T&D TR-51i Single-Channel Temperature Data Logger

Overview

The T&D TR-51i is a rugged, single-channel temperature data logger engineered for continuous, high-fidelity environmental monitoring in demanding industrial and logistical settings. Designed around a precision NTC thermistor sensor encapsulated in fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) resin—a material selected for its exceptional chemical resistance, thermal stability, and non-stick surface—the device delivers long-term measurement integrity across extreme thermal gradients. Its operational range of –40 °C to +80 °C enables reliable deployment in outdoor environments, cold-chain logistics (e.g., refrigerated transport, freezer warehouses), pharmaceutical cold storage, and food processing facilities where condensation, frost, or transient immersion may occur. The TR-51i operates as a standalone logging node but achieves full system functionality—real-time alarm monitoring, remote configuration, and high-speed data offload—when paired with the TR-50U2 base station via optical communication, eliminating electrical contact points and enhancing reliability in humid or corrosive atmospheres.

Key Features

• Rugged IP67-rated enclosure ensures dust-tightness and protection against temporary submersion (up to 1 m for 30 minutes), making it suitable for unattended field deployments.
• FEP-coated sensor probe provides inert surface chemistry, minimizing contamination risk and enabling repeated cleaning with alcohol or mild disinfectants—critical for GMP-compliant environments.
• USB bus-powered operation eliminates battery dependency and associated drift or end-of-life failure modes; power and data transfer occur over a single cable during setup and retrieval.
• Optical interface with the TR-50U2 base unit supports contactless synchronization, firmware updates, and alarm-triggered data streaming without physical connector wear or oxidation.
• Internal memory stores up to 32,767 timestamped readings with configurable sampling intervals (1 second to 24 hours), supporting extended autonomous logging periods.
• Real-time clock with ±15 ppm accuracy (–10 to +60 °C) ensures traceable time stamps compliant with ISO/IEC 17025 and FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements when used with audit-trail-enabled software.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The TR-51i is optimized for ambient air, surface, and semi-immersed temperature monitoring—not for direct liquid immersion beyond IP67 limits or aggressive chemical exposure. Its FEP-coated probe exhibits compatibility with aqueous solutions, ethanol, isopropanol, and common food-grade sanitizers. The device complies with IEC 60529 (IP67), RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU, and EMC Directive 2014/30/EU. When deployed in regulated environments—including pharmaceutical cold chain validation (per WHO Technical Report Series No. 961) or food safety audits (SQF, BRCGS)—the TR-51i meets prerequisite instrumentation criteria for calibration traceability, data integrity, and environmental robustness. Calibration certificates (NIST-traceable) are available upon request.

Software & Data Management

Data acquisition and analysis are managed through T&D’s Logbook software (Windows-compatible), which supports automated download, graphical trend visualization, statistical summary (min/max/avg/std dev), and export to CSV, PDF, or Excel formats. The software implements role-based user access control, electronic signature capability, and full audit trail logging—including operator ID, timestamp, action type (e.g., “start logging”, “export report”), and parameter changes. Exported reports include embedded metadata (device ID, firmware version, sensor serial number) to satisfy GLP and GMP documentation requirements. For integration into enterprise systems, Logbook supports ODBC connectivity and scheduled automated exports to shared network drives or cloud storage endpoints.

Applications

• Pharmaceutical cold chain validation: Monitoring temperature excursions during vaccine transport, warehouse storage, and stability testing chambers.
• Food manufacturing compliance: Verifying hold times and temperatures in blast freezers, proofing rooms, and HACCP-critical zones.
• Industrial process verification: Logging ambient conditions near HVAC equipment, cleanroom perimeters, or machinery enclosures subject to thermal cycling.
• Academic and research labs: Long-duration environmental studies requiring low-maintenance, low-power sensing nodes with high temporal resolution.
• Regulatory audits: Providing auditable, time-stamped records for ISO 13485, ISO 22000, or USP Annex 1 cold chain documentation.

FAQ

Is the TR-51i suitable for use inside a walk-in freezer at –30 °C?
Yes—the device is rated for continuous operation from –40 °C to +80 °C and maintains measurement accuracy and mechanical integrity under sustained sub-zero conditions.
Can multiple TR-51i units be managed simultaneously via one TR-50U2 base station?
Yes—the TR-50U2 supports up to 100 optical devices on a single network, enabling scalable fleet management and synchronized alarm thresholds across distributed locations.
Does the TR-51i meet FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements for electronic records?
The hardware itself is Part 11–capable when used with Logbook software configured with audit trail, electronic signatures, and secure user authentication—full compliance depends on site-specific SOP implementation.
What is the recommended calibration interval?
T&D recommends annual calibration against NIST-traceable standards; however, frequency should be determined by risk assessment, usage intensity, and regulatory requirements per ISO/IEC 17025 Clause 7.7.
Is firmware update supported over USB?
Firmware updates require optical communication with the TR-50U2 base unit—USB is used solely for data transfer and power; no in-field USB firmware loading is supported.