggers’ parameters automatically, allowing monitoring all data loggers’ real-time readings and historical data right in your web browsers. SiteView-Web can run the web server under all operating systems such as Windows, Linux and macOS Details...Two new custom d...
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How to Install SiteView-Web to Linux System and Run it as a Service

How to Install SiteView-Web to Linux System and Run it as a Service

MEI 28/10/2020 0
If you install SiteView-Web to a Linux system as a service, it will hook itself into the Linux startup process so that the application is automatically launched each time the system is started or it dies.Install SiteView-Web to Linux:Extract the .tar file: In the downloaded package for SiteView-Web, you should see a folder named ‘Linux’.  Copy the only .tar file to a folder in your Linux system. Run the following command: sudo –S tar –xf [name of the .tar file] –C [destination folder]Make the application file executable: Enter the destination folder and run the following command: sudo chmod +x SiteViewWebCreate a Service and Link it to SiteViewWeb:Create a Service File: Enter the following command to create a service file called SiteView-Web.service and open the nano editor: sudo nano /etc/systemd/system/SiteView-Web.service The contents of the file should look like:  [Unit] Description=SiteView-Web Service [Service] # 20 seconds delay before running the service ExecStartPre=/bin/sleep 20 WorkingDirectory=[destination folder] ExecStart=[destination folder]/SiteViewWeb Restart=always RestartSec=60 KillSignal=SIGINT SyslogIdentifier=SiteView-Web-log User=[the logged in usern...
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What is Modbus TCP

What is Modbus TCP

MEI 10/07/2019 0
Modbus is a serial communications protocol originally published by Modicon (now Schneider Electric) in 1979 for use with its programmable logic controllers (PLCs). Modbus has become a de facto standard communication protocol and is now a commonly available means of connecting industrial electronic devices.Modbus enables communication among many devices connected to the same network, for example, a system that measures temperature and humidity and communicates the results to a computer. Modbus is often used to connect a supervisory computer with a remote terminal unit (RTU) in supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems. Many of the data types are named from industry usage of Ladder logic and its use in driving relays: a single-bit physical output is called a coil, and a single-bit physical input is called a discrete input or a contact.Modbus TCP/IP is a simple Modbus protocol running on Ethernet over a TCP interface. Modbus is an application protocol that assigns the ways of managing and passing data between various layers without being affected by the protocol used by the next immediate layer.Modbus TCP/IP uses Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and Internet Protocol...
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How to Use Access Point (AP) of Data Logger

How to Use Access Point (AP) of Data Logger

MEI 03/06/2019 0
Recently, PRECISE-LOG data loggers were upgraded with a new communication feature called 'AccessPoint Server' mode. In this mode, the data logger will provide an Access Point for host computer to join in order to make a quick and easy point-to-point communication.To use this new feature, please download the new version of SiteView software (version 4.1.3) and upgrade PRECISE-LOG with new firmware version 2.04.The followings are the detailed steps to communicate with PRECISE-LOG data logger through 'AccessPoint Server' mode:Click on 'Configure' button on the logger's status toolbar:Click 'WIFI Settings' tab and choose 'AccessPoint Server' mode:Note that the 'AP SSID' is read only and your host PC needs to connect to this access point. The login password is the one you set below 'AP SSID' field.The logger's IP address is fixed to '10.10.100.254'Change 'AP Password' as needed. Minimum length:8 characters.Click 'Save WIFI settings' button.This will save the settings to the logger. Please wait a minute for the logger to establish its WIFI access point (AP).From the host computer, open the WIFI network list to look for an access point named 'PL' + 'Serial Number of the logger'Click the a...
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Temperature Monitoring in Concrete Maturity

Temperature Monitoring in Concrete Maturity

MEI 26/05/2018 0
Concrete maturity indicates how far curing has progressed. Maturity is the relationship between concrete temperature, time, and strength gain. It is represented by an index value that can be measured in real time in the field. The maturity method, often simply referred to as maturity, is a way of evaluating new concrete’s in-place strength by relating time and temperature measurements to actual strength values.To expedite schedules, increase safety, and improve construction methods, construction teams want to know the strength of their concrete at the job site in real time. Since maturity is related to concrete strength, the maturity method is a way to accomplish this without solely relying on standard test specimens and laboratory testing.Maturity is calculated by tracking changes in fresh concrete temperature over time. Since each concrete mix has its own strength-maturity relationship, we can use maturity to estimate the strength of that mix at any moment after placement. When we know the maturity of a certain concrete, we can use that concrete’s specific strength-maturity relationship.When using the maturity method, construction teams can estimate real-time strength gain of in-...
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Thermistor and Water

Thermistor and Water

MEI 20/05/2018 0
An NTC thermistor is designed to measure temperature changes in different applications, but it is truly ideal for working in liquids (such as water). This is a result of long-term reliability and stability. They are the most accurate temperature gauges (when compared to a thermocouple), which allows for extremely close readings.A thermistor placed in water will most likely stay in one place for extended periods of time. A thermistor offers long-term durability for thermistor in water-based applications. A thermocouple will begin to weaken, which degrades its ability to read temperature accurately. Having to consistently replace thermocouples will intermittently stop production.A study about water temperature changes in Lake Tahoe has just recently ended. It was a 40-year study that suggests global warming is responsible for an increase in temperature in the lake (there has been a consistent rise over the last four decades). This is a big problem for the current habitat of the lake, and the warmer water threatens to destroy the whole eco-system.NTC thermistors were extensively used for this study because of their high accuracy rates. The thermistors helped to prove that the temperat...
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Basic Knowledge of Thermistor

Basic Knowledge of Thermistor

MEI 07/02/2018 0
What is a Thermistor?Thermistors (thermal resistors) are temperature dependent variable resistors. There are two types of thermistors, Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) and Negative Temperature Coefficient (NTC). When the temperature increases, PTC thermistor resistance will increase and NTC thermistor resistance will decrease. They exhibit the opposite response when the temperature decreases. Both types of thermistors are used in a variety of application areas. However, here the focus will be on using NTC thermistors to measure temperature in microcontroller based applications. Thermistor SpecificationsThe following NTC thermistor parameters can be found in the manufacturer's data sheet. ResistanceThis is the thermistor resistance at the temperature specified by the manufacturer, often 25°C.ToleranceIndicates how much the resistance can vary from the specified value. Usually expressed in percent (e.g. 1%, 10%, etc). For example, if the specified resistance at 25°C for a thermistor with 10% tolerance is 10,000 ohms then the measured resistance at that temperature can range from 9,000 ohms to 11000 ohms.B (or Beta) constantA value that represents the relationship between the re...
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Basic Knowledge of Thermocouple

Basic Knowledge of Thermocouple

MEI 07/02/2018 0
What is thermocouple?A thermocouple is a junction between two different metals that produces a voltage related to a temperature difference. When two wires composed of dissimilar metals are joined at both ends and one of the ends is heated, there is a continuous current which flows in the thermoelectric circuit (the thermoelectric effect or Seebeck effect).Need for reference junction( cold junction):In thermocouples, voltage is developed due to flow of electric current. This current flow depends upon the difference in temperatures at the two ends of conducting wire. That is thermocouples always measure difference in temperatures and not absolute temperature.To measure the temperature of one junction, the other junction is kept at some reference temperature. As this is done by using ice bath, it is normally called at cold junction.Using ice bath for constant temperature is useful for laboratory calibration, but is not convenient for most measurement and control applications. Instead of ice bath, an effect of  cold junction is   added using a thermally sensitive device such as a thermistor or diode. This is also called as isothermal block. Special care is taken to minimize any tempera...
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Basic Knowledge of RTD

Basic Knowledge of RTD

MEI 07/02/2018 0
What is RTDRTD stands for Resistance Temperature Detector. RTDs are sometimes referred to generally as resistance thermometers. The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) has defined the term resistance thermometer as follows:Resistance thermometer, n. - a temperature-measuring device composed of a resistance thermometer element, internal connecting wires, a protective shell with or without means for mounting a connection head, or connecting wire or other fittings, or both. [Vol. 14.03, E 344 - 02 § 3.1 (2007).]An RTD is a temperature sensor which measures temperature using the principle that the resistance of a metal changes with temperature. In practice, an electrical current is transmitted through a piece of metal (the RTD element or resistor) located in proximity to the area where temperature is to be measured. The resistance value of the RTD element is then measured by an instrument. This resistance value is then correlated to temperature based upon the known resistance characteristics of the RTD element.How do RTDs Work?RTDs work on a basic correlation between metals and temperature. As the temperature of a metal increases, the metal's resistance to the flow of ele...
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