This guide gives instructions on how to install Temperature Probe sensors so that they can report readings to the cloud.
A PDF copy of the abbreviated installation manual in download format is available here.
Quick access
- What you need
- Planning the installation
- Activation
- Connection Guidelines
- Mounting options
- Configuration
- Settling Period
- Battery Replacement
- Check the signal strength
What you need
Upon unpacking, you will find the following items in the box:
Besides the Temperature Probe sensors itself, it is advisable to have the following on hand:
- any PT100 or PT1000 Temperature probe that suits the use case
- a laptop or a smartphone running the DT Studio web application studio.d21s.com. If your company does not have a DT Studio organization, get started at d21s.com/start.
- we also recommend having one or more online Cloud Connectors (gateways) close by to enable forwarding sensor data to the DT Cloud and to check the connectivity of the sensor once it is installed. Please refer to our guide for detailed instructions on how to properly install our Cloud Connectors.
Planning the installation
Before proceeding with the installation of the sensor, it's important to carefully evaluate the intended use case.
Temperature Probe sensor, used in conjunction with any platinum (PT100/PT1000) probe, delivers precise temperature readings across a range of applications including Vaccine Storage Temperature Monitoring, Cryogenic Storage Monitoring, and High-Temperature Monitoring. To find out more about the sensor's accuracy, please refer to the sensor's datasheet.
For larger installations, please plan before starting.
Activation
Common practice is to activate the sensor before mounting it. Pull the battery tab to activate the sensor. Nearby online Cloud Connectors will automatically start to relay data from the sensor to the cloud service.
Claim the sensor in Studio by scanning the QR code found on the back of the device. The same code is printed on the packaging label. The sensor is now available in Studio and you can give it a name, e.g. “Ultra Cold Freezer 1”.
As part of the activation process and before placing the sensors:
- Set how often readings will be measured and transmitted by configuring the Heartbeat Interval for all Temperature Probe sensors in Studio.
- Select the probe type for the sensor by picking the appropriate option from the drop-down menu in Studio. You can choose between Standard PT100, Standard PT1000, or Custom Probe Coefficients if you're utilizing your own calibrated probe.
Connection Guidelines
The sensor comes with a 4-pin connector that supports and automatically detects probes with 2,3 and 4-wire configurations. To guarantee a correct connection between the sensor unit and the probe, please follow these guidelines:
Open up the terminals fully - this may require some force.
Insert the cables according to the diagrams. Colors may differ between manufacturers.
Close the terminals. Pull on the wires to ensure they have a secure connection. The sensor will automatically detect the wire configuration and display it in Studio.
Mounting options
To ensure a correct installation, adhere to the following steps:
Pull the battery tab to activate the sensor.
Connect the PT100 probe according to the guidelines given in the previous section of the article.
Make sure the mounting surface is clean and dry.
Mount the sensor using the adhesive backing, or mount the sensor using the screw.
Configuration
The Wireless Temperature Probe Sensor uses Heartbeat Interval (HBI) to transmit a message notifying the system that it is present and operational, which can be set to 2.5 min, 5 min, 15 min, 30 min, 45 min, or 60 min.
In Studio, users can also configure:
- Measurement Intervals - choose between 30 sec, 1 min, or 5 min
- Probe Coefficients - choose between Standard PT100, Standard PT1000 or configure Custom Coefficients.
Settling Period
After the installation, the sensor is ready to start sending the readings to the Studio immediately.
Battery Replacement
The sensor uses replaceable AA lithium batteries. You can substitute these with alkaline batteries, but note that alkaline batteries will shorten the sensor's operational duration, requiring more frequent battery replacements. To ensure safe and proper replacement of the batteries, please adhere to the guidelines provided below:
Remove the main housing from the bracket and by pushing it upwards.
Replace the batteries with two new AA-type batteries. Please pay attention to the polarity.
Check the signal strength
For a robust installation, the signal strength should show two bars (no signal icon) or more in Studio.
No response in Studio or boost mode?
If the sensor does not report in Studio (no signal icon) or is transmitting using boost mode (boost icon), we recommend either bringing the sensor closer to the Cloud Connector or installing an additional Cloud Connector to improve connectivity challenges. If the sensor continues to be offline, look at troubleshooting.
Sensor not in Studio?
Check that the correct project is selected. If the sensor is still lacking, ask your administrator for access to the project that contains the sensors.
Experiencing an installation issue?
If you have any additional questions or if any problem should occur during installation, please reach out to us.