Central Japan International Airport Co., Ltd. has implemented the T&D RTR-500 Series wireless temperature logging system in its specialty shops and souvenir stores within the airport. This system helps to improve the efficiency of temperature monitoring in refrigerators and freezers, while also reducing the burden of manual data recording.
Problems Before Installing the Temperature Monitoring System
Before the system was installed in May 2012, staff had to manually check the temperatures of refrigerators and freezers to ensure food safety.
They had to check the actual temperature, compare it to standard values, and record it on a form every 3 hours, from opening to closing time.
This daily process resulted in a significant workload and required a large amount of storage space for temperature log documents.
T&D RTR-500 Series System in Use
The airport chose to use the Wireless Data Logger model RTR-502L, which features a high-capacity battery, installed inside display cases in shops and souvenir stores.
Since the airport has various radio waves that could interfere with communication, an RTR-500 Repeater was installed to ensure more stable signal transmission between the Data Logger and the Base Unit.
For the core of the system, the RTR-500NW was connected to the existing Wired LAN within the airport.
Additionally, a RTR-500DC Handheld Data Collector is used for data collection in cases of temporary product displays in other areas or where wireless communication is unstable.
Currently, the RTR-500 Series has been discontinued and has been upgraded to the RTR500B Series, which is a more efficient replacement model.
Directly Displaying Temperatures to Customers
To ensure a neat installation and enhance customer confidence, the Wireless Data Logger is installed inside display cases using short sensors.
The devices are positioned so that customers can directly see the current temperature values on the LCD screen of the unit.
In addition to customers, staff can also easily check product temperatures without needing to inspect and record them every time.
Alerts for Abnormal Temperatures
The system is set to continuously monitor temperatures. If the temperature rises above or falls below the specified range for a certain period, the system will issue an immediate alert.
A Warning Lamp is connected to the External Output Contact of the RTR-500NW to activate the warning light when an abnormality is detected.
Furthermore, the system can send email notifications when temperatures are out of range and send another email when temperatures return to normal.
This helps administrators respond to abnormalities more quickly.
Centralized Temperature Monitoring
Data from all Data Loggers can be monitored from the central office computer via the LAN system.
Administrators can check:
- Current temperature values
- Battery status of Data Loggers
- Temperature abnormalities
- Graphs showing continuous temperature changes
- Historical data for analysis and storage
Additionally, a large number of Data Loggers can be installed and grouped by area or store for easier monitoring and management.
Results After Using Wireless Data Logger
After implementing the RTR-502L and RTR-500NW, the airport was able to switch from manual temperature recording to accurate digital data storage.
This reduced the need for manual temperature checks, minimized paperwork, and enabled the detection of temperature abnormalities without waiting for staff to perform routine checks.
Since the Data Logger is a wireless and battery-powered system, it can be easily moved along with display cases.
In areas where radio signals are unstable, the portable RTR-500DC can still be used to collect data from Data Loggers.
Benefits Gained
The implementation of the Wireless Temperature Monitoring system has enabled Central Japan International Airport to:
- Reduce the burden of manual temperature checks and recording.
- Store temperature data digitally and systematically.
- Monitor the temperature of refrigerators and freezers from a central location.
- Receive alerts via email and Warning Lamp when abnormalities occur.
- Remotely check the battery status of Data Loggers.
- Group devices by store or area for easier management.
- Conveniently move Data Loggers along with display cases.
- Analyze and store historical data via a central computer.
Conclusion
The case study of Central Japan International Airport demonstrates that using Wireless Data Loggers for monitoring refrigerator and freezer temperatures can significantly reduce the workload of manual checks and enhance the efficiency of food safety control.
Data from the Data Loggers can be transmitted via the LAN system to a central computer, allowing administrators to monitor temperatures, analyze data, and receive alerts for abnormalities quickly.
From previously having to manually check and record temperatures every 3 hours, the system has transformed the temperature monitoring process into a continuous digital system that can be centrally monitored, improving operational efficiency, data storage, and food product safety.
