Chapter 1
What is IoT for temperature/humidity monitoring?
A system that automatically measures, records, and monitors temperature/humidity
IoT temperature/humidity monitoring is a system that continuously collects data measured by temperature/humidity sensors, and allows users to view, record, and monitor it on a computer or other device.
In addition to people having to go to the site to check the values, automatically collecting measurement data makes it easier to understand the conditions during times when patrols are not being conducted.
What is IoT?
IoT stands for "Internet of Things," and refers to a system that connects sensors, devices, and other elements to a network to collect, share, and utilize data.
In temperature/humidity monitoring, data acquired from temperature/humidity sensors is collected and used for display, recording, alarms, and analysis.
IoT doesn't necessarily equal the cloud. Besides cloud-based solutions that utilize the internet, there are also configuration that are entirely contained within the network of a factory or facility. configuration should be chosen based on the required scope and security requirements.
Chapter 2
How is this different from management using only patrols and handwritten records?
Installing temperature/humidity meters and having a person in charge periodically patrol and record the readings is a simple and easy management method to implement. However, the conditions during times when patrols are not being conducted cannot be known on the spot.
| Management method | Patrol and handwritten records | temperature/humidity monitoring IoT |
|---|---|---|
| Measurement | At the time the person in charge made their rounds | Automatic measurement at set intervals |
| Record | It may be done by handwriting or manual input. | Easy to automatically save data |
| Anomaly detected | It may be during the next patrol. | It can monitor and notify you of deviations from set values. |
| Nighttime and holidays | It's difficult to determine the times when patrols are not being conducted. | Measurement can continue even during times when no one is present. |
| Data utilization | Data transcription and aggregation may be required. | Easy to use as historical data and trends. |
Not just "making things visible," but also "reducing downtime."
The value of IoT temperature/humidity monitoring lies not only in being able to see the current temperature/humidity on a screen, but also in recording changes that occur between patrols, allowing for early detection of anomalies.
Chapter 3
What can be done with IoT for temperature/humidity monitoring?
Check the status in real time
This feature allows you to view multiple measurement points in a list, making it easier to understand the current temperature/humidity conditions.
Automatically records temperature/humidity data.
By accumulating time-series data, it becomes easier to review the history necessary for daily reports and audits.
Anomaly notification
The system makes an alarm determination based on pre-set upper and lower limit limits and notifies the responsible person as needed.
Remote verification
Depending on the network configuration, data can be accessed from PCs or other devices outside the work site.
Check the trends
The accumulated data makes it easier to review trends in temperature/humidity fluctuations, seasonal changes, and conditions before and after abnormal events.
Streamlining reporting and record-keeping tasks
By using automatically collected data, it may be possible to reduce tasks such as manual transcription and data aggregation.
Chapter 4
What types of environments are suitable for IoT temperature/humidity monitoring?
Warehouse/Storage Area
This product is suitable for environments where temperature/humidity in the storage environment affect quality, such as for food products, raw materials, pharmaceuticals, and precision equipment.
Manufacturing site
It can be used in environments where temperature/humidity conditions need to be controlled within a specific range, such as manufacturing rooms, drying process, and environmental testing.
Research facilities and testing environments
This is suitable for situations where you want to continuously record test conditions and environmental conditions.
Refrigeration and freezing equipment
Continuous monitoring and alarm systems are useful when you want to quickly detect equipment malfunctions or temperature deviations.
IoT is not necessary for every workplace.
If the measurement frequency is low and the impact of anomalies is small, manual checks or a single logger may suffice. It is important to consider implementation based on whether "24-hour monitoring is necessary" and "it is necessary to notify of anomalies immediately."
Chapter 5
The meaning of continuously monitoring temperature/humidity
In temperature/humidity management, it's important not only to be able to confirm that "an abnormality occurred," but also to be able to confirm "when the abnormality began."
The detection of the abnormality is delayed.
If temperature/humidity deviate from the normal range between inspections, it may go unnoticed until the next check.
Investigating the cause will become more difficult.
Without a continuous history, it becomes difficult to determine when the changes started and what triggered them.
The burden of record-keeping and reporting will increase.
Records kept by hand or by transcription can be time-consuming to compile and report.
Management becomes difficult when the person in charge is absent.
If inspections are reliant on specific personnel, a system for checking procedures during nighttime hours, holidays, or when the assigned person is absent may become a challenge.
Chapter 6
Points to check before implementing an IoT system for temperature/humidity monitoring.
| Check items | Confirm |
|---|---|
| Target of surveillance | Where should we monitor: warehouses, storage rooms, manufacturing rooms, laboratories, cleanrooms, etc.? |
| Measurement items | Is temperature alone sufficient, or are humidity and dew point temperature also necessary? |
| Number of measurement points | How many points should be measured, and at what intervals should the data be recorded? |
| Alarm | judgement condition higher limit and lower limit, and who to notify and by what method. |
| Data Storage | How long should the data be retained, and how should it be used for reports, audits, and quality records? |
| network | Check wired/wireless connectivity, connection to existing networks, and security requirements. |
| Power outages and communication failures | Can data be retained even if communication is lost, and can the data be recovered after recovery? |
| Calibration/maintenance | How should the sensor calibration cycle, replacement method, and maintenance system be structured? |
Chapter 7
Basic system configuration for temperature/humidity monitoring IoT
temperature/humidity monitoring system isn't just about installing sensors on the object being monitored. It also involves considering where the measured data is sent, where it's stored, and how it will be monitored and reported.
1. temperature/humidity sensor
Temperature and humidity are measured at monitoring points such as warehouses, manufacturing rooms, and storage areas.
2. Collection and Communication
Measurement data is received and collected using communication methods such as wireless or wired connections.
3. Recording and monitoring system
The collected data is display on the screen, saved as a history, and multiple points can be monitored together.
4. Alarms/Notifications
If the value deviates from the set value, the person in charge will be notified via alarm output or email.
Depending on the system, it can be configuration using an on-premises network without using the cloud. However, when managing multiple locations remotely, integration with the cloud or high-order systems may be beneficial.
Chapter 8
Chino's proposed configuration example using CISAS + MD8000
This configuration proposed by Chino is an IoT solution that automatically monitors and records temperature/humidity conditions in factories and warehouses, supporting the identification of abnormalities and the streamlining of daily management.
1. Wireless sensor network
Wireless temperature/humidity sensors installed in each storage area and monitoring point continuously collect data.
2. Centralized Management
The collected data is centrally managed using the CISAS monitoring system, making it easier to understand the status of multiple points at once.
3. Remote monitoring
configuration makes it easy to check temperature/humidity conditions in real time from a PC or other device, even when you're not on-site.
4. Automatic alerts
If the set value is exceeded, the system will help reduce the risk of overlooking anomalies by notifying the person in charge.
5. Trend Analysis
Based on the accumulated data, we can identify trends and use them to prevent recurrence and consider improvements.
Expected benefits of implementation
This makes it easier to improve both daily management and risk management, such as reducing personnel costs, responding quickly to temperature/humidity anomalies, and recording and reviewing data.
Chapter 9
How to choose temperature/humidity monitoring system
Instead of choosing a system simply because it's "IoT and therefore convenient," select a system based on what you want to monitor and the required level of management.
| Selection item | Confirm |
|---|---|
| What to measure | Where should we monitor: warehouses, storage rooms, manufacturing rooms, research facilities, etc.? |
| Measurement items | What should we measure, such as temperature, humidity, and dew point? |
| Number of measurement points | How many locations will be monitored, and is there a possibility of adding more in the future? |
| Communication method | Is it suitable for the field environment, including wireless, wired, and existing networks? |
| Record | Retention period, data models, and the need for CSV output and reports. |
| Alarm | Judgment of higher limit and lower limit limits, rate-of-change, and notification methods such as email and contact. |
| Reliability | Data retention during communication failures and power outages, and handling of sensor malfunction. |
| maintenance | Operational tasks such as sensor replacement, calibration, and system updates. |
| Safety features | Network connection methods, account management, and alignment with internal IT rules. |
For small-scale projects, a standalone data logger is also an option.
If the number of measurement points is small and continuous monitoring or immediate notification is not required, a standalone data logger or temperature/humidity meter may suffice.
For multi points, remote, and alarm systems, consider a monitoring system.
If you have a large number of measurement points, want to manage multiple areas together, or need immediate notification in case of anomalies, consider implementing a monitoring system.
Chapter 10
In temperature/humidity monitoring, "reliability of measurement values" is also important.
Even if temperature/humidity monitoring system stores a large amount of data, if the initial measurements are inaccurate, the data will have little meaning as management data.
Sensor calibration
temperature/humidity sensors are also affected by the operating environment and changes over time. If the reliability of the measured values is required for quality control or audits, accuracy control, including calibration, should be considered.
Calibration cycle
Calibration cycles are not determined uniformly, but rather considered based on factors such as frequency of use, environment, required accuracy, past calibration results, and the impact of any deviations.
Selection of calibration method
We select the appropriate method depending on the required certification content and application, such as JCSS calibration, general calibration, or Chino calibration.
Differences between JCSS calibration, general calibration, and Chino calibration
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions about IoT for temperature/humidity Monitoring
What exactly is IoT for temperature/humidity monitoring?
This system automatically collects data measured by temperature/humidity sensors and uses it for recording, monitoring, and notification.
What changes when we implement IoT?
This makes it easier to transition from management that only involves patrolling and checking to management that automates measurement, recording, and monitoring. It is especially useful for understanding the status during times when people are not constantly present, such as at night or on holidays.
Isn't it not IoT without the cloud?
No. IoT is the concept of connecting devices and sensors to a network to collect and utilize data. It can also be configuration using an in-house network without using the cloud.
Can it monitor not only temperature but also humidity?
Using a temperature/humidity sensor, you can measure temperature and relative humidity simultaneously. Depending on the application, you can also consider managing parameters such as dew point temperature.
Can I be notified if something goes wrong?
Depending on the system, it is possible configuration to send notifications via email or alarm output based on alarm criteria such as higher limit and lower limit.
If there's a power outage or communication failure, will the data be lost?
The appropriate countermeasures vary depending on the system. Please select a system that addresses data loss during communication failures, such as incorporating internal memory into the sensor or logger, or recovering saved data after recovery.
How many sensors can be connected?
The number of connectable devices varies depending on the system and model. Consider configuration not only based on the number of measurement points, but also including future expansion possibilities.
Can it be integrated with existing equipment?
Depending on the system, it may be possible to integrate with recorders, data loggers, PLCs, etc. We will consider this after confirming specifications of existing equipment and the necessary data integration methods.
Do temperature/humidity monitoring systems also require calibration?
When reliability of measurement values is required for quality control or audits, calibration and accuracy control, including sensors, should be considered.
Summary
IoT for temperature/humidity monitoring is moving from "visualization" to "management that can detect abnormalities."
IoT temperature/humidity monitoring systems are not just devices that automatically measure and record temperature/humidity. They are systems that manage temperature/humidity by continuously collecting data, checking the status, and notifying users when the values deviate from the set values.
In particular, in places where temperature/humidity must be controlled even at night or on holidays, such as warehouses, storage facilities, and manufacturing rooms, the ability to check conditions during times that are difficult to ascertain through patrols alone is a major advantage.
However, not every site requires a large-scale IoT system. It is important to consider factors such as the number of measurement points, monitoring needs, alarms, data storage, networking, calibration, and maintenance, and then implement the system only where necessary.
I would like to discuss configuration of temperature/humidity monitoring.
We can discuss configuration tailored to your specific site conditions, including monitoring locations, number of measurement points, temperature/humidity control range, anomaly notifications, data storage, and integration with existing equipment.
I would like to discuss temperature/humidity monitoring.
