A temperature data logger is a device that automatically records temperature at regular intervals during transport and storage, creating a verifiable history. It’s the tool that makes the cold chain measurable and documentable.
How it works
The data logger samples temperature (and sometimes humidity) at set intervals and stores the readings with a timestamp. Loggers can be single-use or reusable, read via USB, NFC or real-time transmission. The data lets you detect every temperature excursion and calculate the mean kinetic temperature.
What it’s for
In pharmaceutical distribution it’s a Good Distribution Practice requirement: without continuous recording you can’t prove the product stayed within range. Integrating temperature data with route planning is the topic of the guide cold chain: integrating temperature and routes.
FAQ
What’s the difference between a data logger and a thermometer?
A thermometer shows the instantaneous temperature; a data logger records it over time, creating a timestamped history useful for audits and deviation management.
Are data loggers mandatory for medicine transport?
For temperature-controlled products, continuous recording is effectively required to prove GDP compliance: the data logger is the standard tool for it.