TESTO 184 User manual

testo 184 · USB Transport data logger
Instruction manual

2

1 Contents
3
1Contents
1Contents ...................................................................................................3
2Safety and the environment....................................................................4
2.1. About this document........................................................................4
2.2. Ensure safety...................................................................................4
2.3. Protecting the environment..............................................................4
3Specifications ..........................................................................................5
3.1. Use ..................................................................................................5
3.2. Technical data .................................................................................5
4Product description...............................................................................13
4.1. Status LEDs...................................................................................13
4.2. Display (LCD) ................................................................................14
4.3. Key functions.................................................................................15
4.4. Important information and glossary of terms..................................16
5Using the product..................................................................................19
5.1. Configuring the data logger ...........................................................19
5.2. Measuring......................................................................................21
5.3. Reading out data ...........................................................................21
6Maintaining the product........................................................................23
6.1. Changing the batteries ..................................................................23
6.2. Cleaning the instrument.................................................................24
7Tips and assistance...............................................................................25

2 Safety and the environment
4
2Safety and the environment
2.1. About this document
Use
> This instruction manual is an essential component of the
product.
> Please read this documentation through carefully and
familiarize yourself with the product before using it. Pay
particular attention to the safety instructions and warning
notices in order to prevent injuries and damage to the product.
> Keep this document to hand so that you can refer to it when
necessary.
> Make sure that the instruction manual is read by subsequent
users of the product.
2.2. Ensure safety
> Only operate the product properly, for its intended purpose and
within the parameters specified in the technical data. Do not
use any force.
> Do not use the product if there are signs of damage to the
housing.
> Carry out only the maintenance and repair work on this
instrument that is described in the documentation. Follow the
prescribed steps exactly. Use only original spare parts
from Testo.
2.3. Protecting the environment
> Dispose of faulty rechargeable batteries/spent batteries in
accordance with the valid legal specifications.
> At the end of its useful life, send the product to the separate
collection for electric and electronic devices (observe local
regulations) or return the product to Testo for disposal.
WEEE Reg. Nr. DE 75334352

3 Specifications
5
3Specifications
3.1. Use
The testo 184 USB transport data loggers are used to save and
read out individual readings and measurement series. They have
been specifically designed for monitoring the transportation of
products subject to cold chain requirements.
Temperature and humidity readings are saved throughout the
entire duration of the measurement program.
Acceleration readings are monitored throughout the duration of the
measurement program and saved when the set limit value is
exceeded.
Data logger programming and measurement report output are
implemented via PDF files, no software needs to be installed.
Product versions T1 and T2 are single-use data loggers with a
time-limited service life.
Configuration and readout of the testo 184 G1 USB
transport data logger are not possible with the testo
Saveris CFR Software and its transport add-ons.
3.2. Technical data
testo 184 T1
Feature Values
Display
No
Probe type internal NTC temperature sensor
Measuremen
t channels
1 internal
Measuremen
t parameters
[unit]
Temperature [°C, °F]
Measuring
range
-35 to 70 °C
Accuracy ±0.5 K
Resolution 0.1 °C
Operating
temperature
-35 to 70 °C

3 Specifications
6
Feature Values
Storage
temperature
-35 to 70 °C
Battery type internal, non-replaceable
Operating
time (single-
use data
logger)
90 days from first program start (5-minute
measuring cycle, -35 °C)
Protection
class
IP65
Measuring
interval
1 minute to 24 hours
Memory 16,000 readings
Dimensions 35 x 9 x 75 mm
Weight 25 g
Directives,
standards,
certificates
2014/30/EU, EN 12830, HACCP-certified,
temperature calibration certificate traceable
according to ISO 17025
testo 184 T2
Feature Values
Display Yes
Probe type internal NTC temperature sensor
Measuremen
t channels
1 internal
Measuremen
t parameters
[unit]
Temperature [°C, °F]
Measuring
range
-35 to 70 °C
Accuracy ±0.5 K
Resolution 0.1 °C
Operating
temperature
-35 to 70 °C
Storage
temperature
-35 to 70 °C
Battery type internal, non-replaceable

3 Specifications
7
Feature Values
Operating
time (single-
use data
logger)
150 days from first program start (5-minute
measuring cycle, -35 °C)
Protection
class
IP65
Measuring
interval
1 minute to 24 hours
Memory 40,000 readings
Dimensions 40 x 12.5 x 96.5 mm
Weight 45 g
Directives,
standards,
certificates
2014/30/EU, EN 12830, HACCP-certified,
temperature calibration certificate traceable
according to ISO 17025
testo 184 T3
Feature Values
Display Yes
Probe type internal NTC temperature sensor
Measuremen
t channels
1 internal
Measuremen
t parameters
[unit]
Temperature [°C, °F]
Measuring
range
-35 to 70 °C
Accuracy ±0.5 K
Resolution 0.1 °C
Operating
temperature
-35 to 70 °C
Storage
temperature
-35 to 70 °C
Battery type CR2450, replaceable
Battery life
(reusable
data logger)
500 days (15-minute measuring cycle, 25 °C)

3 Specifications
8
Feature Values
Protection
class
IP65
Measuring
interval
1 minute to 24 hours
Memory 40,000 readings
Dimensions 40 x 12.5 x 96.5 mm
Weight 45 g
Directives,
standards,
certificates
2014/30/EU, EN 12830, HACCP-certified,
temperature calibration certificate traceable
according to ISO 17025
testo 184 T4
Feature
Values
Display No
Probe type Internal PT1000 temperature sensor
Measuremen
t channels
1 internal
Measuremen
t parameters
[unit]
Temperature [°C, °F]
Measuring
range
-80 to 70 °C
Accuracy ±0.8 K (-80 to -35.1 °C), ±0.5 K (-35.0 to 70 °C)
Resolution 0.1 °C
Operating
temperature
-80 to 70 °C
Storage
temperature
-80 to 70 °C
Battery type TLH-2450, replaceable
Battery life
(reusable
data logger)
100 days (15-minute measuring cycle, -80 °C)
Protection
class
IP65
Measuring
interval
1 minute to 24 hours

3 Specifications
9
Feature Values
Memory 40,000 readings
Dimensions 40 x 12.5 x 96.5 mm
Weight 45 g
Directives,
standards,
certificates
2014/30/EU, EN 12830, HACCP-certified,
temperature calibration certificate traceable
according to ISO 17025
testo 184 H1
Feature
Values
Display Yes
Probe type internal digital humidity/temperature sensor
Measuremen
t channels
2 internal
Measuremen
t parameters
[unit]
temperature [°C, °F], relative humidity [%]
Measuring
range
-20 to 70 °C
0 to 100% (not for condensing atmospheres)1
Accuracy ±0.5 K (0.0 to 70 °C), ±0.8 K (-20 to -0.1 °C)
±1,8 % RH, +3 % of the reading (at 25 °C, 5 %
to 80 % RH)1
±0,03 % RH (at 0 to 60 °C)
±1 %RH hysteresis
±1 %RH/year drift
Resolution 0.1 °C
0.1 %RH
Operating
temperature
-20 to 70 °C
Storage
conditions
-55 to 70 °C
30 to 60 %RH
1The humidity sensor has the highest accuracy between 5 °C and 60 °C, and
between 20 %RH and 80 %RH. If the instrument is exposed to high humidity for
a longer period of time, the measuring accuracy decreases. The humidity sensor
is regenerated within 48 hours via storage at 50 %RH ±10 % and 20 °C ±5 °C.

3 Specifications
10
Feature Values
Battery type CR2450, replaceable
Battery life
(reusable
data logger)
500 days (15-minute measuring cycle, 25 °C)
Protection
class
IP 30
Measuring
interval
1 minute to 24 hours
Memory 60,000 readings (temperature and relative humidity)
Dimensions 40 x 12.5 x 96.5 mm
Weight 45 g
Directives,
standards,
certificates
2014/30/EU, HACCP-certified
Feature
Values
Display Yes
testo 184 G1
Feature
Values
Display Yes
Probe type internal digital humidity/temperature sensor &
internal 3-axis accelerometer
Measuremen
t channels
5 internal
Measuremen
t parameters
[unit]
temperature [°C, °F], relative humidity [%],
acceleration [g, m/s²]
Measuring
range
-20 to 70 °C
0 to 100 % (not for condensing atmospheres)2
0 to 27 g
2The humidity sensor has the highest accuracy between 5 °C and 60 °C, and
between 20 % and 80 %RH. If the instrument is exposed to high humidity for a
longer period of time, the measuring accuracy decreases. The humidity sensor
is regenerated within 48 hours via storage at 50 %RH ±10 % and 20 °C ±5 °C.

3 Specifications
11
Feature Values
Accuracy ±0.5 K (0.0 to 70 °C), ±0.8 K (-20 to -0.1 °C)
±1,8 % RH, +3 % of the reading (at 25 °C, 5 %
to 80 % RH)1
±0,03 % RH (at 0 to 60 °C)
±1 %RH hysteresis
±1 %RH/year drift
±1,1,1 m/s² + 5 % of the reading
Resolution 0.1 °C
0.1 %RH
0.1 g
Operating
temperature
-20 to 70 °C
Storage
conditions
-55 to 70 °C
30 to 60 %RH
Battery type CR2450, replaceable
Battery life
(reusable
data logger)
120 days (15-minute measuring cycle, 25 °C)
Protection
class
IP 30
Measuring
interval
1 minute to 24 hours (temperature and relative
humidity)
1 second (acceleration)
Scan
frequency
1600 Hz (acceleration)
Memory 1,000 readings (acceleration)
64,000 readings (temperature and relative humidity)
imensions 40 x 12.5 x 96.5 mm
Weight 45 g
Directives,
standards,
certificates
2014/30/EU, HACCP-certified

3 Specifications
12
CAUTION
Sensor may be damaged!
Close the USB cover while using the data logger in order to prevent
moisture or liquids from getting into the instrument and damaging
the instrument.
CAUTION
Humidity sensor may be damaged!
After using the data logger for up to 60 hours in high-humidity areas
above 80%, it must be brought to relaxation. Here, the conditions
should be +25 °C +/- 5 °C and a relative humidity of 50 % +/- 10 %.
EU conformity
The EU Declaration of Conformity can be found on the
testo homepage www.testo.com under the product
specific downloads.
EU countries:
Belgium (BE), Bulgaria (BG), Denmark (DK), Germany (DE), Estonia
(EE), Finland (FI), France (FR), Greece (GR), Ireland (IE), Italy (IT),
Latvia (LV), Lithuania (LT), Luxembourg (LU), Malta (MT),
Netherlands (NL), Austria (AT), Poland (PL), Portugal (PT), Romania
(RO), Sweden (SE), Slovakia (SK), Slovenia (SI), Spain (ES), Czech
Republic (CZ), Hungary (HU), United Kingdom (GB), Republic of
Cyprus (CY).
EFTA countries:
Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland

4 Product description
13
4Product description
4.1. Status LEDs
To increase the battery life, the status LEDs are not permanently
illuminated. They flash once every 5 seconds.
In hibernation mode, the status LEDs are disabled.
Alarm
Feature LED colour
No alarm green
Alarm red
Battery
Feature LED colour
Battery life > 10 days green
Battery life < 10 days red
Mode
Feature LED colour
WAIT mode (wait for program start) green and red
Rec mode (measurement program running) green
End mode (measurement program finished) red

4 Product description
14
4.2. Display (LCD)
Not available for all product versions.
1 Measurement program running
2 Measurement program finished
3 Wait for start of measurement program
4 Highest saved reading
5 Lowest saved reading
6 Reading
7 Status information: start criterion Date/time programmed/time
mark, xyz measurement axes for acceleration measurement,
Alarm set limit value(s) exceeded, set limit value(s) not
exceeded
8 Units
9 Battery capacity: sufficient, part empty, low,
(flashing) empty
10 Lower limit value exceeded
11 Upper limit value exceeded
For technical reasons, the display speed of liquid crystal
displays becomes slower at temperatures below 0 °C
(approx. 2 seconds at -10 °C, approx. 6 seconds at -20 °C).
This has no influence on the measuring accuracy.
For technical reasons, battery performance decreases at
lower temperatures. This has no influence on the
measuring accuracy. We recommend the use of fully

4 Product description
15
charged batteries in order to avoid a reset of the instrument
at low temperatures.
4.3. Key functions
Commissioning
The data loggers are delivered in hibernation mode to prolong the
battery life. In this mode, the status LEDs and the display are
disabled.
> Press the START key or the STOP key.
- Wait mode is activated.
START key
✓Wait mode and start criterion Button Start programmed.
> Press START key for approximately 3 seconds to start the
measurement program.
- The measurement program starts: Mode status LED flashes
green, Rec appears on the display.
✓Product versions with display:
> Press START key to toggle between the displays.
Display sequence (max. display range per version, certain data is
not displayed depending on the operating mode):
Display T2 T3 H1 G1
Current temperature reading (°C / °F) X X X X
Current average value MKT (Mean Kinetic
Temperature)
X X X X
Current relative humidity reading (%) - - X X
Current acceleration reading, X axis (x, g) - - - X
Current acceleration reading, Y axis (y, g) - - - X
Current acceleration reading, Z axis (z, g) - - - X
Maximum temperature reading (Max, °C / °F) X X X X
Minimum temperature reading (Min, °C / °F) X X X X
Maximum relative humidity reading (Max, %) - - X X
Minimum relative humidity reading (
Min
,
%
) - - X X

4 Product description
16
Display T2 T3 H1 G1
Maximum acceleration reading , X axis (Max,
x, g)
- - - X
Maximum acceleration reading, Y axis (Max,
y, g)
- - - X
Maximum acceleration reading, Z axis (Max,
z, g)
- - - X
Time mark ( ) X X X X
Battery life in days ( ) X X X X
STOP key
✓Rec mode and stop criterion Button Stop programmed.
> Press STOP key for approximately 3 seconds to end the
measurement program.
- The measurement program ends: Mode status LED flashes red,
End appears on the display.
START + STOP key
The data loggers may be placed in hibernation mode to prolong the
battery life. In this mode, the status LEDs and the display are
disabled.
✓WAIT or End operating mode.
> Press the START key and the STOP key simultaneously for
approximately 3 seconds.
- Hibernation mode is activated.
4.4. Important information and glossary of terms
• Single-use data logger (versions T1 and T2): the data logger
has a time-limited service life, which begins from the first time
the program is started.
• Start and stop setting: the criteria for starting and stopping the
program are defined in the configuration file.
One of the criteria must be selected for starting the program.
When selecting the criterion, a time delay can be entered
(program starts x minutes after pressing the key).
Both criteria can also be selected for stopping the program. The
criterion that occurs first stops the program.
• Measuring interval: the measurement interval defines the
intervals at which readings are saved.

4 Product description
17
• Time mark: time marks can be set for documentation by
pressing the START key for 3 seconds during the
measurement, e.g. when responsibility is switched to another
institution. A maximum of 10 time marks can be set. Setting a
time mark resets the values Min, Max,MKT and alarms.
• Acceleration (shock): the (positive and negative) acceleration
is measured in 3 measurement axes. Only those readings that
exceed the set limit value (maximum value per 1 second) are
stored and displayed.
The acceleration readings of the 3 measurement axes are
displayed separately on the display of the data logger.
The maximum cumulative value (peak) of the 3 measurement
axes is displayed in the PDF report.
• Report time zone: defines the time zone to which all time
specifications in the measurement report refer. Any time zone
changes during the measurement are not taken into account.
If the data logger was in rSt mode and could not be
reconfigured, configuration via a copy of an XML file
may result in the time & time zone not being correct.
• Reset mode (rSt): is triggered by an interruption to the power
supply, e.g. during battery replacement. A reconfiguration of the
data logger is required to resume operation. Data that has
already been recorded will not be affected.
• MKT (mean kinetic temperature): the MKT is a single calculated
temperature. MKT may be considered an isothermal storage
temperature. It simulates the non-isothermal effects of storage
temperature variations.
Calculation:
 =
/
 /+/+/

Tmkt = mean kinetic temperature in degrees Kelvin
∆E = activation energy (standard value: 83.144 kJ/mol)
R = universal gas constant (0.0083144 kJ/mol)
T1 = average temperature in degrees Kelvin during the first time
period
Tn = average temperature in degrees Kelvin during the nth time
period
• MKT activation energy: the default activation energy is set at
83.144 kJ/mol, as recommended in USP <1160>. If other
estimates are available as a result of studies that have been
carried out, the activation energy can be customised.
• Individual alarm: an alarm is triggered when the set limit value
is exceeded.

4 Product description
18
• Cumulative alarm (only for temperature and humidity
measurement): an alarm is not triggered when the set limit
value is first exceeded, but only once the overall duration,
during which limit values are exceeded, exceeds the set waiting
period (allowed time).
• Wall bracket (delivery includes version G1): for the
acceleration measurement, the data logger must be
permanently connected to the object to be monitored.
Mount the wall bracket using 2 screws or 2 cable ties and then
push the data logger into the wall bracket.

5 Using the product
19
5Using the product
5.1. Configuring the data logger
Showing/changing the configuration
Adobe Reader software (version X or later) is required.
The data logger must not be in Rec mode.
1. Connect the data logger to a PC via the USB port.
- The status LEDs are disabled, uSb is displayed (instruments
with display). The device drivers are installed automatically.
- The window Automatic playback is displayed.
2. Click on Open folder to view files.
- The file explorer opens.
3. Open the file testo 184 configuration.pdf.
4. Make changes to the configuration. Please note:
• The type of instrument used must be set correctly.
• Existing configuration data can be imported by clicking on
the Import button. The configuration data to be imported
must be available in XML data format.
• When using the Configuration Assistant, some functions are
predefined or filled in automatically. Expert Mode must be
enabled in order to use and manually set all instrument
functions.
5. Export changes to the configuration by clicking on the
button on the data logger.
- A window opens for exporting form data.
6. Select the data logger as the storage location
(Drive TESTO 184) and export the configuration data by
clicking on the Save button.
- The configuration is stored on the data logger as an XML file.
The XML file can be used as a template for other data loggers (via
the import function in the configuration PDF)

5 Using the product
20
7. Close file.
A message Do you want to save the changes to “testo 184
configuration.pdf” before closing? may appear. Answer this
question with No.
8. Disconnect the data logger from the PC.
- The data logger switches to Wait mode, the Mode status LED
flashes green/red.
Configuring several data loggers with the same settings
> Configure your measurement protocol using the configuration
PDF or import an existing XML file.
> Connect the testo 184 USB transport data logger to a USB
connection.
> Click to save the configuration on the connected
testo 184 USB transport data logger.
> Leave the configuration PDF open. Connect the next testo 184
USB transport data logger. Repeat the last step in order to
export the identical configuration
Changing the logo for the measurement data report
A logo is inserted in the measurement data report. This can be
customised.
The logo must be available in JPEG data format, the file size
should not exceed 5 kB and the file name must be Logo.jpg.
> Create a logo that meets the above criteria and copy it to the
data logger.
Configuring the data logger using Testo PC software
Alternatively, the data logger can also be configured using the testo
Comfort Software Professional (version 4.3 service pack 2 or later),
testo Comfort Software CFR (version 4.3 service pack 2 or later)
and testo Saveris CFR Software including transport add-ons.
Please consult the relevant software instruction manual for this.
ATTENTION
Incorrect configuration of the time settings!
> Configuration of the data logger via copy/paste of the XML
file directly to the data logger memory is not recommended,
since the local time and time zone settings are not accepted
in this way. Use the configuration PDF to apply the time
settings of the PC used.