testo 176 H2 Temperature and Humidity Data Logger

Overview

The testo 176 H2 is a high-integrity, industrial-grade temperature and humidity data logger engineered for long-term, unattended environmental monitoring in regulated and non-regulated settings. Based on dual-sensor architecture—integrating two internal NTC temperature sensors and two external plug-in ports for capacitive humidity/temperature probes—the device delivers synchronized, time-stamped measurements across up to four independent channels. Its measurement principle relies on precision NTC thermistors for temperature sensing and calibrated capacitive polymer sensors for relative humidity detection, both traceable to national metrological standards. Designed for continuous operation in demanding environments—including cold rooms, pharmaceutical warehouses, cleanrooms, HVAC validation zones, and logistics hubs—the testo 176 H2 meets the functional requirements of ISO 14644, ISO 17025, and EU GMP Annex 15 for environmental qualification. With an 8-year battery life under typical logging intervals and automatic data retention during battery replacement, it eliminates operational gaps that compromise data continuity—a critical requirement for audit-ready compliance.

Key Features

• Metal housing with IP65 ingress protection—resistant to dust, water jets, and mechanical impact; suitable for washdown environments without removal
• 2,000,000-measurement internal memory with automatic circular overwrite and timestamped storage (year/month/day/hour/minute/second)
• Zero-data-loss architecture: all readings preserved during battery depletion, replacement, or power interruption
• Configurable measurement interval from 1 second to 24 hours via software; supports real-time online measurement mode (2 s minimum)
• Integrated mounting bracket with tamper-evident lock for secure wall or rack installation
• Pre-calibrated internal sensors compliant with EN 60751 (NTC) and traceable to PTB/NIST reference standards
• Support for two external testo humidity/temperature probes (e.g., S0431, S0432), enabling spatially distributed multi-point monitoring

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The testo 176 H2 is not intended for direct immersion or condensing atmospheres; it operates exclusively in non-condensing ambient air environments. It accommodates standard 2-pin analog humidity/temperature probes conforming to testo’s proprietary interface protocol. Regulatory alignment includes full adherence to EU Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive 2014/30/EU and RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU. When used with ComSoft CFR 21 Part 11 software and configured with audit trail, electronic signature, and role-based access control, the system satisfies FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements for electronic records and signatures in pharmaceutical, biotech, and clinical trial applications. Device firmware and calibration certificates are provided with documented uncertainty budgets and metrological traceability statements in the出厂 report included with each unit.

Software & Data Management

Data configuration, retrieval, and analysis are performed using testo’s ComSoft suite—available in three validated editions. ComSoft Basic (freely downloadable) enables instrument setup, real-time readout, and CSV/Excel export. ComSoft Professional adds advanced visualization tools, statistical trend analysis (min/max/mean/stdev), alarm event filtering, and PDF report generation with embedded metadata (device ID, operator, calibration status). ComSoft CFR 21 Part 11 extends these capabilities with ALCOA+ principles: attributable, legible, contemporaneous, original, accurate, complete, consistent, enduring, and available. This edition enforces electronic signature workflows, immutable audit logs, and user privilege segregation—supporting GLP/GMP audits and regulatory inspections. Data transfer occurs via mini-USB cable (optional accessory) or removable SD card (optional), both supporting encrypted file formats compatible with LIMS and MES integration.

Applications

• Continuous validation of temperature and humidity conditions in pharmaceutical storage areas (cold chain, stability chambers, quarantine zones)
• HVAC performance verification and energy efficiency benchmarking across commercial buildings and laboratories
• Environmental monitoring during transport and distribution of temperature-sensitive medical devices and diagnostics
• Long-term climate profiling in museums, archives, and data centers where thermal stress affects material integrity
• Process support for food manufacturing—monitoring ambient conditions in ripening rooms, dry storage, and packaging lines
• Compliance documentation for ISO 9001, ISO 13485, and ICH Q5C stability testing protocols

FAQ

Can the testo 176 H2 operate in condensing environments?
No. The device is rated for non-condensing atmospheric conditions only. Capacitive humidity sensors degrade irreversibly when exposed to liquid water or sustained dew point conditions.
Is calibration certificate included with delivery?
Yes. Each unit ships with a factory calibration report indicating measured deviations at defined reference points, uncertainty values, and traceability to national standards.
Does the device support Modbus or other industrial communication protocols?
No. The testo 176 H2 communicates exclusively via USB or SD card; it does not feature RS-485, Ethernet, or wireless interfaces.
What happens if the memory becomes full?
The device automatically overwrites the oldest stored data when memory capacity is reached—unless circular logging is disabled via ComSoft configuration.
Are external probes supplied with the base unit?
No. External humidity/temperature probes (e.g., testo S0431, S0432) are optional accessories and must be ordered separately.
How is battery replacement performed without data loss?
The internal supercapacitor maintains volatile memory during battery swap. Replacement requires a standard TL-5903 lithium cell and takes less than 60 seconds—no software reconfiguration is needed.