Thermal traceability in incubators: how a laboratory ensured compliance and reduced failures with the FieldLogger
Monitoring incubator temperature over extended periods, recording every excursion, and maintaining an accurate history are mandatory in laboratories.
For this reason, a microbiology laboratory, a NOVUS customer, needed to automate the monitoring of eight incubators, with measurements taken every minute and data retention for more than 45 days, as well as ultra-freezers at −90 °C. To achieve this, a NOVUS product was used: the FieldLogger industrial data logger. See how this process unfolded.
Context and challenge
The laboratory needed to monitor temperatures such as 35 ± 0.5 °C or 22 ± 2 °C over long periods with continuous recording. Any deviation must be justified and auditable—something difficult (and risky) when control is manual.
The solution adopted
With NOVUS’s support, an architecture was implemented based on the FieldLogger (multichannel data logger), calibrated sensors (RBC ISO 17025), and Modbus TCP communication, with e-mail alarms and digital outputs for light/sound alerts. There was also internal + SD storage and an embedded web interface for configuration and remote access.
To simulate the thermal inertia of culture media, the sensors were placed in glycerin-filled flasks, which smooths out variations and improves recording quality.
Operation and coverage
- 8 incubators monitored simultaneously;
- Sampling every 1 minute and retention of more than 45 days;
- Inclusion of ultra-freezers at −90 °C in the same ecosystem;
Results achieved
After deployment, the laboratory began to meet traceability requirements demanded by standards and audits in a simpler way, reducing manual errors and rework in temperature recording.
Automatic e-mail alarms and local signaling (light/sound) began to indicate any thermal excursion immediately, speeding up the team’s response.
In addition, the data remained stored with integrity for more than 45 days and was accessible remotely, facilitating technical reporting and audit preparation.
The solution proved effective because it standardized and automated monitoring with the multichannel FieldLogger data logger, which accepts universal inputs and seamlessly integrates the PT100 sensors already in use.
The embedded web interface and the combination of internal storage with SD expansion ensured remote access and an intact history, simplifying audits and support.
Finally, the event-response strategy (with e-mail alarms and digital outputs for light/sound alerts) shortened the time between anomaly detection and corrective action.
Where else to apply
The same approach is modular and scalable and can be replicated in pharmaceutical and clinical laboratories, cleanrooms, the cold chain (reagents and samples), and in the monitoring of ultra-freezers, refrigerators, and ovens.
About the FieldLogger
FieldLogger is an industrial data logger designed for precise and continuous monitoring of temperature, humidity, and other analog and digital variables in various industrial environments.
With advanced technology, high reading rates, and broad connectivity, it offers a robust and efficient solution for managing critical variables in sectors such as cold chain, laboratories, HVAC facilities, manufacturing, and renewable energy.
FieldLogger also meets FDA 21 CFR Part 11 compliance requirements, ensuring data integrity and traceability in regulated systems, such as in the pharmaceutical and food industries.
Count on NOVUS
Do you want to raise the level of thermal traceability in your laboratory with alarms, an intact history, and remote access?
Talk to our specialists and evaluate the application with the FieldLogger industrial data logger.
