Grant Squirrel SQ2010 Portable Data Logger
| Brand | Grant |
|---|---|
| Origin | UK |
| Model | SQ2010 |
| Analog Inputs | 4–8 (universal, single-ended or differential) |
| Digital Inputs | 8 |
| Calculated/Export Channels | 16 |
| Alarm Outputs | 2 open-drain FETs (18 V, 0.1 A) |
| Pulse Counters | 2 (0–100 Hz & 0–64 kHz) |
| Accuracy | ±0.1% of reading + 0.1% of range |
| A/D Resolution | 24-bit |
| Internal Memory | 16 MB (up to 14 million readings) |
| Sampling Rate | 10 Hz on one channel (dual-speed mode), 1 Hz on all channels (standard) |
| Display | 128 × 64 dot-matrix graphic LCD |
| Power | 2 × C cells (5 days continuous @ 1 Hz) |
| Operating Temperature | −20 to +65 °C |
| Humidity | up to 95% RH (non-condensing) |
| Compliance | CE, RoHS |
| Interface | USB, RS-232 (supports Ethernet/Wi-Fi/GSM modems via adapter) |
Overview
The Grant Squirrel SQ2010 Portable Data Logger is a field-deployable, high-integrity data acquisition unit engineered for long-term, unattended monitoring across industrial, environmental, laboratory, and quality assurance applications. Built upon a 24-bit analog-to-digital architecture with dual-speed sampling capability, the SQ2010 delivers traceable measurement performance under variable power and environmental conditions. Its core functionality relies on configurable universal analog inputs—supporting voltage, current (with external shunt), resistance, thermocouples (K, R, B, T, S, C, N, J, D), RTDs (2-wire Pt100/Pt1000), and thermistors (U, UU, Y, S)—all calibrated to an overall accuracy of ±0.1% of reading plus ±0.1% of full scale. The device operates without host dependency: configuration, start/stop control, and real-time status review are fully accessible via its integrated 128 × 64 graphic LCD and four tactile front-panel buttons. Designed for GLP-aligned workflows, it maintains internal timestamping with ±10 ppm clock stability and supports audit-ready data export with embedded metadata including channel definitions, scaling factors, and trigger events.
Key Features
- True portable form factor (175 × 135 × 55 mm, 0.7 kg) with ergonomic handheld operation and optional desktop or panel-mount installation
- Flexible analog input configuration: up to 8 single-ended or 4 differential channels, each independently assignable to voltage (±0.075 V to ±25 V), current (±30 mA), resistance (0–300 kΩ), or temperature sensors
- Dual-speed sampling architecture: one channel at up to 10 Hz (for transient event capture), remaining channels at 1 Hz—enabling mixed-criticality logging without oversampling penalties
- 16 user-defined calculated/export channels supporting arithmetic operations, linearization, unit conversion, and statistical derivation (min/max/mean/std dev) in post-processing
- Two programmable alarm outputs (open-drain FETs, 18 V, 0.1 A) with fully configurable thresholds, hysteresis, and latching behavior—suitable for local process interlocks or relay activation
- Two independent pulse counters: one optimized for low-frequency events (0–100 Hz), the other for high-resolution frequency measurement (0–64 kHz), both with overflow-safe 32-bit registers
- Onboard 16 MB non-volatile memory stores up to 14 million timestamped readings; data retention is unaffected by power loss or battery replacement
- Native USB 2.0 and RS-232 interfaces enable direct PC connection, remote modem telemetry (GSM via SQ20A802), or network extension using RS-232-to-Ethernet or RS-232-to-Wi-Fi bridges
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The SQ2010 accommodates a broad spectrum of passive and active transducers without requiring external signal conditioning. Thermocouple inputs feature cold-junction compensation referenced to an internal sensor (−50 to +150 °C), while RTD and thermistor measurements apply standard IEC 60751 and DIN 43760 polynomials. Voltage and current ranges are selected automatically or manually per channel, minimizing configuration errors. All analog inputs meet EN 61326-1:2013 (EMC) and EN 61010-1:2010 (safety) requirements. The device is CE-marked and RoHS-compliant. While not FDA 21 CFR Part 11-certified out-of-the-box, its deterministic firmware behavior, immutable internal timestamps, and SquirrelView Plus software’s full audit trail (user actions, parameter changes, data exports) support validation under ISO/IEC 17025, ASTM E2500, and GMP Annex 11 frameworks when deployed with documented SOPs.
Software & Data Management
SquirrelView (Windows-based) serves as the primary configuration, visualization, and data extraction utility. It provides intuitive channel setup wizards, real-time graphing with multi-axis overlays, and batch export to CSV, Excel, or XML formats—including metadata such as calibration dates, sensor IDs, and engineering units. SquirrelView Plus adds advanced features: formula-based derived channels, statistical summaries per logging interval, and automated report generation compliant with QA documentation standards. All configuration files (.sqf) are human-readable ASCII and version-controllable. Firmware updates are performed via USB without external programmers. No cloud dependency or subscription model is required—the system operates entirely offline, preserving data sovereignty and simplifying ITAR or GDPR-aligned deployments.
Applications
- Environmental monitoring: temperature/humidity profiling in cold chain logistics, greenhouse climate control, and HVAC commissioning
- Industrial process validation: thermal mapping of ovens, autoclaves, and sterilizers per ISO 14644 or EU GMP Annex 15
- Electrical asset health: current draw trending on motors, transformers, and UPS systems using shunt-based measurement
- Laboratory equipment qualification: verification of incubator, freezer, and stability chamber performance per USP
- Energy efficiency audits: simultaneous logging of voltage, current, and power factor across multiple circuits
- Academic research: low-cost, high-channel-count acquisition for physics, materials science, and environmental science field studies
FAQ
Does the SQ2010 support thermocouple cold-junction compensation?
Yes—integrated reference-sensor compensation is applied automatically for all supported thermocouple types (K, R, B, T, S, C, N, J, D), referenced to the internal temperature reading (−50 to +150 °C).
Can I configure alarms to trigger external devices like relays or lights?
Yes—both alarm outputs are open-drain FETs rated to 18 V and 0.1 A, suitable for direct driving of solid-state relays, indicator LEDs, or PLC inputs.
Is calibration traceable to national standards?
Grant Instruments provides factory calibration certificates with uncertainty budgets traceable to UKAS-accredited laboratories; users may perform field verification using certified reference sources.
How is data integrity ensured during power interruption?
All logged data is written to non-volatile flash memory before acknowledgment; no data is held in volatile RAM. Internal clock continues running on backup capacitor charge during brief outages.
Can I use third-party software to read or control the logger?
Yes—Grant supplies a COM port command protocol specification and Windows DLL drivers (20xx Driver Suite), enabling integration with LabVIEW, MATLAB, Python (pySerial), or custom SCADA systems.
