FAQs
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TempTale Monitor Questions
How does the TempTale monitor record dates and times?
What is the response time for the TempTale monitor?
What are the different alarm types?
How are TempTale monitors tested?
How often do monitors need to be calibrated?
Can a TempTale monitor be plugged/seated into an interface when not in use?
Can I put the TempTale Dry Ice Probe monitor directly into the dry ice environment?
What is the life cycle/expectancy of a TempTale multi-use monitor?
Indicator Questions
How many days can temperature indicators run?
Are the temperature indicators water resistant?
What are the threshold temperatures and times at which alarms activate within the indicators?
Can a TagAlert indicator be programmed with fewer than four alarms?
How accurate are the electronic temperature indicators?
What is the response time of temperature indicators?
Do the indicators identify the time when alarm states are activated?
How do I read the AlarmAlert feature on the TagAlert?
Can the indicator be programmed in Fahrenheit?
Can I reuse or reprogram a temperature indicator?
Can I stop a TagAlert indicator once it has been started?
Can indicators be used in dry ice applications?
How does Sensitech validate and verify the performance of its indicators?
Strip Chart Recorder Questions
After starting, is my SCR supposed to emit a faint ticking sound?
After a strip chart recorder has been used, can it be tested to verify it is still operating properly?
TempTale Monitors Answers
Q: How does the TempTale monitor record dates and times?
A: The TempTale 4 family of monitors has an internal clock. The TT4's internal clock is set when the TT4 is configured. This happens at the Sensitech factory where computers used to configure TT4's are synchronized with the Internet atomic clock. The TT4's internal clock operates in Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).
When the TT4 is downloaded by the PC, times for all the readings are calculated from the start time, stored in the TT4. The PC is interrogated for its local time zone in order to convert all reading times into the local time zone.
Q: What is the response time for the TempTale monitor?
A: Response time depends on several factors, including airflow, temperature change and pressure. Since environments will differ, Sensitech does not claim a specification for response time.
Q: What are the different alarm types?
A: There are several different monitor alarm types:
- Time - single event: Alarm triggers if the actual temperature is out of the ideal range consecutively for the time specified.
- Time - cumulative: Alarm triggers if the actual temperature is out of the ideal range for the total time specified. The alarm will trigger for cumulative consecutive and non-consecutive temperature out of range events.
- Time & Temp - single event: Alarm triggers if the temperature is consecutively out of range for the degree-minutes specified. Where degree-minutes are the difference measured in ºF/ºCbetween the actual temperature and the ideal temperature multiplied by the measurement interval (in minutes).
- Time & Temp - cumulative: Alarm triggers if the temperature is out of range consecutively or non - consecutively for the degree - minutes specified.
Q: How are TempTale monitors tested?
A: Each monitor is put through an accuracy test before it is sent to a customer. The testing is performed with a NIST-traceable temperature and/or humidity chamber. All units receive a three-point accuracy test. Additional information is available in the Validation Package available for all Sensitech products.
Q: How often do monitors need to be calibrated?
A: The TempTale product design uses a self-calibrating circuit. This means that every time a monitor is started, the microprocessor determines the circuit resistance by using a high-precision resistor in place of the thermistor. This allows the unit to compensate for any effects the electronic circuit has on accurate temperature readings over the life of the product. A properly assembled unit will hold an accuracy of between +/- 0.5°C and +/- 1°C depending on the temperature range in which it is used. Therefore, a TempTale monitor does not need to be “recalibrated” over its useful lifetime.
Q: Can a TempTale monitor be plugged/seated into an interface when not in use?
A: No. Be sure to remove the monitor from the interface when prompted. Leaving the monitor connected when not downloading or configuring will unnecessarily drain the monitor’s battery.
Q: Can I put the TempTale Dry Ice Probe monitor directly into the dry ice environment?
A: No. Only the probe is designed for this environment. The actual monitor will not provide acceptable performance if the battery and/or other components are exposed to temperatures below –30°C. The TT4 Probeless Dry Ice monitor is designed for environments to –80°C.
Q: What is the life cycle/expectancy of a TempTale multi-use monitor?
A: A multi-use TempTale has a one-year warranty. We guarantee the battery life and monitor accuracy for one year.
Indicator Answers
Q: How many days can temperature indicators run?
A: In-transit temperature indicators are designed for relatively short duration shipments in the range of 10 to 90 days. In order to support storage condition monitoring, some models of Sensitech’s temperature indicator product line operate for longer periods of time, up to 3 years.
Q: Are the temperature indicators water resistant?
A: Yes….the enclosures are dust-tight and sealed to protect the internal electronic circuit against splashing liquids.
Q: What are the threshold temperatures and times at which alarms activate within the indicators?
A: There are no predetermined threshold time/temperatures for alarm conditions. Each indicator is customized to the customer’s unique product requirements. The threshold temperature, threshold time, and alarm type (single-event or cumulative) parameters are selected by the customer when an order is placed. Sensitech programs each device with these values prior to shipping indicators to the customer.
Q: Can a TagAlert indicator be programmed with fewer than four alarms?
A: Yes. It can be programmed with one, two, three or four time/temperature alarms. The customer determines the number and type of alarms required for a particular application.
Q: How accurate are the electronic temperature indicators?
A: All of Sensitech’s indicators maintain a +/-0.5°C temperature accuracy band centered at the most common operating temperatures experienced in last-mile cold chain distribution environments. Outside these bands, temperature accuracy expands to +/-1.0°C. Time accuracy for alarm conditions is ± a few seconds per month of operation.
Q: What is the response time of temperature indicators?
A: In general, electronic temperature indicators require approximately 10 minutes to fully respond to changes in temperature.
Q: Do the indicators identify the time when alarm states are activated?
A: The FreezeAlert and ThermoAlert display a simple “go, no-go” icon on the display, providing the overall status of programmed alarm condition. These devices do not indicate any other additional information. The TagAlert incorporates a similar display of overall alarm status and includes the AlarmAlert™ feature that provides detailed time-stamp information concerning when the first alarm occurred within a 10-day trip.
The VaxAlert indicator provides additional information about alarm conditions, with elapsed time markers for up to nine unique alarm event and displays of max/min temperatures experienced during alarm events
Q: How do I read the AlarmAlert feature on the TagAlert?
A: If there is an alarm activation symbol displayed on the TagAlert, the AlarmAlert feature will provide information about the status of the first activated alarm which occurred within the first 10 days of trip.
Press the Start button to determine which alarm triggered first (there are a maximum of four alarms that can trigger, depending on the unit’s programming). The alarm that triggered first will flash on the LCD for four seconds (e.g. if “2” flashes for four seconds, then Alarm 2 triggered first). The LCD will clear, and the next number that appears indicates the day of the trip during which the alarm was triggered. If more than one number flashes, the numbers should be added to determine the day on which the alarm was triggered (e.g. if a “2” and a “4” appear, then the alarm was triggered on the sixth day of the trip). After two seconds, the LCD will then flash numbers representing the three-hour window during which the alarm was triggered. If more than one number flashes, the numbers should be added to determine the 3 hour segment of the day in which the alarm was triggered (e.g. if a “2” and a “4” appear, then the alarm was triggered on the sixth 3 hour segment of the trip, hour 15-18)
Q: Can the indicator be programmed in Fahrenheit?
A: No. The alarm temperature values are generated in Celsius only. When placing an order for indicators, you must provide alarm temperature threshold values in Celsius.
Q: Can I reuse or reprogram a temperature indicator?
A: No. Temperature indicators are simple, convenient, cost-effective, single-use electronic monitoring devices, programmed with a customer-specific profile during the manufacturing process. The devices are designed for limited operation life and are not reprogrammable.
Q: Can I stop a TagAlert indicator once it has been started?
A: Yes… one model of the TagAlert is available with a stop button feature, enabling field stop of monitoring at the receive site.
Q: Can indicators be used in dry ice applications?
A: No. Dry ice applications can potentially go to -80°C, which would drain the unit’s battery and could damage other internal components. The indicators are limited to the specified operation ranges listed on the datasheets.
Q: How does Sensitech validate and verify the performance of its indicators?
A: Every indicator product has been subjected to a variety of internal quality, accuracy and performance tests, as well as third-party, independent product testing and validation. This extensive testing assures the overall accuracy and reliability of each indicator design. Validation Packages detailing these test results are available for customer review. Contact a Client Services Representative at clientservices@sensitech.com for further information.
In addition each and every indicator produced by Sensitech is tested for temperature accuracy and referenced to a NIST traceable temperature standard.
Strip Chart Recorder Answers
Q: After starting, is my SCR supposed to emit a faint ticking sound?
A: Yes. Once the unit has been properly started the movement of the gears produces a faint ticking sound. This provides additional confirmation that the unit was started.
Q: After a strip chart recorder has been used, can it be tested to verify it is still operating properly?
A: Yes, as long as all parts of the strip chart recorder are returned to Sensitech in working condition, your unit may be tested for timing and temperature accuracy after use.
