globalwater WL16S User manual

Global Water
800-876-1172 • globalw.com
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WL16 Data Logger
Covers WL16S and WL16U Data Loggers
Global
Water
Instrumentation, Inc.
151 Graham Road
P.O. Box 9010
College Station, TX 78742-9010
T: 800-876-1172
Int’l: [phone], F:[phone]
[e-mail]
11/30/09
01-404
Publication Number 38300112

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Congratulations on your purchase of a Global Water WL16 Data Logger.
This instrument has been quality tested and approved for providing
accurate and reliable measurements. We are confident that you will find
the loggerto be a valuable asset to your applications. Should you require
assistance, our technical staff will be happy to help.
Table of Contents
I.
Checklist
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3
II.
Inspection
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3
III.
Warranty
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3
IV.
WL16 Specifications ▫
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4
V.
System Requirements
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6
VI.
Software Installation
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6
VII.
Direct Connection
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9
VIII.
Modem Connection
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10
IX.
Main Screen ▫
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13
X.
On-Line Help Files
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17
XI.
Get History ▫
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18
XII.
Setup Menus ▫
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19
XIII.
General Setup ▫
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20
XIV.
Analog Setup ▫
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23
XV.
Programming ▫
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27
XVI.
Modem Cable Diagram ▫▫
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28
XVII.
Adjusting the Zero Reference Level
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29
XVIII. Maintenance ▫▫▫▫▫32
XIX.
Troubleshooting
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32
XX.
Customer Support
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33
Copyright © Global Water Instrumentation, Inc. 2008

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I. Checklist:
a. WL16S (Serial)or WL16U(USB)Data Logger
b. WL16 Data Logger Manual
c. WL16S comes witha RS-232SerialCable
d. WL16U comes with a USB Cable,Type A to B
e. Global Logger InterfaceSoftwareon CDROM
II. Inspection:
a. Your Data Logger was carefullyinspectedand certified by our Quality
AssuranceTeam before shipping. If any damagehas occurred during
shipping; please notify Global WaterInstrumentation,Inc. and file a
claim with the carrier involved.
III. Warranty:
a. Global WaterInstrumentation,Inc. warrantsthat its products are
free from defects in material and workmanshipundernormaluse
and servicefor a period of one year from date of shipmentfrom
factory. Global Water’sobligationsunderthis warranty
are limited
to, at GlobalWater’soption: (I) replacingor (II) repairing;
any products determinedto be defective. In no case shall Global
Water’s liability exceed the productsoriginal purchaseprice. This
warranty does not apply to any equipmentthat has beenrepaired
or altered, except by GlobalWater Instrumentation,Inc., or which
has been subject to misuse, negligenceor accident. It
is expressly agreed that this warranty will be in lieu of all
warrantiesof fitness and in lieu of the warrantyof
merchantability.
b. The warrantybegins on the date of your invoice.

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IV. WL16 Specifications:
Logger:
Power Supply: Two 9VDC Alkaline batteries standard
8 VDC Min. to 24.0 VDC AbsoluteMaximum
Standby Current: 65uA Typical
Logging Current: 5mA Typical+ sensor current
Operating Temperature Industrial, -40ºCto +85ºC(Batterymay not apply)
AnalogSensor Inputs:
4-20mA
Resolution: 12-Bit, 4096 Steps
1 channel+ batteryvoltagemonitor,
2nd channelreservedfor temperatureoption
Sensor Warm-upTime: Programmable,0-60 Seconds
Sample Modes: FixedInterval: Programmablefrom 1 Sec. to >1Year
High Speed: 10 Samplesper second
LogarithmicSampleRate(Approximation)
Exception (Log only on deviationfrom previous reading)
Storage Capacity: 81,759 Recordingsfor two analog inputs, batteryvoltage
monitor and date/time stamp
CommunicationPorts: WL16S: RS-2324-pin circular connector
WL16U: USB Type B
SelectableBaud Rates:
Auto Detect or fixed, rates at 9600, 19200, 28800,
38400,57600,
115200
Housing: 1 7/8 diameterx 11 1/2 long, StainlessSteel and UV
protected PVC
Weight: 450g (16oz), Logger onlywith batteries

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Sensor:
SensorElement: Silicone Diaphragm,Wet/Wet Transducer
Range: Level: 0-3', 0-15', 0-30', 0-60', 0-120', 0-250'
OptionalTemperature:32°-122°F(0°-50°C)
Linearityand Hysteresis: ±0.1%FS
Accuracy: Level: ±0.1%FS at constanttemperature
±0.2%over 32° to 70°F range
OptionalTemp: Smaller of 0.5°F or ±1% of reading
Overpressure: 2 x full scale range
Resolution: Infinite (Analog)
Outputs: 4-20mA ±1mAat full scale
OptionalTemperature:0-10mA±1mAFS
Supply Voltage: 10-36VDC
Current Draw: Sum of sensor outputs.
Warm Up Time: 10mS Min, 3 sec. recommended
Operating Temperature: 0° (Not Frozen)to +185°F
CompensatedRange: 32° to 70°F submerged,automaticbarometric
compensation
Housing:
Material: WL400: 304L StainlessSteel
WL400-S:316
SS
Size: WL400: 7.5” long x 0.82" diameter
WL400-S:9” long x 1.0” diameter
Weight: WL400: 110g (4 oz)
WL400-S:250g (9oz)
Cable:
Conductors: 4 each 22 AWG
JacketMaterial: 87A shore hardness Polyurethane
Optionaljacket: FluorinatedEthylenePropylene(FEP) Teflon
CableO.D.:
7.8mm (0.307”)
Vent tube: HD Polyethylene
Shield: AluminumMylar
Temperaturerange:
-30 to 85°C (-22 to 185°F)
Weight: ~65g/m (0.7 oz/ft)

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V. System Requirements:
Desktop or Laptopcomputerwith:
1) Windows98, ME, 2000, XP Vista or Windows7 Operating Systems
2) CDROMDrive
3) RS-232COM Port (for WL16S)or USB Port (for WL16U)
Note that the software provided withthe WL16data loggers is for running on
desktop and laptop computersonly. Softwarefor many popular
Handheld PDA
devicesis availablefrom Global Water. Specialcables may be required.
VI. Software Installation:
Global Logger Installation: This software is for use on Windows based desktop
and laptop computers only. Insert the software installation CD and run the Setup
program. This will install the Global Logger application in the Program Files folder
and automaticallyput the Global Logger icon on the desktop.
Serial communication(WL16SOnly): If you are using the RS-232 serial port to
accessthe data logger, no further action is needed. You can start using the logger
by openingthe Global Loggerapplicationprogram. Skip the next section.
USB Driver Installation (WL16UOnly): With the installationCD in the
CDROM
drive
and DC powerappliedto the logger, plug the USBcable into the data logger to
open the ADD New HardwareWizard. The menusthat follow will look different for
different operationsystemsbut the procedureis the same. Do not allow the
Hardware Wizard to automaticallysearch for the driver. Instead, specify the
location(CDROM). If a generic driver gets, or has been previously installed, it must
be uninstalledbeforeproceedingby using the Add or RemoveProgramssection of
the Control Panel. Instead, click the SearchExternal Media box or Specify a
Location
box and install the driver fromthe CDROM. Runningthe Setupprogramthat installs
the GlobalLogger softwarealso installs a folder with the driver in it. This locationcan
also be specifiedif the CDROMis not available; although, it is recommendedthat the
driver be installedat the same time the GlobalLoggeris installed.

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WL16U Only
The followingmenus apply to the WindowsXP operatingsystem.
1) Do not let Windowssearch
for software. Click “No, not
at this time” when asked if
WindowsUpdatecan search
for software.
Click Next.
2) Do not let Windows automatically
install the software. Click “Install
from a specificlocation”.
Click Next.
3) Specify the locationof the driver.
Make sure the Global Logger CDROM
is in the CD drive and click “Search
removablemedia” only.
Click Next.

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WL16U Only
4) The HardwareWizard searches
for the driver.
If Windows advises that the software
is not certified, click:
“ContinueAnyway”.
This only means that Microsofthas not
licensed the software. Secondparty
softwareis allowed and no harm will
come to your computer.
5) The first half of the installationis
complete. The HardwareWizard
must make two passes.
Click Finish.
6) Two drivers mightbe required so the HardwareWizardmay repeat the exact
same process again. As before; a: do not let the WindowsUpdatedo a search, b:
tell Windowsto search from a specificlocation instead of automaticallyinstalling
software,c: tell Windows to searchfrom removablemedia(CDROM).
7) The installationis complete.
Click Finish.

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VII. Direct Connection:
8) To confirmthe installation,look in the
Device Managerand find the USB Serial
Port. The COM settingfollowingthat will
show the virtualCOM port that has been
automaticallyassignedto the driver. As
you will see in the following sections,this
COM port will be automaticallydetected
by the Global Logger softwareso it is not
necessary to note whichport is being
used by the driver.
Important: This data loggersupports an Auto Baud Rate Mode which automatically
detects the communicationspeed. However;this communicationsoftwarealso
supports loggers which may be programmedin a Fixed Baud Rate Mode. This is
useful in telemetryapplications,particularlywhen using Global Waterdata loggers
with our Global Access radio modem software. The upcomingdiscussionassumes
that the logger is programmedin auto detectmode. If you cannot connect to the
loggerand suspect that the logger may be using a fixed rate mode;try each
connectionspeed separately, especially 38400 which is required when using the
Global Accesssoftware.
There are 3 ways to connect to the WL16 data Loggers, direct connection through
the RS-232 serial port (WL16S only) or USB port (WL16U only), as well as dial out
through an installed modem(requiresWL16S only withexternal serial modem).

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To make a direct connectionto the logger, click the “Direct” option and from the
“Port” menu, select the port you wish to use.
For USB access(WL16U)select the USB serial port at the COM port the driver was
assigned,whichis automaticallyshown in the list as “Global Logger USB Device”.
Serial connection(WL16S)is generallydone using the serial cable providedwith the
loggerthroughthe 9-pin COM1connector at the back of the computeralthough
COM2 can also be used.
Next, select the desiredbaud rate from the “Baud Rate” menu. Generally, thefastest
rate of 115,200 is used although;long cables or other factors mayrequire a slower
setting. Click “Connect”to make the connection. If a connectionis not made, an
error message will appear. Check the battery, communicationcable, driver
installation
and COM port settings.
VIII. Modem Connection (WL16S Only):
Accessto the WL16S can be madethrough dial-out to a remotemodem by clicking
the “Modem” option. The connectionfrom modem to logger requires an RS-232
serial modem, USBmodemsare not supportedas an interfaceto the logger;
therefore,the WL16U logger cannot be accessed by modem. Also, some switch
settings must be made to the remote modemand an initializationfile may be
requiredto properly configurethe host modem.

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Select the baud rate
WL16S Only
Two baud rates are supported9600 and 19200. Should you experience difficulty
establishinga reliable connectionat 19200, try the slower connectionspeed. Note
that due to the slower baud rates and the additionalhandshakingperformed during
modem communication,The Global Logger softwarewill operatesignificantlyslower
than during a direct connection.
The Global Logger software will rememberthe last 4 numbers dialed and has a
provisionfor using a stored text file (.txt extension)for initializationof the host
modem using standardAT commands. Some experiencemay be required to
configureyour modem but a sample commandfile and someuseful tips follow.
Type in or find the phonenumber
Select the modem’sCOM port
Use initializationfile
Browse

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WL16S Only
Sample initializationtext file:
This is for referenceand appliesto an external US Roboticsmodem only.
ATM1 ; speakeroff when connects
AT&B1 ; fixed serial port rate
AT&D2 ; normal DTR
AT&H1&R2 ; h/w flow control
AT&I0 ; disables/wflow control
AT&K0 ; disablecompression Connect 19200
AT&M4 ; normalerror control
Select the COM port for your modem
and the baud rate. Type in the phone
number or selectit from the list of pre-
stored numbers. If necessary,click the “Use InitializationFile” box and use
the browse button to searchfor the initializationtext file for your modem. Click
“Connect”and the softwarewill dial out, showing the statusscreen shown above.
Once a connectionis established,“Connect” will appear for a few seconds along with
the baud rate of the connection. After connecting,the normalGlobal Logger screen
will appearand operate exactlyas if a direct connectionwas made. All options and
features workthe samebut at a reduced communicationspeed.
When connectingthe WL16S Data Logger to an external modem,a specialcable is
required. Wiring diagrams are providedat the end of this manualand pre-wired
cables are availablefrom Global Water.
The remotemodem is configuredby setting DIP switches. They should be set to
auto-answeron, DTR Normal, carrier detect normal and smart mode.Global Water
can provide externalmodemsandinterfacecables at an additionalcost if requested.
Contact our sales departmentfor more information.
It may not be necessaryto use an initializationstring to configurethe host modem
but if problemsarise the modem should be set with softwarehandshakingoff (Xoff),
DTR normal, fixed baud rate, compressionoff and error correctionon. This
configurationis done by building an initializationfile using the standardAT
commandsand loadingit into the connectionscreen.

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IX. Main Screen:
The main screen is wherethe status and option menus are accessed. The WL16
data logger will continue to log at normal intervals while connectedto the Global
Loggersoftware. While connected,the logger will draw an additioncurrent from the
powersupply of 5-10mAso it is advised that, if you plan to not access the logger for
extendedperiods of time, youdisconnectto increasebattery life. Interfacecables
may remain connected. To disconnect,click on the “Disconnect”button. This label
on this buttonwill changeto “Connect” and clickingon it will return you to the
connectionscreenas previouslydiscussed.
The functionsand informationin this screen are discussedin the followingsections.
Note that the second channel is optionaland generally used for the
water
temperature
optionof the WL400 water level sensor. The screen image above shows
water level and temperaturealthoughany type of sensor can be connectedto the
WL16 logger. Battery voltage is always monitoredon channel3.

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Tool Bar: The tool bar at the top of the screen has 3 options; File, Action and Help.
In this screen, the File option is used to exit the program only. Action allows a menu
driven interfaceto the various functions and displays the hot-keys,whichcan be
used for fast access. Inthe Help menu; Help allowsyou to view the on-line help files
(see sectionX, Page 16), About showscontact informationand revisioninformation
for the GlobalLoggersoftwareand FirmwareVersiondisplaysthe WL16Data
Loggerrevision number.
COM Status: This reads“Connected”in green or “Not Connected”in red,
dependingon the current connectionstatus.
LoggerName: The logger name is a user defined name associatedwitha particular
loggerto identify one from another. It is programmedin the Setup menu as
describedlater and is limited to 32 characters.
LoggerTime: The time and date displayedis that of the real-timeclock in the
logger. It is only updated upon initial connectionand certainfunctionsthat cause
data to be read from the logger. These include SampleContinuously,Get Sample,
Sync Time and Setup whosefunctions are to be describedlater.
Interval: This field displays the logging mode. “Fast” indicates high-speedmode
and “Logarithmic”is shown in logarithmicmode. If the loggeris in the normal fixed
interval samplingmode, the time betweensampleswill be displayed. Thesemodes
are to be describedlater.
Warmup: This displays the sensor warm-up time.

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Records: Thisfield indicatesthe numberof data recordingsin memory.
Logging State: This shows whether the WL16 is currentlyloggingor waiting to be
startedor stopped by the alarm timers. Thesefeatures are describedin detail later.
Sample Continuously: Clickingthis check box causes the Global Loggersoftware
to take and display a real-timereading once per second until stoppedby clicking it
again,as well as update the rest of the fields on the screen. These datareadings
are not storedin the historicalrecordand do not affect the normalrecordingof the
logger. The initial readinghas a sensor warm-uptime of 50mSand the sensor is left
poweredup until this feature is turnedoff.
Get Sample: Clickingthis button causes the GlobalLoggersoftwareto take and
display a single reading as well as update the rest of the fields on the screen. This
data reading is not storedin the historicalrecordand does not affectthe normal
recordingof the logger. The sensor warm-uptime is fixed at 50mS.
Get History: This button starts the download of all the historical data stored in the
logger memory. Oldest data is collected first and Clicking “Stop” halts the process.
This functionis describedin detail later.
Clear History: This resets the number of recordingsin memoryto zero. The user is
warnedfirst and must confirm the action beforethe memoryis cleared.
Sync Time: This buttoncauses the data logger’s internalclock to be set tothe
systemtime of the computer it is connectedto. The user is warned first and must
confirm the action beforethe time is set.
Setup: Clickingthis buttonenters the setup screenwhere the user can change and
programall parametersintothe data logger. This function is described in detail later.

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Bar Graphs: The bar graphsshow a visual representationof the most recent data
readingtakenby using the Sample Continuouslyor Get Samplefunctions. The
upperand lower limits of the display are defined by the user as discussedin detail
later.
Numerical Reading: The numerical readingat the bottomof the bar graphshows
the actual data reading and is updated at the same time as the bar graph.
Successivenumericalreadingstakenby using Sample Continuouslyor Get Sample
are shownin a list below the bar, up to 5.
Alarm 1: This field shows the time that the loggeris set to start logging. The start
alarm is a 24-hour timerwhich will initiate logging, when enabled, at the next
occurrenceof that time.
Alarm 2: This field shows the time that the logger is set to stop logging. The stop
alarm is a 24-hour timerwhich will halt logging, when enabled,at the
next occurrence
of that time afterthe logger has started recording. If the Alarm 1 timer is
set to initiate logging, the Alarm 2 timer will halt logging at the next occurrence of the
Alarm 2 time after the logger has been started by Alarm 1. If the Alarm 1 timer is not
enabled, the Alarm2 timer will halt the logger on the next occurrenceof that time.
Note: The alarm start and stop cycle is a one time occurrence. Once stopped
by the Alarm 2 timer, the logger will not resume logging again until the logger
is reprogrammed. Reprogrammingthe logger with the timers enabled will
restart the alarm cycle. Reprogrammingthe logger with the timers disabled
will return the logger to a normal logging state
Use care when programmingthe alarm times. If left enabled,changingand
reprogrammingany of the setup parameters will restart the alarm timers and
could cause the logger to stop recording.

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X. On-Line Help Files:
Clickingon Help displays the on-line help files which contain all of the information
containedin this manual. There are 3 ways to accessthe information. The first
tab is
Contentswhichaccessesthe table of contents for the manual. Clickingon any of
the topics opensup the
body of text on that
subject. Within each
body of text is a
discussionof that
subject and links to
related topics
underlinedin blue.
Clicking on the link
will bring up a new
windowwithspecific
informationon that
topic. In this case,
Sensor Warm-uptime
in the GeneralSetup
menu.
Click the Index tab to find a listing of topics. Type letters into the keywordfield and
the program automaticallysorts the topics alphabetically. To find relevant topics
basedon a keyword, click the Search tab. Type in a keywordand click List Topics.
When the desiredtopic is found, double-clickon it or click Display at the bottom of
the screen to show informationon that subject.

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XI. Get History:
Clicking the Get Historybutton begins the downloadingof the historicaldata into an
informationscreen. This screen allows the viewingof the recordeddata and also
providesa path to export the datato an Excelcompatiblefile (.CSV file). Note that
the logger continuesto log as data is downloaded. Thus, moredata pointsmay be
downloadedthan originallyindicated.
At the top of the screenis shownthe name assigned to the logger and the number of
recordingsthat have been retrieved. At the bottomof the screen are three buttons,
Pack,SavetoFile and OK.
Pack: The Pack functionremoves recordings that are identicaltothe previousones.
All the channels must be the same as the row above for it to be removed. If even a
singlechannel has data that differs from the previoussample, the row will not be
removed. This functionworks best when a singlechannelis being recordedand
allowsonly the data showing changing conditions to be viewed.

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Save to File: Clicking this button
allowsthe data to be exportedto an
Excelcompatible.CSV file.
Specify the path and the file name
and click the Savebutton
Options: This opensa menuwhich
Allows you to select if you want the
Time and date in thetime stampto
Be in one column or two in the saved.CSV file. Click Closeto return.
OK: Clicking the OKbutton
returns you to the main screen.
XII. Setup Menus:
Clicking the Setupbutton enters the setupmenuwhich is composedof three
sections, Analog, Digital and General. The first screento appearis General Setup.
At the top of the setup screen is a toolbar withthree options, File, Actionand Help.
File: The File optionallows you to exit the setup screen but most importantly,it
allowsall of the configurationinformationfor the logger to be savedto a file or
restored from a file. Select“Load Setup File” to restore a configurationfrom a
file
that
has been previously saved or “SaveSetup File” to save the current setupand
calibrationinformation. The last 4 files are shown for convenience. Setupfiles have
a .SET extension. It is advised that after you calibrateand configurethe logger, you
savethe configurationto a file as a backupprecaution beforeexiting the setup
menu.

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Action: The Action menu has two options, “Program Settings”and “Initializeto
Default Values”. Programsettings will reprogramthe data logger with all the setup
and calibrationinformationand works the same as the Program Settings Buttonat
the bottomof the screen. Initialize
will restore all of the analog, digital
and general setupinformationfields
to default values. Only the setup
menus are changed, the data logger
must still be programmedwiththe
new default values. A warningmessagewill appearbeforethis action is taken.
Help: The Help menuprovidesaccessto the on-linehelp files and Global Water
contact informationas describedpreviously.
XIII. General Setup:
In the General Setupmenu, the logger name, sensor warm-uptime, logging mode,
logging intervaland alarm times are entered.