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Last updated October 2018
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Trouble shooting
Help! My LogTag says it hit -40°
If you retrieve the temperature data from your LogTag and you see a reading of -40°C, don’t panic.
This is just LogTag’s way of telling you it couldn’t read temperatures. Your refrigerator didn’t really get
that low.
So what happened?
It could be one of two things. Firstly, (for data loggers that use a probe cord attached) check the
actual data readings to ascertain if there was an exact time that the data logger displayed a -40°C
reading. If the -40°C is the last reading then what is happening, is that during the time the logger is
disconnected from the probe to download, when it is being walked over to the computer, it is taking a
reading. As the probe is not connected, it cannot take a reading and shows -40°C to show the probe
was disconnected at that time. It is not a fault at all, most practices get it at some stage or another.
The only way of minimising the chance is to reduce the time the logger is disconnected. No health
department will have any issue with this.
To remove the -40 reading from the minimum on the report, you can click and drag on the graph to
zoom in, and cut off the last reading (-40 reading). This will update all the number.
The second option indicates an issue with the probe connection. If you have a LogTag that takes an
external probe, like the one on the left, and you got -40°C readings, chances are that you did not
attached the probe correctly or forgot to attach it at all. Remove the probe and reattach it. Make sure it
clicks into place properly.
If your LogTag has a blue sensor on the side, like the one on
the right, it has an internal temperature sensor and you cannot
attach an external probe.
Sometimes practices with multiple log tags units (more than
one vaccine fridge) may mix up their LogTags and try and
attach a probe to a LogTag that cannot accept one. Usually,
this will damage the sensor and cause the error readings of -
40°C.
Only attach a probe to a LogTag that has a brass attachment
point, like the Tag on the left.
If none of these is the case in your situation and you are getting error readings, call LogTag on
1300 30 33 34 for assistance.
