Refrigerator Temperature Monitoring
Monitoring the temperature of medical refrigerators and ultracold freezers doesn't have to be a complicated process. Whether you have a consumer-grade unit, a pharmaceutical-grade refrigerator, or a deep freeze unit suitable for storing COVID-19 vaccines, Sensaphone has a variety of systems capable of meeting your needs.
Our systems immediately notify you of any temperature changes or power failures, track temperature history, and provide detailed data logs. We provide systems that meet the needs of a wide range of requirements in government facilities to hospitals and pharmacies.
Temperature Monitoring System Basics
Sensaphone recommends monitoring three basic parameters in any refrigerator for the best results.
- Independent temperature monitoring
- Freezer alarm panel monitoring
- Power failure monitoring
Monitoring temperature independently of the freezer’s own internal temperature measuring system provides a redundant way to assure the temperature is always within a set range. Many freezers have ports that allow a temperature probe to be installed inside without drilling holes. Nearly all Sensaphone products can measure temperatures as low as -85° C and even lower with specialty temperature probes.
Many commercial-grade refrigerators and freezers have audible alarms that will alert staff when high temperatures are detected. While these high-temperature alarms work well to alert staff on-site, they don’t provide any protection against rising temperatures while unattended. If the freezer has an audible alarm feature, there’s a good chance it also has an alarm panel. When wired to a Sensaphone, users will be contacted to alert them if the alarm goes off after hours.
Power failures are often the root cause of the temperature rising in freezers. All Sensaphone products will monitor for power failure by default wherever they are installed. By sending alarms as soon as the power is lost allows users to take action before the freezer temperature starts to rise. Built-in battery backups will keep most Sensaphones monitoring the freezer for up to 24 hours.
Alarming
It doesn’t take long for drastic changes in temperature to negatively impact your vaccines and cold medical products. By providing 24/7 temperature monitoring, Sensaphone systems offer peace of mind that stored vaccines or medical samples are safe and effective. If the temperature goes beyond the user-programmed limits, an alarm will be sent via phone, e-mail or text message. Alarms can be scheduled and sent to a list of personnel either all at once or in escalating tiers until acknowledged. An audit log will provide a historical record of the alarms and who acknowledged them.
Datalogging
Sensaphone devices can record temperature data at user set intervals and can be set to log more frequently during alarm states. Using the system's data logging capabilities, you can prove compliance to regulators and be assured vaccines have been within their required temperature range. Users can view and graph data, export data logs, and remotely view data at any time.
Installation
Sensaphone’s newer cloud-based freezer and refrigerator temperature monitoring systems are very easy to install. Simply plug one into an internet connection and connect up to twelve temperature probes. A variety of compatible temperature probes ensure that a wide range of temperatures can be monitored effectively. Users can program their devices via an easy-to-use website once the physical installation is completed.
Flexible Options
Sensaphone recommends our Sentinel product line in most freezer applications as it meets nearly all requirements:
- Monitors temperatures as low as -85° C, freezer alarms and power failures
- Capable of logging and reporting an unlimited amount of data logged records
- Intuitive web-based interface and mobile app
However many applications require special requirements. Many customers prefer wireless temperature sensors that don’t require running wires from their freezer back to the monitoring device. Sensaphone’s WSG30 offers nearly all of the same features, but with up to 30 wireless temperatures per device.
Many government installations often require that the monitoring device isn’t connected via the internet. In this case, Sensaphone recommends our 1400 or 1800 models. These devices aren’t capable of data logging, but do meet most other requirements:
- Monitors temperatures as low as - 85° C, freezer alarms and power failures
- Sends alarms via custom user recorded phone call
- Does not require a network/internet connection but does require an analog phone line
- Made in the USA
Suggested Products
Sensaphone Sentinel
2.8K Temperature Sensor in Glass Bead Vial