Frequently Asked Questions

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In buildings, the number of parameters that our Hanwell data loggers can measure is virtually unlimited. The products are very versatile, designed with special inputs to accept any sensor. In addition to monitoring Co2, temperature, humidity, shock, tilt/roll, light/UV, wind, and flood/gutter levels using our own sensors, we can also measure other parameters, including turbidity, flow, ozone and level by attaching existing third-party sensors.

If you need to monitor products as they move through the supply chain, the ShockLog measures temperature, relative humidity, shock and vibration, tilt and roll, and pressure. We offer a range of different transmission and data download options, so please call us for more details.

We guarantee our products against defects of materials or workmanship for a period of 2 year, commencing on the date on which the goods are dispatched. We offer the option to extend your warranty, please contact us for more information on this.

Call +44 (0) 1462 688 078 or email support. We aim to respond to all queries within 1 working day.

It depends on the environment you're measuring. Data loggers are best for standalone monitoring, small local spaces, or monitoring goods in transit. Use radio loggers if you need to monitor medium or large buildings, or multiple sites. They are suitable for all building types. Finally, GPRS transmitters are ideal for long-term remote or outdoor monitoring – as long as a GPRS signal is available.

Pros of using a data logger:

  • Cost-effective method of monitoring
  • Ideal for users that have few areas to monitor
  • Data loggers are portable and can easily be moved to monitor different areas
  • Direct download to local PC via USB cable
  • LCD display for clear visual readings
  • Memory capacity of 100,000 readings

Cons of using a data logger:

Larger environments with many data loggers can make manual checks tedious and open to error. Additionally, data loggers only provide a retrospective view, therefore if you require immediate alarm notification to correct an issue before stock is compromised then a radio system may be required.

 

Pros of using a radio transmitter:

  • Cost-effective in relation to hard wiring methods
  • Ideal for users that have many areas to monitor including multiple sites
  • Automatic and wireless transmission of data to a local PC
  • Immediate alarm notification
  • Radio transmitters are wireless so are entirely portable and can easily be moved to monitor different areas

Cons of using a radio transmitter:

Radio frequency survey must take place at your site for best results. Some radio transmitters on the market only offer a short radio range and require the use of repeaters, which can affect the quality of data and the overall cost of the system. Happily, Hanwell wireless technology features low power and reaches over 3km over open ground, unrivalled still to this day.

Pros of using a GPRS transmitter:

  • Ideal for remote monitoring
  • Data is automatically and wirelessly fed to a local PC for analysis
  • Transmitters use GPRS and are entirely portable

Cons of using a GPRS transmitter:

The GPRS relies solely on GPRS transmission so if an area does not have GPRS the transmitter will not work. However, Hanwell offers a GPRS check on any area you wish to monitor to ensure that the transmitter will function to our users' expectations.

 

Range is the key to our products' success. Using Hanwell data loggers on a 433 to 458MHz band module, you can achieve a line of sight range of 3500m, over 3 times that of our nearest competitor's products. Performance is related to frequency, so when we use an 868MHz module, around 1200m line of sight is possible. That's 4 times the range of our nearest competitor.

The Hanwell Icespy system, which is commonly used to monitor fridges, cold rooms, storage facilities, vehicles, warehouses, laboratory equipment such as -80°C freezers and incubators, and manufacturing processes, has a radio strength reaching 300+ meters. This can be extended by using an Echo transmitter.

Our standard calibration procedures will result in as-found values at the specified points. If measured values are found to be outside of the original quoted tolerance plus the measurement uncertainty for the process used, then this will be flagged for your attention.

All calibration data should be reviewed by yourselves and a decision made as to whether adjustments will be required for your particular application.
Where calibration is performed on-site and adjustments are deemed to be required then the units will need to be subsequently returned to our calibration laboratory for adjustment and recalibration.

Where calibration is performed in our laboratory then you will be advised of any units falling outside of the tolerance defined above before the units are returned.
If the above does not fit your particular needs, please contact our sales department to discuss your particular requirements.

Please note that the adjustment/re-calibration service will be chargeable in addition to the original calibration. Pricing can be provided upon request.

We use narrow band FM 433 to 458 MHz. Its low frequency means better signal propagation in a building. This is far superior to 2.4GHz, 868 or 916MHz, as the 433 to 458 MHz bands are much quieter and less prone to interference. And because it's based on line of sight, it's easier to set up. Using a 433 to 458MHz band module, we can achieve a line of sight range of 3500m, over 3 times that of our nearest competitor. This equates to several hundred metres in a building.

We use a module with no built-in transmission code, having developed our own transmission code.

We apply for site licences where that's required. Its range is key to success.

  • 2.4 GHz mesh network
    The higher the frequency, the poorer the signal propagation in a building is. Mesh networks use the transmitters as jumping points to hop from transmitter to transmitter. For this to work, everything has to be synchronised perfectly, which is rarely the case. The 2.4 GHz band is very polluted; everybody is using it. A typical line of sight range is only 100m, which equates to around 25m in a building.
  • 2.4 GHz 802.11 Wi-Fi
    Exploiting Wi-Fi means the system relies on accessing an existing network. However, most large companies will not let you access their corporate network. A new Wi-Fi network is often required, adding significantly to the cost.
  • 868 or 916 MHz mesh network
    While not as polluted as 2.4 GHz, these bands are still very busy, and the signal propagation is fairly poor. A typical line of sight range is just 300m, which equates to around 35-50m in a building.
  • 868 or 916 MHz point to point
    A typical line of sight range is just 300m, which equates to around 35-50m in a building. These systems require lots of repeaters, which adds cost and ultimately makes the system less reliable.
  • Narrow band FM 433 to 458 MHz
    The lower the frequency, the better the signal propagation in a building is. This is much better than 2.4GHz, 868 or 916MHz. This is pure line of sight. The 433 to 458 MHz bands are much quieter and less prone to interference.

We apply for site licences where that's required.

An indicator provides evidence that a certain limit has been exceeded, whether temperature, shock or another parameter, but does not provide information on when the safe level was exceeded, or if it was exceeded more than once.

Recorders are more sophisticated, and save information on inappropriate conditions for download and analysis later. Recorders can also be used with a radio transmitter to alert users that their thresholds have been exceeded.

You only need to know two things to select the right ShockWatch label: the size of your shipment cubic metres (height x width x depth) and its weight. Read our blog post on 'Which ShockWatch Label will work best for me?' which includes a selection guide which you can use as a starting point. Contact a representative to ensure you are using the best product for what you need.

Some of our software can run on any PC running Windows 7 or above.

You do not necessarily need a dedicated PC for the software as multiple access can be achieved with differing permission levels. Contact us for more information about your specific application and we would be happy to advise you on what we would consider to be the best option for you.

The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a space-based satellite navigation system that provides location and time information in all weather, anywhere on or near the Earth, where there is an unobstructed line of sight to four or more GPS satellite.  It is freely accessible to anyone with a GPS receiver.

The ShockLog data recorder is generally mounted on the side of the end of the transformer for monitoring potential shocks during transportation. Where there is a requirement to collect GPS positioning data during the journey the optimum mounting position for recording impacts is not ideal for receiving reliable GPS signals, so we offer a remote magnetic antenna which can be positioned on top of the shipment.

The remote GPS antenna features a 3-metre lead to connect it to the ShockLog GPS connector. When selecting a suitable position for the antenna it should be noted that the antenna should have an unrestricted view of the sky.