It's important to place your sensors in the most ideal locations for your unique collection.
When deciding where to place your Conserv sensors (or any data loggers), it's important that you consider several factors first:
1. What are your monitoring goals/what types of data are you trying to gather?
This is the most important factor to consider when placing your sensors. Are you trying to check the accuracy of your thermostat readings? Then you may want to place your sensors next to your thermostats. Concerned about the environmental changes when a door opens/closes? Then you may need to place a sensor near the doorway in question. Have a particular display case that needs strict environmental conditions? Go ahead and put a sensor inside that case.
Placement first and foremost depends on what is most important to your collection in terms of monitoring. Please contact us if you need some help determining what your monitoring goals might be!
Tip: If you are monitoring for an incoming exhibition, you may need to check with the loaning institution to see what their placement requirements are.
2. Where are your intakes and vents for your HVAC system? (If applicable)
In order to get accurate measurements from your sensors, you'll need to make sure they're not in direct line of your HVAC intakes or vents. This airflow could cause discrepancies in temperature and humidity data, and may not represent an accurate view of your collection environment.
3. Is there direct sunlight where you'd like to place your sensors?
Setting a sensor across from a window where it's hit with direct sunlight throughout the day is not advised. The heat from the sunlight can skew the actual temperature data, and will also, since RH is a function of temperature, alter the RH readings.
4. Is the temperature below freezing?
Be aware of your sensor's manufacturer's recommendations when placing a sensor in very cold conditions. Some data loggers may not be rated for conditions below a certain temperature, causing them to fail. Conserv sensors are rated for below freezing temperatures, however the battery life will not be as long lasting. We do have a particular sensor that is specifically made for freezing temperatures - contact us for more information about Conserv monitoring in cold locations.
5. What all is in between your gateway and the sensor locations? (for Conserv monitoring)
When placing your Conserv sensors, you will need to consider the range of your gateway and the obstacles in between. For example, if you are planning to place a sensor in a vault with several metal cabinets in between it and the gateway, you may need to place the sensor above the cabinets for the signal to go through.
Conserv's sensors have a long-range signal option, so they can reach the gateway signal through several walls and floors. However, if your building makeup is dense with steel and concrete, the signal may not be as strong. We recommend testing your sensors and gateways in several locations to make sure they are placed in the most effective manner for signal purposes.
Caution: When moving a gateway and sensors around to test signal, please contact us so we can help to make sure your equipment is online and determine the best locations.
6. What's your collection's aesthetic? Do you want your equipment to be visible?
Do you mind if your sensors or data loggers are visible to the public? If so, then it's not an issue, go ahead and put a sensor in view. (In fact, you may want the public to ask what they are for educational purposes!) If not, then you may want to place your equipment in a location that is not visible or accessible to the public.
This is also where security comes into play. If you feel you might have an issue with tampering of sensors or loggers, you may want to further secure them to their location if you need them to be in view. If they do not need to be visible, then you may want to consider moving them to a more hidden location.
If you need any advice on placement, please reach out to us - we're always happy to help!