LB-523 Thermohygrometer - Temperature and Humidity Recorder with WiFi Communication

• Temperature and humidity recorder
• Battery or externally powered
• Wide operating temperature range
• Small, robust instrument
• WiFi communication, UDP, DHCP
• USB interface
  
• Advanced monitoring PC software LBX Server
  
• Useful in pharmaceutical, food industry, logistical warehouses

Description of the wireless temperature and humidity recorder

The LB-523 WiFi thermohygrometer is a wireless relative humidity and temperature recorder. The recorder is equipped with WiFi and USB interfaces. It is powered from internal, exchangeable batteries (2 x 1.5 V AA or 2 x 1,2 V AA rechargeable batteries) or optionally from an external typical, type B micro-USB charger (standard charger for the majority of mobile phones). For the temperature measurement the WiFi thermohygrometer uses a Pt-1000 thermistor, and a capacitive sensor for the measurement of humidity. The measurements are displayed on a clear LCD display.

The LB-523 WiFi recorder is equipped with a large memory for storing measurements, which — for example, for the LB-523T thermometer, with the recording interval set to 20 minutes — is sufficient to record entries for more than a one year recording session. The data are stored in the memory and “overwritten”, which means that when the memory is full, the oldest recordings are deleted.
The recorder allows threshold temperature and humidity values to be set, along with an alarm when the values are breached.

In a typical application the recorder carries out measurements and records results in memory over a set interval (in the range of 1 minute to 4 hours and 15 minutes). Over a set interval the recorder switches on the WiFi interface and connects with a WiFi access point (WiFi router, Access Point) and exchanges data with the LBX server (SCADA-type software), turns off the WiFi module and switches to measurement and recording mode.

WiFi router parameters and IP address of the LBX server for LB-523 recorder to connect must be set during the device configuration. The configuration is performed via USB interface. The parameters of the WiFi router (AP) for the LB-523 to connect should be defined by using the LBX software. Among others, the configuration should include: name of the WiFi (SSID) network, and in the case of the secured network, the access password too. The LB-523 may be assigned to a permanent IP address or a temporary address may be selected from the addresses assigned by the WiFi router, according to the DHCP protocol. Also, the IP address and port number of the LBX server for the LB-523 to connect should also be configured. In the absence of a permanent, public IP address of a computer with the installed LBX server, a proxy server may be used. A proxy server may be installed on any given computer with a constant, public IP address. In particular, the clients using LB-523 recorders may employ a proxy server shared by LAB-EL company. This server provides a proxy service between LB-523 recorders and any customer’s computer with access to the Internet.

The LB-523 WiFi recorder may signal alarm states. The triggering of an alarm is connected with an additional report to the LBX server, irrespective of the set interval for establishing a connection. An alarm may be triggered when a measurement (temperature and/or humidity) breaches the programmed lower or upper threshold or by an external power supply failure. Additionally, it is possible to set an alarm delay, so that the alarm is not triggered by a short-term incident. Alarm incident failure is also signalled by an additional report to the LBX server Thanks to the alarm reporting function there is no threat of ‘overlooking’ an alarm in the case of long intervals between planned reporting events. The LBX software may react differently after receiving information about an alarm — this depends on the equipment controlled by the LBX software and its configuration. In particular circumstances, the LBX may send an email or a text message to a specified person or perform another operation.

Note: if the LB-523 WiFi recorder is powered from rechargeable batteries and concurrently from an external USB charger, the rechargeable batteries are not charged. The charger is used for supplying the recorder only. The rechargeable batteries should be charged when they are taken out of the instrument, in special chargers.

The recorder may be optionally used in the LB-523T WiFi version, designed solely for temperature measurement and recording, with a built-in or an external temperature sensor.

Each wireless thermohygrometer (thermometer), as per order, may feature an individual calibration certificate provided by LAB-EL Calibration Laboratory.

Application of the wireless WiFi recorder

The LB-523 and LB-523T WiFi recorders are designed for controlling and documenting the course of technological processes in production facilities and warehouses — especially in pharmaceutical, medical and food industries. It is especially useful in meeting the requirements for ISO and HACCP production quality control in food and pharmaceutical industries. It may be used for monitoring temperature in distribution centres and growing cellars.

Technical Data

TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENT
Temperature measurement uncertainty	±0.2°C	±1 final digit, within the range of 0… +50°C
	±0.6°C	±1 final digit, within the range of -30… +50°C
	±1.2°C	±1 final digit, within the range of -100…+200°C
	±2.4°C	±1 final digit, within the range of -200…+550°C
Measurement range	-20…+60°C	internal temperature sensor, for LB-523 or LB-523T
	-100…+200°C	external temperature sensor, for LB-523TX (*1)
	-200…+550°C	external temperature sensor, for LB-523TXE (*1)
Measurement resolution	0.1°C

HUMIDITY MEASUREMENT
Humidity measurement uncertainty of LB-523	±2.0%	within the range of 10…90% ±1 final digit
	±4.0%	outside the range of 10…90%
Humidity measurement range of LB-523	10…95%	for temperatures up to +40°C
	10…60%	for temperatures up to +70°C
	10…40%	for temperatures up to +85°C
Humidity measurement range of LB-523H	0…100%	for temperatures up to +60°C
	0…70%	for temperatures up to +70°C
	0…40%	for temperatures up to +85°C
Measurement resolution	0.1%

MEASUREMENT MEMORY, COMMUNICATION
Memory capacity	15,000 entries 30,000 entries, for LB-523T/TX/TXE	humidity and temperature temperature
WiFi interface	2.4 GHz IEEE 802.11 b/g
Number of operating channels	13
Maximum range	100 m	in open terrain
	30 m	depending on local building characteristics and equipment

POWER SUPPLY, MECHANICAL DATA
Power source	2 x 1.5 V AA batteries	AA alkaline batteries
	2 x 1.2 V AA rechargeable batteries	Recommended Ni-MH Eneloop HR-3UTGB Sanyo or BK-3MMC Panasonic rechargeable batteries
	5 V / 500 mA	Optional, typical mobile phone charger, micro-USB, type B
Battery operation time	This time is not unequivocally defined. It depends on many parameters, including: from the set interval of establishing communication via WiFi, router and Ethernet/Internet signal quality and the set interval between measurements. For a typically working WiFi and Ethernet/Internet network signal, operation temperature of 20°C, dedicated Eneloop rechargeable batteries fully charged, and with the following settings: - WiFi connection interval: 30 minutes; - measurement and recording every 10 minutes; the operation time of the batteries is 6–12 months.
Dimensions	84 x 84 x 36 mm	dimensions without optional external antenna
Material, housing protection class	ABS	IP 30
Operating temperature range	-20…+60°C

Extensions

By special order, the following set-ups are available:

• LB-523 SMA — with an SMA antenna connection (possibility of connecting an external SMA antenna, and an antenna with a connected coaxial cable — possibility of installing an antenna on the roof of a building)

Remark (*1): The given measurement range may be additionally limited by the parameters of the external sensor used.
Remark (*2): The battery is not subject to warranty

Optional equipment

• External mobile phone charger (micro-USB, type B, 5 V 500 mA) for powering the LB-523 (note: the rechargeable batteries are not charged inside the LB-523, the rechargeable batteries should be charged in an external charger)
• USB A-micro cable, type B
• Ni-MH Eneloop HR-3UTGB Sanyo or BK-3MCC Panasonic rechargeable batteries
• Eneloop NC-MQN09W charger for rechargeable batteries
• LB-528A plastic holder