Frequently Asked Questions

This FAQ is tailored for United States and Puerto Rico for the new Plug-and-Go iSocket since 2021.

  • 1. What's the difference between different temperature sensors for iSocket?

    Temperature Sensor Specific is for the temperature measurement at some distance from the unit or in a harsh environment, such as salt water of fish tanks, oil burner, vaccine storages. Temperature Sensor Ambient is just for the ambient temperature. See full details by clicking on links for these sensors.

  • 2. Which sensor should I choose for very precise temperature monitoring? What is the sensors accuracy?

    Please choose Temperature Sensor Specific and not the Temperature Sensor Ambient. Nevertheless, the term 'precisely' is relative when it comes to temperature. Accuracy is the same for both as you will see in their spec. With the Temperature Sensor Specific you will just be able to place the sensor in that particular point where you wish to know the temperature. You can find clarifications on this subject in the section 'I have a problem...' of this FAQ.

  • 3. Can I monitor both temperature and power of a vaccine storage?

    Absolutely! We provide solutions for that for many years. The best up-to-date option for remote vaccine storage temperature and power monitoring is our new Plug-and-Go iSocket with Temperature Sensor Specific. You can order both as a pack with a proper plan here.

  • 4. Can I monitor -80C (cryostats) with my iSocket?

    You cannot go below -55C with iSocket temperature digital sensors, however you can monitor power interruptions to your cryostat and so you know that something bad happened. You do this outage monitoring by installing iSocket to any free wall socket that is on the same electrical circuit with your cryostat. For monitoring low temperatures inside cryostats you need PTC sensors and proper components cascade that can support such sensor, because such sensor is basically just a resistor. We use digital sensor and iSocket will only read that sensor directly. The lowest temperature of the sensors is -55C.

  • 5. Can I monitor temperature during power outage?

    You can request the temperature anytime when the power is presented. When the power is failed the unit will sleep. There is a small battery inside the unit so you can't monitor the temperature all the time when no power. However, we expect a software update in the future where we will add a facility to monitoring the temperature in a smart way during power outages - you will be able to configure how often the unit should wake up to probe the temperature and thresholds against which it should probe it. When it breaks thresholds you will get a notification. This way the temperature can be monitored one or two days if wake up interval is reasonable (about every hour). Probably it will be longer, we don't know - we are testing this feature and it will be release in the future with no extra fee if you already have the sensor and essential temperature option in your plan.

  • 6. How can I control a device which has a remote controller - such as an air conditioner - and change a temperature with iSocket?

    You can turn on or turn off your air conditioning system remotely with iSocket only if your appliance has a plug. Most air conditioning systems are wired directly to an electric cabinet and have a remote controller to regulate the temperature. You cannot connect the remote controller of such an appliance to iSocket, but if the equipment has a plug you can connect this plug to the iSocket, and set up your air conditioning system to the desired temperature and shut it down (turn off the power supplied through the iSocket to the plug of the appliance). You can then switch it on remotely before arrival. Please note, this option might not be recommended by the manufacturer of the equipment. You do this at your own risk.

  • 7. Can I receive an alert to my cell phone when the temperature falls or rises in my greenhouse?

    Absolutely! Alerts about temperature rise / fall is an essential feature of iSocket when use with iSocket Temperature Sensors.

  • 8. I need longer than 10 feet (3 meters) cable for the temperature sensor. Is this available? Is your temperature sensor special in some way?

    10 feet (3 meters) is the maximum length of our sensor cables. You can extend the cable using a good quality alarm cable. Remember that a longer cable raises the probability of a high voltage drop and wrong measurements. If you use it only to check the temperature and do not use it as a thermostat, then some deviation in measurements would probably not be a problem. It is very important to use quality cable and connectors, however. We check the manufacturing of our temperature sensors to ensure high standards for all their components. Despite the apparent simplicity of this component, it is the product of a series of important factors.

  • 9. Can I collect and record temperatures in our vaccine fridges for auditing purposes?

    Certainly! We have a great feature we call iSocket® Historical Temperature Data. It allows you to collect temperature data at predefined intervals of your choice, view data on a graph, export data for a selected period. You'll find it under Temperature Data Loggers on your iSocket IoT Portal.

  • 10. Can I get a calibration certificate for temperature sensors?

    As for sensor calibration, this is a non-trivial issue. Calibration of temperature measuring instruments is generally not correct terminology. Why do we say so? You can find an explanation of this in the "I have a problem..." section of this FAQ. Please see the public links we provide there as well. Please also review some questions about sensor accuracy in this section. The sensor is accurate, but you cannot get a certificate from us. It makes no sense to do so-called calibration for things that cannot be calibrated in principle. A so-called calibration must be done for a specific application compared to another temperature sensor that you or your auditors trust (or better say "like"). It also doesn't make sense from a regular calibration point of view, since you can't ship the units to us and we can't come to you. Starting with firmware v.2, we provide the ability to add a calibration value through your iSocket IoT Portal on the temperature monitoring widget when you click "Settings" (you will see a note "Update required" in case you do not have the correct firmware and you can update it first). Thus, you can contact any laboratory that you trust or that your auditors approve and discuss the matter with them. They may regularly come to you (according to your local policy, regulations or requirements) with instruments they think are good and tell you the deviation from current readings (in degrees Celsius in 0.1 increments). You must enter this value into the calibration settings and show them new readings. They will then confirm the new readings and you are considered audited / calibrated for a period defined in your requirements. The sensor will not show data worse over time. It cannot degrade, it can only break. However, your auditors may disagree and even tell you next time that you need to recalibrate. This is the whole non-triviality of the issue - that calibration is a "manipulation" of indications for inspectors.