Questions and Answers about Thermoguard^®

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• What is Thermoguard?
• What is Thermoguard Basic?
• What is Thermoguard Professional?
• What benefits does Thermoguard offer as compared to other monitoring systems?
• Is Thermoguard Software available in english?
• Can Thermoguard be used within a cGMP compliant environment according to CFR 21 Part 11?
• Is there a protocol or logging function ("Audit Trail")?
• What are the supported temperature ranges?
• Is it possible to control other measurands besides temperature and humidity?
   
• Is a demo version of the Thermoguard software available?
• Which operating systems does Thermoguard need?
• Can Thermoguard software be installed as a service?
• Is Thermoguard software copy protected?
• Which hardware does Thermoguard need?
   
• How are the temperature sensors polled?
• Which time intervals can be set for polling?
• Is polling via the internet possible as well?
• What is the maximum lengths for the connection leads of the temperature sensors?
   
• Is calibration possible?
• How are Sensorcontrollers mounted at the wall?
• Does Thermoguard offer Installation Services?
• How do I mount the Temperature Sensors?
• Can external devices be triggered?
• Will Thermoguard develop devices with WLAN?

 

What is Thermoguard?

Thermoguard is a system for automatic central temperature monitoring via a computer network. The system comprises:

• intelligent sensorcontrollers with a network connection;
• temperature sensors connected to them, and
• the Thermoguard software

The Thermoguard software regularly interrogates all the sensorcontrollers via the network on a central basis. If there are deviations from the specified limit values, the software triggers a visual and/or acoustic alarm. On request, the responsible member of staff is also advised via e-mail or SMS. As an option, the software saves all the temperature data for each temperature sensor in a separate file, for possible further processing.

A Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) conforming to QM requirements and a form to record action required on the spot in case of an alarm are included in the scope of delivery. On request, the temperature sensors can be supplied with a calibration certificate. Up

 

What is Thermoguard Basic?

Thermoguard Basic is a complete and reasonably-priced package consisting of a sensorcontroller and including a temperature sensor and the Thermoguard software. Thermoguard Basic only allows access to one single sensorcontroller. Otherwise, the functional scope of the software is identical with Thermoguard Professional. A typical area of use is monitoring the temperature in a server room. Thermoguard Basic can be upgraded to Thermoguard Professional at any time. You can continue to use your existing Thermoguard sensorcontrollers. Up

 

What is Thermoguard Professional?

Unlike Thermoguard Basic, Thermoguard Professional can centrally poll (interrogate) and monitor several sensorcontrollers. A typical area of application is monitoring for large numbers of cooling/refrigeration appliances, climatic chambers or incubators distributed throughout several rooms, buildings or locations. Up

 

What benefits does Thermoguard offer as compared to other monitoring systems?

Thermoguard sensorcontrollers are connected to the computer network and are centrally monitored by a computer. Thermoguard triggers an acoustic alarm at the computer location (which can be freely selected) and sends emails to the responsible members of staff. Recorded instructions telling staff what action to take can be reproduced acoustically, and the alarms can be forwarded to mobile phones via SMS for 7 x 24-hour monitoring.
Classical data loggers or manual monitoring systems require reliable staff, with substitutes. In practice, alarms are not forwarded in realtime, so most temperature deviations are only discovered after the damage has occurred.
In contrast, conventional electric thermometers with a serial or USB interface always have to be connected to a local computer. This means that large numbers of computers are needed if there are large numbers of thermometers. Central monitoring and data recording, or sending alarms to individuals at a different location, are much more complex and costly in this case. Up

 

Is Thermoguard software available in English?

Yes. Thermoguard software is designed for professional use in an international environment. The user interface is language switchable; currently German and English. The Installation and System Manual is available both in German and English language. The language for the operating system can be chosen freely; no special country settings are needed in the system control. Up

 

Can Thermoguard be used within a cGMP compliant environment according to CFR 21 Part 11?

Yes. Thermoguard software can be used without problems in a full GMP/cGMP compliant environment. Our software offers many special features, i.e. an own Audit Trail or data encryption. With additional software packages such as Agilents ECMS Cyberlab® or NuGenesis SDMS®, requirements of US CFR21 Part 11, such as electronic signature or archiving, can be meet. Up

 

Is there a protocol (logging) function ("Audit Trail")?

Yes. All system actions and any changes to the system configuration are continuously and clearly recorded in a detailed logfiles ("Audit Trail"). Users can specify the prefix for the logfiles as well as the path to their storage location. This makes it possible to save log outputs from several copies together in one central directory. Up

 

What are the supported temperature ranges?

The Thermoguard sensorcontrollers SC1eS, SC2eP and SC8eP are able to measure temperatures which are in the range of -200 °C to +650 °C. Thermoguard offers different temperature sensors supporting a range from -190 °C to + 200 °C. Up

 

Is it possible to control other measurands besides temperature and humidity?

Yes, the "Switch functionality" of the Thermoguard sensorcontrollers SC1eS, SC2eP and SC8eP provides the control of simple "ON/OFF" contacts.
The sensorcontroller AC2 supports any available sensor on the market, which provides an output signal of 0..20 V or 4..20 mA. For example, wind speed, atmospheric pressure or gas detection are examples for this type of sensors. Up

 

Is a demo version of the Thermoguard software available?

Yes. You can download and test the current version in the Download area. The functional scope is not restricted. The temperature values are read in from a text file in simulation mode, rather than from a real sensor controller. Up

 

Which operating systems does Thermoguard need?

Thermoguard software runs on any Microsoft^® Windows™ operating system which is currently supported by Microsoft. Up

 

Can Thermoguard software be installed as a service?

Yes. The current version of Thermoguard runs as an application on the desktop as well as a service. While running as a desktop application, an icon in the taskbar shows that the Thermoguard application is running. Up

 

Is Thermoguard software copy protected?

No. For each Thermoguard sensor controller, the customer receives a specific licence for use with the relevant Thermoguard software. The licence matches the associated sensor controller and is checked before the temperature values are interrogated. No dongles (protective plugs) or copy-protected media are needed. Up

 

Which hardware is necessary for Thermoguard?

Thermoguard software needs an Ethernet network with TCP/IP protocol. Any standard personal computer is adequate for the Thermoguard software; a sound card with active boxes is recommended for the acoustic alarm. Data can be saved on any desired drive in the network. A dedicated server (standalone or virtual) should be used for larger installations. In the GMP environment, it is advisable to secure any physical or logical access to the server. Up

 

How are the temperature sensors polled?

Thermoguard sensor controllers are miniature intelligent computers with an operating system of their own. During the installation, each Thermoguard is given an unique IP number that the user is free to choose. Controllers like SC2eP and SC8eP, for two and eight temperature sensors respectively, only require one IP number each.
The TCP/IP network protocol is used to interrogate the temperature or humidity data via the network. Licence data are checked via UDP polling (Port 8513). Up

 

Which time intervals can be set for polling?

The shortest interval for polling the temperature values is one minute; the longest interval is seven days. Values of 10, 15 or 30 minutes have proven suitable in practice. Up

 

Is polling via the internet possible as well?

Yes. As a general rule, the Thermoguard system is used within a protected network. It is perfectly possible to distribute this network over several locations using a suitable infrastructure like Internet and VPN. Thermoguard installations should be coordinated with the responsible network administrator so that the IP addresses conform to the internal company standards. If public IP addresses are available, direct polling via the Internet is also possible.  Up

 

What is the maximum lengths for the connection leads of the temperature sensors?

For any type PT 100 sensors with four-wire leads, the length generally is not restricted, however we recommend not to exceed a length of 100 m.
The cable of the combined Digital Sensor of HM1Pn and HF1Pn can be extended using standard 9 pin cable used for serial connections. Maximum length should exceed 20 m. Up

 

Is calibration possible?

Yes. We can supply calibrated sensor controllers and sensors with a factory calibration Certificate on request and for an additional charge. Up

 

How can Sensorcontrollers be mounted at the wall?

Thermoguard Sensorcontrollers are designed for industrial standard mounting using hat-rails according to DIN. Thermoguard offers ISO mounting cases as well. Your electrician knows how to mount cases for a single device up to professional switchboards. Up

 

Does Thermoguard offer Installation Services?

Thermoguard products can be mounted without special effort by your electrician. However, GMP qualifications and/or installation services are offered as additional services by Thermoguard on request. Up

 

How do I mount the Temperature Sensors?

Installation of Temperature Sensors is simple. It is described in detail, including a photo story, within our system manual. No specialized tools are necessary. Up

 

Can external devices be triggered?

Yes. With our external relay interface, Thermoguard Software can trigger floating relay contacts from an alarm system or switch 110/230 Volt devices like alarm beacons etc. Up

 

Will Thermoguard develop devices with WLAN?

No. Due to security and reliability reasons, many companies do not use Wireless LAN. Additionally, effective range is very limited within an industrial environment. Therefore, Thermoguard will currently not develop devices using Wireless LAN. Up