GENERAL INFORMATION

Do you have products in stock?

Product pages include the inventory estimate. Please contact us if you do not see the product/quantity you need or if you require a larger quantity than the estimated stock.

What are your payment options?

We accept payment by credit card (American Express, Visa, MasterCard, Diner's Club, Discover), PayPal, and wire transfer (for orders greater than $1,000 US). Payment by purchase order is an option for approved companies. Please contact us to obtain approval.

Do you ship internationally?

Yes. We ship to the USA via your choice of United States Postal Service(USPS), United Parcel Service (UPS), and FedEx. We also ship internationally via your choice of United Parcel Service (UPS), FedEx, or DHL. Customers with large orders may be able to schedule pick-ups with trusted shippers. Please contact our shipping department for more information.

My product is not functioning properly. What do I do?

Please view our warranty page for information on replacements/returns.

CUSTOMIZED SOLUTIONS

What does a "Solutions" company do? 

iButtonLink offers a full range of solutions optimized for any application and any customer (large or small). Our team of experienced engineers can build and create a customized solution to meet your needs--from board to box.

iBUTTONS

What are iButtons®?

iButtons® are self-powered sensors. To find out more, contact a knowledgeable sales representative or visit Thermochrons / Hygrochrons.

What are the iButton® specifications?

You can access a table of iButtons and specifications at Thermochrons and Hygrochronsincluding logging rate, temperature range, accuracy, and other variables. 

Are iButtons® waterproof?

Our iButtons® are IP56 rated. The IP rating (or International Protection Rating, also referred to as Ingress Protection Ratings) classifies the degree of protection against the instruction of a solid object (e.g., hands, fingers, screwdriver, and dust) as the first numeral and protection against water as the second numeral). The IP56 rating does not guarantee resistance to the corrosion and other disintegrating effects of the structural elements around the iButton®. 

The DS9107, a capsule for iButtons®, is an IP68 rated structure that will fit all F5 iButtons®. The screw on body will encapsulate the iButton® and protect it from moisture, pressure, and solvents and is durable in temperatures up to 200 degrees Celsius.

What software do I need?

You will need viewer software that will enable your iButton® to not only produce live readings of temperature/humidity, but also allow your computer to communicate with the iButton® for missions/information storage. View our Software Page to purchase/access view software options.

Is there a way to upload data from an iButton® on to Excel?

One Wire Viewer does allow for the exporting of data into an Excel spreadsheet. Please see the App Note on Exporting Logger Data.

Additionally, our iButton Serial Typers can input into Excel. iButton Typers can input into a variety of word processing programs, including Notepad, and Word. Excel is the exception for it, though, because the data won’t format correctly.

What hardware do I need? 

You will need an iButton, a probe, and a master. You can purchase all components necessary to develop and deploy iButton network on our products catalog.

What accessories are available for iButtons?

We offer a variety of iButton accessories for multiple usability enhancements. We offer iButton Fobs (DS9093A) and iButton Fob Insertion services that allows for ease of access and keychain ability. There is also the iButton Mount (DS9093S) which can mount our iButtons onto flat surfaces.

What is the life span of different iButtons®?

The life span of iButtons vary base off usage of the device. For a complete list of iButtons and their expected life span, please see the attached data sheets of all Maxim iButtons.

What does “missioning” mean?

You "mission" an iButton® by assigning the sensor a specific logging rate and temperature range. Enabling this feature will give the user an opportunity to review the results of the logging over time. 

Parameters that can be set include:

  • Intervals at which the iButton® will log temperature/humidity over a pre-determined amount of time,
  • The resolution of the iButton® when sensing temperature or humidity, and/or
  • How data are logged. Data logging options include constant logging, logging after a pre-set time, or logging within a certain temperature range.

How do I mission an iButton®?

Using a viewer software, master, and probe, users can plug in the iButton® and relay information from the software to the iButton®. By selecting various parameters, the iButton® will know when and for how long to log information. The publication titled “Determining the Mission Parameters for Temperature Logger iButton Devices"  includes instructions to mission an iButton®.

Do you offer calibration services?

We are proud to say we offer calibration of our 6-Pin temperature sensors and temperature iButtons, that can be both accredited and non-accredited. By calibrating the sensors, the accuracy of the sensor can become at maximum ±0.17°C. For more information on calibration please see Page 22 of the Data Sheet for TMP112.

Our iButtons are calibrated against a NIST traceable source. A NIST traceable certificate for any iButtons purchased from iButtonLink are available for download on the Maxim website. A sample certificate can be seen here. Please see the iButton® Data-Logger Calibration and NIST Certificate FAQs for more information.

If the Maxim Integrated certificate is not sufficient for your needs, iButtonLink also works with an NVLAP accredited lab to provide customized levels of calibration. A sample certificate can be seen here.

1-WIRE® NETWORK

What is needed/included in a 1-Wire® Network? 

A 1-Wire® Network requires a computer/controller and a sensor. For information/instructions, please visit our tutorial page.

What kind of software do I need?

The software most commonly used in conjunction with our products is the Maxim 1-Wire® Viewer. Click here for free software downloads. For additional support on getting started, check out Maxim Integrated’s Quick Start Guide or give us a call.

What kind of cables should I use to build a 1-Wire® network?

Standard pre-made CAT-5 patch cables make the best 1-Wire® networks.  For shorter distances, smaller networks, or areas without a lot of electrical noise, clients have successfully used lamp cord, specialized cold proof cable, thermostat wire, ribbon cable, and CAT-6 cable.  If your network is complex--with more than 100 feet of cable or more than ten sensors—and you do not want to use CAT-5 cables, then please contact us to discuss the best solution for your needs.

How many sensors can I have?

There are many variables that affect the number of sensors in a 1-Wire® Network including the amount and type of cable, the type of sensors, and how the sensors are read (all at once or individually). Hundreds of traditional sensors can be networked on over 800 feet of cable.

How many feet of cable can I have?

The electrical noise in the environment and the amount of power required by the sensors are the primary limiting factors to the amount of cable you can have in the network. We have tested a network of 16 microprocessor-based sensors on over 1,700 feet of cable.

What is the best way to lay out the network?

The literature recommends a 1-Wire® network should be one continuous run without any stubs that cause reflections or stars.  You can use an iButtonLink link series master to allow the addition of stubs.  Our customers have deployed networks built with many stubs up to 50 feet long.  Contact an iButtonLink technical professional to discuss design of complex networks and to ensure selection of the right master to drive the network.

Do you just make 1-Wire® Products?

No. iButtonLink can develop customizable sensor networks for wireless, USB connect, Modbus/RS-485, and other connections. 1-Wire® products do offer a broad array of customizability. Find your 1-Wire® solution in the iButtonLink product catalog.  

I need a USB data logger. How do I obtain one?

iButtonLink recommends pairing a Thermochron/Hygrochron with a DS9490B. The iButton® stays safe in the holder and a computer reads USB. Software is not included. 

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Is there a complete list of family codes?

Yes, we have multiple documentations for a variety of our family codes. We have the family codes for our Link Family in both a spreadsheet for quicker viewing, and with detailed descriptions of each code use in our Link Family Manual. We also provide a link to the family codes of all iButtons in Maxim’s application notes.

Additional resources are available at the following links: 

Please contact an iButtonLink expert if your question has not been answered.