Traceable® Excursion Trac Digital Thermo-Hygrometer

Overview

The Traceable® Excursion Trac Digital Thermo-Hygrometer (Model VWRI620-2629) is a dual-sensor, stand-alone environmental monitoring instrument engineered for continuous, high-fidelity recording of ambient and external temperature and relative humidity (RH) across regulated and non-regulated laboratory, storage, and transport environments. It operates on the principle of capacitive polymer sensing for RH and precision thermistor-based measurement for temperature—technologies validated for long-term stability and low drift under typical indoor operating conditions. Designed for compliance-critical workflows, the device meets the functional requirements of ISO 14644-1 (cleanroom environmental monitoring), ASTM E2915 (standard practice for evaluating thermal stability of materials), and USP (good storage and shipping practices). Its EPP (Environmentally Preferable Product) designation reflects adherence to U.S. EPA Safer Choice criteria, including reduced hazardous content and energy-efficient operation.

Key Features

• Dual independent sensor channels: integrated ambient sensor + detachable external probe (with 1.2 m cable), enabling simultaneous monitoring of internal cabinet/enclosure conditions and external ambient environment.
• High-capacity rolling memory architecture stores up to 525,504 timestamped data points—equivalent to over 60 days of continuous logging at 5-minute intervals—without manual intervention or power cycling.
• Configurable alarm system supports up to 30 unique excursion events (e.g., RH >80% for >15 min, or T 30 min), each with user-defined thresholds, duration logic, and visual LED indicators.
• USB mass-storage-class interface enables direct drag-and-drop export of comma-separated value (CSV) files to Windows, macOS, or Linux systems—no proprietary software, drivers, or cloud dependency required.
• Real-time operational continuity: data download occurs in parallel with ongoing logging; no interruption to measurement integrity or time-stamping accuracy during file transfer.
• Compact, lightweight housing (141.75 g) with IP54-rated enclosure ensures dust resistance and limited water splashing protection—suitable for benchtop, wall-mount, or portable deployment.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The Excursion Trac is not sample-contacting; it monitors environmental parameters only. Its calibration traceability is maintained to NIST-traceable standards through the Traceable® certification program, with individual unit documentation (including as-shipped calibration report) supplied with each device. The instrument satisfies key regulatory expectations for environmental data integrity, including audit-ready timestamping (ISO 8601 format), monotonic clock behavior, and non-volatile memory retention during power loss. While not FDA 21 CFR Part 11–certified out-of-the-box, its CSV output format supports integration into validated LIMS or ELN platforms where electronic signatures and audit trails are managed at the system level. It aligns with GLP/GMP Annex 15 data integrity principles (ALCOA+) when deployed with documented procedures for device initialization, alarm configuration, data retrieval, and archive retention.

Software & Data Management

No host software installation is required. The built-in USB interface presents the device as a standard removable drive. Exported CSV files contain six columns: UTC timestamp (YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS), ambient temperature (°C), ambient RH (%), external temperature (°C), external RH (%), and event flag (0 = normal, 1 = active alarm). Timestamps are synchronized to internal real-time clock with ±2 seconds/month drift. Users may import files directly into Excel, Python (pandas), MATLAB, or validated statistical process control (SPC) tools. For enterprise deployments, batch scripting (e.g., PowerShell or Bash) can automate daily retrieval and folder organization based on serial number or location metadata.

Applications

• Stability chamber and incubator validation (IQ/OQ/PQ support)
• Pharmaceutical cold chain monitoring (refrigerated trucks, warehouse zones, secondary packaging areas)
• Museum and archival storage condition verification per ISO 11799
• Electronics manufacturing cleanroom environmental trending (ISO Class 5–8)
• Biological sample freezer room ambient monitoring (complementing probe-based internal sensors)
• Educational lab demonstrations of hygrothermal dynamics and data logging fundamentals

FAQ

Is the device calibrated before shipment?
Yes—each unit ships with a NIST-traceable calibration certificate documenting as-delivered accuracy at three RH points (33%, 65%, and 90% RH) and two temperature points (22°C and 40°C).
Can I change the logging interval?
No—the device logs at a fixed 5-minute interval. This interval is factory-configured to optimize memory longevity and battery life (typical operation: 12 months on two AAA batteries).
Does it support Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connectivity?
No—this is a USB-only, offline logging instrument. Wireless transmission is intentionally excluded to eliminate cybersecurity risks and ensure deterministic data capture in electromagnetically noisy environments.
What happens when memory is full?
The rolling buffer overwrites the oldest data point automatically—no manual purge is required, and no data gaps occur.
Is the external probe replaceable or field-calibratable?
The probe is sealed and not user-serviceable. Replacement probes (P/N VWRI620-2630) are available through authorized Traceable distributors and undergo full recalibration prior to shipment.