Elitech RC-5 vs GSP-6 Pro for Data Centre Monitoring Malaysia

The Elitech RC-5 and Elitech GSP-6 Pro can both support environmental monitoring, but they are intended for different measurement requirements.

The RC-5 is the simpler choice when a data-centre technician needs to record temperature only.

The GSP-6 Pro is more suitable when both temperature and relative humidity must be monitored, especially during condensation, water-leakage, battery-room or indoor environmental investigations.

This comparison helps Malaysian data-centre teams select the correct logger without paying for unnecessary functions or collecting incomplete information.

Quick Selection

Choose the Elitech RC-5 when you need:

• Temperature recording

• Rack-temperature trending

• Cooling-cycle monitoring

• Overnight temperature checks

• Transportable and reusable logging

• A straightforward temperature report

• Multiple low-cost measurement points

Choose the Elitech GSP-6 Pro when you need:

• Temperature and relative-humidity recording

• Condensation investigation

• High-humidity troubleshooting

• UPS battery-room monitoring

• Cooling and humidity comparison

• Water-leakage follow-up

• A more complete environmental record

Main Difference

The most important distinction is simple:

If humidity can materially affect the investigation, choose the GSP-6 Pro.

If temperature is the only required parameter, the RC-5 may provide a more economical and straightforward solution.

Why Use a Data Logger in a Data Centre?

A handheld meter provides the condition at the moment of inspection.

A data logger records changes over time.

This is useful for detecting:

• Overnight temperature rise

• Cooling-unit cycling

• Rack hotspots

• Temperature increase after a power event

• Door-opening effects

• Weekend HVAC changes

• Intermittent cooling failure

• High humidity

• Condensation risk

• Differences between rack locations

• Conditions before and after corrective work

A logger can reveal a problem that is no longer present when the technician arrives.

Elitech RC-5: Best for Temperature Monitoring

The Elitech RC-5 Temperature Data Logger is suitable for applications where temperature is the main concern.

Possible data-centre uses include:

• Server rack inlet monitoring

• Rack top-to-bottom comparison

• Cold-aisle temperature checks

• Hot-aisle trend monitoring

• Cooling-unit supply and return comparison

• Network-room temperature recording

• Temperature monitoring after power restoration

• Verifying cooling improvements

• Monitoring equipment-storage areas

It is especially useful when several temperature points must be monitored economically.

Elitech GSP-6 Pro: Best for Temperature and Humidity

The Elitech GSP-6 Pro Temperature and Humidity Data Logger is more appropriate when moisture-related conditions must also be evaluated.

Possible applications include:

• Server-room humidity monitoring

• UPS battery-room monitoring

• Condensation investigation

• Chilled-water pipe problem areas

• Water-leakage follow-up

• Cooling-system humidity analysis

• Door and outdoor-air influence

• Environmental monitoring in network rooms

• Comparing server room and corridor conditions

It provides more complete evidence when temperature and humidity interact.

Application Comparison

Choose RC-5 for Rack Temperature Mapping

When the objective is to map temperature at many rack positions, the RC-5 can be practical.

For example, loggers may be placed at:

• Rack A01 front-top

• Rack A01 front-bottom

• Rack A05 front-top

• Rack B03 front-top

• Cold-aisle reference point

• Cooling-unit return area

Using several temperature loggers provides more useful information than placing one advanced logger in the room centre.

Choose GSP-6 Pro for Condensation Investigation

Condensation depends on more than temperature.

An investigation may require:

• Air temperature

• Relative humidity

• Dew-point assessment

• Cold-surface temperature

• Duration of exposure

• Airflow condition

The GSP-6 Pro provides temperature and relative-humidity trends that can support this assessment.

A thermal camera or surface-temperature probe may still be required to inspect cold surfaces.

Choose GSP-6 Pro for UPS Battery Rooms

Battery performance and service life can be affected by environmental conditions.

A battery-room monitoring plan may include:

• Air temperature

• Relative humidity

• Individual battery temperature

• Terminal temperature

• Cooling operation

• Ventilation condition

• Battery alarms

The GSP-6 Pro is generally the stronger choice when both temperature and humidity records are required.

Follow the battery manufacturer’s environmental recommendations.

Choose RC-5 for Cooling Failure Investigation

The RC-5 can support temperature trending during:

• Cooling-unit shutdown

• Standby cooling activation

• Power failure

• Generator transfer

• Cooling restart

• Rack-temperature recovery

• Preventive maintenance

Place loggers at critical rack inlets rather than only in the centre of the room.

Choose GSP-6 Pro After Water Leakage

Following a water-leakage event, humidity monitoring may help confirm whether the area is returning to stable environmental conditions.

It may be placed near:

• Previous leakage point

• Cooling unit

• Affected rack

• Raised-floor area where appropriate

• Nearby reference location

The logger does not directly confirm that a wall, cable or piece of equipment is dry.

Use suitable moisture and electrical testing where required.

Spot Measurement Versus Continuous Logging

A handheld meter and data logger serve different purposes and often work best together.

Suggested Logger Placement

For rack monitoring, consider:

• Front-top

• Front-middle

• Front-bottom

• Nearby reference rack

• Cooling-unit supply or return area

For environmental investigation, consider:

• Problem area

• General room reference

• Near door

• Near cooling unit

• Battery room

• Adjacent room

• Previous condensation or leakage area

Avoid placing a logger directly in cold-air discharge unless that specific air stream is being investigated.

How Many Loggers Are Required?

The required number depends on:

• Room size

• Number of racks

• Rack density

• Cooling arrangement

• Equipment criticality

• Previous alarm history

• Monitoring objective

• Available fixed sensors

A practical approach is to use:

• Several RC-5 loggers for broad temperature mapping

• One or more GSP-6 Pro units at humidity-sensitive locations

This combination can balance coverage and measurement capability.

Example Monitoring Combination

A server room investigation might use:

• RC-5 at rack front-top

• RC-5 at rack front-bottom

• RC-5 at a normal reference rack

• GSP-6 Pro near the cooling unit

• GSP-6 Pro near the room entrance

This arrangement shows both temperature distribution and humidity behaviour.

Logging Interval

Possible settings include:

• One minute for fast troubleshooting events

• Five minutes for detailed investigation

• Ten to fifteen minutes for routine trending

• Longer intervals for extended stable monitoring

Select the interval according to:

• Expected event duration

• Required detail

• Memory capacity

• Monitoring period

• Reporting requirement

Use the same interval when comparing several locations.

Monitoring Duration

The logger should remain installed long enough to capture the operating condition that creates the complaint.

What Should Be Recorded Before Deployment?

Record:

• Logger model

• Logger identification number

• Exact location

• Rack number

• Front or rear

• Top, middle or bottom

• Start date and time

• Logging interval

• Alarm settings

• Battery condition

• Responsible technician

Photograph the logger position where site security permits.

Review More Than Maximum and Minimum Values

A complete review should consider:

• Full temperature trend

• Full humidity trend

• Time of each excursion

• Duration outside limits

• Rate of change

• Repeated daily pattern

• Difference between locations

• Cooling-unit status

• Equipment load

• Door activity

• Power events

A short peak may have a different cause and impact from a condition lasting several hours.

Example: Rack Top Overheats at Night

Recommended approach:

• Place RC-5 at rack front-top

• Place another RC-5 at rack front-bottom

• Monitor a nearby reference rack

• Review cooling schedule

• Compare temperatures over several nights

• Measure airflow during the affected period

The RC-5 is sufficient if humidity is not part of the complaint.

Example: Humidity Rises When the Door Opens

Recommended approach:

• Place GSP-6 Pro near the door

• Place another logger at the room reference point

• Monitor adjacent-area conditions

• Review door-access times

• Check differential pressure

• Inspect door seals

Temperature-only records would provide incomplete evidence.

Example: Condensation Appears on a Chilled-Water Pipe

Recommended approach:

• Use GSP-6 Pro for air temperature and humidity

• Check dew point

• Measure the pipe-surface temperature

• Inspect insulation

• Use thermal imaging for temperature patterns

• Check for humid-air entry

The GSP-6 Pro supports the investigation but should not be used as the only instrument.

Example: Checking Cooling Improvement

Install the same logger:

• At the same location

• At the same height

• Using the same logging interval

• During a similar operating load

• For a comparable period

This makes the before-and-after comparison more reliable.

RC-5 Advantages

For suitable applications, the RC-5 offers:

• Straightforward temperature monitoring

• Reusable logging

• Practical deployment at multiple locations

• Useful temperature reports

• Lower complexity when humidity is unnecessary

• Suitable rack-temperature mapping

Its main limitation for this comparison is that it does not record relative humidity.

GSP-6 Pro Advantages

For suitable applications, the GSP-6 Pro offers:

• Temperature recording

• Relative-humidity recording

• Better support for condensation investigation

• Better support for battery-room monitoring

• More complete environmental information

• Useful high-humidity troubleshooting data

It may be unnecessary when the requirement is strictly temperature only.

When RC-5 Is Not Enough

Do not rely on the RC-5 alone when investigating:

• High humidity

• Low humidity

• Condensation

• Water leakage

• Damp room conditions

• Humid-air entry

• Moisture-related equipment problems

Use a temperature-and-humidity logger such as the GSP-6 Pro.

When GSP-6 Pro May Be More Than Necessary

The GSP-6 Pro may provide more information than required when:

• Only rack temperature matters

• Many temperature points are needed

• Humidity is already monitored by a reliable fixed system

• The investigation is limited to cooling-temperature recovery

• A simple temperature report is sufficient

In these situations, the RC-5 may be the more efficient choice.

Data Logger and Thermal Camera

A data logger shows when conditions change.

A thermal camera shows where unusual surface temperatures appear.

Use them together when investigating:

• Rack hotspots

• Cooling imbalance

• Electrical heating

• Condensation-prone surfaces

• Failed equipment fans

• Hot PDU connections

The Noyafa NF-522 Thermal Camera can support temperature-pattern inspection, while the logger provides the time-based record.

Data Logger and Airflow Meter

A logger may show a temperature increase but not explain why it occurred.

An airflow meter can help check whether:

• Rack inlet airflow is weak

• Cooling discharge has changed

• Upper-rack airflow is insufficient

• A grille is blocked

• Containment leakage is present

The combination provides stronger evidence than either reading alone.

Common Selection Mistakes

Avoid:

• Buying RC-5 for a humidity investigation

• Buying GSP-6 Pro when only simple temperature mapping is required

• Using one logger for the entire server room

• Placing the logger at the rack rear when inlet temperature is required

• Installing it directly in cooling discharge

• Forgetting to synchronise logger time

• Using different intervals for comparison points

• Reviewing only maximum and minimum readings

• Removing the logger before the event occurs

• Failing to repeat monitoring after corrective work

Which Model Should You Buy?

Choose Elitech RC-5 if your main requirement is:

“I need to record server rack or room temperature over time.”

Choose Elitech GSP-6 Pro if your requirement is:

“I need to record both temperature and humidity or investigate condensation.”

For a more complete data-centre monitoring kit, use both:

• RC-5 units for multiple rack-temperature points

• GSP-6 Pro units for humidity-sensitive and reference locations

Recommended Supporting Instruments

Depending on the investigation, combine the logger with:

• Handheld temperature and humidity meter

• Noyafa NF-522 Thermal Camera

• Airflow meter

• Differential pressure meter

• AC/DC clamp meter

• Moisture meter

• Power quality analyzer

Select the Logger According to the Question

The RC-5 and GSP-6 Pro are not direct substitutes in every application.

The correct choice depends on what the maintenance team needs to prove.

Use the RC-5 for practical temperature trending and multi-point rack monitoring.

Use the GSP-6 Pro when relative humidity affects the diagnosis, particularly in condensation, leakage and battery-room applications.

Selecting the logger according to the measurement objective produces clearer evidence and avoids repeating the entire monitoring exercise with a different instrument.

Contact MTM Precision

MTM Precision Sdn. Bhd.

Showroom & Service Centre

No. 29-1 & 29-2, Jalan Bandar 18,
Pusat Bandar Puchong,
47160 Puchong, Selangor, Malaysia

🌐 Website: www.mtmpre.com.my
📧 Email: mtmpre@yahoo.com
📱 WhatsApp: +6016-660 7346