TEMPERATURE

RECORDING SYSTEMS

Manually filled Logsheet

Reefer container (Front)

PARTLOW RECORDER

PARTLOW CHART (Blank)

PARTLOW CHART
EXERCISE

GENESIS
Introduced as a back up for manual
recording of temperatures
Works as a stand alone unit not requiring
external power supply
Mechanical clock winding mechanism
provides drive for a rotating chart.
Provides continuous temperature
recording for 31 days irrespective of power
supply availability, whether container is
empty or cargo loaded.

Disadvantages
Provides only return temperature recording
Can be manually fudged not 100% foolproof
Since it is a mechanical device, there is a little
amount of sluggishness and hunting.
Prone to damage from external elements even
though located in a protective enclosure
Needs regular calibration

 Subsequently replaced with Electronic

datarecorder.
However some container owners still
persist with Partlow Chart as it provides a
readily readable record of temperature.

Location of Partlow Mechanism and

Sensor

Partlow Chart Mechanism

Fault Finding from Partlow Charts

Stylus contact on
chart is not correct
System running with
choked expansion
valve passage or less
refrigerant charge

Fault Finding from Partlow Charts

Excessive Moisture in
the Cargo Space
Compressor Tripped

Partlow Chart Exercise-Chilled Cargo

Draw a Partlow Chart based on the foll: data
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

Cargo Temp Setpoint: +8C

Date and Time of Plugging on board: 2nd noon
Temp at the time of plugging: 14C
Defrost Interval; 6 hours
Temp rise during Defrost: 3C
Start of Power Breakdown: 5th noon
Power restored: 5th midnight
Temp rise during power breakdown: 8C
Container Unplugged: 14th noon

Partlow Chart Exercise-Chilled Cargo

SOLUTION

Identify +8C on the Chart and draw a light circle

representing Setpoint
Identify and mark 2nd noon and 14C to identify the
time and temp at plugging
Draw the curve to reduce the temp to 10C in 6 hrs
Show a gradual increase of temp to 13C for max
period of 2 hrs
At the end of 2 hrs show a sharp drop of temp to
10C in about 1 hr
Repeat the Defrost cycle after every 6 hrs.
From 5th noon till 5th midnight show a gradual rise
of temp upto 18C

Partlow Chart Exercise-Chilled Cargo

SOLUTION Contd.

After power is restored at 5th midnight, show a

rapid fall in temp upto 12C in 6 hours when the
next defrost cycle starts.
Repeat the defrost cycle for 2 hours showing
temp rise of 3C
After the next defrost cycle show temp fall upto
10C in about 1 hr
Repeat the cooling and defrost cycle till 14 th
noon when the container is unplugged
Thereafter show a gradual rise in temp.

Partlow Chart Exercise-Frozen Cargo

Draw a Partlow Chart based on the foll: data
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

Cargo Temp Setpoint: -15C

Date and Time of Plugging on board: 18 th noon
Temp at the time of plugging: -8C
Defrost Interval: 24 hours
Temp rise during Defrost: 4C
Start of Power Breakdown: 22nd noon
Power restored: 23rd midnight
Temp rise during power breakdown: 5C
Container Unplugged: 30th noon

Partlow Chart Exercise-Frozen Cargo

SOLUTION
Identify -15C on the Chart and draw a light circle
representing Setpoint
Identify and mark 18th noon and -8C to identify the
time and temp at plugging
Draw the curve to reduce the temp to -15C in 3 hrs
Maintain the same temp for about 24 hrs till the start
of the first defrost cycle
Show a gradual increase of temp to -11C for max
period of 2 hrs
At the end of 2 hrs show a sharp drop of temp to
-15C in about 1 hr
Repeat the Defrost cycle after every 24 hrs.
From 22nd noon till 23rd noon show a gradual rise of
temp upto -10C

Partlow Chart Exercise-Frozen Cargo

SOLUTION Contd.

After power is restored at 23rd noon, show a

rapid fall in temp upto -15C in 2 hours and
maintain it till the next defrost cycle starts.
Repeat the defrost cycle for 2 hours showing
temp rise of 3 C
After the next defrost cycle show temp fall upto
-15C in about 1 hr
Repeat the cooling and defrost cycle till 30 th
noon when the container is unplugged
Thereafter show a gradual rise in temp.

SOLUTION

Points to PONDER
For Chilled cargoes, the minimum temp recorded on
Partlow Chart is 2-3C more than the Setpoint Temp
whereas for Frozen cargoes, the minimum temp goes
as low as the Setpoint Temp. WHY?
The max. Defrosting time is 2 hrs. WHY?
For Chilled cargoes, the rise is temp is faster than for
frozen cargoes - both during defrosting time and also
during power breakdown. WHY?
Defrosting interval is 6 hrs and 24 hrs respectively for
chilled cargoes and frozen cargoes. WHY?

IMPROVEMENTS ON PARTLOW
CHARTS
Mechanical hand winding mechanism
replaced by battery
Design with 2 sensors used for nontransport applications.
Electronic Partlow Recorders

PARTLOW CHART (Used)

LOCATION OF PARTLOW
SENSOR

 All Containers are equipped with Electronic

Datarecorders. These provide continuous
recording of the temperatures and events
occuring in the machinery.
It is a tamperproof device and the recorded
data is accepted as evidence in the court of
law.

Information recorded in the

Datacorder
In many instances, shipstaff have been pulled
up for not recording power breakdowns
whether planned or unplanned.
This happens, particularly, if any cargo damage
is noticed at the consignees end, when the
datarecorder has recorded a power interruption,
but same has not been logged by the shipstaff.
The Datacorder is a Black Box. Nothing
escapes its notice. It records even the slightest
variation in temperature minute by minute.
BE CAREFUL BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING!

Data recorded in Datacorder

Good Cargo

Power Breakdown

Power Interruption and Back up

Battery removed

Frequent Power Interruptions

Raw Data Minute by Minute

Recording

Data from Carrier Datacorder

Data from Carrier Datacorder

Contd.

Data from Carrier Datacorder

Data from Thermoking Recorder

RECORDED DATA

Temperature Recorders inside Cargo

LOCATION OF CARGO PROBES

(USDA)

Cargo probes Recorded Data

Remote monitoring modem

FOUR WIRE SYSTEM