Recently, the importance of monitoring and safety of cryogenic storage of biological samples has been in the news. Perhaps now is a good time to review your alarms and monitoring systems?
Back-up system to alert you to potential problems
The Planer DATAssure™ Alarm and Monitoring system can provide truly independent monitoring and alarms for multiple different parameters in all the equipment, reducing the reliance on safety systems built into the equipment itself and providing the reassurance of having a back-up system to alert you to potential problems even if the equipment’s own protection or control system stops operating.
Take corrective before possible loss of samples
The DATAssure™ sensors range includes a number of options for the monitoring of internal dewar temperature and with certain products liquid nitrogen (LN2) level. DATAssure™ can provide alerts resulting from temperature rises and/or low LN2 level (depending on probe used), 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, enabling corrective action to be taken before any potential loss of samples.
Monitoring temperature and LN2 levels in dewars
There are a range of different options for monitoring temperature and/or the LN2 level in dewars, including standard temperature probes and flat ribbon probes.
Standard Dewar Temperature Probe (Straight)
(GDDA-TDEWSTR-BAS-2400 or GDDA-TDEWSTR-433)
A PT1000 temperature probe with a stiff 370mm stainless steel sheath. This probe requires a hole to be drilled through the middle of the dewar lid for the probe to be fixed in so that the probe sticks out below the dewar lid enabling it to monitor the temperature inside the top of the dewar.
As the probe will be protruding out on the underside of the lid it does require the dewar lid to be lifted carefully straight upwards until probe is clear of rim to gain access to the canisters within the dewar.
Standard Dewar Temperature Probe (Curved)
(GDDA-TDEWCUR-BAS2400 or GDDA-TDEWCUR-BAS433)
A PT1000 temperature probe inside a 1500mm flexible stainless steel sheath. The tip of the probe can be placed at any height within the dewar, ideally just above the level of LN2 when the dewar is full and the sheath can be bent around the shape of the dewar and lid to connect to the wireless transmitter on the outside of the dewar. The probe is not secured to the dewar but does require some modification to the dewar lid during installation. Unlike the stiff straight probe the curved probe does enable removal of the samples canisters without interference or removal of the probe.
Premium Dewar Temperature Probe
(GDDA-TEMP-DEW-2400, GDDA-TEMP-DEW-433, GDDA-TEMP-DEWLG-2400, GDDATEMP-DEWLG-433)
A flat ribbon PT100 temperature probe fixed to a thin stainless steel strip which can be bent to match the shape of the dewar neck allowing the probe to be positioned just above the level of LN2 when the dewar is full. Probe connector is fixed to dewar rim to probe a secure connection to external DATAssure™ transmitter.
The flat sensor and strip provides uninterrupted access of canisters in and out of the dewar without the need for removing the probe from the dewar. This probe is available in two lengths 600mm for dewars up to 50 litres in capacity and 750mm (LG) for dewars over 50 litres capacity.
Premium Dewar Combined Temperature and Level Probe
(GDDA-TL-DEWAR-433, GDDA-TL-DEWAR-2400, GDDA-TL-DEWARLG-433, GDDA-TL-DEWARLG-2400)
A flat ribbon PT100 temperature probe with two temperature sensors on the end of the probe 20mm apart. The temperature and level probe is fixed to a thin stainless steel strip which can be bent to match the shape of the dewar neck allowing the top sensor (which monitors the temperature inside the dewar) to be positioned just above the level of LN2, and the second sensor (which monitors LN2 level) to be positioned just inside the LN2 in the dewar when full. This probe will provide alerts when either the LN2 level in the dewar drops too far and refilling is required or when the temperature in the dewar rises too high, providing the most comprehensive protection in a single probe.
The probe connector is fixed to dewar rim to probe a secure connection to external DATAssure™ transmitter and power pack (pictured here). The flat sensor and strip allows uninterrupted access of canisters in and out of the dewar without removal of the probe. This probe is available in two lengths 600mm for dewars up to 50 litres in capacity and 750mm (LG) for dewars over 50 litres capacity.
What do the DATAssure™ sensor kits include?
All DATAssure™ sensor kits include the probe (the probe varies depending on the kit chosen), transmitter (433MHz or 2.4GHz frequency) and securing bracket for the transmitter. Transmitters require a 3.6V Lithium AA cell (not supplied with kit).
For further information
Full details of the DATAssure™ alarm and monitoring system can be found on the Planer website
For further information about our DATAssure™ sensor kits please contact our sales team by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
